WILLINGNESS-TO-PAY FOR A CHANGE IN ELK HUNTING QUALITY

Information on the value of recreational activities can assist public agencies in managing fish and wildlife species, We used the contingent -valuation method to estimate the use value of changes in the quality of the elk (Cervus elaphus) hunting experience. The focus of the study was elk hunting on the Starkey Research Forest in eastern Oregon, We found: (1) a mean willingness to pay of $287/trip for a virtually cert ain opportunity to shoot at an elk, (2) a statistically significant ef fect of hunters income on acceptance of fees for improved hunts, and ( 3) a decrease in the respondents' willingness to pay as the planned nu mber of days hunted increased. The implications include: (1) the exist ence oi opportunities for generating revenue to support elk management , (2) a negative correlation between participation of hunters and fee levels, and (3) an estimated mean value of $1,063 for a harvested elk (median of $333).