Harvest Surveys: The Most Important Calls Of The Hunting Season Are Now Underway

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Many Montana hunters may soon get the most important call of the season. The state wildlife agency’s annual telephone survey of big and small game hunters is underway and will continue through February. 

Wildlife managers use information collected during the telephone survey to estimate the 2003 harvest and to recommend quotas for upcoming hunting seasons.

Interviewers are now collecting information on the moose, sheep and goat harvest. Next month, calls will focus on deer, elk, antelope, bear and upland game birds.

“Hunters who participate in a telephone harvest survey play an important role in wildlife management," said Candy Hinz, FWP program specialist. "We want hunters to be prepared for the call and to know that the call is all about good wildlife management via hunter-to-FWP communications, so please don’t hang up thinking it’s just another telemarketing call."

  Hunters can help by jotting down details of their hunts. Hunters who purchased licenses to hunt more than one species, may be asked to participate in more than one survey, Hinz said.

  The majority of the telephone interviewers make calls from their homes within their local calling area evenings and weekends.  This simple telephone survey takes under five minutes. Harvest survey results are generally available by late summer.