Biologist questions

[Ivorytooth]

When I get a biologist on the phone they’re usually short on time. My question is with limited time, what questions should a guy ask to make sure you’re getting the most out of the conversation?

 

[Yoder]

A woman is the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs.

 

[Macintosh]

Do you have a general topic you are calling them about? Data behind state seasons and regs? Habitat info on a hunt unit? Politics? Did Epstein kill himself or not?

 

[Jason Snyder]

Whenever I get in touch with one I always ask them if I can follow up with email questions. Then you aren’t playing phone tag.

 

[Customweld]

What are their weather habits?
What level of snow will kick off staging for winter migration.
Feed favorability.
Past hunter concentration.

 

[JFK]

Ask open ended questions versus yes/no questions. Demonstrate you have done some research and not looking for spoon fed answers. Have your questions prepared so that when they finish answering there isn’t an awkward period where you are trying to remember what you wanted to ask. The above goes for calling Wardens, and in my limited experience, the wardens give more usable info.

 

[wytx]

Unless you have some specific questions they will give you the same answers they give everyone else.

 

[WCB]

#1 call them as early as possible. meaning when you apply for tags or even earlier. Be fairly specific on locations or specific tracts of land. Do as much research as possible before. That doesn't mean searching the unit on forums and reading joe blows comments. Go to the game and fish site and figure out if they have general migration maps, staging based on time of year maps, population data etc. Asks basics on that...what trigger the migration in the area?...Date? Pressure? certain depth of snow etc.

Know generally what the last few seasons have been like...dry, bad winters?, etc. YOu could match that up with or without population data and ask age structure questions.

Don't ask "where would you go?" but you could ask "do you know any areas you would avoid?" That has opened up conversations with biologists of "there are no deer in that area" or I have had them say "the deer are very few and far between but age class seems better".

Basically don't take up their time thinking of questions. have 3 or 4 good questions they can elaborate on and feel the conversation out. I have had 1 1/2hr conversations and 10minute conversations. Just depends. Don't act like they have to take the time to talk to you...they don't...it isn't there job to help guys scout.

 

[Jimmy]

"I want to avoid the busiest areas, where should I not go?"