Gender differences in wildlife-dependent recreation on public lands

Different groups of people may desire and respond to social ecological conditions in myriad ways (e.g., increased engagement, avoidance). Thus, managers nature-based recreation sites open for public use (i.e., “public lands”) would benefit from understanding how with different lived experiences under new brought about by regulatory changes infrastructural improvements, reduction access) or environmental drought, population declines). From a survey visitors lands, specifically National Wildlife Refuges refuges) the United States, we examine gender differences (a) participation wildlife-dependent recreation, (b) visitor experiences, (c) effect on future preferred activities. Our sample ( n = 9,918; 40% who self-selected female) included 69 refuges during 2018 2019. Results indicated that female were more likely indicate they don’t like being nature themselves, close them enjoy recreation. People less engage hunting fishing as their primary activity noted supporting these activities (specifically, fewer regulations fishing, hunting, acreage fishing/hunting) could decrease activity. respondents be displaced alienated visiting site if consumptive hunting) are prioritized mechanisms controlling abundant wildlife populations). Adaptive processes anticipate - advance decisions made potential ramifications subgroups lands can identify differential inequitable impacts, thus lead inclusive management when those impacts preemptively addressed.