Hunting News

Commission asks deer hunters to report observations

Commission asks deer hunters to report observations

By North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

In addition to deer, the Wildlife Commission is asking hunters to submit observations from Sept. 8 through Jan. 1 of other game and furbearer species they see while still or stand hunting.

Hunter observation information helps Commission biologists track long-term wildlife population and distribution changes, as well as provides valuable data on fawn survival and buck-to-doe ratios. 

Additionally, observation information is useful in understanding the impact of disease outbreaks in wildlife populations, such as chronic wasting disease or epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer.

Deer hunters who still or stand hunt are asked to record an accurate count of game and furbearer species they observe on each hunt. 

Participating hunters can now enter their observations online in the field from any smart phone or small-screen device by using the survey link.

As an alternative option, new participants can also request a paper survey form mailed to them.

Since 2014, more than 1,000 deer hunters across the state have volunteered in the annual survey.  To view hunter observation survey summaries from previous years, visit the Commission’s Deer Cooperator Program webpage.

For more information on the deer hunter observation survey, call Ryan Myers, Wildlife Surveys biologist, at (919)218-3376 or email ryan.myers@ncwildlife.org.

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