Project Associated With
Collection Method(s)
Questionnaire, mailed,
Questionnaire, online
Population Metrics
- Population (N) sampled:
- 400 hunters drawn for a bear tag.
- Anyone who was drawn to have an opportunity to purchase a Black Bear hunting permit for the 2021 Black Bear hunting season
- Sample population (n):
- 400 hunters drawn for a bear tag.
- Anyone who was drawn to have an opportunity to purchase a Black Bear hunting permit for the 2021 Black Bear hunting season. Regardless of whether they purchased a permit or not.
Data Factor Definitions/Key
| Field/Question Number & Text | Database Column | Key |
|---|---|---|
|
Batch
|
Batch
|
Varies
|
|
Serial #
|
Serial #
|
Unique identifier
|
|
Q1) Did you hunt black bear during the 2025 BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON?
|
Hunt
|
1 = No
2 = Yes 3 = Did not purchase a permit 4 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q2) Which days of the 2025 BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON did you hunt? (select all that apply)
|
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10
|
1 = checked (Yes)
|
|
Q3) In which county did you hunt MOST?
|
County
|
Varies
001 (Audrain) - 114 (Wright) 115 = unknown / blank |
|
Q4) During the 2025 BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON, you hunted: (select only one box)
|
LandType
|
1 = Only on public land
2 = Mostly on public land 3 = On public and private land equally 4 = Mostly on private land 5 = Only on private land 6 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q5) If you hunted private property, the land is: (select only one)
|
LandOwner
|
1 = Land I own
2 = Land my family owns 3 = Land I lease 4 = Land a friend owns 5 = Other 6 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q5a) Other details
|
LandOwner_ Other
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q6) How far from your home was the county you hunted MOST?
|
HuntDist
|
1 = 0 - 25 miles
2 = 26 - 50 miles 3 = 51 - 100 miles 4 = 101 - 200 miles 5 = 201 - 300 miles 6 = Greater than 300 miles 7 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q7) Did you harvest a bear?
|
Harvest
|
1 = No
2 = Yes 3 = Both options indicated |
|
Q8) Did you see any bears while hunting that you did not harvest?
|
Seen
|
1 = No
2 = Yes 3 = Both options indicated |
|
Q9) Did you see bear sign while hunting?
|
Sign
|
1 = No
2 = Yes 3 = Both options indicated |
|
Q10) How many days did you spend scouting in preparation for the 2025 BLACK BEAR HUNTING SEASON?
|
Scout
|
1 = 1 - 2 days
2 = 3 - 5 days 3 = 6 - 10 days 4 = 11 - 20 days 5 = Greater than 20 days 6 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q11) Overall, how satisfied or dissatisfied were you with your black bear hunting experience? (select only one)
|
HuntExp
|
1 = Extremely satisfied
2 = Somewhat satisfied 3 = Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 4 = Somewhat dissatisfied 5 = Extremely dissatisfied 6 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q12) What would have made your black bear hunting experience more satisfying:
|
ExpBetter1, ExpBetter2, ExpBetter3, ExpBetter4, ExpBetter5, ExpBetter6, ExpBetter7, ExpBetter8
|
1 = checked (Yes)
12.1) Harvesting a bear 12.2) Seeing a bear while hunting 12.3) Seeing more bears while hunting 12.4) Seeing bear sign 12.5) Fewer bear hunters in my area 12.6) More time to hunt 12.7) Different season timing 12.8) Other (select all that apply) |
|
Q12.8a) Other details
|
ExpBet_ Other
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q12.7a) What season timing would have made your hunting experience more satisfying?
|
ExpBet_ Timing
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q13) Did you attend or view a Discover Nature: Black Bear Hunting Basics Class?
|
Class
|
1 = No
2 = Yes 3 = Both options indicated |
|
Q13a) How useful was the Discover Nature: Black Bear Hunting Basics Class?
|
Useful
|
1 = Extremely useful
2 = Very useful 3 = Moderately useful 4 = Slightly useful 5 = Not at all useful 6 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q13b) Do you have any suggestions for improving the Discover Nature: Black Bear Hunting Basics Class?
|
Suggest
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q14) Why did you not attend or view a Discover Nature: Black Bear Hunting Basics Class?
|
NoClass1, NoClass2, NoClass3, NoClass4, NoClass5, NoClass6
|
1 = checked (Yes)
14.1) Not enough time 14.2) Was not interested 14.3) I’ve bear hunted before and did not need more information 14.4) I found enough information elsewhere 14.5) I do not have access to a computer or software for virtual programs 14.6) Other (select all that apply) |
|
Q14.6a) Other details
|
NoClass_ Other
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q15) If you did not hunt, or did not purchase a permit, what prevented you from participating in the 2025 BLACK BEAR SEASON?
|
NoHunt1, NoHunt2, NoHunt3, NoHunt4, NoHunt5, NoHunt6, NoHunt7, NoHunt8
|
1 = checked (Yes)
15.1) Lack of time to hunt 15.2) Lack of time to scout 15.3) Did not have access for hunting or know where to hunt 15.4) Not interested in harvesting a bear 15.5) Lived too far from hunting location 15.6) Moved out of Missouri 15.7) Weather 15.8) Other |
|
Q15.8-Other) Other details
|
NoHunt_ Other
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q15.5-Distance) How far was “too far” from hunting location?
|
NoHunt_ TooFar
|
1 = 0 - 25 miles
2 = 26 - 50 miles 3 = 51 - 100 miles 4 = 101 - 200 miles 5 = 201 - 300 miles 6 = Greater than 300 miles 7 = More than one option indicated |
|
16) How satisfied or dissatisfied were you with the MDC’s black bear hunting communications about:
|
(Comm1/) Application, (Comm2/) Permit, (Comm3/) Regulations, (Comm4/) Hunting Tips, (Comm5/) Hunting Class
|
1 = Extremely satisfied
2 = Somewhat satisfied 3 = Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 4 = Somewhat dissatisfied 5 = Extremely dissatisfied 6 = More than one option indicated 16.1) Application period 16.2) Permit drawing 16.3) Regulations (e.g., Black Bear Hunting Digest/Website) 16.4) Bear hunting tips/facts 16.5) Discover Nature: Black Bear Hunting Basics Class |
|
Q16a) Please let us know why you were dissatisfied with communications.
|
Dissat
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q17) Will you apply for a bear hunting permit in the future? (check only one)
|
Apply
|
1 = No
2 = Maybe 3 = Yes 4 = More than one option indicated |
|
Q17a) Why won't you apply for a bear hunting permit in the future?
|
NoApply
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
|
Q18) The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is a name I can trust.
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
|
Q19) Please provide any comments or suggestions you may have about black bear hunting in MO:
|
Comments
|
Varies: depending on respondent’s fill in the blank answer.
|
Software
- Microsoft Access, 2016
- SAS v.9.2