ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY

Transcription

1 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY SEASON Randy Liles STUDY LEADER Federal Assistance Project funded by your purchase of hunting licenses and equipment. ALABAMA DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM Grant Number W-35, Study 6. August, 2011

2 Alabama Hunting Survey, Season There is a great demand for outdoor recreation in Alabama. Hunting makes up a significant portion of that demand and contributes greatly to the state s economy. Hunting seasons are scheduled each year for a wide variety of game animals. In order to make decisions to manage those animals it is necessary to gather as much information as practical concerning hunting activities. Each year since 1963 the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries has conducted a sample survey of licensed Alabama hunters to obtain information in the form of estimates for the number of hunters, man-days of hunting, and harvest levels for each of the game species. This year, survey forms were mailed to a stratified random sample of 8,559 drawn from the 255,771 Alabama hunting licensees. Of the 8,559 survey forms mailed, 656 were returned undeliverable. A total of 3,668 completed survey forms were returned (42.9%) (46.4% of those delivered). A sample is used because it is not practical to contact all hunters each year. Because of this and other factors it is impossible to determine values that would be entirely free of error. The estimates in this survey represent hunting by licensed hunters only, and do not include other legal hunting by hunters (i.e. those hunters not required to hold a license due to their age or because they hunt on their own property), nor do the estimates include illegal hunting without a license. Table 2 of this report indicates that 220,590 licensed individuals actually hunted in Alabama during the season. The most recent National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation taken during 2006 indicated 397,000 people (licensed and unlicensed) hunted in Alabama. Of the 397,000 hunters, 256,000 were licensed for that year. Comparison of those figures indicates that hunters who are not required to buy licenses contribute significantly to the overall hunting effort and harvest of game animals in this state. In reviewing the current survey, it is important to recognize that a degree of uncertainty must be associated with each of the estimates. This uncertainty is due to the estimates being based on a sample instead of a complete census of all licensed hunters. Consequently, each estimate for a hunting activity is likely to represent a value which deviates to some degree from the actual

3 amount of hunting. A measure of the degree of the uncertainty or sampling error associated with each estimate can be determined by analysis of the variability in the survey data. The statistical term for this measure is the standard error of the estimate. Standard errors tend to vary with the magnitude of their estimates and are difficult to use for general comparison of the level of uncertainty among estimates. A better index for judging the level of uncertainty is the relative standard error, i.e., the ratio of the standard error over the estimate. Relative standard errors, expressed on a percent basis, are provided in the tables along with the estimates and standard errors for this survey. An estimate with a low percent standard error is more reliable and has less uncertainty associated with it. Estimates with a percentage standard error less than 15% are reliable enough to be useful in making management decisions. It is normal for the estimates to fluctuate considerably from one year to the next. Therefore, conclusions based on a single annual survey regarding the success of a particular season relative to another season may be misleading. However, comparing annual survey estimates over a number of years can be very useful for detecting trends that reflect real changes in hunting activity and harvest levels for a particular species. The basic methods used to conduct and analyze the Alabama Hunting Survey were developed in the 1960 s by statisticians with North Carolina State University. These statisticians specialized in research and surveys related to fish and wildlife. Minor changes were made periodically to keep the survey methods current. Beginning with the survey for the hunting season, the data has been analyzed by personnel with Auburn University s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. The methods now used to analyze data are similar; however, results have varied to the extent that direct comparisons to the results from hunting seasons prior to may not be valid. Additionally, methods of analyzing the data were again adjusted by personnel with Auburn University s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences during the survey in order to address issues identified by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries while working with surveys from Those adjustments have resulted in more variation within the results that will be noticeable when examining trends in the estimates over the years. Methods for were consistent with methods used during the

4 season. However, during the study there were only two mailings of survey forms instead of three. This was done to reduce cost and time involved in publishing the report. Personnel at Auburn University re-analyzed deer and turkey harvest data for the through hunting seasons. This was done so that the methods used would be consistent from the to the season and to remove the variation within the results from previous years. The results of this and all past surveys are statistically valid and of more value in defining trends over multiple hunting seasons rather than comparison of one hunting season to another. The Alabama Hunting Survey estimates are by no means the only source of information concerning wildlife management decisions, hunting, and game animal populations in this state. We gain much information from other research and surveys, public comments, nuisance wildlife complaints, crop damage reports, road kills, occurrence of disease and parasite problems, law enforcement reports, historical information, etc. All available information is considered in order to develop management programs that meet the needs of Alabama s wildlife resources and the people who enjoy them. We extend our sincere appreciation to all hunters who participated in the Alabama Hunting Survey for the season and in the surveys for earlier years. This study was a contribution of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries supported in part by funding from the Federal Assistance in Wildlife Restoration Program, Project W-35, Study 6. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, or disability in its hiring or employment practices nor in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. This publication is available in alternate formats upon request.

5 Table 1. Results of the Alabama Hunting Survey for the Season Number of s Man Days of Hunting Number Harvested Standard Standard Standard Standard Standard Standard Species Estimate Error Error (%) Estimate Error Error (%) Estimate Error Error (%) Deer 1 Gun 2 188,542 1, ,436,940 84, ,603 10, Archery 2 72,487 2, ,587 46, ,363 3, Muzzleloader 2 23,631 1, ,163 14, ,692 1, Combined 197,105 1, ,366, , ,658 11, Turkey 1 Spring 3 59,696 2, ,966 30, ,357 3, Fall 3 2, ,485 4, , Combined 61,091 2, ,451 31, ,431 3, Dove First Season 57,607 2, ,906 13, ,184,143 86, Remaining Seasons 16,561 1, ,249 8, ,312 71, Combined 59,547 2, ,155 19, ,649, , Quail 8,711 1, ,365 8, ,317 43, Squirrel 37,133 2, ,574 24, ,260 61, Rabbit 17,816 1, ,529 17, ,455 21, Raccoon 8,920 1, ,297 22, ,485 26, Opossum 2, ,242 5, ,885 5, Fox ,871 4, ,093 1, Coyote 14,921 1, ,969 22, ,134 6, Bobcat 4, ,663 11, ,634 1, Duck 19,881 1, ,336 22, ,608 52, Goose 4, ,976 4, ,336 4, Coot ,562 2, ,302 4, Snipe Woodcock ,859 6, ,899 1, Feral Hogs 25,038 1, ,648 51, ,809 18, Estimates for hunters in separate seasons (gun, archery and muzzleloader deer, spring and fall turkey, 1 st and remaining dove) do not sum to the combined estimate because each includes hunters participating in multiple seasons. 2 Gun Deer Harvest 46.6% Bucks / 53.4% Does. Archery Deer Harvest 20.5% Bucks / 79.5% Does. Muzzleloader Deer Harvest 41.4% Bucks / 58.6% Does. Combined Deer Harvest 43.0% Bucks / 57.0% Does. 3 Spring Turkey Harvest 89.4% Gobblers /10.6% Jakes. Fall Harvest 80.3% Gobblers / 19.7% Jakes. Combined Harvest 89.2% Gobblers / 10.8% Jakes.

6 Table 2. Results of Miscellaneous Questions Included on the Alabama Hunting Survey for the Season Estimated Percent Percent of Percent of Number of Standard Standard License s Questions s Error Error (%) Buyers (%) (%) Hunted Any Game 220, a Land primarily hunted on was owned 41,551 2, b Land primarily hunted on was friends/family 91,663 2, b Land primarily hunted on was leased 91,066 2, b Land primarily hunted on was public 28,289 1, b a Based on total license sales (255,771). b Based on the estimate of hunters who hunted any game (220,590). Some hunters indicated they hunted primarily on more than one type of land.

7 ALABAMA DEER HARVEST ESTIMATES COMBINED GUN, ARCHERY, AND MUZZLELOADER Season Harvest Bucks % Bucks Does % Does , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Harvest estimates rounded to the nearest 1,000 Percentages rounded to the nearest whole number Beginning with the report, statistical analysis for the table above and the tables that follow was conducted by Auburn University. Differences in the methodology used for analyisis of the data after has resulted in variations in the survey results as compared to previous years.

8 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES DEER - GUN Year s Man-Days Man-days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest ,471 3,167, , ,280 3,259, , ,862 2,891, , ,080 2,663, , ,600 2,997, , ,700 2,998, , ,300 3,189, , ,000 3,421, , ,700 3,310, , ,700 3,564, , ,400 3,288, , ,400 3,357, , ,800 3,190, , ,300 3,378, , ,200 3,571, , ,900 3,359, , ,100 3,247, , ,600 3,950, , ,100 4,004, , ,700 3,636, , ,800 3,398, , ,300 3,409, , ,200 3,436, , ,100 3,144, , ,500 3,436, , Muzzleloader hunting data was included in this table prior to Beginning with the survey muzzleloader hunting data is presented in a separate table and not included in this table.

9 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES DEER - ARCHERY Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES DEER - MUZZLELOADER Year s Man-Days Man- Days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

11 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES DEER - GUN, ARCHERY AND MUZZLELOADER COMBINED Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest , , , , , , ,306 1,213, , ,952 1,188, , ,753 1,288, , ,280 1,337, , ,998 1,613, , ,406 2,006, , ,556 2,122, , ,370 2,175, , ,364 2,338, , ,955 2,489, , ,309 2,439, , ,838 2,671, , ,871 2,605, , ,883 2,803, , ,706 2,658, , ,227 3,006, , ,522 3,075, , ,764 3,515, , ,285 3,588, , ,032 3,306, , ,211 3,064, , ,700 3,549, , ,200 3,617, , ,100 3,849, , ,600 4,184, , ,200 3,998, , ,600 4,304, , ,900 3,816, , ,300 3,978, , ,600 3,830, , ,700 4,120, , ,400 4,167, , ,400 3,900, , ,700 3,917, , ,400 4,721, , ,300 4,911, , ,700 4,383, , ,500 4,301, , ,000 4,347, , ,600 4,446, , ,800 4,007, , ,100 4,366, ,

12 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES: TURKEY-SPRING SEASONS Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

13 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES:TURKEY- FALL SEASON Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest , , , , , , , , , ,501 81, , , , , , , , ,454 92, , , , , , , , , , , ,529 82, , ,803 92, , ,728 86, , ,312 63, , ,837 47, , ,000 45, , ,500 49, , ,700 50, , ,200 33, , ,500 51, , ,800 39, , ,600 26, , ,100 23, , ,200 20, , ,300 18, , ,900 21, , ,000 19, , ,500 33, , ,300 27, , ,500 36, , ,300 20, , ,900 33, , ,100 22, , ,100 30, , ,400 16, , ,000 13, , ,900 17, ,

14 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES TURKEY - FALL & SPRING SEASONS COMBINED Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

15 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - DOVE Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Harvest per Man-Day , , ,135, , , ,068, , , ,476, , , ,588, , , ,702, , , ,447, , , ,499, , , ,375, , , ,113, , , ,309, , , ,661, , , ,160, , , ,362, , , ,372, , , ,052, , , ,517, , , ,858, , , ,698, , , ,644, , , ,430, , , ,488, , , ,247, , , ,262, , , ,050, , , ,873, , , ,032, , , ,864, , , ,971, , , ,618, , , ,490, , , ,355, , , ,191, , , ,512, , , ,455, , , ,898, , , ,922, , , ,214, , , ,481, , , ,294, , , ,189, , , ,406, , , ,439, , , ,649,

16 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - QUAIL Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day , , ,187, , , ,880, , , ,243, , , ,318, , , ,538, , , ,238, , , ,160, , , ,310, , , ,732, , , ,807, , , ,627, , , ,657, , , ,593, , , ,382, , , ,081, , , ,010, , , ,033, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,200 90, , ,500 97, , ,500 82, , ,000 89, , ,100 61, , ,700 64, , , , , ,700 89, , ,900 65, , ,800 63, , ,000 59, , ,500 70, , ,400 64, , ,000 55, , ,700 45, ,

17 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES-SQUIRREL Years s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day ,441 1,285, ,287, , , ,605, ,859 1,183, ,984, ,424 1,164, ,894, ,169 1,038, ,240, , , ,105, ,156 1,094, ,964, ,752 1,191, ,082, ,807 1,114, ,046, ,608 1,077, ,893, ,635 1,029, ,870, , , ,804, , , ,665, ,342 1,010, ,696, , , ,489, , , ,453, , , ,420, , , ,635, , , ,177, , , ,375, , , ,262, , , ,078, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

18 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - RABBIT Year s Man-Days Man- Days Harvest Man-Day , , ,074, , , , , , ,062, , , , , , ,098, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

19 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - RACCOON Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,000 85, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

20 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - OPOSSUM Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day , , , ,318 88, , , , , ,998 93, , ,172 76, , ,891 87, , ,880 81, , ,016 72, , ,356 43, , ,213 31, , ,043 42, , ,197 56, , ,575 38, , ,382 23, , ,975 25, , ,800 32, , ,000 12, , ,300 24, , ,600 17, , ,000 9, , ,200 6, , ,300 20, , ,800 10, , ,800 19, , ,900 13, , ,800 26, , ,700 4, , ,500 8, , ,300 15, , ,500 16, , ,200 33, , ,800 12, , ,800 15, , ,600 30, , ,800 87, , ,000 14, ,

21 Year s Man-Days ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - FOX Man-Days Harvest Man-Day ,979 76, , ,314 43, , ,763 80, , ,777 45, , ,010 72, , ,427 35, , ,628 84, , ,119 46, , ,460 22, , ,015 41, , ,256 21, , ,014 23, , ,262 22, , ,495 9, , ,587 9, , ,000 7, , ,300 25, , , ,400 7, , ,100 37, , ,400 10, , ,800 15, ,900 9, , ,500 13, , ,600 21, ,600 10, , ,900 11, , ,800 18, , ,000 10, , ,500 43, , ,100 10, , ,800 23, , ,400 20, , ,300 15, , ,100 7, , ,000 9, ,

22 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES COYOTE Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Days ,708 41, , ,717 37, , ,046 41, , ,648 48, , ,355 72, , ,241 49, , ,730 73, , ,900 76, , ,000 96, , ,100 78, , ,300 80, , , , , ,500 71, , , , , ,600 80, , ,400 90, , , , , ,100 66, , ,500 63, , , , , , , , , , , ,800 95, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

23 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES BOBCAT Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Days Per Harvest ,700 16, , ,300 40, , ,000 58, , , , , ,600 44, , ,100 46, , ,300 70, , ,400 67, , ,900 56, , ,800 41, ,

24 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - DUCK Year s Man-Days Man- Days Harvest Man-Day , , , ,804 80, , , , , , , , ,264 99, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,949 90, , , , , ,437 60, , ,088 56, , ,398 64, , ,900 69, , ,600 52, , ,600 71, , ,300 71, , ,700 82, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,100 95, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

25 Year s Man-Days ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - GOOSE Man-Days Harvest Man-Day ,710 18, , ,123 29, , ,845 28, , ,020 18, , ,184 8, , ,446 25, , ,488 19, , ,543 25, , ,606 33, , ,040 11, , ,165 16, , ,962 21, , ,055 9, , ,218 14, , ,447 12, , ,116 16, , ,872 18, , ,641 18, , ,461 15, , ,007 20, , ,595 8, , ,900 9, , ,095 17, , ,300 31, , ,100 11, , ,200 11, , ,300 11, , ,200 17, , ,400 34, , ,000 10, , ,500 30, , ,300 28, , ,100 19, , ,100 17, , ,400 29, , ,600 24, , ,900 35, , ,000 32, , ,700 22, , ,800 21, , ,400 35, , ,600 46, , ,600 31, , ,600 23, ,

26 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - COOT Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day ,887 9, , ,627 7, , ,383 25, , ,788 19, , ,582 6, , ,000 4, , , , ,210 8, , ,139 5, , ,187 5, , ,236 6, , ,049 11, , , , , , , , ,000 6, , , , , , , ,000 7, , ,000 6, , ,300 3, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

27 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - SNIPE Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day ,429 32, , ,657 20, , ,194 19, , ,969 25, , ,356 18, , ,333 22, , ,434 14, , ,310 4, , ,765 10, , ,885 7, , ,537 6, , ,531 5, , ,438 8, , ,066 4, , ,312 8, , ,300 3, , ,200 6, , , , , , , , , ,300 5, , , , , , , , , ,100 1, , , , , , , , ,100 2, , ,000 3, , ,000 2, , , , ,

28 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES - WOODCOCK Year Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day ,208 22, , ,342 26, , ,035 24, , ,888 38, , ,178 32, , ,390 43, , ,003 33, , ,365 29, , ,207 24, , ,940 24, , ,035 18, , ,874 32, , ,445 17, , ,605 12, , ,368 6, , ,972 7, , ,673 6, , ,564 5, , ,923 4, , ,141 7, , ,088 9, , ,300 3, , , , , , ,200 4, , , , , ,000 4, , , , , ,100 2, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

29 ALABAMA HUNTING SURVEY ESTIMATES FERAL HOGS Year s Man-Days Man-Days Harvest Man-Day ,500 94, , ,700 70, , ,800 88, , , , , ,500 89, , , , , ,900 72, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,