Mandatory Harvest Reporting--what states don't have it?

[insanelupus]

In MT, I would think for those using the MTFWP app, if they made reporting through the app optional they'd be getting valuable/ helpful info. I think some would use it. I would. Easy peasy, no need to call for the annual survey, and very low cost after development. Tie it in to the tag validation process. But maybe they already do?

 

[Andrew12gauge]

You guys keep saying Idaho has mandatory harvest reporting, but it’s only lip service, the reality is there is absolutely nothing to make anybody report. you can go out, buy a tag, hunt every day of the season, not harvest or harvest, not report, and buy a tag and repeat the following season and nothing will be done about it


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[WV Mountaineer]

WV it’s required and easy peasy. Call it in which is easy peasy. Or check it online. A lot of what used to be check stations, still help the older, non tech hunter by using a computer and checking it in. All they need is their field tag, hunting license, drivers license, and hunter ed card.

The online takes about 30 seconds and you can screen shot the confirmation number. It’s proof you checked your animal. And more resilient then a piece of paper.

 

[Schaaf]

Bumping this up: There’s a MT bill to require Mandatory reporting for deer and elk (HB 564) that has a hearing tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 in the House Fish Wildlife and Parks Committee. You can provide testimony to support or oppose via zoom or in person. Registering for zoom needs to be done at least 2 hours in advance of the hearing.

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[Corey0372]

So can we get a running list going?

AZ - Required
NV - Required
NM - Required
ID - Required
MN - Required
WI - Required
NE - Required
UT - Required in limited applications, not required on some general seasons
WY - Not Required
CO - Not Required
ND - Not Required
SD - Not Required
KS - Not Required
TX - Not Required

Baffles my mind that states don't require it.

MT FWP of late sure makes it seem like they don't want data available to factor into their wildlife management decisions. The new director made his priorities obvious with one of his first statements vowing to enact "the governors vision for the FWP" upon receiving his promotion.

NC-Required
VA-Required

 

[Corey0372]

You guys keep saying Idaho has mandatory harvest reporting, but it’s only lip service, the reality is there is absolutely nothing to make anybody report. you can go out, buy a tag, hunt every day of the season, not harvest or harvest, not report, and buy a tag and repeat the following season and nothing will be done about it


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I get what you're saying, but there's nothing anyone can do to MAKE someone not commit any crime. It seems like most hunters are going to do the right thing (or at least I hope). So if states at least put it in the regs and make it a requirement to report all harvests, I think most hunters would abide.

If a hunter buys a tag and doesn't fill it, the state could just assume it was an unsuccessful hunt. Even if they made people report unsuccessful hunts, people could still lie, but again I feel like most people are going to do the right thing.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

So can we get a running list going?

AZ - Required
NV - Required
NM - Required
ID - Required
MN - Required
WI - Required
NE - Required
UT - Required in limited applications, not required on some general seasons
WY - Not Required
CO - Not Required
ND - Not Required
SD - Not Required
KS - Not Required
TX - Not Required

Baffles my mind that states don't require it.

MT FWP of late sure makes it seem like they don't want data available to factor into their wildlife management decisions. The new director made his priorities obvious with one of his first statements vowing to enact "the governors vision for the FWP" upon receiving his promotion.

MO has mandatory registering. So I think that counts. But they've got it online now so I can register a deer on my phone right after I shoot it and after that I can dismantle it if necessary,

 

[Cleidig]

PA does not require it

 

[ClaytonLowell]

WA is a $10 surcharge the next year if you don't. That $10 applies if you kill something or not.

I unfortunately incurred that $10 in WA. They need to update their website. You can't just access the harvest reports with your Wild ID sign in online. I threw away my license at the end of the season and the harvest report number was on the top. Couldn't report without it.

 

[elkhunter505]

Maybe NM prompts you to do it before the draw now but I don’t think they used to. They would remove your application from the draw if you had not done it by a specified date and time after the draw application deadline.

I have heard varying reasons from people in agencies as to why they do or don’t require mandatory reporting. Unfortunately, the reasons for not requiring them in certain states are currently eluding me as I have had those conversations over too many beers at conferences.

 

[doc holiday13]

Is this reporting the same as notching your tag?

I'm so lost as to why paper tags even exist at this point. Have app, e-notch the tag, go about your business. Game warden wants to see your reporting requirements, boom show him the tag confirmation number

 

[Boarmaster]

Alabama has mandatory game check on deer and turkey

I sometime wonder how accurate it is. Easy enough to do on the Outdoor Alabama App.
My thought is that many probably don't report or just forget to timely then don't report for fear of getting into trouble for late reporting. I try and report on the app right when I get my hands on the deer. Easy to forget if not.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

SC mandatory for turkey and deer...turkey you have till midnight on day of kill, deer you have 24hrs...Its all over the app, or you can call an 800 number if you don't have a smart phone.

It's 2025 there is no reason for a state agency to not have mandatory harvest reporting. Hell if us dumb southerners can figure it out it must not be too hard.

I think MT doest want hard numbers because they would probably have to cut deer tags and maybe elk tags, in certain areas, as well. Then it will be just another ineffective govt dept, that folks don't trust..seems to be a lot of that going around these days...

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I unfortunately incurred that $10 in WA. They need to update their website. You can't just access the harvest reports with your Wild ID sign in online. I threw away my license at the end of the season and the harvest report number was on the top. Couldn't report without it.

Just an FYI, if that happens in the future, you can call WDFW to report. I've had to do that several times.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

I get what you're saying, but there's nothing anyone can do to MAKE someone not commit any crime. It seems like most hunters are going to do the right thing (or at least I hope). So if states at least put it in the regs and make it a requirement to report all harvests, I think most hunters would abide.

If a hunter buys a tag and doesn't fill it, the state could just assume it was an unsuccessful hunt. Even if they made people report unsuccessful hunts, people could still lie, but again I feel like most people are going to do the right thing.

It’s mandatory hunter reporting whether you harvest or not. You’re supposed to fill out a report for every deer, elk, antelope or OIL tag regardless of whether you hunt or not, whether you harvest or not. I’ve spoken with a biologist who told me only about 25% or so report, and I’ve spoken with enough hunters who tell me they flat out lie on their hunter reporting to know that all the harvest data IDFG has is pretty flawed. It wouldn’t be that hard to say if you don’t report you can’t buy a tag next year and actually incentivize people to report their hunting activities


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[ReaptheHeat]

Not arguing one way or another because I haven't reviewed how each state surveys but there has been a ton a research done on the accuracy of mandatory vs voluntary harvest reporting. You can get pretty accuate results either way if your survey is set up and analyzed correctly. It's not always as simple or black and white as it sounds. But I have noticed similar trends from alot of state agencies, if you have been collecting data the same way for years and years it's hard to change. They seem to view that long running trend line as more valuable than exact numbers. You basically have to throw all your old trend data out and start from scratch if you start changing methods around to much.


This is a pretty good read to understand some of the science behind reporting survey design.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264807035_Evaluating_Cost-Efficiency_and_Accuracy_of_Hunter_Harvest_Survey_Designs

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I will have to read this later. The human factor certainly changes things when extrapolated to a larger population.

 

[def90]

Colorado depends on the species. I believe that bear, moose, big horn sheep and mtn goat all require reporting.

 

[Erict]

NY requires harvest reporting within 7 days for deer, bear, turkey. They have been doing it for over 20 years and with small variations the reporting rate has held almost steady at about 48%. Because it was incorporated into the licensing system long ago, it costs little to gather the data (reports can be filed online, using a phone app, or by phone pressing buttons, or by phone speaking with a live person). There was concern about trying to make reporting 100% app based because this it NY and we have to worry about the 1% of hunters who don't have a smart phone, internet or even a phone.

The data is just a part of the whole picture used to determine true harvest rates, estimated populations, etc. NY also uses biologist visiting deer processors, staffing voluntary check stations, collecting car/deer reports, nuisance deer harvest info and doing limited field studies to gather population data. NY uses other methods to estimate other things like total hunter days afield, etc.

NY does not require 100% reporting regardless of kill or not. The fine for failure to report a harvest is $0-250 depending on the judge, but I'd guess that 90% of the time the hunter gets a written warning instead of a ticket.

NYSDEC does not rely on license sales to pay its bills. Even if a state like Montana could get the legislation through, creating and operating a harvest reporting system isn't cheap, they have a much smaller technical infrastructure and it's an uphill battle convincing the average sportsmen (and average FWP staffer) that it will make hunting better.

(Lastly - the Montana bill referenced above is part of the problem. If you're going to write legislation, do it right the first time. Why only deer/elk? Why not antelope, sheep, goats, bison, mountain lion? Free bonus points if you comply with the law? A variable fine for failure to complete? It's no wonder the bill is no longer active).