RECALL BIAS AND RELIABILITY OF SURVEY DATA - MOOSE HUNTING IN MAINE

Moose hunting data were collected for the 1989 Maine moose (Alces alce s) hunt to investigate recall bias in factual data and reliability of hunters' opinions and preferences. We surveyed the 900 resident moose hunters who participated in the October 1989 hunt. Hunters were random ly assigned to three groups: one group (n=150) was surveyed immediatel y alter the hunt and then again 4 months later; the second group (n=60 0) was surveyed immediately after the hunt only; the third group (n=15 0) was surveyed 4 months after the hunt only. A total of 804 hunters ( 89%) responded to the survey. The 4-month recall for moose hunters did not result in recall bias, which is contrary to the findings of gener al studies of hunting with annual recall. Statistical results indicate d that the opinion and preference data were reliable.