Overview of Research

In regards to wolf reintroductions, there is not much research directly discussing Colorado. While the research based in other states or places like Yellowstone National Park is helpful, there are also different circumstances surrounding each individual reintroduction. Not only is there not much reliable research in Colorado at the moment, but most of it is not centered around individuals and about how they feel. Instead, it is based on the wolves and how they are thriving in the reintroduction. With a lack of academic research with the people of the state and their perspective, it is difficult to see the full scale of the effects the wolf reintroductions will have. With that in mind, I hope to have my research fill some of the gap between the research for wolves and the lack of research for people who enjoy recreational activities in Colorado. People who do recreational activities are commonly overlooked in studies in favor of people who are considered “more” affected such as ranchers. Not only are they overlooked for that reason, but they are also not specifically focused on when people are doing statewide surveys, and while they may be a small focus, finding out those effects is not the main objective. The gap between not only the research in Colorado, as well as for such large reintroduction outside of a national park, but also the gap with recreational activities makes this topic a very timely and important piece to help fill in the gaps of the scholarly conversation surrounding all points of importance related to the wolves. Looking at research about the wolves, most of it is done ecologically and seeing how the wolves affect the ecosystem around them. While that is a main factor in the decision to reintroduce wolves in many cases, it is not always the biggest impact that citizens in their day-to-day lives will see. This is important to keep in mind because of the large gap with recreation and how that is something more day-to-day that makes a larger impact in the lives of citizens, but is also not looked at nearly as much. Closing the gap would also be important for any future reintroductions. Including other species, in other states, or anything else for that matter, it is important to see how the industry of going outdoors has the potential to change with the wolves.