Wildlife Economics
- Hunt
- Geese
One role of the Institute’s research is to enhance the economic value of wildlife. Monetary value provides incentives for land managers to practice conservation efforts for both game and non-game species.
Hunting is a viable economic industry for south Texas landowners. Upland game, big game, and migratory game species are an important resource to south Texas and annually generate millions of dollars from hunting and property leases. Without question, these recreation activities have helped stabilize rural economics. Understanding population dynamics of these wildlife species is key to selecting sustainable harvest guidelines and is necessary for the wise use of the wildlife resource. Institute researchers are conducting studies on economically-important game species like bobwhite quail, mourning dove, white-winged dove, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, migratory game birds, and waterfowl.
Recently, there has been much interest in nature tourism. For example, migratory birds are an important resource, which generates thousands of dollars from bird watching and photographic opportunities. Other species such as ferruginous pygmy-owls and neotropical migrant birds also are pursued by bird-watching enthusiasts. The Institute has led the way in evaluating new methods to facilitate nature tourism and to assess the economic potential of this emerging industry in south Texas.
