I've noticed that my state is pushing to acquire more money for non-game wildlife and some surveys are quite interesting. I specifically note that in a survey I received from the University of Minnesota, among the many hunting related questions, there were many questions that applied to non-hunters as well. For instance, "how many days a year do you go wildlife viewing?" This survey was sent to people who have purchased hunting licenses.
My cynical side says that they are trying to bolster the number of bird watchers and other "non-consumptive" wild life users by adding hunters to the population. Arguments like the following can then be made: "1.5 million Minnesotans are bird watchers who are in the field more than 10 times per year."
As a hunter, I am, of course, always watching wildlife when I am in the field. In fact, I watch wildlife even when I'm not in the field. It just seems that this kind of question can be used to no good purpose for hunters.
What do you think?