NEAFWA 2018

AUTHORS: Andrew M. LaBonte, Howard J. Kilpatrick - Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division

ABSTRACT. Deer (Odocoileus sp.) harvest data have been used to develop population models, set bag limits and hunting season lengths, and evaluate herd age, composition, and health. Managers use numerous methods to obtain these data, such as in-person check stations (IPC), mail questionnaires or kill cards, telephone services, and most recently, Internet harvest reporting (IHR). Agencies may struggle to determine which methods should be used and how hunters feel about using them. Our objectives were to assess current harvest reporting and data collection methods and to evaluate hunter opinions, satisfaction, and harvest reporting compliance in Connecticut. To assess harvest reporting and data collection methods, we conducted a nationwide survey of wildlife agencies and to assess hunter opinions, satisfaction, and compliance we conducted a survey of Connecticut deer hunters. All surveys were implemented through SurveyMonkey®. Many agencies are currently using telephone (41.0%), IPC (46.4), and IHR systems (64.2%). Hunters reported their harvest primarily using IHR (75%), and satisfaction with that system was high (96%). Hunters were evenly split in regards to whether reporting rates were higher with the new reporting systems than with previous systems (36% more, 33% less, 31% same). We found that most hunters (82%) reported harvesting the same number of deer on the survey as through the new system, however 14% of hunters were non-compliant. Telephone and IHR systems are becoming increasingly popular, and provide a convenient means to report harvest, have few problems, and result in high harvest reporting rates.