2007 Summaries of Wildlife Research Findings - Minnesota State ...

Section 4: Trust in the Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources and Media Resources
Attitudes About the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Research on Lead Shot
Respondents were asked to rate six statements to indicate their trust in the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources and in research about lead shot.
On average respondents were fairly neutral in their trust of the Minnesota DNR. Between 40% and 50%
of respondents agreed that: (a) When deciding about the use of lead shot for small game hunting in
Minnesota, the MnDNR will be open and honest in the things they do and say ( x =3.2) (Table 4-1), (b)
The MnDNR can be trusted to make decisions about using lead shot for small game management that are
good for the resource ( x =3.3) (Table 4-2), (c) The MnDNR will make decisions about using lead shot for
small game in a way that is fair ( x =3.2) (Table 4-3), (d) The MnDNR listens to small game hunters’
concerns ( x =3.1) (Table 4-4). Between one-fourth and one-third of the respondents neither agreed nor
disagreed with these statements. Metropolitan respondents agreed more strongly with the first three
statements (Tables 4-1 to 4-3).
Two statements addressed the influence of research on support for a ban on lead shot. Results suggest that
approximately two-thirds of respondents would be more likely to support a ban on lead shot if research
shows that it has a negative effect on game species ( x =3.8) (Table 4-5) or on non-game species ( x =3.7)
(Table 4-6). Metropolitan respondents were significantly more likely to agree with these two statements.
Trust in and Use of Media Resources
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Respondents were asked to indicate how much they rely on and trust information about hunting from 14
sources (Tables 4-7 to 4-20). Respondents relied most frequently on the DNR hunting regulations
( x =3.7) (Table 4-20), outdoor magazines ( x =3.4) (Table 4-4), Outdoor News ( x =3.3) (Table 4-19),
outdoor shows on TV ( x =3.2) (Table 4-10), and sportsmen’s groups ( x =3.1) (Table 4-18). The listed
sources that were relied on the least were the St. Paul Pioneer Press ( x =2.1) (Table 4-15) and the
Minneapolis Star Tribune ( x =2.3) (Table 4-14). All other sources fell between these groups. Compared
to non-metropolitan residents, metropolitan residents relied more heavily on the Internet, the two Twin
Cities newspapers, and the Minnesota DNR Website.
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