Upland Game Bird Hunter Management Preferences 



Hunters were asked several questions related to upland game bird management and their 

 perceptions regarding hunter numbers. Survey respondents were presented a list of factors that 

 influence upland game bird populations. They were then asked to check whether they thought 

 the reason was important in influencing populations. As Table 7 shows ninety eight percent felt 

 that habitat influenced bird populations followed by predator numbers, bag limits, and hunting 

 season length. 



Bird hunters were also provided information about the effects of daily and possession limits on 

 bird populations, Section IV, question 1. Given the information presented, hunters were asked 

 if they preferred: 



1 . A daily bag limit that changes from year to year to reflect changes in bird populations 



2. A stable bag limit accompanied by news releases telling you what to expect when you 

 go hunting. 



Both resident and nonresident bird hunter preferred a daily bag limit that changes from year to 

 year, 57% and 55% respectively. 



Hunters were also asked if the number of other hunters they saw while afield was what they 

 expected to see and did these other hunters affect their hunting. Sampled hunters reported seeing 

 an average of five other hunters and at least eighty five percent (85%) said that these other 

 hunters did not affect their bird hunting. 



Table 7. Factors affecting upland bird populations. 



Very Important Not Very Not at all 



Important Important Important 



11 



