Deterring Defiance: 'Don’t Give a Poacher a Reason to Poach'
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Date
2012-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University. Libraries
Abstract
Poaching threatens species biodiversity and ecological integrity, but criminologists largely
overlook this form of crime. The purpose of this study is to expand criminological theory on
poaching by documenting the strategies poachers andgame wardens suggest as successful
deterrents. Defiance theory is used to understand how the interaction between game wardens and
poachers is an important consideration for garnering voluntary compliance. Qualitative
interviews with game wardens (N=16) and poachers (N=13) demonstrate that these parties
ideologically agree about fish and wildlife conservation, and both parties offer similar methods
for deterring poaching. However, because poachers are negatively disposed toward
indiscriminant game wardens, the perception of unfair treatment/punishment may lead to future
poaching. This study examines trajectories for future research on poaching and contributes to
contemporary criminological theory by linking defiance theory with deterrence theory. Finally,
the paper concludes with strategies for deterring poaching and garnering voluntary compliance.
Description
Keywords
poaching, game wardens, defiance theory, deterrence theory, voluntary compliance
Citation
International Journal of Rural Criminology, v1, n2 (November, 2012), p. 236-255