ATTITUDES TOWARD GRAY WOLF REINTRODUCTION TO NEW-BRUNSWICK

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.