Hunter Demand for Deer on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska: An Analysis of Influencing Factors

摘要

Overall hunter demand for deer on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, has not changed significantly in the last 10 years, although demand has increased in five communities on the island. These five communities each experienced a decline in household median income between 1989 and 1999. In communities with a smaller percentage of Native Alaskans, deer was a larger component of their subsistence harvest. The cash-based market economy on Prince of Wales Island is in transition as the dependence on logging and commercial fishing declines. The subsistence economy in Alaska has traditionally provided security to residents during lulls or downturns in the market economy. Overall employment opportunities in southeast Alaska are projected to decline between 2000 and 2010. An area of projected growth, however, is in tourism and recreation-based employment, from which residents on the island may be able to benefit. Change in employment opportunities may change demand for deer.