G&F asks Hunters to fill out Harvest Survey
by Wyoming Game & Fish
November 27, 2005
(Cheyenne) After filling out their application and license, hunters are urged to complete one last – although very important – item of paperwork for the season: the harvest survey.
Over 70,000 deer, elk, antelope and black bear hunters were sent post cards recently asking them to reflect on their hunts in preparation for receiving the detailed harvest survey in about two weeks.
Christine Leonard, harvest survey coordinator for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, says it is important hunters accurately report their success, how many days they hunted and the hunt areas they hunted in.
"Harvest levels, effort and success rates provided by the survey responses are among the key factors used to determine the status of the herds and to set the quotas and seasons for the upcoming year," Leonard said. "The more accurate and complete the information is, the better the department can serve both wildlife and hunters."
Hunters with internet access don’t have to wait for the mailed survey but can use the individualized code on the initial post card they receive to complete the survey online at www.wyhunter.org.
"The online surveys are the most efficient way for the hunter who has Internet access to respond," Leonard said. "It is also more efficient to tally the survey results via the web survey, while at the same time reducing the cost of conducting the survey."
Hunters should note that, even if they were contacted in the field or stopped at a check station, it is still important to fill out the post-season survey.
Fifty to 100 percent of limited quota deer, elk and antelope license holders are surveyed. Approximately 25 percent of general deer and elk hunters are surveyed. All moose and bighorn sheep hunters are surveyed. The survey sample sizes are established to obtain statistically valid estimates of hunter effort and success, as well as harvest.
Leonard reports that Wyoming hunters continue to have a greater response rate than most other voluntary reporting states. She said 60-70 percent of nonresidents and 40-50 percent of residents return their harvest surveys, but it is her goal to increase the return each year.
All deer, elk, antelope and black bear hunters responding to the surveys by Jan. 31, 2006 will be entered in raffles. Antelope hunters will compete for: a browning skinner knife and one-year Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation membership (both donated by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation), binoculars from Sierra Trading Post donated by PA Consulting Group, 1-year membership and subscription to Hunting Illustrated donated by King’s Outdoor World and an afghan blanket donated by the National Wild Turkey Foundation.
Deer respondents will be drawn for a $25 gift certificate to Wyoming Outdoor Industries, 1-year membership and subscription to Hunting Illustrated donated by King’s Outdoor World, grizzly bear print donated by Wyoming Wildlife Federation and a pair of Sedona cowboy boots donated by Ariat and a beef jerky kit donated by High Mountain Jerky.
Elk hunters have a chance to win a wildlife print donated by the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, fleece vest with wildlife logo donated by Game and Fish’s Biological Services, binoculars from Sierra Trading Post donated by PA Consulting Group and 1-year membership and subscription to Hunting Illustrated donated by King’s Outdoor World.
Black bear hunters could win a $100 gift certificate for Game and Fish products and publications donated by PA Consulting Group, binoculars donated by Sierra Trading Post and an ice cream maker donated by The Outdoor Store.
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