Post by Woody Williams on Feb 24, 2008 16:08:14 GMT -5
Buried in the “IDNR deer management out of step??” thread at..
huntingindiana.proboards52.com/index.cgi?board=deerhunting&action=display&thread=1203368302
Was the following..
Informational facts from the IDNR…..
1. The average age of antlered deer in the statewide herd in IN has been steadily increasing for many years - it has increased from 34% older than 1.5 years in the early 1990s to 47% older than 1.5 years during 2001-2004 to 55% older than 1.5 years in 2006-2007.
2. In two separate random surveys of IN deer hunters (1993 & 1995), the Division of Fish & Wildlife has found that the majority of IN deer hunters oppose reducing the length of the Firearm season. In the most recent survey, when approximately 6,300 of 10,200 deer hunters responded, they were asked to provide the ideal length for the archery, firearm, & muzzleloader deer seasons. Fifty-nine (59) percent of the respondents proposed a longer firearm season than currently exists vs. 9% proposed a shorter season and the overall average season length proposed was 22 days vs. the existing 16 day framework Similarly, 56% of survey respondents proposed a longer muzzleloader season than currently exists vs. 9% proposed a shorter season & the mean season length proposed was also 22 days vs. the existing 16 day framework.. In the 1993 deer hunter survey, 84% of 3,000 respondents opposed shortening the firearm season.
Since both surveys show that the average deer hunter actually hunted on less than 1/2 of the days that are currently available in the firearm season and hunted on approximately 1/4 of the days available in the archery season, it appears that the large majority of IN deer hunters want a high degree of flexibility in their personal freedom to choose when and how to deer hunt and do not want their choice of deer hunting opportunities reduced.
The majority of respondents (87%) of the 1993 survey also opposed closing the hunting seasons during Nov. 7 – 21, the perceived peak of the deer breeding season in IN.
3. In the most recent survey of IN deer hunters (2005), 69% of respondents were satisfied with the Division's deer management while 15% were dissatisfied with the current deer program. Hunters who hunted private land were significantly more satisfied (78% satisfied vs. 8% dissatisfied) than those who hunted public land (Fish & Wildlife Areas, 66% satisfied vs. 13% dissatisfied). This difference in satisfaction rates between public vs. private land hunters is believed to be due to the lower hunter densities on private vs. public lands.
4. While deer biologists in IL & OH have indicated that they believe that their states may benefit from short firearm & muzzleloader seasons serving to encourage hunters to harvest antlerless deer; IN deer hunters utilize the longer seasons vs. those states to predominately take antlerless deer. In the late 1980's and early 1990's the IN Muzzleloader season was 9 days long and approximately 80% of the harvest was antlerless deer. Since the Muzzleloader season was extended to 16 days in 1992, the harvest has remained 80% antlerless deer - the extra days have served to add additional recreational opportunity while primarily adding antlerless harvest. During the last 7 days of the firearm season in 2006, antlerless deer comprised 71% of the harvest which follows a long standing trend. In IN, additional days of opportunity equates to additional antlerless harvest.
5. The reputation for high numbers of trophy bucks has caused significant deer management problems for at least three states (IA, IL, KS). According to each and every state’s deer management biologist, the states are experiencing:
A. significant conflicts between resident deer hunters and nonresident hunters
B. displacement of resident hunters from traditional hunting access
C. resident hunters not being able to afford access to high quality deer habitat due to nonresident leasing of the better habitat
D. the agency has experienced increasing difficulty in controlling the deer herd as fewer hunters have access to the deer and as nonresident hunters refuse to harvest adequate numbers of antlerless deer
In KS, the reputation and subsequent nonresident demand for trophy bucks has led to the reduction of resident archery opportunity from a statewide license to a region specific license in order to be able to require the same for nonresidents (a statute designed to spread the nonresident guide fees across the state).
High nonresident license fees in IL and KS have been more a response to the conflict between residents and nonresidents than a bonus from having many trophy bucks in the state.
More recent up to date IDNR surveys.
From past IDNR Deer Hunter Surveys….
2000….
Hunter Satisfaction With Deer Management in Indiana.
Survey participants were asked to indicate their satisfaction with overall deer management in Indiana (Fig. 3. Question 10). Three times as many hunters were satisfied with current deer management than were dissatisfied. Overall, 64% of respondents gave a positive rating to deer management in Indiana compared with the 21% which gave a negative rating.
2002…
Hunter Satisfaction With Deer Management in Indiana
Almost four times as many hunters were satisfied with current deer management than were dissatisfied (positive:negative ratio of 3.8:1). Overall, 60% of respondents gave a positive rating to deer management in Indiana compared with the 16% which gave a negative rating.
Then the 2004 IDNR Deer Hunter Survey...
Hunter Satisfaction with Deer Management in Indiana
Survey participants were asked to indicate their satisfaction with overall deer management in Indiana. (Figure 1, Question 10). Over four times as many hunters were satisfied with current deer management than were dissatisfied (positive: negative ratio of 4.6:1), which is an improvement from the 2002 survey.
Overall, 69% of respondents gave a positive rating to deer management in Indiana compared with the 15% which gave a negative rating.
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/deer/deerplan.htm
Here's a couple of critical paragraphs from the plan...
WHITE-TAILED DEER MANAGEMENT GOAL
To maximize hunting and viewing opportunities while maintaining a deer population at a level consistent with ecological, social, and economic values of the people of Indiana.
WHITE-TAILED DEER OBJECTIVE 1
Provide annually a minimum of 88 days of deer hunting recreation that will include archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, while maintaining a statewide average of 4.1 million hunter days annually with a satisfaction rating of 70%.
huntingindiana.proboards52.com/index.cgi?board=deerhunting&action=display&thread=1203368302
Was the following..
Informational facts from the IDNR…..
1. The average age of antlered deer in the statewide herd in IN has been steadily increasing for many years - it has increased from 34% older than 1.5 years in the early 1990s to 47% older than 1.5 years during 2001-2004 to 55% older than 1.5 years in 2006-2007.
2. In two separate random surveys of IN deer hunters (1993 & 1995), the Division of Fish & Wildlife has found that the majority of IN deer hunters oppose reducing the length of the Firearm season. In the most recent survey, when approximately 6,300 of 10,200 deer hunters responded, they were asked to provide the ideal length for the archery, firearm, & muzzleloader deer seasons. Fifty-nine (59) percent of the respondents proposed a longer firearm season than currently exists vs. 9% proposed a shorter season and the overall average season length proposed was 22 days vs. the existing 16 day framework Similarly, 56% of survey respondents proposed a longer muzzleloader season than currently exists vs. 9% proposed a shorter season & the mean season length proposed was also 22 days vs. the existing 16 day framework.. In the 1993 deer hunter survey, 84% of 3,000 respondents opposed shortening the firearm season.
Since both surveys show that the average deer hunter actually hunted on less than 1/2 of the days that are currently available in the firearm season and hunted on approximately 1/4 of the days available in the archery season, it appears that the large majority of IN deer hunters want a high degree of flexibility in their personal freedom to choose when and how to deer hunt and do not want their choice of deer hunting opportunities reduced.
The majority of respondents (87%) of the 1993 survey also opposed closing the hunting seasons during Nov. 7 – 21, the perceived peak of the deer breeding season in IN.
3. In the most recent survey of IN deer hunters (2005), 69% of respondents were satisfied with the Division's deer management while 15% were dissatisfied with the current deer program. Hunters who hunted private land were significantly more satisfied (78% satisfied vs. 8% dissatisfied) than those who hunted public land (Fish & Wildlife Areas, 66% satisfied vs. 13% dissatisfied). This difference in satisfaction rates between public vs. private land hunters is believed to be due to the lower hunter densities on private vs. public lands.
4. While deer biologists in IL & OH have indicated that they believe that their states may benefit from short firearm & muzzleloader seasons serving to encourage hunters to harvest antlerless deer; IN deer hunters utilize the longer seasons vs. those states to predominately take antlerless deer. In the late 1980's and early 1990's the IN Muzzleloader season was 9 days long and approximately 80% of the harvest was antlerless deer. Since the Muzzleloader season was extended to 16 days in 1992, the harvest has remained 80% antlerless deer - the extra days have served to add additional recreational opportunity while primarily adding antlerless harvest. During the last 7 days of the firearm season in 2006, antlerless deer comprised 71% of the harvest which follows a long standing trend. In IN, additional days of opportunity equates to additional antlerless harvest.
5. The reputation for high numbers of trophy bucks has caused significant deer management problems for at least three states (IA, IL, KS). According to each and every state’s deer management biologist, the states are experiencing:
A. significant conflicts between resident deer hunters and nonresident hunters
B. displacement of resident hunters from traditional hunting access
C. resident hunters not being able to afford access to high quality deer habitat due to nonresident leasing of the better habitat
D. the agency has experienced increasing difficulty in controlling the deer herd as fewer hunters have access to the deer and as nonresident hunters refuse to harvest adequate numbers of antlerless deer
In KS, the reputation and subsequent nonresident demand for trophy bucks has led to the reduction of resident archery opportunity from a statewide license to a region specific license in order to be able to require the same for nonresidents (a statute designed to spread the nonresident guide fees across the state).
High nonresident license fees in IL and KS have been more a response to the conflict between residents and nonresidents than a bonus from having many trophy bucks in the state.
More recent up to date IDNR surveys.
From past IDNR Deer Hunter Surveys….
2000….
Hunter Satisfaction With Deer Management in Indiana.
Survey participants were asked to indicate their satisfaction with overall deer management in Indiana (Fig. 3. Question 10). Three times as many hunters were satisfied with current deer management than were dissatisfied. Overall, 64% of respondents gave a positive rating to deer management in Indiana compared with the 21% which gave a negative rating.
2002…
Hunter Satisfaction With Deer Management in Indiana
Almost four times as many hunters were satisfied with current deer management than were dissatisfied (positive:negative ratio of 3.8:1). Overall, 60% of respondents gave a positive rating to deer management in Indiana compared with the 16% which gave a negative rating.
Then the 2004 IDNR Deer Hunter Survey...
Hunter Satisfaction with Deer Management in Indiana
Survey participants were asked to indicate their satisfaction with overall deer management in Indiana. (Figure 1, Question 10). Over four times as many hunters were satisfied with current deer management than were dissatisfied (positive: negative ratio of 4.6:1), which is an improvement from the 2002 survey.
Overall, 69% of respondents gave a positive rating to deer management in Indiana compared with the 15% which gave a negative rating.
www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/deer/deerplan.htm
Here's a couple of critical paragraphs from the plan...
WHITE-TAILED DEER MANAGEMENT GOAL
To maximize hunting and viewing opportunities while maintaining a deer population at a level consistent with ecological, social, and economic values of the people of Indiana.
WHITE-TAILED DEER OBJECTIVE 1
Provide annually a minimum of 88 days of deer hunting recreation that will include archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, while maintaining a statewide average of 4.1 million hunter days annually with a satisfaction rating of 70%.
?
