Bow Hunter Survey

Make Your Hunting Experience Count October 6, 2010 Reporter: Patrick McMurtry Videographer: Brad Rice

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Bow season is right around the corner, and thanks to hundreds of hunters who took part in last year's bow hunter survey, the DNR can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect this year.

Scott Warner, a biologist with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, says the survey is important to hunters. "We typically have 400 hunters and at the end of the year, they'll record 15 thousand hunting hours and we'll be able to look at population, growth expansion, is the population going up or down. It allows us to look at when the rutting activity is going to take place."

That's why these hunting surveys are so important. Information that comes straight from the hunters in the woods is very reliable, and very valuable.

"We're looking at capturing data we typically wouldn't be able to gather, data that we use in making recommendations on next year's hunting regulations. It allows us to gain information about what's going on with wildlife populations beyond what we may hunt." says Warner.

Most bow hunters are out looking for bucks, but this bow hunting survey gives hunters the chance to provide information about other species.

"As a biologist, it allows us to gain information on other non-targeted species, black bears, we've been able to monitor the expansion of the black bear population the last 15 years from the survey. We've been able to look at the coyote population, bobcat population, it also lets us predict what's going to happen next spring." says Warner.

The DNR is always looking for more folks to take part in the bow hunter survey and if you'd like to help out the game management, and make a difference, give them a call and they'll hook you up.

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