Survey of New York State Deer Hunters Following the 2009 Hunting Season Jody W. Enck Human Dimensions Research Unit Department of Natural Resources Cornell University

Presentation Topics Sampling considerations and survey design. Statistical precision. Survey topics: Opinions about a possible youth hunt Opinions about legalization and use of crossbows Opinions about various management options emerging from statewide meetings held prior to the 2009 hunting season.

Sampling Considerations Statewide survey, representative of all deer hunters. Geographic breakouts for hunters who hunt primarily in Northern Zone and for hunters who hunt primarily in Southern Zone. Total sample size of 4,791 deliverable questionnaires; 2,213 respondents (46.2%). Maximum margin of error = +/- 2.2%

Survey Design 2 versions of the questionnaire. Similarities: Variables on hunting participation and experiences, demographic characteristics. Opinions about possible youth hunt, crossbows. Differences: Version 1: Questions about 8 options regarding season structure and harvest of antlerless deer. Version 2: Questions about 6 options regarding harvest of antlered bucks.

Opinions About Possible Youth Hunt Overall opinion % Good Idea 56 Neither Good nor Bad 20 Bad Idea 24

Opinions About Possible Youth Hunt Overall opinion With Kids No kids Good Idea 58% 55% Neither 24 18 Bad Idea 17 27 Having children who might take advantage of the new opportunity had little effect on hunters’ opinions.

Opinions About Possible Youth Hunt When should a youth hunt be held? 6 options were examined… each was a good idea for 25-36% each was a bad idea for 36-45% What kind of hunting opportunity should the youth have? Good Bad buck tag and antlerless tag 48% 33% one deer of either sex 64% 24%

Opinions About Possible Youth Hunt Willing to be non-hunting adult on youth hunt? Kids No kids Not at all willing 5% 18% Slightly willing 7 17 Moderately willing 15 21 Very willing 72 44

Opinions About Use of Crossbows Crossbows were not legal at time of survey. What extent agree or disagree that crossbows should never be legalized? Agree, never legalize 31% Neither agree nor disagree 16% Disagree, should legalize 53%

Opinions About Use of Crossbows Crossbows were not legal at time of survey. What extent agree or disagree that crossbows should never be legalized? Bowhunters Others Agree 32% 30% Neither 15 16 Disagree 53 54

Opinions About Use of Crossbows If crossbows were legal, they should be legal for… Agree Neither Disagree All hunters, whenever bows are legal (bow, reg. gun) 53% 14% 33% Places needing more deer harvested 43 20 37 All hunters, only reg. gun 16 16 67 Disabled hunters 76 8 16 Senior hunters 68 11 21

Opinions About Use of Crossbows If crossbows were legal, would you use one? Bowhunters Others Definitely no 21% 21% Probably no 20 14 Not sure 16 21 Probably yes 20 24 Definitely yes 23 20

Management Options Topics identified from statewide meetings 4 options pertaining to season structure 4 options pertaining to antlerless harvest 6 options pertaining to antlered buck harvest Opinion measured as Good Idea vs. Bad Idea Most important trade-offs as basis for opinion

Opinions About Changes to Season Structure Lengthen late archery and muzzleloader seasons in Southern Zone? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 38% 29% 33% Hunt SZ late seas. 54 13 33 Other hunters 29 38 33 (statistically different)

Opinions About Changes to Season Structure Shorten regular firearms season? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 17% 7% 76% Hunt reg. gun 16 6 78 Other hunters 20 15 66 (different)

Opinions About Changes to Season Structure Create new season for flintlock, sidelock, and matchlock muzzleloaders (no scopes allowed)? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 18% 19% 63% Muzz. hunters 24 19 57 Other hunters 16 19 65 (different)

Create new season for flintlock, sidelock, and matchlock muzzleloaders (no scopes allowed)? Would participate? All muzzlehunters not likely 69% 50% slightly likely 15 20 moderately likely 7 11 very likely 9 19

Opinions About Changes to Season Structure Start archery season earlier? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 47% 24% 29% Bowhunters 68 12 20 Other hunters 37 29 34 (different)

Opinions About Changes to Antlerless Regulations In WMUs where deer population too high, make part of bow and muzzle seasons antlerless-only? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 50% 16% 34% Bow/muzzle 51 16 33 Reg. gun 49 13 38 (not different statistically)

Opinions About Changes to Antlerless Regulations Allow antlerless harvest only through DMPs? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 50% 14% 36% Bow/muzzle 34 13 53 Others 64 14 22 (different)

Opinions About Changes to Antlerless Regulations In years when WMUs are temporarily closed to DMPs, allow bow and muzzle hunters to only take bucks in those WMUs during that year? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 57% 17% 26% Bow/muzzle 52 17 31 Others 61 16 23 (different)

Opinions About Changes to Antlerless Regulations Create a new, early muzzleloader season in SZ that is antlerless-only? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 41% 12% 47% SZ Muzz. Hunters 57 6 37 Other hunters 36 14 50 (different)

Trade-offs for Buck Options Which ONE of these experiences is most important to you personally? Having the greatest opportunity to harvest more than one buck per year = 8% Having the greatest prospects of taking an older buck with large antlers = 34% Having the greatest freedom to choose which antlered buck I take = 58%

Opinions About Changes to Buck Regulations Allow each hunter to take only one antlered buck per year? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 42% 17% 41% Bow/muzzle 34 8 58 Other hunters 61 11 28 (different)

Opinions About Changes to Buck Regulations Keep current 2-buck bag limit, but make 2nd tag valid only for bucks with larger antlers? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 42% 11% 47%

Opinions About Changes to Buck Regulations Set mandatory antler restrictions to reduce harvest of yearling bucks during all deer seasons (youth exempt)? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 48% 7% 45%

Opinions About Changes to Buck Regulations Set mandatory antler restrictions to reduce harvest of yearling bucks, but only for part of the deer season (youth exempt)? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 42% 12% 46%

Opinions About Changes to Buck Regulations Promote voluntary restraint on the part of hunters to pass-up shots at yearling bucks? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 53% 14% 33%

Opinions About Changes to Buck Regulations Give hunters choice to buy 1 tag valid for any antlered buck OR 2 tags valid only for bucks with larger antlers? Good Bad idea Neither idea All hunters 33% 15% 52%

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