Public management attitudes and behavioural intentions towards the management of (over)abundant wild ungulate populations

Social perceptions of wild ungulates depend on their abundance and the socioeconomic context. These perceptions shape attitudes toward management and explain social behavior toward the species. Our objective was to evaluate attitudes and behavioral intentions toward wild ungulate management in the Iberian Peninsula. We conducted a survey of 440 participants in mainland Spain. Respondents generally supported non-lethal methods, though attitudes varied with socioeconomic context. A key finding was that attitudes did not directly translate into behavioral intentions, suggesting the influence of cognitive dissonance or social norms. While many respondents supported education and awareness actions, a considerable share reported no intention to participate or provide financial support. Recreational hunting was broadly rejected. Notably, hunters' involvement in management was associated with attitudes that more strongly predicted behavioral intentions. These results highlight the complexity of the social landscape and underscore the need to adapt management strategies to socioeconomic settings and behavioral drivers.