CHAPTER in 



HUNTER CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENT PREFERENCES 



The Montana Upland Game Bird Survey, 1990 provides information on hunters' socioeconomic 

 characteristics, trip details, and upland game bird management preferences. In those areas 

 where major differences occur, the information is reported by residency. Table 1 shows the size 

 of the sample for these two groups. 



Hunter Characteristics 



As mentioned, the sample was broken down into resident/nonresident categories to observe their 

 characteristics. When asked to rate upland game bird hunting compared to their other outdoor 

 activities forty six percent (46%) of the resident hunters said it was their favorite or one of their 

 favorite activities while fifty eight percent (58%) of the nonresidents felt this way. As Table 

 2 demonstrates, there are some major differences between these two groups. Nonresidents are 

 generally older than their resident counterparts, have hunted upland game birds longer, have 

 significantly higher average incomes ($54,6(X) vs. $37,800), and more of them belong to 

 hunting/conservation organizations (65% vs. 39%). 



Trip Characteristics 



Upland game bird hunters were asked a number of questions about their hunting trips. As Table 

 3 shows, the differences between these two groups are in areas one would expect. Residents 

 hunted fewer days per trip, had hunted the area for more years, took more trips to the area, and 

 didn't for the most part hire a guide. 



With the sample stratified by "first" and "last" hunting trip, comparisons could be made 

 concerning this difference. There was not a major difference between the number of days 

 hunted on the first and last hunting trip. When asked to check which upland birds they were 

 hunting, there was no clear favorite during the "first" hunting trip. More hunters checked they 

 were hunting pheasants than any other bird on the "last" hunting trip. While pheasants were the 

 game bird of choice for both resident and nonresident hunters, more (60%) out-of-state hunters 

 chose this bird than did the nimrods from in-state. 



The equipment used by upland game bird hunters is far less extensive than for most other types 

 of hunting. The most commonly used equipment was binoculars, cameras, and hunting dogs. 

 Interestingly, less than 50% of upland game bird hunters reported using hunting dogs. 



