Surveying Louisiana waterfowl hunters: Open web and random mail surveys produce similar responses to attitudinal questions

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2014

Abstract

We surveyed random and convenience samples of Louisiana, USA, waterfowl hunters after the 2009-2010 season, and asked identical questions about waterfowl-hunting effort, success, satisfaction, regulatory alternatives, and demographics. We received 727 usable responses to our random mail survey, and 949 usable responses to an on-line web survey that was accessible to the general public. Compared with the random mail survey, respondents to the web survey hunted more frequently, harvested more waterfowl, and placed greater importance on waterfowl hunting. However, we noted similarities in attitudes toward regulatory alternatives across survey methods. Binary logistic regression of 13 variables measuring effort, success, satisfaction, and demographics accurately predicted the survey method of 75.5% of respondents. Similar analysis of 10 variables measuring attitudes toward regulatory alternatives categorized only 63.1% of the respondents into their correct survey mode, and failed to meet conservative standards for predictive accuracy. Polar reclassification of attitudinal responses into bichotomous categories led to identical managerial conclusions, irrespective of survey method. Based on our results, we believe responses from the random mail survey more accurately represent the demographics, effort, and success of Louisiana waterfowl hunters; however, the attitudes of respondents did not differ between random mail and convenience web samples, especially in regard to regulatory alternatives. The ease and low cost of web surveys are important advantages over traditional mail surveys. We suggest survey methodology be carefully linked to survey objectives, and that open web surveys may be used to supplement random surveys in investigations of stakeholder attitudes to inform development of natural resource policy.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Wildlife Society Bulletin

First Page

821

Last Page

826

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