Fine-Scale Movements and Spatial Behaviors of Bear Hunters: Combining GPS With Survey Methods

Abstract

ABSTRACTTraditionally, information on hunter behavior has been obtained from questionnaires, which are useful, but provide limited information on spatial movements and behaviors. We used a global positioning system (GPS) to track movements of black bear hunters and determine if harvest success was influenced by effort (e.g., time spent afield) and spatial behaviors (e.g., distance traveled from roads). Furthermore, we used mail questionnaires to determine whether hunter perceptions of space use and effort differed from reality (GPS data). Most spatial variables did not differ between hunters and study area averages, indicating that hunters did not select for landscape characteristics differently than expected based on availability. The questionnaires were generally unreliable in describing space use, as hunters overestimated distance traveled from roads and underestimated distances traveled while afield. Studies should consider GPS to obtain more accurate assessments of behaviors while afield. When combined with questionnaire information, GPS data can reveal correction factors to improve spatial behavior estimates.