Originally posted by John Scifres: Voluntary surveys such as the one on Bowsite are not considered to be scientifically valid nor representative of the population. But they have some qualitative value. They become a problem when they are presented as representative.
Perception often is reality so we may think that overall the population is very dissatisfied with deer hunting in Indiana if all we read is the Bowsite survey.
The Deer Hunter Survey that is reflected in the county-by-county results in the DNR's 2016 Indiana White-Tailed Deer Summary report paint a different picture where most responses were in the positive range.
Very well put.
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Let me be clear as my last post may have come across as to just dismiss such a survey as worthless...as it is not. However, it truly did just tap into an extremely small group, which then told others they knew would share the same thoughts to go post as well. I don't question any of the comments or feelings posted by any of them as I (to the best of my knowledge) don't hunt with or by any of them.
Some say it does represent hunting as a whole in the state...I simply will never pretend to have enough knowledge to state anything not inside the immediate areas I hunt. I hear extremely split opinions (nearly 50/50) from all my hunting acquaintances and friends...so I would only argue anyone stating either extreme as fact is missing the boat most likely.
