211 Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 9:211–231, 2004 Copyright © Taylor & Francis Inc. ISSN: 1087–1209 print / 1533-158X online DOI: 10.1080/10871200490479990 Hunters’ Behavior and Acceptance of Management Actions Related to Chronic Wasting Disease in Eight States MARK D. NEEDHAM JERRY J. VASKE MICHAEL J. MANFREDO Department of Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism Human Dimensions in Natural Resources Unit Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado, USA The impacts of chronic wasting disease (CWD) on hunters’ behavior and beliefs about acceptable management actions are not clearly understood. This article presents findings from an initial phase of a multi-stage, multi-state effort to address these knowledge gaps. Data were obtained from mail surveys (n = 659) of resident and nonresident deer hunters in eight states and elk hunters in three states. Hunters were presented with hypothetical situations of increasing: (1) CWD prevalence (all eight states), and (2) human health risks (two states). Logistic regression equations estimated that at current prevalence levels in some states, 3% (residents) to 5% (nonresidents) of hunters would stop hunting deer/elk in their state. If 50% of the deer or elk across the state were infected, approximately 42% (residents) and 54% (nonresidents) would stop hunting deer/elk in their state. In hypothetical situations where a hunter died from CWD at this prevalence level, the percentage was 68%. Potential for conflict indices (PCI) showed that as prevalence and human health risks increased, acceptability of testing and lethal management This article is based on a project of the Human Dimensions Committee of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA). The authors thank Chris Burkett (Wyoming Game and Fish Department), Dana Dolsen (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources), Jacquie Ermer (North Dakota Game and Fish Department), Larry Gigliotti (South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks), Ty Gray (Arizona Game and Fish Department), Larry Kruckenberg (Wyoming Game and Fish Department), Bruce Morrison (Nebraska Game and Parks Commission), Peter Newman (Colorado State University), Jordan Petchenik (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources), Duane Shroufe (Arizona Game and Fish Department), Linda Sikorowski (Colorado Division of Wildlife), and Tara Teel (Colorado State University) for their assistance. Address correspondence to Mark D. Needham, Department of Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, Human Dimensions in Natural Resources Unit, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1480, USA. E-mail: mneedham@cnr.colostate.edu