Perceptions of Mountain Lions 131age of South Dakota residents (72%) who in 2002 favored a regulated mountain lion
season for managing mountain lions in South Dakota, did so again in 2012 ( table 8.12).
I believe that favorable view could be attributed to the information collected on
the species, which was regularly shared with the public through the South Dakota
Game, Fish and Parks public forums and our pre sen ta tions to local organ izations
across the state. The result was an informed public who were comfortable with the
methods used by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks to manage
what was considered a po liti cally and physically dangerous animal while it reestab-
lished its presence in the Black Hills.
Lit er a ture Cited
Backman, P. A., D. E. Hubbard, J. A. Jenks, and L. M. Gigliotti. 2001. The importance of the
social aspects of hunting: A comparison between resident and non- resident 1999 Black
Hills deer hunters. Proceedings of the South Dakota Acad emy of Science 80:267–281.
Barber- Meyer, S. M., L. D. Mech, and P. J. White. 2008. Elk calf survival and mortality
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Table 8.12. Responses (2002 and 2012 surveys) to the question “Do you oppose or
favor a regulated mountain lion season in South Dakota?”
Attitude response 2002 SD residents 2012 SD residents
Strongly oppose 7% 5%
Moderately oppose 4% 1%
Slightly oppose 3% 2%
Neutral / no opinion 14% 20%
Slightly favor 15% 19%
Moderately favor 26% 19%
Strongly favor 31% 34%
Source: Gigliotti 2012.