Date of Award
Spring 6-7-2018
Document Type
Honors Project
University Scholars Director
Christine Chaney
First Advisor/Committee Member
Geri Mason
Second Advisor/Committee Member
Jennifer Meredith
Keywords
travel-cost analysis, hunting, elk, environmental economics, recreation
Abstract
This study will attempt to establish an estimate of willingness to pay for elk hunted in Western Washington, with the intent of informing policymakers on the potential economic benefit of elk hunting in the state. The research uses travel cost analysis to estimate variable cost associated with hunting, and controls for macroeconomic fluctuations in hunting demand as well as quality metrics for the specific GMUs in question. The study found that expected willingness to pay for an elk hunting trip in 2013-2015 was approximately $140, which is a lower-bound estimation of expenditures and hunter utility. The study’s findings support the notion that improvements to hunting quality could generate large economic returns for rural areas of Washington State.
Recommended Citation
Donka, Alex, "Western Washington Elk-Hunting: Analyzing Willingness To Pay and Economic Benefits" (2018). Honors Projects. 73.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/honorsprojects/73
Copyright Status
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
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