Residents vs. Non residents survey #s

[Flatlander3]

Anyone have any thoughts or insight on the resident vs non resident harvest percentages on the state harvest surveys? Some are no res harvest % are higher others lower. Is it a public land percentage, guided, scenarios etc.?

 

[TOGIE]

i feel like, when i look at wyoming, i often see non res success higher

certainly that's not always the case, but whenever i did see that my theory was that non res hunters are a bit more dedicated to filling that tag. the time and money to come out and hunt makes not filling the tag a bigger loss, hence the higher effort and perhaps more time spent in the field for one hunt in one trip

however, i have a feeling there are too many other variables to say anything for sure, and non res absolutely isn't always higher success, i just feel like i've seen that relatively often looking at wyoming stat.

might be a crapshoot statistical effort to really know for sure.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

I tend to agree with @TOGIEGOAT...joe blow drives up the two track with his rifle after work and that's one hunting day afield.

 

[Flatlander3]

Good thoughts! I was thinking the residents may be holding out on a higher class animal, and the no res sees the small buck/bull near the end and doesn't want to go home empty handed

 

[Pucky Freak]

I have exactly 2 punched res IA either sex tags, and 10 unpunched. At $30 a pop it’s an excuse to go for a hike, sit behind the glass, or climb a tree. I prefer venison from does. If I were paying $1000 for a more restrictive NR IA tag, it’s a whole different ballgame. At first glance it looks like I suck at hunting (some truth), but then factor in the many dozens of bucks I’ve let walk. One year I passed a 150” beautiful buck b/c I was hunting my target deer, a 165”

 

[appaloosa]

i feel like, when i look at wyoming, i often see non res success higher

certainly that's not always the case, but whenever i did see that my theory was that non res hunters are a bit more dedicated to filling that tag. the time and money to come out and hunt makes not filling the tag a bigger loss, hence the higher effort and perhaps more time spent in the field for one hunt in one trip

however, i have a feeling there are too many other variables to say anything for sure, and non res absolutely isn't always higher success, i just feel like i've seen that relatively often looking at wyoming stat.

might be a crapshoot statistical effort to really know for sure.

I think resident hunters are a lot more willing to eat a tag too. I know this to be true in western Wyoming, especially with mule deer. I know a large percentage of resident hunters that are only willing to hang a tag on something special. I see a lot more nonresident hunters willing to hang their tag on a deer just so they have something to take home.

 

[Losing_Sanity]

I think statistics gained from various tracking and trending processes seem to be only as good as the information someone puts in. And usually don't consider other factors that created the end result. Much like the comments already obtained. All very good information but probably would not considered in the end result.

 

[Bambistew]

I don't really put much trust in harvest rates, be it resident or NR. Too many variables. The good hunters kill stuff, the lazy ones usually don't, but it also depends on the hunt... For instance what is the success rate for UL sheep tags in MT? Or OTC elk tags in CO, or sheep tags in AK?

As some others have touched on, I think most NR hunters are more successful for a few reasons. They have more money on the line, they have dedicated time set aside to hunt. Spending a week in an area hunting it, offers a lot more chance to be successful, vs a weekend here or there. Lastly, IMO by and large, I would bet most are, more dedicated hunters than a typical resident hunter. Why else would they spend the time and effort to go out of state?

 

[kansasdad]

Add another factor for non-resident success.....I'm guessing more likely to go guided. Mossback style helpers and private exclusive lands access.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I think that on average, non residents are often more experienced and more dedicated hunters than an average resident hunter. Here is what I mean by that: most resident hunters are not serious enough hunters to hunt out of state...not all, but most. Crossing state lines does not automatically make you a good hunter, just a more dedicated one than an average stay-at-home-only hunter. Obviously there are in-state hunters who travel to hunt as well, but I can attest that the "average" Idaho resident hunter hunts a couple days a year to kill a forky for meat. This is what their 7-year survey says every time. The average hunter couldn't care less about a big expensive tag in another state....also, nonresidents invest more and are willing to perhaps stick it out longer. That being said, not looking at averages of the entire hunting population, the "best" guys out there are obviously the die-hard residents who know every book and cranny of their unit.