Analysis of factors influencing decisions to acquire public lands for wildlife

Public land acquisition for wildlife-related purposes was studied, using land acquisition under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act between 1947 and 1970 for the analysis. On the basis of a literature review, variables were selected for graphing and for regression analysis. Data was compiled from Federal Aid and other sources. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were run for selected land acquisition and other pertinent variables. Of 31 subproblems, 21 produced equations significant at the 0.99 probability level; 5 produced equations significant at the 0.95 probability level; 3 did-not produce significant equations; and 2 produced no equations.

Land acquisition under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act appeared to be strongly related to fund availability, competing uses for funds, increasing land prices, decreasing opportunity to buy suitable land, and increasing hunter demand for public hunting areas.