OutdoorNebraska

79 APPENDIX C. RESEARCH & PRIORITY INFORMATION NEEDS FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PHEASANT PLAN FOR NEBRASKA The following items are tac cs iden fied in the plan involving research or informa on needs. Those that have already begun are listed under "Ongoing Research" and are high priori es for comple on. Es mates of costs and dura on of tac cs are also provided, but final figures will likely vary. Results from ongoing studies, input from stakeholders, and availability of funds will help determine priori es over the dura on of the plan. Ongoing Research • Con nue research on poten al indirect nega ve effects of hun ng on pheasant popula ons, and use results to propose regula on and/or policy changes if necessary. (§B.7) • Con nue research in partnership with UNL on the rela ons among hun ng pressure, hunter sa sfac on, and game abundance and behavior to ascertain poten al benefits of unlimited versus restricted access on areas open to public hun ng. (§C.1) • Con nue research in partnership with UNL on hunter use, success, and sa sfac on on OFW lands to be er deliver the program. (C.2) • Assess the effec veness of our current suite of programs in moving poten al hunters through to the adop on phase, and propose improvements based on the results. (§D.1) • Assess the loca on of current focus areas to assure that staff and resources are being efficiently directed. (§B.1) Biological/Ecological Research Studies • Begin working with leading experts to develop a research proposal to measure the gene c diversity and structure of pheasants in Nebraska and to iden fy their poten al links with popula on performance, and conduct research if return-on-investment is deemed favorable rela ve to other informa on needs. (§B.7) $200k-$250k; 3 years • Assess the current state of knowledge concerning poten al impacts of pen-raised pheasant releases on the gene cs of wild popula ons. (§B.7) $100k-$150k; 2 years • Begin construc on of a spa al assessment tool capable of more reliably iden fying areas where addi onal habitat management is likely to yield the greatest results. (§B.1 & §B.4) $100k-$150k; 2 years • Assess the feasibility of developing corridor habitat projects connec ng large public lands (e.g., Sherman and Davis Creek WMAs). (§B.1) <$10k; <1 year • Assess alterna ve survey methods for es ma ng pheasant abundance to ensure we are using the most reliable and cost effec ve approach. (§E.1) <$10k; <1 year Human Dimensions/Sociological Research Studies • Begin landowner survey work to assess the efficacy of the Wheat Stubble Management Program. (§B.1) $50k-$100k; <1 year • Assess the rela ve roles of agency forecasts, word-of-mouth, online social for a, and personal experience in se ng hunter expecta ons, and shi outreach resources accordingly. (§E.1) $50k-$100k; 1 year • Assess the state of knowledge concerning how hunter expecta ons are formed and how they influence hunter sa sfac on, and propose addi onal research as warranted. (§E.1) $50k-$100k; 1 year • Assess the poten al social benefits of changing shoo ng hours to a mid-morning start me (§B.8). <$10k; <1 year

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