October 30, 2019

MDIFW NEWS: Responsive Management Conducting Furbearer Survey

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is working with Responsive Management, an independent research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues, to conduct a survey on wildlife management issues in Maine. Responsive Management researchers will be distributing the survey by mail and email with a link to an online questionnaire, and interviewers will also be calling Maine residents to complete the survey by phone.

You do NOT have to participate in outdoor recreation or be knowledgeable about any specific issues to qualify for the survey-the researchers are looking for input from ALL residents. Also note that this is a scientific, probability-based survey, which means that you can only participate in the survey if you are randomly selected to do so. This is why your participation in the survey is so important: as a survey respondent you are representing many other Maine residents.

We encourage you to participate in the survey if you are invited to do so. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and the results will help the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife better understand residents' opinions and perceptions of important management issues. Thank you in advance for your input!

In addition to the survey, all Maine residents have the option of providing input on furbearer management via an online public input forum. The forum is accessible at www.mainefurbearerforum.org and includes three separate discussion portals devoted to specific aspects of furbearer management, including general furbearer management issues, hunting and trapping issues, and nuisance wildlife issues. Residents are encouraged to visit the forum and comment on the topics of interest to them. All public comments will be reviewed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.