MAJOR FINDINGS 



The Basic conclusion of this report is that there are significant 

 recreation values associated with waterfowl hunting in Montana. 



Specific major findings are as follows. 



— 941 surveys were mailed and successfully delivered to 

 hunters holding a 1989 Montana Hunting license and a 1989 

 waterfowl stamp. Of these, 644 were completed and returned for a 

 response rate of 68.4%. 



— Of the 644 questionnaires returned 28 respondents either 

 had not hunted in 1989 or returned the surveys too late to be 

 included in the analysis. Of the 616 remaining surveys 487 were 

 from residents and 129 were from nonresidents. 



— Of those returning surveys 37.7% hunted the Central 

 Flyway and 62.3% hunted the Pacific Flyway. 



— Average expenditures per trip were $49.35 for residents 

 and $635.12 for nonresidents. 



— Average expenditures per day were $30.84 for residents 

 and $193.05 for nonresidents. 



— The mean net economic value of a Montana waterfowl 

 hunting trip is $167.88. 



— The mean net economic value of a Montana waterfowl 

 hunting day is $89.29. 



— There are significant differences between the net 

 economic values per trip for residents and nonresidents. 



— There are significant differences between the net 

 economic values per trip for the Central Flyway and the Pacific 

 Flyway. 



— Early and late season waterfowl hunting trips do not have 

 statistically different net economic values. 



— While a hypothetically improved trip does not have a 

 significantly different net economic value than the current 

 trips, a hypothetically diminished hunting experience has a 

 significantly lower net economic value per trip than the current 

 trip. 



