Wildlife management areas in Oklahoma: A study of economic importance and visitor satisfaction

Abstract

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Oklahoma are public lands managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and are open to the public for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related recreational activities. This research was conducted to provide data on the economic and human aspects of WMA visitation, specifically, to analyze the economic importance of and visitor satisfaction with WMAs. To accomplish the study objectives, WMA visitor surveys were administered among resident and non-resident Oklahoma hunting and fishing license and conservation passport holders during the 2020-2021 hunting season. A travel cost model of demand for recreation access to WMAs showed that the net benefit of access to WMAs in the state vary between $15.95-$28.09, depending on the modeling assumptions. Aggregation of individual benefits to the population of WMA users yielded an aggregate net benefit between $42.6-$75.1 million for Oklahoma. A statewide input-output analysis showed that WMA-related spending, directly and indirectly, created a total of 8,341.4 jobs that provided a labor income of $297.3 million and contributed a total of $39.6 million in state and local taxes and $57.1 million in federal taxes in Oklahoma in 2020. Unique county-wide input-output models revealed how WMAs with differing visitation levels can support local economies. Results of the CUB (Covariates in a Uniform and shifted Binomial mixture) model used to analyze visitor satisfaction revealed that hunters and anglers have higher feelings of satisfaction compared to non-consumptive visitors, and WMA visitors are either most uncertain or least satisfied with their feeling of safety and privacy while visiting WMAs. ODWC can use the results of this research while allocating budget funds, determining best management practices, making management decisions, or acquiring new lands for the WMA system. Ultimately, by understanding and meeting visitors’ preferences, ODWC aspires to aid in the increase in demand for WMAs, which could lead to an increase in positive economic impacts in the state and local communities.