We are all looking for good resources and information for hunt units when considering drawing a tag. With the number of points and amount of money it takes to acquire a tag, no stone should be left unturned. One of the best resources for this information is the local biologist. Who better to talk with and ask questions to than the person whose job it is to manage the wildlife in that area? The majority of biologists are great people who love what they do and are very willing to answer questions about the wildlife and regions they oversee.
Actually, getting a hold of a biologist may be the toughest part of this entire process. Try not to get frustrated if you do not get someone on the phone right away or get called back within a day or two. I have had weeks go by and sometimes a month or two before they have found time to call me back. Start reaching out early, maybe even a year in advance of the hunt or application period. This might seem a little extreme, but once you have made contact and formed somewhat of a relationship with the biologist, a follow- up call is usually easier to get updated information. Another strategy I use when really needing to get a hold of a biologist is to be persistent. I will leave a message, and if I don’t receive a call back within two weeks, I will reach out again. Stay on the offensive and keep your messages as polite and professional as possible, even if you are getting frustrated. You will attract more bees with honey than vinegar.
Be prepared with the questions you want to ask and maybe some basic knowledge of the unit or units you are wanting to discuss with the biologist. This way, you can jump right into a good conversation with them and they can tell you are serious as you have done your research of the area. Being knowledgeable will help to eliminate any BS from the biologist as well. Remember, a biologist deals with the general public a lot and can get burnt out really easy, especially when dealing with rude people who are degrading the job they are doing. These are the boots-on-the-ground workers who know more about what is happening in the areas assigned than about anyone else out there. I have built some great relationships with biologists over the years, and although we might not see eye to eye all the time, we can always be respectful to one another.
Many times, hunters are not sure what questions to ask when they do get that chance to talk with a biologist. Depending on what type of hunt it is and what you are looking to get out of it, the questions may vary a little. I often like to start off with habitat and animal population questions. These are right in a biologist’s wheelhouse and will get the conversation rolling. How is the moisture content for the year and drought conditions in the area? Was there significant winter mortality in recent years? How is the overall animal population doing in this unit? The answers you get from these questions will give you a good idea if this area is worth trying to get a tag in or not. Other questions to ask, especially if you are looking for more of a trophy hunt, are male/female ratios and quality of male animals harvested the last few years. Quite often, biologists are hesitant to answer questions with a clear answer, especially the quality of males as it may vary considerably in some areas from year to year depending on weather, habitat conditions, and how the state agency is trying to manage the area. Questions about wildlife diseases should come up in this conversation with CWD, brucellosis, and EHD becoming more and more prevalent across the West. Hunters will want to know if this is a concern before drawing a tag. Depending on the unit you are inquiring about, a good question to ask might be the accessibility to huntable lands. Just because a unit has public land does not necessarily mean you can access that ground to hunt. With different states having different laws, it can be a little tricky when private and public lands start intermingling. The corner- crossing debate has really ramped up the last couple years, and there still seems to be no definite answer on what is legal and what is not. You might also inquire about state programs that help hunters access private land through state land, such as in Wyoming with walk-in areas programs.
I have learned to use the three P’s when reaching out to biologists – be persistent, be polite, and be prepared. More often than not, you will need to be persistent in calling or emailing a biologist before you get a response. The majority will return your messages in a timely manner if they are not busy in the field, but some need a few reminders to help get that call back. Always be polite, even if you have not gotten that call back when you had hoped to. Don’t get frustrated. Continue to reach out in a positive and polite manner and you will receive the information you’re looking for (hopefully). Individuals who have been rude in the past have ruined it for the rest of us, and some biologists are gun shy to talk with the public. Don’t be that guy. Last and probably most important is be prepared. You never know when that call might come, and you will want to be ready. Make sure you have done some research on your own so you can talk about the unit even if you’re not in the most ideal place to do so. I always have a few notes on my phone so no matter where I’m at I can get the information I have been looking for. I have always figured getting a hold of a biologist is like hunting, you never know when that opportunity might present itself, so always be prepared.
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