How was the hunting?
Please return the Surveys to the Game & Fish
by Wyoming Game & Fish
November 11, 2006
After filling out the application and license, hunters are urged to complete one last - although very important - item of paperwork for the season: the harvest survey.
More than 61,000 deer, elk, antelope and black bear hunters were sent post cards last week 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 will be sent a post card survey. 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, 2007 will be entered in raffles.
Antelope hunters will compete for: fleece vest with species logo (donated by Game and Fish Biological Services, K-pak - A weatherproof gear pack (donated by Packaroo Sports), binoculars (donated by PA Consulting Group) and one-year membership and subscription to Hunting Illustrated (donated by King's Outdoor World).
Deer respondents will be drawn for a pair of Ariat Sedona Cowboy Boots (donated by Ariat and Corral West), limited edition bighorn sheep belt buckle (donated by the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep), King of the Cut Jerky Board and Knife Kit (donated by Hi Mountain Jerky), one-year membership and subscription to Hunting Illustrated (donated by King's Outdoor World) and binoculars (donated by PA Consulting Group).
Elk hunters have a chance to win a one-year Hunter Services membership and subscription to Huntin' Fool magazine (donated by Huntin' Fool), wildlife print with matching stamp (donated by the Wyoming Wildlife Federation), one-year membership and subscription to Hunting Illustrated (donated by King's Outdoor World) and $25 gift certificate to Wyoming Outdoor Industries (donated by Wyoming Outdoor Industries).
Black bear hunters could win a Browning Skinner knife with sheath (donated by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation), one-year membership and subscription to Hunting Illustrated (donated by King's Outdoor World) and $100 gift certificate to the Game and Fish Store.
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