Restoration of gray wolves (Canis lupus) to their original range depen
ds not only on a sound ecological basis but also on public acceptance.
We sampled 4 special interest groups in New Brunswick about a hypothe
tical reintroduction to this area. Two white-tailed deer (Odocoileus v
irginianus) hunter groups and 2 naturalist groups were sampled by ques
tionnaire to test the hypothesis that deer hunters would have more neg
ative attitudes and be less willing to reintroduce wolves to New Bruns
wick than would members of naturalist groups. Deer hunters in northern
New Brunswick, where deer hunting was closed due to low numbers of de
er, were more negative about a reintroduction than southern deer hunte
rs (deer seasons open) and members of naturalist groups. None of the g
roups were willing to reintroduce wolves Co New Brunswick. Positive at
titude and greater willingness to support reintroduction were correlat
ed with higher education, not having previously hunted big game, and l
ess fear of hiking in the woods knowing wolves were present. Knowledge
-of-wolf scores for all groups were low. The most common reason given
for opposing wolf reintroduction was that it would result in a deer po
pulation decline. If wolf reintroduction were ever to be contemplated
for New Brunswick, education programs would be necessary to placate pu
blic fear of deer population declines.