Good News

I received this via email from a student at UAF.  Looks like good news and a reminder to take a kid hunting or fishing.  -Janis   Responsive Management Releases Results of Three New Hunting Studies  Three new Responsive Management studies completed during the first quarter of 2012 suggest continued growth and support for hunting across America. Examining initiation into hunting from three different angles, the studies together indicate that increased interest and involvement in hunting will follow increased exposure to the sport, particularly through several crucial sources: peer influence from friends, classmates, and neighbors; hunter education courses sponsored by state fish and wildlife agencies; and first-time apprentice licenses that temporarily exempt new hunters from hunter education requirements and allow them to "test drive" the sport for a certain period. Photo Credit: NSSF Understanding the Impact of Peer Influence on Youth Participation in Hunting and Target Shooting In a study conducted as a project of the Hunting Heritage Trust in cooperation with the National Shooting Sports Foundation®(NSSF) to examine the effect of peer influence on youth involvement in hunting and target shooting, Responsive Management found that the more familiar youth are with individuals their own age who hunt and target shoot, the more likely they will be to support and participate in these activities: youth who know others who hunt and shoot (or who hunt and shoot themselves) are more likely to say that the activities are "perfectly acceptable," more likely to recognize the role of hunters in wildlife conservation, and more likely to believe that hunters and shooters possess desirable qualities like intelligence, care for the environment, and care for other people. At the same time, youth who areunfamiliar with hunting and shooting (particularly because they lack close friends or relatives who hunt or shoot) tend to fill in the gaps in their knowledge with anecdotal impressions or--worse--misinformation, myth, and misperception: almost half of youth (46%) hold a negative opinion about hunting compared to other sports and activities, and a further 59% strongly or moderately agree that legal hunting as practiced today in the United States causes some species to become endangered. These percentages suggest a fairly widespread lack of familiarity with the two activities in question.    The more familiar youth are with individuals   their own age who hunt and target shoot, the   more likely they will be to support and   participate in these activities.   ~ Peer Influence Study    Despite misperceptions among many youngsters, the study, which entailed two focus groups and a nationwide scientific telephone survey of youth ages 8 to 17 years old, revealed that most youth support hunting and shooting and affirm the right of others to participate in them: 78% of survey respondents said they approved of hunting when it is legal to do so (49% strongly approved) and 86% approved of target shooting when it is legal to do so (50% strongly approved). Similarly, regarding the right of others to hunt and shoot, youth are largely accepting and tolerant, even if they personally disagree with the activities. Indeed, the most common reaction by youth to a friend going hunting or target shooting is to actively encourage the friend's participation, rather than to be neutral or actively encourage the friend not to participate. While most youth surveyed had never been invited to go hunting or target shooting, the results regarding the number who would go if invited point to substantial openness among youth to try the activities: nearly 24 million youth ages 8 to 17 would be likely to go hunting if invited within the next 12 months, and nearly 17 million of these individuals are non-hunters. Similarly, nearly 28 million youth ages 8 to 17 would be likely to go target shooting if invited within the next 12 months, almost 13 million of whom are non-shooters.    Because youth are more likely to support and participate in hunting and shooting if they are familiar with individuals their own age who take part in these activities, the research reinforces the obligation for youth hunters and shooters to recognize the weight and importance of their words and actions with regard to their peers' perceptions of the two activities. In fact, one of the chief recommendations to emerge from the peer influence study is the creation of a "Youth Hunter and Shooter Ambassador Program," initiated to capitalize on the current population of youth hunters and shooters who can positively influence their peers' attitudes toward the sports. The report also recommends that agencies and organizations encourage invitations to hunt and shoot, encourage talk about hunting and shooting, and promote and encourage the social aspects of the two sports wherever possible.    A full report for the peer influence study is available here.      Photo Credit: NSSF Increasing the Number of Hunter Education Graduates Who Purchase Hunting Licenses Two other recent studies were conducted under grants provided by the NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership program and involved several southeastern state fish and wildlife agencies and their hunting constituents. The first study examined the rate at which graduates of classroom and online hunter education courses in Alabama, Georgia, and Kentucky go on to purchase licenses and hunt during the season immediately following their course. In addition to a series of focus groups conducted with youth and adult hunter education graduates in each state, this project entailed a pair of telephone surveys: the first was a pre-course interview implemented in 2011 with individuals scheduled to complete a hunter education course within the month; the second, follow-up interview was implemented in mid-February 2012, after most major hunting seasons in the three states had ended.   Between 53% and 70% of individuals who   had never hunted or possessed a license before   obtained a hunting license for the following season   after completing a hunter education course.     ~ Hunter Education Study  Overall, the study results are encouraging for the participating agencies and point to the effectiveness of hunter education offerings in the three study states: about three-quarters of hunter education graduates of license-purchasing age across the three states went on to obtain a hunting license after the course for the following hunting season, and between 53% and 70% were individuals who had never hunted or possessed a license before. Similarly, between 59% and 82% of hunter education graduates went hunting in their state of residence during the season immediately following their course (between 47% and 63% were individuals who had never hunted or possessed a license before). In addition to these core findings, the hunter education surveys also determined that most hunter education students come from hunting families, with most having some level of hunting experience prior to completing a course. Furthermore, between 24% and 48% of students across the three states held a hunting license of some type before the course, suggesting that some hunter education students enroll in a new course to replace a lost certification card or to obtain certification for a new state of residence. Additionally, many hunter education students are adults accompanying children or spouses to courses for their first time. Overall, the hunter education research suggests that the fewer barriers students face after completing a course, the more likely they will be to purchase a license and hunt. As such, one of the recommendations prompted by the study is for agencies to obtain funding in order to issue at the conclusion of each course a hunting license to all students who successfully complete hunter education. Whether or not this means a nominal fee applied to courses currently offered for free would likely vary by state; however, the data suggest that students will be substantially more likely to continue their involvement in hunting if they leave a course fully licensed and ready to head into the woods. Other recommendations include the distribution of "one-stop shop" information on how to begin hunting, the need for agencies to maintain contact with new huntersthrough a dedicated email list, and the need to encourage hunter education classmates to keep in touch, especially for future hunting trips together.    The full report for the hunter education study can be accessed here.      Evaluating Apprentice Licenses as a Hunter Recruitment Strategy In the second HHP grant-funded study, Responsive Management conducted five focus groups and a telephone survey to examine a population of potential hunters one step removed from hunter education: holders of apprentice licenses, which exempt prospective hunters from state hunter safety certification requirements while they hunt with mentors or other properly licensed individuals. The research involved five states, three of which (Kentucky, Virginia, and South Carolina) offer apprentice licenses as a one-time exemption, and two of which (Alabama and Georgia) sell apprentice licenses without a limit on the number a sportsman can purchase.    Photo Credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Between 18% and 38% of apprentice license holders enrolled in a hunter education course after obtaining an apprentice permit.     ~ Apprentice License Study     As with hunter education students, many apprentice license holders have experience hunting before they obtain an apprentice permit (between 54% and 69% across the five states had hunted prior to holding an apprentice license, usually on private land). Regarding the effectiveness of apprentice licenses as a recruitment tool for encouraging subsequent hunting participation, between 18% and 38% of apprentice license holders across the five states enrolled in a hunter education course after obtaining an apprentice permit (among those who did not, between 17% and 41% said they were very likely to do so within the 12 months following the survey). Additionally, between 27% and 61% of apprentice license holders across the five states purchased a state hunting license after obtaining an apprentice license (among those who did not, between 38% and 57% said they were very likely to do so within the 12 months following the survey). Finally, between 62% and 76% of apprentice license holders surveyed said they were very likely to go hunting within the 12 months following the survey. Interestingly, the study determined that the intent or motivation of the hunter purchasing the apprentice license is influenced in large part by any purchasing limitations instituted by the sponsoring state agency. In states where apprentice licenses are one-time permits that can be purchased and used only once, apprentice license holders are obligated to move on to hunter education and regular licenses after their trial hunting period expires. On the other hand, in states where apprentice licenses can be purchased multiple times, the permits tend to be popular among longtime hunters attracted to the convenience and inexpensive price of a short-term hunting license. Further, some states also include fishing privileges with their temporary apprentice permits. In many cases, an apprentice license sold may simply indicate an individual seeking a short-term, inexpensive fishing permit (many such sportsmen do not even bother to hunt on the permit at all, thereby demonstrating the shortfall of gauging new hunter recruitment simply through apprentice license sales).    In addition to recognizing these differences in the two types of apprentice licenses (i.e., one-time versus unlimited offerings), recommendations from the apprentice license study include communicating state hunter education requirements to apprentice license hunters, emphasizing hunter education as the natural next step following an apprentice permit, and providing follow-up information and "next step" guidance to new hunters who purchase apprentice licenses.    The apprentice license report is available for download here.         Responsive Management is an internationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. Our mission is to help natural resource and outdoor recreation agencies and organizations better understand and work with their constituents, customers, and the public. For more information about Responsive Management, visit www.responsivemanagement.com.

Responsive Management 130 Franklin Street | Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801   540-432-1888  Email Us | Visit Us Online

Arizona Elk Video-The Big Yellow Grass Bull by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

More at Colburn and Scott Outfitters and JayScottOutdoors YouTube

Arizona Elk Video-Bull Elk Close Call In by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

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Arizona Elk Video-6X6 Call In by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

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Arizona Elk Video-The Thirsty 8X6 Bull by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

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Turkey Tree Talk by Motherlode Turkey Calls

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Arizona Elk Video-The Unicorn Bull by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

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Arizona Elk Video-The Bladder Bull by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

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Fish Cleaning Video

By Darr Colburn

The last couple of years I have really gotten into crappie fishing.  Crappie are fun to catch and taste great as well.  I get asked frequently how I clean them.  Last year for fathers day I received an electric fillet knife.  This knife makes cleaning large amounts of fish a breeze.  The knife I use is the Mister Twister electric fillet knife.

Crappie Fishing at San Carlos Lake

By Darr Colburn

This is the third year in a row that me and my boys Parker and Paul have headed to San Carlos Lake for a day to do some crappie fishing during their spring break.  We had a great time on the water even though the catching was a little slow.  The storm we had last weekend turned things off a bit.  We did manage a few fish and had a great time.  The technique for this time of year is to slow troll with 2 inch grubs and minnows.  You are trolling along right next to lots of other boats.  Parker and Paul asked every other boat how many fish they had caught and showed off their catch.  By the afternoon I am sure they had talked to everyone on the lake!  The weather was beautiful and we could not have asked for a nicer day on the water.  We headed off the lake by about 2 pm with 5 fish in the cooler.  The water temperature was about 60 degrees and Paul even decided to take a swim before we headed home.  Paul caught the biggest and the most fish this trip.  Remember to take a kid hunting or fishing.

Arizona Elk Video-Arizona Bulls Sparring by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

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Arizona Elk Video-Pig Pen Bull by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

Check out this bull elk as he completely covers himself in mud from head to hoof. By the time he is done even his eyeballs have mud on them. More at Colburn and Scott Outfitters and JayScottOutdoors YouTube

Arizona Elk Video-Giant 7X7 by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

Check out this big Arizona bull elk video that was filemd by Darr Colburn.  More at Colburn and Scott Outfitters and Jay Scott Outdoors YouTube

Spring Thunder-Southern Turkey Tactics

Another edition of Spring Thunder from the guys at MidwestWhitetail.com.  Click here to check it out!

Arborglyphs-follow the signs

     There are lots of tree carvings in the west.  Most of us are familiar with the JJ+JP surrounded by a heart located about a half mile up your neighborhood trail.  What I was not so familiar with is the art that the sheepherders leave behind.  In CO, most of our arborglyphs are from Mexican immigrant and Central American sheepherders, but sheepherders from all over Europe have worked in and left their thoughts on the west's aspens.  Some of the pictures you can run into are true works of art and usually have a story to tell.  During CO's 1st rifle season last year I found the carving below.  I've found lots of carvings in the past, but this was the first one I had seen that had anything to do with hunting or wild animals.  I figured the sheepherder had seen lots of elk here.  We  hunted the area opening morning with great success, killing two cows.  We were back three days later and called in a 5pt. bull,  a week later my cousin killed a cow there.  Next time I see an arborglyph in elk country, I'm going to pay close attention to what it says.

My group killed three elk within a 1/2 mile of this tree!

     For more info on arborglyphs here are a few links:
http://knowledgecenter.unr.edu/sheepherders/arborglyphs.html
http://www.arborglyphs.com/

Arizona Elk Video-Buford the Bull by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

More at Colburn and Scott Outfitters and JayScottOutdoors YouTube

Outdoorsmans Resource Guide and CEI Outdoors

Check Out Outdoorsmans Resource Guide

They have great info for Sportsmen and are good people!

Arizona Elk Video-The Brushy Basin Bull by Colburn and Scott Outfitters

More at Colburn and Scott Outfitters and JayScottOutdoors YouTube channel

New Mexico Turkey Hunt by Roe Hunting Resources

Posted By Jay Scott
I am a big fan of Roe Hunting Resources and the host Chris Roe. Chris has an amazing ability to communicate and educate in a very detailed manner. I have learned alot from being a full access member of Roe Hunting Resources. Chris has a very good understanding of how animals communicate and is able to explain the different sounds that they make and why they make them.  Chris covers some great stuff on elk, turkey, deer and many other big game animals.  I recommend checking out Roe Hunting Resources if you haven't already.

Check Out Spring Thunder

Posted by Jay Scott
As most of you know, I am a big fan of Midwestwhitetail.com weekly webisodes.  Well they have created another weekly webisode featuring Spring Turkey Hunting in a series called Spring Thunder that will be airing every Wednesday for the next three months.  Be sure to check them out as I am sure this series will be as popular as the weekly whitetail episodes.

Click Here for Gearing Up for Gobblers

Click here for Early Season Preparation

2012-2013 Mexico Coues Deer Ranch Scouting Part 3

Posted by Jay Scott

Darr getting his camera setup just right

I love these old style corrals

Thank God for Sonoran Sunsets!

Click on these links below to see more about the opportunity to hunt Coues with Colburn and Scott Outfitters
Mexico Coues Scouting Part 1
Mexico Coues Scouting Part 2
Hunt Coues with Colburn and Scott Outfitters
2012 Successful Coues Hunt with Colburn and Scott Outfitters

2012-2013 Mexico Coues Deer Ranch Scouting Part 2

Posted By Jay Scott

Darr Colburn looking at a buck that we jumped driving down the road

Darr and I just got back from Sonora, Mexico where we spent three days on our lease for the 2012-2013 Coues deer season.  We got in on Sunday night with about a half hour to glass, then had two full days and a final morning on Wednesday to look for bucks.  We saw 74 bucks between us.  We saw two bucks right around the 100 inch mark.  We were kind of surprised to see as many deer as we did because the moon was full the day before we got there.  We know the ranch has some very big deer on it and the fun part will be trying to find them!  We were able to put up 14 trail cameras.  We will probably have a good inventory of the ranchers cattle by the time the SD cards run out!:)  We have a lot of pictures and videos we would like to share from our trip so look for more in the coming days.  One of the things that intrigues me so much about these pretty deer is that when taking a global look at them they are a very rare animal because they only exist in a small geographic region.  We are looking to book more hunters for next season so get in touch with us if you want to go on a Coues Hunt in Mexico our dates still have some flexibility .  This particular ranch is 16,000 hectares which equates to 34,000 acres.  Click on the links below to see other pictures from this property and other Mexico Coues Deer hunts.

Mexico Coues Scouting Part 1
Mexico Coues Scouting Part 3
Hunt Coues with Colburn and Scott Outfitters
2012 Successful Coues Hunt with Colburn and Scott Outfitters

This is the dining room where the meals will be served

One of our Hunter's Bedrooms

Hunter's Bathroom

Patio at the House

Another Bedroom for the Hunters