A mail-survey questionnaire concerning wildlife management on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land was sent to one-half (n = 808) the enrollees in Virginia selected at random. Results from a 76% return indicated that 72% wanted to improve the wildlife habitat on their retired land. These respondents felt that wildlife habitat improvement was important because of its visual appeal (23%), hunting opportunities for enrollees (21 %), and future values for descendants (18%). Respondents who did not want to improve wildlife habitat desired to avoid attracting hunters. Most respondents (62%) indicated they had not been informed about improving wildlife habitat on their CRP land, and one-third of them wished someone would do so. Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) and Soil Conservation Service (SCS) personnel were the primary source (63%) of wildlife habitat information for CRP participants. CRP land was planted primarily to pines (49%), fescue-clover (19%), and fescue (15%). Only 5% of the land was enrolled as a "permanent wildlife habitat" Less than 2% of the respondents indicated that they had planted woody shrubs. Mowing the entire CRP acreage was the primary means (43%) of weed control. Leasing of CRP land to hunters for cash income was uncommon (3%). When asked what amount of compensation would be required to implement a wildlife plan, if the costs of doing so were paid, 27% indicated they would require no payment. CRP participants are older, more likely female, and control more land than typical Virginia farmers. These results indicate a high interest in wildlife on private land and a need for better targeting of information and education efforts by USDA and state wildlife management agencies. / M.S.

Master of Science