01-18-2013, 06:07 PM
Hello all,
I would like to take a moment to reply to the question regarding effectiveness of the DWR's sampling to determine what the majority of anglers in this state want.
The online survey identified in the Tribune article is only one of many different methods that we use to gather information. In addition to the online survey:
1. We hold open houses throughout the state each spring.
2. Our managers conduct creel surveys on individual waters and track comments received by the public throughout the year.
3. We hold public meetings on the management of individual waters. For example, the Southern Region held meetings on Panguitch, Minersville, and Navajo Lakes in 2012. You already saw the information on the ice fishing clinic/discussion planned for Fish Lake this year.
4. We meet with the organized angler groups each month.
5. Every five years we conduct a statewide survey of anglers. We simply cannot afford to do it more often than that.
6. We also monitor forums such as BFT to determine what are the hot topics in the fishing community.
While the totality of these methods do not allow us to interact with the majority of Utah anglers, we do receive input from considerably more people than we did even just a few years ago. Any ideas that would allow us to talk to more people would be appreciated.
Paul Birdsey
Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
[signature]
I would like to take a moment to reply to the question regarding effectiveness of the DWR's sampling to determine what the majority of anglers in this state want.
The online survey identified in the Tribune article is only one of many different methods that we use to gather information. In addition to the online survey:
1. We hold open houses throughout the state each spring.
2. Our managers conduct creel surveys on individual waters and track comments received by the public throughout the year.
3. We hold public meetings on the management of individual waters. For example, the Southern Region held meetings on Panguitch, Minersville, and Navajo Lakes in 2012. You already saw the information on the ice fishing clinic/discussion planned for Fish Lake this year.
4. We meet with the organized angler groups each month.
5. Every five years we conduct a statewide survey of anglers. We simply cannot afford to do it more often than that.
6. We also monitor forums such as BFT to determine what are the hot topics in the fishing community.
While the totality of these methods do not allow us to interact with the majority of Utah anglers, we do receive input from considerably more people than we did even just a few years ago. Any ideas that would allow us to talk to more people would be appreciated.
Paul Birdsey
Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
[signature]