Questions for ALL DBHP Members and lurkers: Harvest Information Program

Brad Bortner

Brad Bortner

Well-known member
Supporter
I am interested in hearing from all the members here about your experiences buying licenses and getting HIP certification. I really would like to hear the answers to these questions from a broad spectrum of members. Please either respond here or message me if you would rather. I am working with agencies to try to improve HIP while also making it easier to get your HIP and your answers to the HIP screening questions.

I would like to you to answer the following questions for each state that you hunted in or purchased a license to hunt. Please don't share any personal information publicly or feel like I am prying. I need your perspectives so I can work with the agencies with a firm understanding of your experiences and concerns.

I really appreciate your answers to these questions and any experiences or thoughts you'd like to share. Thanks.


Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season?
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season?
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season?
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store?
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season?
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions?
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone?
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license?
Do you know why those questions are asked?
Do you know how those answers are used?
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity?
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management?
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP?
Would you like to learn more about HIP?
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP?
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification?
 
Brad~


I have gotten my HIP numbers (and for my Dad, too) over the web since it's inception. It has always functioned well - except for one of the early years when I unwittingly advised my gunning partner to visit a website with "wetland" in the URL. Turns out 'twas a porn site.....


My profession gave me ample background on the needs and uses if HIP. And, I have always answered all of the questions - truthfully!.



I have been purchasing my NYS license on-line from Year 1 (2008 or 9?). It always works but is not as user-friendly as most other websites i visit for commerce.


One minor tweak I would make with HIP: Instead of the "Did you take more or less than 10 ?" (or whatever quantity is used for each species group) I believe HIP should ask for an actual number. I understand many of the biases and other statistical problems this can present, but I think we should recognize that this may be the only "interface" that many gunners have each year with the waterfowl management "machine". We can either be embarrassed or brag - and the numbers obviously could not be relied upon for harvest estimates - but it would be a bit more human, more satisfying to the user. I always go away from the HIP site feeling "That's it? ????"


BTW: I once bought my duck stamp at a Post Office in Stony Brook, NY. The clerk thanked me for supporting wetlands conservation as I did so! (Hasn't happened before or since.)



All the best,


SJS











 
Steve, thanks. So that was in NY? It?s my understanding that hunters have always had to answer the HIP questions online or by phone in NY. Is that correct? Has there been any negative Reaction in NY from that?
 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? CT & ME
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? Not sure what the distinction is between registered and certified, registered in both
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? Yes in CT, No in ME
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? online
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? Yes, both states have online questionnaires
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? N/A
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? online
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? Yes
Do you know why those questions are asked? I always assumed to produce statistical harvest models?
Do you know how those answers are used? As above, assumed harvest models are used together with population surveys to develop the season frameworks.
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? Yes
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? Not sure, lots of assumptions on my part
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? I'm in a little deep on the assumptions already. [smile]
Would you like to learn more about HIP?
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP?
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification? I agree with Steve, ask for a number rather than a range of birds taken. Also request a breakdown by species, why not ask to provide comparison with field checks?
 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? - don't need to - bought a lifetime many years ago
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? yes
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? yes
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? HIP - on line
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? yes - but really - the amounts are so vague
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? N/A
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? duplicate question - see above
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? no because the license is a lifetime
Do you know why those questions are asked? yes
Do you know how those answers are used? no - but I guess they are for gauging trends
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? - neither
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? fairly
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? not really- just need it to hunt
Would you like to learn more about HIP? sure
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? they can add info to the online registration process
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification?- my guess - again - is that nearly everyone signs up because they have to, I have registered since the first year and have never seen an attempt to explain it -
 

Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Phone - Tried to enter online several times, did not work.
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
On Line
In NY, often on line does not work. Phone must be used. This discourages hunters (not myself) and should be easier.


VP
 

Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? FL....no...I bought a lifetime license years ago. MT...yes
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? Yes in FL. No in MT
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? Yes in FL. No in MT
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? Online for HIP
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? Yes
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? Yes online. The store clerks always asked the questions when I would buy in the store.
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? Online
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? Seperately...only need to get it and Migratory Bird Stamp every year now in FL. MT I would get it from a licensing age t if I got a migratory bird permit.
Do you know why those questions are asked? Sort of
Do you know how those answers are used? No
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? Neither
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? Not really
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? Not really
Would you like to learn more about HIP? Yes
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? Link on the page where I got my permit. Or on the app. A link on the state wildlife websites would be helpful too. FL has a section devoted to waterfowl with lots of FAQs and that would be a good place to put a link to a page explaining HIP
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification? No
 
Last edited:
interesting Vince, i have used the online exclusively for as long as I have known it was available

never had an issue
 
Whenever I used to get a HIP in person, the clerk had perfected the fastest way through the menu (NOs and zeroes) and never asked a me single question. I didn?t realize what happened until it was too late. It?s all a available online now.

I don?t think the average retail/gas station clerk has a clue what it?s about.
 
Rick,

The last two years have been a issue, same for my hunting partner. Could be a rural problem.

I walk across the street, purchase my hunting & fishing license, then come home to get my HIP#.


Just enrolled in a NY fishing diary program, same deal I had to use the phone.

Some years I can register on line, and other years not so.

Not a issue for me, but could be for others.


VP



If golfers had to jump through all the hoops that outdoor folks must, it would be very interesting....[;)]
 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? YES
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? YES
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? YES
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? ONLINE
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? YES
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? ONLINE PURCHASE
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? ONLINE
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? NO
Do you know why those questions are asked? GAUGE PARTICIPATION AND ESTIMATE HARVEST
Do you know how those answers are used? NOT REALLY
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? NOT SURE
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? SOMEWHAT
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? SOMEWAHT
Would you like to learn more about HIP? YES
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? RIGHT HERE
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification?EASY ENOUGH
 
Good morning, Brad~


I believe that is correct - in NYS HIP registration has always been via web or phone. Our license agents do not administer HIP.


I have no knowledge of how HIP has been received among NY hunters. A recent (2018?) statewide survey of waterfowl hunters did have a fairly high response rate, as I recall.


All the best,


SJS

 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? Yes
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? Yes
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? Yes
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? License in store. HIP online.
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? Yes
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? No
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? Online
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? No
Do you know why those questions are asked? Yes
Do you know how those answers are used? Somewhat
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? Yes
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? A little
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? Not really
Would you like to learn more about HIP? Sure
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? Googling
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification? No
 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? Yes, NY, VT, VA
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? Yes, in all 3 states
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? Yes, in all 3 states
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? All were purchased on-line. NY requires a separate step, log-in on another app.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? In VT and VA it is done during license purchase.[/font]
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? N/A
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? For VT and VA during purchase, for NY as a separate on-line step.[/font]
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? For VT and VA during purchase, for NY as a separate on-line step.
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Do you know why those questions are asked? I hope to gather some pertinent data![/font]
Do you know how those answers are used? I assume to evaluate hunter success, population impact.
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? I am suspect, that they are receiving complete, honest, unbiased information.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? Marginally so.[/font]
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? Only in the sense of meeting the requirement, and doing my duty.
Would you like to learn more about HIP? Certainly
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? Direct mailing to the users... from the Feds and State. I participate in the surveys when invited, so I enjoy getting the results.[/font]
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification? Honestly, I just learned a few years ago that HIP was State specific. I always assumed that since I was hunting migratory birds, that it was a Federal number. This site educated me, but for years I used the same number on my VA and NY licenses..... Maybe I was the only idiot?
 
Yes, to all but the last two questions.

I think the best way to convey additional information on HIP an what it is used for would be via inclusion of Box Statement within the State regulations pamphlet.

Question Number 4- In Michigan, both the clerk at the license station, as well as in the online application process, initiate the license purchase via the HIP survey questions.
 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? MD and DE
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? Yes
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? Yes
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? Online for both states
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? Yes
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? Yes for one and the other was a recorded automated phone call
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? by phone both times
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? yes, right after
Do you know why those questions are asked? yes
Do you know how those answers are used? yes
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? only if everybody answers them correctly
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? not in any depth
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? not really
Would you like to learn more about HIP? sure
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? probably through some articles in the outdoor press and the state DNR's
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification?
 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? YES
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? YES
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? NO :(
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? ONLINE
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? YES
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? YES
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? ONLINE
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? YES
Do you know why those questions are asked? YES
Do you know how those answers are used? YES
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? HELP
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? YES
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? YES
Would you like to learn more about HIP? NOT REALLY, KNOW QUITE A BIT ALREADY, KEEP UP WITH THE WEBSITE.
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? GET ON WEBSITE AND READ
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification? NO
 

RL,

The idea of info in the state pamphlet is a good one.

Only catch is now PA, charges to purchase the pamphlet (other states may follow), and not all want that added expense, so do not purchase.



VP
 
Did you buy a license for the 2019-2020 hunting season? Yes
Did you get HIP certified for the 2019-2020 season? Yes
Did you hunt migratory birds during the 2019-2020 season? YES
Did you buy you license and HIP online, through an app, at an agency office or at a store? ONLINE
When you bought your license/HIP certification, did you answer the questions about how many ducks, geese, doves, cranes, coots/rails/snipe/gallinules you shot in the 2018-2019 season? YES
Did the store clerk, license agent, or agency personnel ask you the HIP questions? N/A online
Did you register for HIP online, on an app or by phone? NO
Did you buy get your HIP at the same time as you bought your license? YES
Do you know why those questions are asked? YES
Do you know how those answers are used? YES
Do you believe that your answers help in harvest management to provide hunting opportunity or take away opportunity? I DO
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about migratory bird hunting surveys or management? I DO
Do you consider yourself knowledgeable about HIP? I DO Somewhat
Would you like to learn more about HIP? Sure
What would be the best way for you to learn more about HIP? State Fish & Game Website or Federal.
Do you have anything you'd like to tell me about HIP certification?
 
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