Member Polls
National Deer Alliance (NDA) believes strongly that member input on important deer and hunting issues is critical, and will use this information to inform managers and state and federal wildlife agencies whenever possible.
Here are the results from the most recent polls taken in the weekly newsletter by NDA members.
| What are your personal buck harvest goals this season? In other words, what are you going to hold out for? October 24, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Results | |||
| I'm happy to harvest any legal buck. | 19.1% | ||
| I'm mostly looking for a mature buck that's at least 3 ½ years-old or older, and am not as concerned about rack score. | 33.2% | ||
| I don't concern myself with age or rack score. I know it when I see it. | 14.9% | ||
| A rack score over 125 inches | 5.7% | ||
| A rack score over 150 inches | 6.5% | ||
| A Boone and Crockett class buck | 1.4% | ||
| I don't care if I get a buck. I'm just happy to be hunting. | 19% | ||
| Total participants: | 852 | ||
| What is your number one determining factor for deciding whether or not to hunt during the early season (prior to the rut)? October 17, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Results | |||
| Weather | 40.1% | ||
| Wind direction | 3.2% | ||
| What I'm learning from scouting and trail cameras | 8.4% | ||
| Reports from friends who have been hunting | 0.6% | ||
| When I have time available to go | 37.8% | ||
| Other | 9.6% | ||
| Total participants: | 912 | ||
| If you hunt during the early season, what are your top two favorite tactics to use? October 17, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Results | |||
| Pick the best location based on wind direction | 24.1% | ||
| Watch for subtle changes in weather, fronts coming in, etc. | 21.9% | ||
| Scout hard and find the hot food source | 12.2% | ||
| Hunt areas where I have a decent chance, but won't disturb my best spots | 15.1% | ||
| Hunt over trails between feeding and bedding areas | 21.3% | ||
| I don't hunt during the early season | 5.2% | ||
| Total participants: | 1,360 | ||
| What is the earliest date you've ever shot a deer? Please list the exact date in the comments. October 17, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Results | |||
| Before August 1 | 0.5% | ||
| August 1-14 | 0.5% | ||
| August 15-31 | 3.2% | ||
| September 1-14 | 10.8% | ||
| September 15-30 | 24.5% | ||
| October 1-15 | 60.2% | ||
| Total participants: | 744 | ||
| What region of the country do you live in? October 10, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Results | |||
| Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT) | 25.3% | ||
| Midwest (IA, IN, IL, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI) | 38.8% | ||
| South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV) | 29.1% | ||
| West (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY) | 5.6% | ||
| Canada | 1% | ||
| Total participants: | 871 | ||
| How would you describe the quality of your season so far? October 10, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Results | |||
| Poor | 14.8% | ||
| Average | 26.1% | ||
| Good | 16.7% | ||
| Excellent | 4.4% | ||
| I have not been hunting yet | 37.8% | ||
| Total participants: | 849 | ||
The NDA’s mission is to ensure the future of North America’s wild deer, wildlife habitat, and our hunting heritage. Learn more about NDA and take advantage of our no-cost membership. You can’t make an impact if you don’t get involved. Join now.
