Abstract
Feeding traps (e.g., box traps and corral traps) are used to capture sika deer (Cervus nippon) in nuisance control efforts in the Tajima region, Hyogo Prefecture. These activities usually are conducted by affected communities in cooperation with local hunters. However, improving capture efficiency is on the agenda for wildlife management policy. We initiated a program to improve capture efficiency in communities in Tajima, and evaluated the first year of implementation via policy evaluation theory.
We conducted three evaluations: theory evaluation, process evaluation, and impact evaluation. For theory evaluation, we showed a hypothesis logic model of the results of two investigations conducted before the program. Our process evaluation which was based on three questionnaire surveys showing that the program had been conducted completely according to plan and participants practiced capture techniques which were introduced in the program very well. Regression analysis demonstrated a significantly positive effect of capture techniques practiced on harvests. Our impact evaluation showed that average harvest per feeding trap in villages of program participants was 1.5 times larger than those of control villages.
