Survey of New York State Deer Hunters Following

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 Neither Good nor Bad Idea % 56 20 24

Opinions About Possible Youth Hunt Overall opinion Good Idea With Kids 58% No kids 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? Not at all willing Slightly willing Moderately willing Very willing Kids No kids 5% 7 15 72 18% 17 21 44

Opinions About Use of 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 were not legal at time of survey. What extent agree or disagree that crossbows should never be legalized? Agree Neither Disagree Bowhunters 32% 15 53 Others 30% 16 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% Places needing more deer harvested 43 All hunters, only reg. gun 16 Disabled hunters Senior hunters 76 68 14% 33% 20 16 37 67 8 11 16 21

Opinions About Use of Crossbows If crossbows were legal, would you use one? Definitely no Probably no Not sure Probably yes Definitely yes Bowhunters Others 21% 20 14 16 21 20 24 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 idea Neither Bad idea All hunters 38% 29% 33% Hunt SZ late seas. Other hunters 54 29 13 38 33 33 (statistically different)

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

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

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

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

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

Opinions About Changes to Antlerless Regulations Allow antlerless harvest only through DMPs? Good idea Neither Bad idea All hunters 50% 14% 36% Bow/muzzle Others 34 64 13 14 53 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 idea Neither Bad idea All hunters 57% 17% 26% Bow/muzzle Others 52 61 17 16 31 23 (different)

Opinions About Changes to Antlerless Regulations Create a new, early muzzleloader season in SZ that is antlerless-only? Good idea All hunters Neither Bad idea 41% 12% 47% 6 14 37 50 SZ Muzz. Hunters 57 Other hunters 36 (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 idea Neither Bad idea All hunters 42% 17% 41% Bow/muzzle Other hunters 34 61 8 11 58 28 (different)

Opinions About Changes to Buck Regulations Keep current 2 -buck bag limit, but make 2 nd tag valid only for bucks with larger antlers? Good idea All hunters Neither Bad idea 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 idea All hunters Neither Bad idea 57. 4% 8. 1% 34. 4%

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 idea All hunters Neither Bad idea 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 idea All hunters Neither Bad idea 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 idea All hunters Neither Bad idea 33% 15% 52%

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