Fine-Scale Movements and Spatial Behaviors of Bear Hunters

Combining GPS With Survey Methods

Bibliographic Data

ID15326912
AuthorsMichael Jones (0000-0002-5448-8799, West Virginia University), Michael D Jones (0000-0002-8377-732X, West Virginia University), Jacob L Berl (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, corresponding author), Andrew N Tri (0000-0002-2345-940X, West Virginia University), John W Edwards (0000-0001-5265-3570, West Virginia University), Harry Spiker (Maryland Department of Natural Resources), Harry A Spiker (Maryland DNR, Annapolis, Maryland, USA)
Year2017
Volume22
Issue4
Pages362-373
Publication date2017-06-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Dimensions of Wildlife (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1087-1209 • E-ISSN: 1533-158X
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10871209.2017.1324070
OpenAlexW2626539894
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited20

Traditionally, 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

Cartography · Environmental resource management · Geographic information system · Geography · Global Positioning System · Perception · Remote sensing · Scale (ratio · Spatial analysis · Spatial ecology · Telecommunications · Transport engineering · Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies · Computer Science · Engineering · Environmental Science · Primate Behavior and Ecology · Psychology · Wildlife Ecology and Conservation · Ecology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub