Leveraging hunters as citizen scientists for monitoring non-target species
Hunters in Montana are helping revolutionize wildlife monitoring by contributing structured observations of moose through a citizen science initiative. With over two million hunter-days annually, their reports—collected via weekly surveys—offer cost-effective, wide-ranging data that traditional methods like aerial surveys struggle to capture.
By analyzing hunter observations with statistical models that adjust for detection bias, researchers now generate more accurate moose population estimates. This data improves conservation decisions, supports habitat management, and builds trust between hunters and wildlife agencies.
Montana’s success shows that engaging hunters as citizen scientists can expand monitoring of non-target species and strengthen conservation at scale. So here’s the #truth…
