A new survey is available for Ohio hunters to voice their opinions on their hunting habits, traditions, and hopes when they enter the deer woods. The survey is a cooperative effort between Whitetails Unlimited’s Ohio membership and Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, a leading outdoor retailer with five locations across the Buckeye State.

Over the last five years, Ohio has seen a decrease of over 30,000 hunters chasing buckeye whitetails. Dennis Malloy, WTU field director for northeastern Ohio, and Fin Feather Fur Outfitters owner Mike Goschinski discussed their concerns of why the drop was happening and what could be done to reverse the trend. Many have worried that major changes in game laws and regulations, and a movement away from tradition could be negatively affecting participation of hunters. The survey is an effort to provide answers in order to plan future state wildlife policy.

The short survey has pertinent questions for Ohio deer hunters, and Malloy says he hopes to get more than 25,000 responses through a grassroots effort of social media, texts, and emails in order to present the data to Ohio Division of Wildlife Chief Mike Miller and the deer management section at the state’s open houses on March 3. “Many attendees at our WTU banquets bring up issues like loss of check stations leading to illegal acts and fraud, discontent with the number of deer seen by gun hunters, and the fear that we are losing the battle for recruitment and retention of our hunting fraternity,” said Malloy. “We hope that by polling deer hunters – the men and women who are buying the licenses and spending time in the woods – we can see a clearer picture of what hunters want, what they like, and what will keep them buying licenses and gear and participating in hunting  into the future. The worry is that if wildlife managers deal only with the biology of deer management, they may not be taking into account how these changes affect the social, economic, and traditional activities of the hunters themselves, which can lead to other, unforeseen problems.”

The survey is free, but a person must have hunted deer in Ohio. To take the survey, go to www.whitetailsunlimited.com and click on the scrolling survey box. The deadline to participate is February 24. Just for taking the survey, Fin Feather Fur Outfitters is offering 50 gift cards worth $20 each to randomly selected survey participants. More information about the survey can be obtained by calling Dennis Malloy at 330-507-9489.

Whitetails Unlimited has more than 40 chapters and 12,500 members in Ohio.

About Whitetails Unlimited:

Since our beginning in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited has remained true to its mission and has made great strides in the field of conservation. Thanks to more than 450 chapters, 107,000-plus members, chapter volunteers, and corporate sponsors, Whitetails Unlimited has earned the reputation of being the nation’s premier organization dedicating its resources to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment. Our mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the shooting sports and hunting tradition for future generations. To date, Whitetails Unlimited has expended more than $85.7 million on program services and activities that continue to enhance, and ultimately foster, our mission. Stay connected with us: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WTU Website