The North American Waterfowl Hunting Survey and the North American Birdwatching Survey were delivered to Canadian and American waterfowl hunters and birdwatchers. The surveys are initiatives to investigate stakeholder preferences to inform the development of NAWMP objectives and management actions. This research will help to provide the greatest benefits in terms of stakeholder preferences within the context of what is biologically feasible. Technical reports documenting survey results nationally and by Flyway are available at NAWMP.org site. Please contact Dr. Howie Harshaw for additional information about the Canadian results of these studies.
Howie Harshaw, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation
University of Alberta
Email: harshaw@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-6821
Additional Background:
Five objectives framed the development of this waterfowl hunter and birdwatcher study:
1. Assess what waterfowl hunters and birdwatchers most desire from their natural resource-based management and social settings to inform NAWMP objectives and select habitat and population management alternatives.
2. Establish baseline measures that can be repeated to inform the development of a Public Engagement Strategy and monitor trends in achieving the NAWMP goal of “growing numbers of waterfowl hunters, other conservationists, and citizens who enjoy and actively support waterfowl and wetlands conservation.”
3. Assess waterfowl hunters’ and birdwatchers’ knowledge, preferences, levels of use and support for waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
4. Assess participation in waterfowl‐associated recreation and how much they support waterfowl and wetlands conservation.
5. Assess awareness and their perceptions regarding the importance of the benefits and values (i.e., Ecological Goods and Services) provided by waterfowl and wetlands conservation.