CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is sending out a series of surveys to gather input from resident and nonresident hunters on key management issues.
The Big Game Hunting Weapon Type Survey has been sent out to individuals who applied for an antelope, deer, or elk license in the past three years. Recipients were selected randomly from this group. The surveys were sent out via email on August 27 and the first reminder will go out on Sept. 8.
The objective of the survey is to evaluate hunter satisfaction with Wyoming's current approach to allocating opportunities to hunt antelope, deer, and elk with different weapons like archery or firearm, and gauge whether any significant regional or statewide changes should be implemented.
“We want to encourage anyone who is selected to participate in this survey to provide input, as it will help us better understand and meet the needs of our hunting community,” said Game and Fish Deputy Chief of Wildlife Justin Binfet. “We want to thank you in advance for taking the time to make your voice heard as we continue to evaluate how the public wants Game and Fish to allocate hunting opportunities in Wyoming.”
A similar survey for black bear hunting will be sent out later in September to all black bear hunters who held a license in the last three years along with licensed black bear outfitters. Additional smaller surveys designed to solicit feedback on local management issues will also be coming out later this year, such as a survey about elk hunting in the southern Bighorn Mountains.
These surveys are separate from the annual harvest surveys that are sent out beginning in October, which are only sent to individuals who held a license. Harvest surveys gather information about how hunters did during the fall hunting seasons including what or if they harvested, where they hunted, and how long they hunted for. These harvest metrics are extremely important for Game and Fish to help guide the management of species.
All of our hunter surveys are used in the decision making process, and it is very helpful to the agency when hunters submit their completed surveys.
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