Wildlife and recreation management on private lands in the United States

The public owns wildlife in North America, but landowners manage the habita t, influence reproductive potentials, and control the access to wildlife on private lands. Unfortunately landowners do not always view wildlife positi vely, owing to damages sustained, wildlife's competition with domestic prod uction, and errant behaviors of users who access private lands. Recreationa l activities such as fee-hunting and wildlife viewing provide quality exper iences for the recreationists and incentives for the landowners to keep wil dlife. Private lands are found on 66% of the United States and contribute 8 0% of wildlife habitats, thus they are important to animal production, recr eational use, and society. Expenditures for wildlife-based recreation total ed $101.2 billion in the United States (U.S.), with most money spent on equ ipment and trip-related costs (90%) for consumptive uses and 89% for noncon sumptive uses. Only $3.2 billion was spent for land leasing or ownership, y et hunting was practiced most on private lands (51%) or on public and priva te lands combined (30%). Nonconsumptive uses were fewer on private lands (1 0%) or on public and private lands combined (34%), yet those levels of use are significant enough to merit commensurate financial and management atten tion. Landowners need to participate in the management and in the profit-ta king associated with the production of wildlife and the recreation it provi des. Management and use of private lands should be increased by enfranchisi ng private landowners to be partners with governments (which are entrusted as custodians over wildlife resources). Options for U. S. landowners to con sider include: hunting, fishing, bed and breakfasts, ranch recreation, snow sports, wilderness experiences, wildlife viewing, nature study, and other nonconsumptive activities. Partnerships among landowners, governments, busi nesses, users, and communities are encouraged, whereby planning, programs, and evaluation can be integrated.