Hunter Harvest - Online

[Year] - Green Bay and Lake Michigan Hunter Harvest Survey and Questionnaire

About this Survey -

From 2021 through 2025, the Wisconsin duck hunting zone will have a North, South, and Open Water Zone. The Open Water Zone will be specific to the offshore, open waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Specific regulations for this new zone, that starts 500 feet offshore and extends to the state boundary, can be modified during the five-year time period and input from hunters will provide a means of tailoring the season framework for this open water environment. The following two-section survey looks to address questions regarding the what and where of the harvest that is occurring and to help inform the season frameworks for this zone. Descriptions of each survey section can be found below.

Hunter Harvest (Section #1) -

This section looks to address what species are harvested and where harvest is occurring in these open water environments. If filled out for each hunt, this section could assist in determining what environmental conditions (e.g., wave height, wind speed, wind directions, temperature, etc.) limit hunter participation. We ask that this section gets filled out for each time that you hunt Green Bay or Lake Michigan. *Note* Section #2 "Hunter Questionnaire" only needs to be filled out once during the entire hunting season and there will be a concluding question to the Hunter Harvest section asking if you have or have not filled out the Hunter Questionnaire (Section #2). A "Yes" response will result in skipping Section #2 and the survey will be complete; a "No" response will reveal the Hunter Questionnaire.

Hunter Questionnaire (Section #2) -

In this section, hunters provide input to managers for the season framework that they would like to see for the Open Water Zone. This section only needs to be filled out once during the entire hunting season.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: We are collecting this information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501) to evaluate hunter harvest on open water environments and collect hunter opinions on regulatory changes to Wisconsin waterfowl season frameworks. Your response is voluntary and we will not share the results publicly. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. OMB has reviewed and approved this survey and assigned OMB Control Number 1028--xxxx.

ESTIMATED BURDEN STATEMENT: We estimate the survey will take you 50 minutes to complete, including time to read instructions, gather information, and complete and submit the survey. Comments regarding this collection of information should be directed to the Bureau Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, [email protected].

Section 1

Hunter Harvest

This section is intended to inform managers and researchers of the species of waterfowl harvested from the open waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Information from this portion will also help inform managers on the conditions that hunters choose to hunt in on these open water environments and to provide a context for how many days a season that hunters might be able to get out and hunt during a normal year.

1. Name:

Full name (First Last)

Answer = Fill in the blank

2. Date:

Please enter the date for the day of harvest that you are reporting.

Answer = Date selection from calendar

3. Boat launch that you departed from and returned to:

Select the launch that you used during this hunt or use the “Other” selection to type in a boat launch if it is not listed.

Answer = Single selection from list of boat launches except “Other” which allows for fill in the blank

4. Approximately how far did you hunt from the launch?

Answer = Single selection from 6 options (less than 1 mile, 1-2 miles, 2-5 miles, 5-10 miles, 10-20 miles, greater than 20 miles)

5. Time hunting began:

Please enter with AM/PM. You can enter “Regulation start” if you started hunting at the regulation start time.

Answer = Fill in the blank

6. Time hunting ended:

Please enter with AM/PM. You can enter “Regulation end” if you started hunting at the regulation start time.

Answer = Fill in the blank

7. What species of waterfowl did you harvest on this hunt?

Please select all the species that you harvested for the hunt that you are reporting. Please use the “Other” option to list any species that are included in the list.

Answer = Multiple selection from 24 species and an “Other” option with fill in the blank for species not listed

8. Any additional comments regarding your harvest or this particular hunt:

Answer = Fill in the blank

9. Have you taken our Hunter Questionnaire yet this season?

Have you taken the questionnaire to help inform managers of the season frameworks that you would like to see for the Open Water Zone in the future. If 'yes' you can submit the survey, if 'no' you will be taken to the questionnaire. The Hunter Questionnaire only needs to be completed once during the [year] hunting season.

Answer = Single selection of “Yes” or “No”. If “Yes”, then the survey is complete, if “No”, then respondent will be taken to Section 2, the Hunter Questionnaire.

Section 2

Hunter Questionnaire

Questions below will provide managers with details on how to structure the new Open Water Zone in the future. This section only needs to be answered once during the entire hunting season. If filled out more than once, we will use the latest answers that you provide.

10. What opening date do you prefer for the Open Water Zone duck season?

Answer = Single selection from 6 options and “Other” category with fill in the blank (Saturday nearest September 24^th, Saturday nearest October 1^st, Saturday nearest October 8^th, Saturday nearest October 15^th, Saturday nearest October 22^nd, and Makes no difference to me/unsure)

11. Would you prefer a split in the Open Water Zone duck season?

Answer = Single selection of “Yes” or “No”

12. If you would like a split in the Open Water Zone, when would you like that split to start?

Answer = date selection from calendar

13. If you would like a split in the Open Water Zone, how many days would you prefer the split to be (number of days)?

Answer = Fill in the blank

14. How many years have you been hunting offshore or from a layout boat?

Answer = Fill in the blank

15. How many days per year do you typically hunt offshore or from a layout boat?

Answer = Fill in the blank

16. What is your county and state of residence?

“Other” selection provided for non-residents to enter their information.

Answer = Single selection of 72 Wisconsin Counties and “Other” selection with fill in the blank for non-residents

17. Would you be interested in an app/survey to record your daily harvest and provide hunter input on season regulations? The app/survey would provide you with information on your daily and seasonal harvest after each season.

Answer = Single selection “Yes” or “No”

18. Any additional comments/concerns:

Answer = Fill in the blank

Survey complete