Deer Populations Publication and Hunter Survey

A couple of things to share with my readers.......The first is the Spring 2012 Research Review publication put out by the US Forest Service Northern Research Station entitled Deer Can Be Too Many, Too Few, Or Just Enough For Healthy Forests.  This 6 page booklet provides an excellent synopsis of deer populations and their interactions with forests.  The booklet is ideal for distribution to general audiences.  The publication also contains several references and websites for additional information.

Second, the Pennsylvania Game Commission surveyed Pennsylvania deer hunters in 2011.  The preliminary results of the survey were released today.  To view the complete report visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), select the “White-Tailed Deer” photo button on the homepage, and click on “2011 Pennsylvania Deer Hunter Survey Preliminary Results under “Deer Hunting.” Below is the news release.

DEER HUNTER SURVEY OFFERS INTERESTING PERSPECTIVES
Age strongly influences attitudes and perceptions of deer hunters

By Joe Kosack
Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist
Pennsylvania Game Commission

HARRISBURG – Deer hunters have long been recognized as Pennsylvania’s most devoted hunters and their commitment to hunting has helped keep wildlife management afloat in this state for almost 100 years.  But who are these people? How and where do they hunt deer? Do they support or oppose the agency’s deer management program? The results of a recent Pennsylvania Game Commission survey of 5,892 randomly selected deer hunters now sheds light on their preferences.

“Hunters returned 3,572 surveys, which resulted in a response rate of 61 percent,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “We were pleased with hunter participation in the survey, because it improves substantially the accuracy of responses hunters provided in this important periodic survey.”

To read the full news release click here.