MN bowhunters observation survey?!

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Lockdown
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MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby Lockdown » Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:41 am

I'm shocked.

Anyone else get one?


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isitseasonyet?
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby isitseasonyet? » Wed Sep 20, 2017 3:51 pm

I have not? Care to explain what it is, where it came from, and anything else interesting?
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby Lockdown » Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:09 pm

1st time I've ever got one. It's from the DNR and said I was randomly selected. Criteria was hunter had to purchase an archery license the last 3 years.

"This is a new survey designed to help monitor deer population trends."

They're conducting it from Sept 16-Nov. 3rd

They include a spread sheet and you include when and where you hunt, how many hours the hunt was, and number of animals seen.

They provide 4 columns for hunt locations. You're suppose to pick your top 4 if you hunt more than that. You provide the Zone you hunted, the nearest town, direction from said town and also distance from the town.

So basically you describe your 4 areas, then when you fill out the space for that hunt it would read: the date, area, hours hunted, deer observed (specified- antlered, adult female, fawn, and not sure). There is also a list of other animals you can document. Turkey, coyote, black bear, wolf, fox, badger, and fisher.

I think this is awesome but I wish they had a specification for age class of bucks.

I'm thinking about sending them the past 3 years with a few more details than they're asking for.
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James
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby James » Wed Sep 20, 2017 4:27 pm

I got one and I'm a non-resident!

Pretty cool actually. I'll be doing my first observation this Friday. Happy to help with research like this.
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby Boogieman1 » Wed Sep 20, 2017 6:25 pm

I got a Rocky Mountain elk survey afew weeks ago. I haven't elk hunted my entire life. Nevertheless I took the opportunity to speak my mind, don't suspect I will get another one.
Life is hard; It’s even harder if you are stupid.
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby MN_DeerHunter » Thu Sep 21, 2017 12:31 am

I didn't know the DNR was doing a survey - it would be interesting to see how the survey results compare to DNR population estimates they have. I wonder if they are thinking of shifting deer management zones around in the future?
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby JTurn » Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:00 am

I received one also. Also columns for other animals observed-bear, coyote etc.
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby RDubs44 » Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:55 am

My wife received one. I think its about time. Anyway they can gather data here in MN is a good thing. Especially, the men and woman who are invested.
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby Lockdown » Thu Sep 21, 2017 2:09 am

RDubs44 wrote:My wife received one. I think its about time. Anyway they can gather data here in MN is a good thing. Especially, the men and woman who are invested.



Agree.

Couple years ago at a regional meeting my dad was told their population estimates were made by using a formula. Not flyovers and counting, not surveys or any concrete method like that. Just harvest report (which is not an accurate gauge of deer numbers) coupled with guesses on winter kill, predation, mortality from car crashes, etc. That formula is a guess. And not an accurate one.

So I hope people fill these out and the DNR officials who interpret them use common sense. just sucks that deer are not a priority here, with these surveys, hopefully that is a sign that their mindset is changing.
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby bowfreak8 » Thu Sep 21, 2017 2:11 am

Hopefully they actually listen to what the surveys are saying.
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby Lockdown » Sat Sep 23, 2017 11:57 am

bowfreak8 wrote:Hopefully they actually listen to what the surveys are saying.


Amen to that

I also hope people take the time to fill them out
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Re: MN bowhunters observation survey?!

Unread postby Rubline » Tue Sep 26, 2017 3:08 pm

I wonder if this survey is from the Deer Management Plan Advisory Committee.
Group of people throughout the state looking at the overall management of MN whitetails.
More info is on the MN DNR webpage...


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