Talking to a biologist

[Mojave]

For what it’s worth from a wildlife biologist:

When I get called by the public asking about the area I cover, my responses will always mirror the caller. If they are enthusiastic, read up, easy to talk with, courteous, and understanding, I will be all of those in return. And vice versa.

I’ve had people call dead serious wanting to know where the big bulls are as if hunting is only about antlers- not entertaining that. I’ve had people call telling me on a 10 minute diatribe that they are the best elk hunter in the west, then proceed to ask a string of questions that even a novice elk hunter should know- not entertaining that. I’ve had people ask me where I would hunt in the area, after I tell them I hunt the area, as if I would give up my spots- not entertaining that.

Then I’ve had folks call who are excited to chat with me, have a decent understanding of elk, are prepared, courteous of my lack of time, don’t ask about spots, and ask what they can expect to see or experience- I’ll give them whatever time I have to chat. They ask where I tend to see grizzlies concentrate in areas or respond to the onset of hunting seasons, both good things to know for safety and for finding game. They ask questions that lead to finding critters, rather than which mountain they keg up on (honey holes). A few of those guys still keep in touch to let me know how the hunting in the area has been for them, which is useful to track trends.

But every bio is different, and I work with many across several agencies who don’t answer calls, questions, or the like. So, your mileage in this endeavor may vary. A previous poster spoke to times of day or days of the week to call. Poster is spot on in my opinion. Good luck!

I work in defense, and we have some very limited hunting. We get the same questions.

 

[FlyGuy]

I had an experience with one in CO in ‘20. This was one of the units that was moving from OTC to draw that year so this guy had been worked over for years and years and it was obvious that he was giving me the same worn out blablabla in a monotone voice. But I’d done my homework and had questions ready and when I asked him about the particular area I was planning to concentrate on and why (b/c it just seemed like it would get overlooked b/c it had difficult access) everything changed. The guy got charged up and excited and and became very helpful. Completely different person. (Btw, there were ZERO hunters at the trailhead or anywhere near us, and we got into elk immediately, it was awesome)


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