Many hunters who took to the field this fall—and those still out there—will receive a harvest survey electronically through their email or by a postcard. Surveys began going out in October, and will reach many other hunters throughout the hunting seasons. The annual survey gathers harvest information and feedback on the 2024 hunting season, with responses providing wildlife managers with important data regarding the recently-concluded hunt seasons and they help steer future wildlife management decisions.
A harvest survey has been a solid means for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to gather large amounts of data from the public. Hunters’ survey responses help the department estimate harvest, hunter success and hunter effort. It’s also a valuable tool for monitoring populations, setting future quotas, season dates and other regulations. Because of the large volume of antelope, deer and elk license holders, not all hunters will receive a survey, so a random sampling of licensed hunters are surveyed. Nearly all license holders for other species, including moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, gray wolf, wild turkey, furbearer, sandhill crane, small and upland game, and others are included.
Responding online is the best way to submit your response, and it’s important to respond, even if you didn’t hunt or harvest. Hunters who receive a survey before their season ends, are asked to hang on to it until finished hunting or their season is over. Hunters who complete their antelope, deer, or elk harvest surveys by the various deadlines will be entered in a drawing to win one of several gift cards or prizes donated by outdoor retailers and organizations.
Harvest surveys are being conducted by the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center at the University of Wyoming on behalf of Game and Fish.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department