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ho are you? Who, who, who, who?” Wildlife Department surveys produce feedback that direct-
“W we really want to know. ly links sportsmen and sportswomen and the state agency that
Just like The Who back in ’78,
represents their interests through conservation efforts and
Why? Because the better we
know you — our Outdoor Oklahoma readers — the better we game harvest laws. The data we collect are invaluable in help-
ing the Wildlife Department, political leaders, conservation
can serve you and provide you the best magazine possible. More groups and even businesses understand issues, concerns, ser-
about this later in this column. vices and products related to fish and wildlife. Those natural
But for now, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Betsey York, resources belong to all of us, not just a certain few.
and I joined the Oklahoma Department of A major survey that we conduct each year
Wildlife Conservation in October 2018 as the is the Game Harvest Survey. It is a compre-
Human Dimensions Specialist. My job for the hensive effort to collect data from a random-
Department is to concentrate on the “human ly selected sample of hunting license holders
side” of wildlife conservation, which is a large about their harvest of game species in Oklaho-
part of the decisions we make to fulfill our mis- ma and their input about management issues.
sion: to manage and protect fish and wildlife, Other public input opportunities the Depart-
along with their habitats, while also growing our ment offers include the Oklahoma Angler Sur-
community of hunters and anglers, partnering vey, conducted every five years; creel surveys of
with those who love the outdoors, and fostering anglers, conducted randomly; public hearings
stewardship with those who care for the land. on proposed new or changing regulations, held
Some of the things I do in my job: annually usually in January; and focus groups on various
• Incorporate public input into fish and wildlife manage- important topics, held as needed.
ment decisions. But there’s a survey coming up soon that will be of particular
• Provide information on demographic and economic trends interest to you. It has been many years since we reached out to
of hunters and anglers. our Outdoor Oklahoma readers to seek their opinions on the
• Coordinate or facilitate public meetings. magazine and what we can do to make it better.
• Evaluate Wildlife Department programs. So please be on the lookout in the next few weeks. You
But I probably spend most of my time working to gather might receive a postcard or email message asking you to
the opinions of the people we serve: hunters, anglers and those take a few minutes to go online and complete our Outdoor
who value wildlife. Oklahoma Reader Survey. We value your input. And as
When it comes to surveys, I often help determine methods always, we thank you for your support of the magazine and
for collecting social data, write survey questions, analyze data, the Wildlife Department!
and prepare reports about results. The Department might
have two or three social research projects ongoing at one time.
There is an increasing disdain for surveys. Oftentimes com-
mercially produced surveys may be designed to benefit those
who are paying for the surveys. But when it comes to surveys Betsey York,
by the Wildlife Department, the motives are quite different. Human Dimensions Specialist