Game and Fish are asking hunters to submit harvest surveys

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced they wish to know how your hunt went this year. 

According to the Department, many hunters will receive a harvest survey electronically via email or postcard beginning Oct. 16, and continuing throughout the hunting season. The survey gathers harvest information and feedback on the 2024 hunting season. Wildlife managers use hunters’ responses when making wildlife management decisions.

“A harvest survey is the best way to gather large amounts of data from the public. We use the responses to estimate harvest, hunter success and hunter effort,” Game and Fish Quantitative Biologists Jason Carlisle said. “Hunter feedback is important information and is a valuable tool for monitoring populations, setting future quotas, season dates and other regulations. We appreciate every response.”

Due to the large volume of antelope, deer and elk license holders, a random sampling of those licensed hunters are surveyed. Game and Fish reminds hunters that not all license holders of those species will receive a harvest survey and all harvest surveys are now conducted electronically. Hunters will not receive paper surveys this year. 

However, nearly all license holders for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, gray wolf, wild turkey, furbearer, sandhill crane, small game, upland game, migratory game bird, light goose conservation order and sage-grouse are included in the survey process throughout the year as each season closes.

“If you get a survey it’s important to fill it out, even if you didn’t hunt or harvest,” Carlisle said. 

Some hunters may receive a survey before their season ends. However, Game and Fish asks hunters to wait until they are finished hunting or their season is over before filling out the survey. Responding online is the best way to submit your response, and hunters who complete their antelope, deer or elk harvest surveys by the deadline will be entered in a drawing to win one of several gift cards or prizes donated by outdoor retailers and organizations. 

Deadlines to submit harvest surveys for your chance to win a prize: 

Antelope: Jan. 3, 2025

Deer: Jan. 24, 2025

Elk: Jan. 31, 2025

Harvest surveys are being conducted by the Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC) at the University of Wyoming on behalf of Game and Fish. All responses are confidential. 

Hunters who have questions about the surveys can contact the WYSAC survey team at 1-866-966-2715 or email wyhunter@uwyo.edu. 

For questions related to hunting regulations or license applications, call Game and Fish at 307-777-4600.