Ohio Department of Natural Resources DIVISION OF WILDLIFE

2019 Ohio Bowhunter Survey Report July 2020

Since 1990 the Ohio Division of Wildlife has used participant received was assigned randomly. The the Ohio Bowhunter Survey to track year-to-year old version had the same design that has been changes in furbearer populations and to record used in previous years, on which sightings for less sightings of special interest species such as black common species (bobcats, black bears, etc.) are bears, bobcats, and river otters. The survey relies listed in a separate section at the end of the survey. on the participation of volunteer bowhunters, who The new version was redesigned so that all species typically spend many hours in the field observing are included in the main section of the survey. wildlife. This group of conservationists provide Measures of participation and observation rates for some of the best information on certain wildlife commonly observed species were similar between species that are difficult to monitor using other the two mail survey layouts, so results from both survey methods. versions are combined in this report.

Survey Methods In an effort to collect additional information, in 2018 The survey is entirely voluntary, and bowhunters an online version of the bowhunter survey was sign up to participate by contacting the division. implemented using Qualtrics software (Qualtrics Surveys are distributed annually in September to 2019). In 2019 online bowhunter survey links were everyone that responded to the survey in the past distributed to 18,075 participants. To allow for three years, as well as to any new volunteers that reliable comparison to data from previous years, have signed up. Participants are asked to keep a the bowhunter indices presented in this report will daily record of their activity in the field, including only include results from the mail versions of the recording the amount of time spent bowhunting, the bowhunter survey. However, information from the county in which they hunted, and the number of online surveys was combined with data from the individuals observed for each species. The survey mail surveys to assess the distribution of period begins on the opening day of the deer observations for each species in 2019. archery season and ends on the first day of the deer gun season. Participation Our analysis of mail surveys includes results from Sighting information is summarized and reported as 1,049 bowhunters who returned their survey and the “bowhunter index” which is the number of each species seen for every 1,000 hours hunted. Because this measure is standardized by the amount of time spent in the field, it serves as an index to assess trends in the relative abundance of species through time. Prior to analysis, we identified and removed outlier data points, and data points that were likely mis-recorded (for example, more than 11 hours in the field in one day).

Two versions of the mail survey were distributed in 2019. A total of 7,000 mail surveys were distributed to volunteer bowhunters, 3,497 received the old version of the survey, while 3,503 received the new Figure 1. Cumulative number of bowhunter survey respondents version. The version of the survey that each in the field on each day of the survey period. reported at least one day in the field. These over two times greater than every other furbearer participants recorded a total of 47,700 hours in the species. field. On average, these bowhunters reported 12.52 ± 0.459 days in the field and spent 3.63 ± 0.032 Raccoon bowhunter indices increased steadily from hours in the field on each outing. Participants were 1990 through the early 2000s, but since that time, active throughout the season, but activity peaked despite annual fluctuations, the overall trend in during the first two weekends in November (Figure observations has been fairly stable (Figure 3). 1). Raccoons are widespread in Ohio, and in 2019 observations were reported by bowhunters in all 88 Online survey results include data from 2,288 counties, although observation rates were highest bowhunters reporting 55,789 hours in the field. in northwest Ohio (Figure 4). Survey respondants hunted in all 88 Ohio counties, however more hours were recorded in eastern Ohio Coyotes are the species with the second highest counties than in western Ohio (Figure 2). bowhunter index (14.97 coyotes/1,000 hours), but that wasn’t always the case. When the bowhunter survey first began in 1990, coyotes had the lowest index of the six commonly observed furbearer species. The bowhunter index for coyotes increased throughout the 1990s until the early 2010s. However, the index trend has remained stable over the past 10 years, indicating a stabilization in statewide coyote populations. Coyote observations were reported by bowhunters in all but one county on the 2019 survey, and sighting rates were higher in western Ohio than eastern Ohio.

The bowhunter index for opossums fluctuates, sometimes widely, between years, but overall indicates a declining trend in observations since the early 2000s, with the index reaching its lowest point in 2015. However, the opossum index increased in the past two years, and the opossum bowhunter

Figure 2. Hours recorded in the field in 2019, by Ohio county, by index in 2019 (9.25 opossums/1,000 hours) was online and mail Bowhunter Survey respondents. the highest it has been since 2006. The division’s annual spring roadkill survey has shown a similar Commonly Observed species trend, with opossum observations reaching a low Observation trends for six commonly observed point in 2015. Observations of opossums on the furbearer species (raccoon, skunk, opossum, red spring roadkill survey have also increased in recent fox, gray fox, and coyote) have been tracked since years, although not as markedly as on the the first year of the survey. The raccoon has the bowhunter survey. Continued monitoring in future largest bowhunter index (40.10 raccoons/1,000 years will help to determine if the recent increase is hours) of all the furbearing species monitored by a result of annual fluctuation, or a turn in the overall this survey. Although relative observation rates trajectory of the index. Observations in 2019 were between species can be impacted by factors other reported by bowhunters in all but one county. than abundance, such as behavioral traits of the animal or activity patterns and hunting locations of The skunk bowhunter index has always been at the the bowhunter, the observation rate for raccoons is lower end of rates among the commonly observed furbearers, and in 2019 had the lowest bowhunter

Figure 3. Bowhunter index from mail survey responses (number of sightings per 1000 hours in field), and trendline with 95% confidence interval, for raccoon, coyote, red fox, gray fox, opossum, and skunk in Ohio from 1990 through 2019.

Figure 4. Distribution of sightings per hour hunted, by county, by mail and online bowhunter survey respondents, for raccoon, coyote, red fox, gray fox, opossum, and skunk in Ohio in 2019.

Figure 4 Continued. Distribution of sightings per hour hunted, by county, by mail and online bowhunter survey respondents, for raccoon, coyote, red fox, gray fox, opossum, and skunk in Ohio in 2019. observation rate (2.60 skunks/1,000 hours). Similar analysis of regional trends in observations to to the opossum, the skunk bowhunter index has understand if these declines are truly statewide or fluctuated over the years, but shows a long-term localized in certain areas, and investigation into declining trend since the early 2000s. Unlike the how these trends relate to other factors such as opossum, we have not seen an upturn in the skunk changes in habitat, predator densities, and land use bowhunter index in recent years, but the trend has trends. remained relatively stable over the past seven years. The bowhunter indices for both red and gray foxes have exhibited substantial declines since the start On the 2019 bowhunter survey, skunks were of the survey. While 2019 observation rates are observed in 72 counties. Several of the counties relatively low for both red fox (5.85 red fox/1,000 where skunks were not observed are in hours) and gray fox (2.66 gray fox/1,000 hours), red northwestern Ohio, however several of those fox sightings are more widely distributed than gray counties where skunks were not observed are also fox. In 2019, gray foxes were observed by counties where relatively few hours were reported bowhunter survey participants in 57 counties in the field. With less than 10% of survey primarily in the forested eastern and southern respondents observing a skunk in 2019, it is portions of the state while red foxes were observed possible that this is simply reflecting the lack of in 86 counties throughout the state. participating hunters in those counties, rather than an actual trend in skunk population distribution. The red fox bowhunter trend may be related to the expansion of coyote populations in Ohio. Coyotes Although skunks and opossums are both widely can impact distribution and/or abundance of red fox distributed in Ohio, the declining trends observed populations through competition for resources on this survey, as well as other surveys the division (Gese et al. 1996, Levi and Wilmers 2012). Red conducts (such as the spring roadkill survey), foxes are known to be adaptable to suburban and warrants further attention. Initial steps may include urban environments, which may also provide them

Figure 5. Proportion of bowhunter mail survey respondents that observed coyote, red fox, gray fox, raccoon, skunk, and opossum at least once during the survey season in Ohio, for each year from 1990 to 2019. some ability to avoid coyotes in these areas (Moll et distemper in the gray fox population, and if or how al. 2018, Gosselink et al. 2007). We expect that other factors such as changes in available habitat, bowhunters will tend to be more active in rural or changes in the Ohio carnivore community may areas than urban or suburban areas, so if the influence the Ohio gray fox population. relative distribution of red fox in Ohio has shifted more toward urban areas over the years, this may Other species account for some of the change in observation We also collect sightings of less commonly rates. Future incorporation of survey or monitoring observed species from the bowhunter survey, methods that include evaluation of urban wildlife including bobcat, mink, river otter, black bear, and populations may help us to gain a better badger. With the implementation of the online understanding of population trends for red fox, as bowhunter survey, and the new version of the mail well as other furbearers that fare well in urban survey, we have seen a marked increase in the areas, such as skunks and opossums. number of observations reported for these species. Of less commonly observed species, bobcats were The gray fox observation rate has increased slightly seen most often, with 311 observations reported in in recent years after hitting a low point in 2013, 38 counties (Table 1). Although we are not able to however the number of bowhunters observing at verify these observations, the distribution of least one gray fox during the season has remained observations (primarily in southeast Ohio) mirrors low (Figure 5). Similar declines in gray fox the known distribution of the Ohio bobcat populations in recent years have been observed in population. Mink were the next most commonly other Midwestern states. Although the cause of this observed of these species, and observations were decline is unknown, preliminary results of a more widespread, with 146 observations across 50 telemetry project in Ohio suggest that disease, counties. Twenty-one river otter observations were specifically canine distemper, may be an important reported in seven counties, and nine black bear factor impacting the gray fox population. Additional observations were reported in six counties. Lastly, research is needed to determine the prevalence of five badger observations were reported, although

these were all reported by the same hunter on References multiple hunting trips in Franklin County. Gese, E. M., T. E. Stotts, and S. Grothe. 1996. Interactions between coyotes and red foxes in We’re grateful to all the participants that have Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Journal of contributed to the bowhunter survey over the past Mammalogy 77:377–382. 30 years. If you are interested in participating in this survey in the future, we encourage you to contact Gosselink, T. E., T. R. Van Deelen, R. E. Warner, us by phone at 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) P. C. Mankin. 2007. Survival and cause specific or via email at [email protected]. mortality of red foxes in agricultural and urban areas of Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1862–1873.

Levi, T., and C. C. Wilmers. 2012. Wolves– coyotes–foxes: a cascade among carnivores. Ecology 93:921–929.

Moll, R. J., J. D. Cepek, P. D. Lorch, P. M. Dennis, T. Robinson, J. J. Millspaugh, and R. A. Montgomery. 2018. Human and urban development mediate the sympatry of competing carnivores. Urban Ecosystems 21:765–778.

Qualtrics. 2019. Provo, Utah. Available at https://www.qualtrics.com. Accessed September 2019.

Table 1. Bowhunter sightings of less commonly observed species by county and Ohio Division of Wildlife district in 2019. Note: Sightings are listed as reported by participants and have not been verified.

County Bobcat Mink River Otter Black Bear Badger Delaware 3 Fairfield 2 1 Franklin 1 5 Knox 4 7

Licking 3 10

Central Ohio Central

- Logan 3 Madison 5 1

Marion 5 District 1 District Morrow 2 Union 8 Allen 3 Crawford 1 Erie 1

Hancock 1 1 Hardin 1 Henry 1

Huron 3 Northwest Ohio Northwest

Ottawa 4 - Paulding 1 Putnam 1

District 2 District Richland 1 3 Sandusky 4 Seneca 1 Wyandot 3 Ashland 4 Ashtabula 2 Carroll 7 2 Columbiana 2 6

Geauga 3 2 Harrison 6 2 Holmes 3 2 Jefferson 11

Lorain 7

Northeast Ohio Northeast

- Mahoning 1 Medina 4

Portage 4 District 3 District Stark 2 4 1 Summit 1 Trumbull 4 2 Tuscarawas 7 1 Wayne 1

Table 1 (continued).

County Bobcat Mink River Otter Black Bear Badger Athens 5 2 Belmont 20 1 Coshocton 11 6 Gallia 8 Guernsey 20 4

Hocking 5 3 2 Jackson 9 Lawrence 10 1 Meigs 7 2

Monroe 19

Southeast Ohio Southeast

- Morgan 14 Muskingum 16 1

Noble 27 6 1 District 4 District Perry 7 1 Pike 9 Ross 8 Scioto 4 1 Vinton 20 Washington 14

Adams 13

Brown 4 Clark 5 7 Clermont 1

Clinton 4 Southwest Ohio Southwest

Greene 2 - Hamilton 3 Highland 3 1

District 5 District Miami 1 1 Preble 2 Total Observations - All Districts 311 146 21 9 5