Noatak National Preserve sport hunter perceptions and experiences

United States Department of the Interior

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Western Arctic National Parklands
PO Box 1029
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
(
)

and

School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences
Department of Humans and the Environment

303 O’Neill Building ● P.O. Box 757200 ● Fairbanks AK 99775-7200
(907) 474-7188 ● fax (907) 474-6184 ● http://www.uaf.edu/snras/ ● fysnras@uaf.edu

DATE
Dear xxxxxx,
You have received this survey because you are among a very important and selected group of hunters
who hunted in the area during the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons. The National Park Service and the
University of Alaska Fairbanks is conducting a study to gather information regarding the perceptions,
experiences, and reasons for hunting in the Noatak National Preserve. The results of this study will be
used by the National Park Service and other state and federal managers (e.g., Alaska Department of Fish
and Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service) to understand the characteristics and perceptions of sport
hunters using the preserve.
This survey should take about take about 20 minutes to complete. You will need to use the enclosed
map of Noatak National Preserve to respond to questions in section 1 and 2 of the questionnaire.
When you have completed the questionnaire, please return it to us in the, postage paid return envelope
provided.
Your input is very valuable and it is important for us to receive feedback from as many hunters as
possible. Please complete as much of the survey as possible regardless of whether or not you harvested
any animals in the area. Your participation is voluntary and all responses will remain anonymous and
will only be reported as a summary of results. If you have any questions or comments, you can reach us
by phone or email.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Andrew Ackerman
Social Scientist
Western Arctic Parklands
National Park Service
(907) 455-0643;
Andrew_ackerman@nps.gov

Peter J. Fix
Principal Investigator
Dept. of Humans and the Environment
University of Alaska Fairbanks
(907) 474-6926;
pjfix@alaska.edu

Postcard prior to mailing of survey
Noatak National Preserve Hunting Survey
Dear Sportsman,
In the coming weeks you will receive a mailing from the National Park Service
containing a survey, a map of the area, and a return envelope. Once you receive the
survey, we would ask you to please take the time to complete and return the survey, it
should take about 20 minutes to complete. Because only a limited number of hunters
will be contacted, it is extremely important that we hear from everyone.
If you have any questions or concerns about the study, please call or email me at (907)
455-0643; andrew_ackerman@nps.gov (e-mail) or call Pete Fix at (907) 474-6926, or
email at pjfix@alaska.edu (e-mail).
Sincerely,
Andrew Ackerman
Social Scientist
Western Arctic Parklands

Postcard following mailing of survey
Dear Sportsman,
A survey was recently mailed to you regarding hunting in the Noatak National Preserve.
As of today we have not received your response. If you have already returned the
survey, thank you for your help. If not, please complete the survey and return it at your
earliest convenience. Because the surveys were mailed to only a limited number of
hunters in the area, it is extremely important that we hear from you.
If you did not receive the survey, or it was misplaced, contact Andrew Ackerman at
(907) 455-0643; andrew_ackerman@nps.gov (e-mail), or Pete Fix at (907) 4746926; pjfix@alaska.edu (e-mail).
Sincerely,
Andrew Ackerman
Social Scientist
Western Arctic Parklands