Gates of the Arctic Kobuk River: 2001 sport hunter survey data

Between August and September 2001, sport hunters were asked to respond to a mail-back questionnaire about hunting on the Kobuk River in the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska. This data publication contains the results of this survey, which focused on conflict: between user groups, with managers, and with management policies. Questions included experience use history, visit characteristics, influences on experience, hunting motivations, support for limitations, and demographics. A high response rate to an attempt to survey the population of hunters (52 people were asked to complete the survey and 49 responses were obtained) developed knowledge of hunter experience and contributes to understanding of resource use in the park.
The purpose of this study was to develop knowledge about the sport hunter population on the Kobuk River in the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (GAAR) in order to enhance the ability of management to respond to sport hunter, local subsistence user, and resource needs as well as other strategic goals of the Preserve. Developing in-depth knowledge of hunter experiences, behaviors, and motivations compliments longitudinal data collected as part of a continuing patrol, education and monitoring effort. A better understanding of sport hunters will allow GAAR managers to protect and enhance all visitor experiences while anticipating and reducing user conflicts and protecting Preserve resources from degradation.
Original metadata date was 12/01/2017. Minor metadata updates were made on 04/09/2019.