Visitor and Community Survey Results for Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge: Completion Report 

By Natalie R. Sexton, Susan C. Stewart, Lynne Koontz, Phadrea Ponds, and Katherine D. Walters 

Open-File Report 2007-1239 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
U.S. Department of the Interior 

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Mark D. Myers, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2007 

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copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. 

Suggested citation: 

Sexton, N.R., Stewart, S.C., Koontz, L., Ponds, P., and Walters, K.D., 2007, Visitor and community 

survey results for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Completion report: U.S. Geological Survey, 

Biological Resources Discipline, Open-File Report 2007-1239, 63 p. 

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Contents

Acknowledgments ..........................................................................................................................................................................vii

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................................................vii 

Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................................1

Study Objectives................................................................................................................................................................................2

Methods..............................................................................................................................................................................................3

Populations Sampled....................................................................................................................................................................3 

Visitors to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge..................................................................................................................3 

Community Residents...............................................................................................................................................................5 

Results.................................................................................................................................................................................................7

Interpreting the Data ....................................................................................................................................................................7

Visitors ........................................................................................................................................................................................7 

Community Residents...............................................................................................................................................................8 

Visitor and Community Resident Profile ....................................................................................................................................8

Visitor and Community Resident Trips to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge...............................................................11

Visitor and Community Resident Experience at the Refuge .................................................................................................12

Participation in Activities.......................................................................................................................................................13

Importance of Activities.........................................................................................................................................................16

Location of Activity .................................................................................................................................................................17

Importance of and Satisfaction With Services..................................................................................................................21

Importance of the Refuge as a Place ..................................................................................................................................23

Other Factors Affecting Experience.....................................................................................................................................27

Hunting and Angling Experience at the Refuge .................................................................................................................28

Visitor Trip Spending ..................................................................................................................................................................31

Accounting for the Number of Refuge Visitors ..................................................................................................................32

Accounting for the Economic Effects of Visitor Spending ...............................................................................................33

Visitor and Community Resident Preferences for Refuge Management ...........................................................................35

Management of Services.......................................................................................................................................................36

Desirability of Future Services..............................................................................................................................................39

Support for Fees......................................................................................................................................................................40

Preferences for Activities–To Allow or Not To Allow .......................................................................................................42 

Refuge Land Management Tradeoffs ..................................................................................................................................43 

Other Opinions on Management...........................................................................................................................................51

Communication, Civic Engagement, and Trust.......................................................................................................................53

Communication........................................................................................................................................................................53

Civic Engagement in Natural Resource Decisionmaking .................................................................................................55

Trust in the Refuge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.....................................................................................................56

Refuge Benefits and Impacts to the Local Community .........................................................................................................57

Benefits.....................................................................................................................................................................................57

Impacts .....................................................................................................................................................................................58

Discussion of Key Findings............................................................................................................................................................58

Visitor and Community Resident Profile ..................................................................................................................................58

Trips to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge ........................................................................................................................58

Visitor and Community Resident Experience at the Refuge .................................................................................................59 

Hunting and Angling Experience at the Refuge .................................................................................................................59 

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Visitor Trip Spending ..................................................................................................................................................................59

Preferences for Refuge Management .....................................................................................................................................60

Visitor Services and Features ...............................................................................................................................................60 

Land Management Tradeoffs................................................................................................................................................60 

Communication, Civic Engagement, and Trust.......................................................................................................................61

Benefits of the Refuge to the Local Community .....................................................................................................................62

References .......................................................................................................................................................................................62

Appendix A: Visitor Survey ..........................................................................................................................................................A-1 

Appendix B: Community Survey..................................................................................................................................................B-1 

Appendix C: Visitor Survey Frequency Results.........................................................................................................................C-1 

Appendix D: Community Survey Frequency Results................................................................................................................D-1 

Appendix E: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended Questions for Visitor Survey................................................................. E-1 

Appendix F: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended Questions for Community Survey ........................................................ F-1 

Figures 

1. Map of three strata sampled for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge community survey.............................6

2. Residence of visitors to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge............................................................................10

3. Residence of Delaware visitors to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, by zip code...................................10

4. Special events attended by community members at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge..........................12

5. Activities respondents participated in during the past 12 months at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge.................................................................................................................................................................................14

6. Activities for which there were meaningful statistical differences in participation between visitor 

groups during the past 12 months at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. ........................................................15

7. Mean importance of activities visitors and community residents participate in while visiting Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge.......................................................................................................................................17

8. Activities for which there were meaningful statistical differences in importance between 

consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors........................................................................................................18

9. Map insert provided in survey used by respondents to identify the locations where they participate in 

activities on the refuge....................................................................................................................................................19

10. Location where visitors participate in activities when visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge.................................................................................................................................................................................20

11. Location where community residents participate in activities when visiting Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge..................................................................................................................................................................21

12. Importance-performance framework.....................................................................................................................22

13. Visitors’ importance-satisfaction ratings with services or features provided at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge .................................................................................................................................................24

14. Community residents’ importance-satisfaction ratings with services or features provided at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge ...........................................................................................................................25 

15. Mean agreement with place attachment dimensions for community residents and visitors......................26

16. Mean agreement with place attachment dimensions for consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use 

visitors ................................................................................................................................................................................26 

17. Mean agreement with place attachment dimensions for community resident groups.. ..............................27

18. Mean importance of hunting activities to visitors who hunt at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge.................................................................................................................................................................................29

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19. Mean desirability of hypothetical options related to hunting on Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge.................................................................................................................................................................................30

20. Mean importance of fishing activities to visitors who fish at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge .........31 

21. Visitors’ and community residents’ preferences for management of services at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge .................................................................................................................................................38

22. Consumptive-use compared to nonconsumptive-use visitors’ preferences for management of 

services for those services where meaningful statistical differences exist.........................................................39

23. Visitor and community residents’ mean desirability of future services at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge..................................................................................................................................................................40

24. Consumptive-use and nonconsumptive-use visitors’ mean desirability of future services at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge.......................................................................................................................................41

25. Visitors’ and community residents’ feelings toward paying a fee to visit Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge or other refuges ...................................................................................................................................42

26 Visitors and community residents’ agreement with management tradeoff statements regarding 

habitat management. .......................................................................................................................................................45

27. “Potential for Conflict Index” graphs for habitat management tradeoff statements for community 

residents and visitors.......................................................................................................................................................46

28. Visitors’ and community residents’ agreement with management tradeoff statements regarding 

land acquisition.................................................................................................................................................................47

29. “Potential for Conflict Index” graphs for land acquisition tradeoff statements for community 

residents and visitors.......................................................................................................................................................48

30. Visitors’ and community residents’ agreement with management tradeoff statements regarding 

mosquito control...............................................................................................................................................................49

31. “Potential for Conflict Index” graphs for mosquito control tradeoff statements for community 

residents and visitors. Numbers to the left of the bubbles are mean agreement scores...................................50

32. Sources of news and information about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge used by visitors and 

community residents........................................................................................................................................................54

33. Visitor and community resident participation in natural resource decisionmaking. .....................................55

34. Community resident and visitor agreement with statements related to confidence/trust in refuge 

staff and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.................................................................................................................56

Tables 

1. Visitor survey distribution and response rate for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge..................................4

2. Community survey distribution and response rate for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. ........................5

3. Demographics of survey respondents........................................................................................................................9

4. Demographics of consumptive-use and nonconsumptive-use visitors where statistically meaningful 

differences exist. ................................................................................................................................................................9

5. Importance-satisfaction rating differences between consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors.....23

6. Estimated annual Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge visitation by visitor activity. .....................................32

7. Average nonlocal visitor spending for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. .................................................34

8. Average time spent and number sharing expenses for visitor activities at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge.................................................................................................................................................................................35

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9. Annual economic effects of nonlocal deer hunter and nonconsumptive-use visitor spending in Sussex 

County.................................................................................................................................................................................35

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Acknowledgments 

This study was commissioned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional 

Office. The study design and survey instrument were developed collaboratively with staff from 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, the Northeast Regional Office, and U.S. Geological Survey 

researchers of the Fort Collins Science Center/Policy Analysis and Science Assistance Branch. 

vii 
Executive Summary 

This study was commissioned by the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (USFWS) in support of the Comprehensive Conservation Planning at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge (Prime Hook NWR or Refuge). The National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 

1997 (Public Law 105-57, USC668dd) mandates a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) for 

every refuge in the system. A refuge CCP outlines goals, objectives, and management strategies for 

all refuge programs over the next 15 years, while providing opportunities for compatible, wildlifedependent public uses. The plan evaluates refuge wildlife, habitat, land protection, and visitor 

service priorities during the planning process. 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; Public Law 91-190:852-859.42, U.S.C. 

and as Amended (P.L. 94-52 and P.L. 94-83) 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) mandates that the CCP for 

each refuge must contain an analysis of social and economic conditions (the affected environment) 

and evaluate social and economic results from likely management scenarios. In addition, public 

review and comment on alternatives for future management is required. To that end, this research 

was conducted by the Policy Analysis and Science Assistance Branch (PASA) of the U.S. 

Geological Survey/Fort Collins Science Center in order to determine how current and proposed 

CCP planning strategies for Prime Hook NWR could affect: 

• Visitor use 

• Visitor experiences 

• Visitor spending 

• Community residents’ perceptions and opinions 

Data for this study were collected using a survey administered to visitors to Prime Hook 

NWR and individuals living in the communities surrounding the Refuge. Surveys were randomly 

distributed to both consumptive and nonconsumptive use visitors over a one year period 

(September 2004 to September 2005) to account for seasonal variation in Refuge use. Three 

hundred thirty-two visitor surveys were returned for a response rate of 80 percent with a confidence 

interval of ± 5.4. Surveys were also distributed to a stratified random sample of community 

members in adjacent and surrounding areas (Slaughter Beach, Broadkill Beach, Prime Hook Beach, 

Milton, Lewes, Milford, and surrounding communities). Four hundred ninety-one surveys from the 

overall community sample were returned for a response rate of 39 percent with a ± 4.4 confidence 

interval. Community member results were weighted by U.S. Census Bureau data to correct for age 

and gender bias, and for community proportionality. 

Key Findings 

Visitor and Community Resident Profile 

Most Prime Hook NWR visitors were local to the area (72 percent). Of those local visitors, 

about half (56 percent) were considered consumptive users (participating in hunting, fishing, or 

crabbing), based on the reason for their most recent visit. About 21 percent of visitors were not 

viii 
from Delaware, but from the surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. These 

visitors were classified as primarily nonconsumptive users. A small proportion of visitors were 

from other portions of the United States and one international visitor from Germany. There was a 

higher percentage of male visitors (67 percent) than female visitors (33 percent). 

Residents in the Milton, Milford, and Lewes areas have lived in the area for nearly 20 years 

on average, and most live there year round. The average age of both visitor and community 

respondents was lower to mid-50’s, and the average education level was four years of college or 

technical school with an average income of $50,000-$74,999. 

Trips to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

Most visitors and community residents are repeat visitors to the Refuge. This is particularly 

true for consumptive use visitors. Consumptive use visitors tend to visit with friends while 

nonconsumptive use visitors visit the Refuge with family. Visitors come to the Refuge about once a 

month, on average. Residents come even more often (16 times/year). Because most visitors are 

local, proximity is likely key to these repeated visits. They appear to use the Refuge equally on 

weekends and weekdays and stay from a quarter of a day to a half day. Over half of the community 

has attended both of the special events coordinated with the local community (Waterfowl Festival 

and Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird Festival). 

Visitor and Community Resident Experience at the Refuge 

Respondents were asked questions related to their experience at Prime Hook NWR that 

included participation in recreation activities at the Refuge, the importance of those activities, 

importance of and satisfaction with visitor services and features provided at the Refuge, attachment 

to the Refuge as a place, and describing experiences that would bring people back to Prime Hook 

NWR and enhance their experience. 

Wildlife observation is the primary reason most visitor and community residents’ visit the 

Refuge and is considered a very important activity to their visit. Being in a natural, undeveloped 

area and experiencing a serene environment are equally important to their Refuge experience as 

well as the trails that afford this opportunity. These are activities that are important to consumptive 

and nonconsumptive use visitors. As such, there are opportunities to engage both user groups, who 

visit the Refuge for quite different reasons. More visitors than community members have hunted in 

the last 12 months on the Refuge, and of those, more were local visitors. Visitors also tended rank 

each of the hunting activities at higher levels of importance. Community residents participated in 

driving for pleasure more than visitors. 

Regarding quality of services that are offered at the Refuge, visitors and community 

residents say “keep up the good work!” Nearly all services are meeting their expectations. The only 

exception is that both groups would like to see more media coverage of the Refuge and its events. 

Likely because of all of these attributes, residents and visitors are fairly emotionally 

attached to the Refuge as a place. They identify with the Refuge for what it symbolizes to them and 

they agree that it is an important place for family tradition and heritage. Visitors and community 

residents appear to recognize the importance of the experiences they have at the Refuge and those 

experiences bring them back time and again. They do not appear solely dependent upon the Refuge 

for the activities in which they participate. Though, consumptive use visitors are more dependent 

upon Prime Hook NWR as a place to hunt and fish. It is important to understand why people are 

attached to places such as this Refuge as these meanings are related to attitudes and preferences 

regarding its management. 

ix 
Experiences that would bring visitors and community residents back to the Refuge reflected 

the importance of wildlife observation, a serene environment, and Prime Hook NWR programs and 

staff. Many people indicated that they would not change anything about the Refuge, but some 

comments did give indication that improved access, particularly for hunting, would enhance their 

experience. 

Hunting and Angling Experience at the Refuge 

Abut 35 percent of visitors indicated that they had hunted on the Refuge, with an average of 

11 years spent hunting at Prime Hook NWR. Some indicated that they had been hunting in the area 

before the Refuge was established. Just over half of visitors rated hunting activities as moderately 

to very important. Hunters were asked about the desirability of changing some hunting services or 

regulations, but did not appear to be very interested in making changes. The most desirable of the 

suggested changes was the provision of areas where individuals could set up their own waterfowl 

blinds and more areas where portable deer stands could be used. 

About 20 percent of visitors indicated that they had fished at Prime Hook NWR and had 

been doing so for an average of 11 years. Some anglers, like the hunters, stated that they had been 

fishing in the area before the establishment of the Refuge. Most visitors who engage in hunting and 

angling activities feel a quality experience is being provided by the Refuge. 

Visitor Trip Spending 

Spending associated with refuge recreational activities such as wildlife viewing and hunting 

can generate considerable tourism activity in the local Sussex County economy. On average nonconsumptive visitors spent 2-3 days in the local area with approximately three people in their group 

sharing expenses. Most of the nonlocal deer hunters were from other counties in Delaware; about 

half spent the night locally while the other half drove home after hunting. The current level of 

nonconsumptive use and big game hunting nonlocal visitor days accounts for over $983,500 of 

spending annually in the local communities near Prime Hook NWR. Direct and secondary effects 

generate over $1.21 million in local output, $447,700 in personal income and 19.4 jobs annually in 

Sussex County. 

Preferences for Refuge Management 

Visitors and community members were asked their preferences for future potential 

management options at Prime Hook NWR. These included opinions about how existing features 

and/or services should be managed, desire for potential new services, support for fees, and 

agreement with hypothetical management tradeoffs. 

Visitor Services and Features 

Both visitors and community residents appear satisfied with the level of services or features 

currently offered by the Refuge. There were, however, a number of respondents who would like to 

see increases or improvements in wildlife viewing opportunities, environmental education, 

interpretive exhibits, and hiking/nature trails. Residents, more than visitors, were interested in 

seeing an increase in hiking trails and brochures and publications about Refuge resources, activities 

and regulations. 

Desire for more wildlife viewing opportunities is further evidenced by the support for an 

observation tower overlooking the marsh, additional walking trails around headquarters, and 

roadside pulloffs. Though likely for different reasons, these improvements were supported by both 

x 
consumptive and nonconsumptive use visitors. Many of these features were either being proposed 

or being built at the time of the survey. Since then, all features have been completed or are in 

progress of being implemented. 

Support for Fees 

Currently, there is no fee to visit Prime Hook NWR. Survey results indicate residents and 

visitors do not feel that they should have to nor would they be willing to pay to visit the Refuge. 

Responses were divided among agreement, disagreement and uncertainty regarding this issue, 

although visitors were more willing to pay a fee than community members. While opinions 

regarding fees sometimes change once implemented, more study would be needed if 

implementation of fees were to be considered at Prime Hook NWR in the future. 

Land Management Tradeoffs 

Respondents were asked about their agreement with three specific management tradeoffs 

identified by the Refuge as important in the CCP planning: general habitat management, land 

acquisition, and mosquito control. The potential for conflict associated with the tradeoffs was also 

determined by examining the difference across responses. 

Habitat management options had high agreement and low potential for conflict. However, 

the idea of ceasing farming to restore drained or degraded areas to natural habitat did not receive 

high support overall (only around half of community members and less than half of visitors agreed 

with this) and has a high potential for conflict. Visitors were especially polarized on this issue, with 

nonconsumptive use visitors much more supportive than consumptive use visitors. 

Regarding land acquisition, there appears to be high support (over 80 percent agreement on 

all statements from both groups) and little potential for conflict over the Refuge acquiring lands, 

either through conservation easements or purchasing from willing sellers. Similarly, there was little 

disagreement over the preservation of Refuge shoreline for horseshoe crabs and migratory 

shorebirds, which has acquisition implications. 

Options for mosquito control and management received the least agreement and have the 

most potential for conflict. These options also had the most visitor and community resident 

respondents who simply were unsure of their opinions. It appears that controlling mosquitoes only

during a declared public health emergency is highly polarized. The polarization for visitors appears 

linked to differences in opinion between consumptive and nonconsumptive use visitors, with 

nonconsumptive use visitors more likely to recognize mosquitoes as a natural part of a healthy 

wetland ecosystem and in favor of control only when numbers are excessively high or when a 

public health emergency has been declared. 

As options are developed for the CCP, understanding the acceptability of different scenarios 

can be helpful in developing ecologically sound management options that are socio-politically 

balanced, when possible. Likewise, as alternatives are implemented, it will be important to 

recognize potential resistance. Because, even though the development of a CCP is a public process, 

it is unlikely that all stakeholders will be in agreement with all management actions. 

Communication, Civic Engagement, and Trust 

Respondents were asked about their participation in natural resource decision making (civic 

engagement) and ways in which they commonly obtain information on these topics, as well as their 

level of trust in both the Refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Understanding individuals’ 

xi 
xii 

civic engagement and their trust in the managing organization to aid in public communication 

efforts. 

Visitors to Prime Hook NWR rely heavily on friends and neighbors for news and 

information about the Refuge. Local residents rely mostly on newspapers followed by friends and 

neighbors for news and information about the Refuge. There appears to be some emerging use of 

the Internet for Refuge information by both visitors and community residents. These results support 

the importance of targeting communication strategies and outlets to different user groups of the 

Refuge to convey important messages. 

Community residents and visitors to the Refuge have been quite engaged in natural resource 

decision making in the past five years, engaging in both passive activities, such as signing a 

petition, and active activities, such as joining a special interest group. On average, visitors and 

community residents have engaged in half of the activities listed in the survey. The most common 

activities include attending a public meeting (59 percent of visitors and half of community 

residents), signing a petition (59 percent of visitors and 45 percent of community residents), and 

joining a special interest group (about half of visitors and 41 percent of community residents). 

Another factor important in public involvement in decision making is trust in the managing 

agency. Visitors and community residents appear to have moderate trust in Prime Hook NWR staff 

and the USFWS. However, nearly a quarter are unsure about their level of trust in the agency and 

the Refuge. A planning process such as development of the CCP is a opportunity to build 

relationships and improve trust not only with visitors and community residents with whom the 

Refuge has established relationships but also those who are less familiar with the Refuge or have 

not engaged in the process due to lack of trust in the agency or uncertainty of their role in the 

process. 

Prime Hook NWR is an important place to both visitors and community members. Some of 

whom have been in the area and/or have been visiting the Refuge for a long time, and do so with 

some frequency. People are supportive of the habitat management practices suggested and of refuge 

land acquisition. They are unsure, however, of their level of trust in Prime Hook NWR and the 

USFWS. This is a community aware of and engaged in natural resources, and information is 

disseminated locally by print or by word of mouth. These factors lend themselves to opportunities 

for continued public involvement and relationship building between the Refuge and its 

stakeholders. 
Visitor and Community Survey Results for Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge: Completion Report 

By Natalie R. Sexton, Susan C. Stewart, Lynne Koontz, Phadrea Ponds, and Katherine D. Walters 

Introduction 

The National Wildlife Refuge System, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(FWS), is the largest system of lands in the world dedicated to the conservation of wildlife. There 

are over 547 refuges nationwide, encompassing 96.5 million acres. The mission of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System is to “administer a national network of lands and waters for the 

conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant 

resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future 

generations of Americans.” Part of achieving this mission is the goal to foster “...an understanding 

and instill appreciation of fish, wildlife, and plants, and their conservation, by providing the public 

with safe, high-quality, and compatible wildlife-dependent public use.” Such use includes hunting, 

fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. 

About 98 percent of the system is open to the public, attracting nearly 40 million visitors annually. 

More than 25 million people per year visit refuges to observe and photograph wildlife, 8 million to 

hunt and fish, and more than half a million to participate in educational programs (The Citizen’s 

Wildlife Refuge Planning Handbook). 

The National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-57, USC668dd) 

is the guiding legislation for the management of these lands. The Act identifies the above six 

wildlife-dependent recreational uses that should be given priority and provides a process for 

ensuring that these and other activities do not conflict with the management purpose and goals of 

the refuge. The Act also requires the FWS to develop a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for 

every refuge by the year 2012. A refuge CCP outlines goals, objectives, and management strategies 

for the refuge for the next 15 years. It provides a vision and describes desired future conditions for 

the refuge. These goals and objectives have focused largely on habitat and wildlife management. 

Increasingly, however, refuges are including visitor services goals and objectives in their CCPs to 

ensure that visitor appreciation and support for fish and wildlife conservation is a part of the 

refuge’s long-term plan. 

Regardless of specific CCP goals and objectives, the National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA; Public Law 91-190:852-859.42, U.S.C. and as Amended [P.L. 94-52 and P.L. 94-83] 42 

U.S.C. 4321-4347) mandates that the CCP for each refuge must contain an analysis of social and 

economic conditions (the affected environment) and evaluate social and economic results from 

likely management scenarios. In addition, public review and comment on alternatives for future 

management are required. There are many reasons to obtain public input besides legal mandates, 

however. Public input can provide baseline data on public/visitor use, experience, preferences, and 

expectations. It can also provide managers with a better understanding of public acceptability of 

1 
alternatives/future changes that may be proposed in the CCP. This public participation process also 

facilitates the engagement of a variety of stakeholders in the refuge planning process. 

There is some evidence that planning processes that include a broad array of stakeholders 

produce more comprehensive plans that are more likely to be implemented (Burby, 2003). The 

challenge is structuring public involvement in ways that are meaningful and productive for 

agencies and the public. 

Studies of public involvement processes in environmental decisionmaking have shown that 

participants evaluate these processes in terms of both process and outcome. Thus, stakeholders seek 

qualities such as accessibility and the quality of deliberation (process components) and the extent to 

which their participation is satisfying (outcome) (Halvorsen, 2003). An accessible process is one 

that provides a comfortable and convenient setting and is respectful of participants’ time. 

Deliberative processes include open discussion and a forum for respectful exchange of opinions; a 

deliberative process provides opportunities for learning. Finally, a satisfying process demonstrates 

that decisionmakers take public input seriously, and the results of citizen input are reflected in the 

final decision. Other process-focused measures of success in public involvement include the 

presence of learning opportunities, the development of relationships among group members, and a 

sense of efficacy (McCool and Guthrie, 2001). 

Carr and Halvorsen (2001) drew on criteria proposed by Poisner (1996) to evaluate the 

effectiveness of public participation in environmental decisionmaking. One interesting finding of 

their research was that local participants in land-use decisions were not representative of the 

community. Women, young people, and those with lower income and education levels participated 

at a lower rate than their distribution in the community. The lesson is that public managers and 

planners must make special efforts to promote participation by a broad range of stakeholders. 

In the CCP process, the public meeting is the forum primarily used to collect citizen input. 

This is problematic for visitors to a refuge. Attendance at public meetings is often inconvenient or 

impossible for occasional visitors to refuges who frequently live long distances from the relevant 

FWS offices. In addition, those visitors who most often attend meetings of this type may represent 

a vocal minority group that is usually not representative of the full range of visitors to a given 

refuge. Also, the type of scientific baseline data that can be collected through this forum is limited. 

Another tool that can be used to collect baseline information and input is a visitor, 

community, or stakeholder survey. Conducting a survey is one way that the CCP planning team can 

reach out to the public and collect baseline data in support of their CCP. It is an effective 

supplement to a public meeting when detailed information on visitors or stakeholders is needed. 

Survey research applied to refuge planning can help managers characterize current visitor services 

and experiences. It can also help managers to understand how current and proposed management 

activities affect individuals in terms of their preference for services and experiences and to project 

potential changes in visitation patterns. Finally, high-quality public-involvement processes may 

increase trust in government (Burby, 2003) and provide satisfaction in terms of both process and 

outcome. 

Study Objectives 

This report provides a summary of results for the community and visitor surveys conducted 

at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Prime Hook NWR or refuge) from the fall of 2004 

through fall of 2005. This research was commissioned by the Northeast Region of the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service in support of the Comprehensive Conservation Planning at Prime Hook NWR and 

conducted by the Policy Analysis and Science Assistance Branch (PASA) of the U.S. Geological 

Survey/Fort Collins Science Center. 

2 
The purpose of this study was to determine how current and proposed CCP planning 

strategies for Prime Hook NWR could affect: 

• Visitor use 

• Visitor experiences 

• Visitor spending 

• Community residents’ perceptions and opinions 

Through meetings with planning, visitor services, and refuge staff, PASA developed survey 

instruments to collect data from visitors to the refuge and citizens of the local communities near the 

refuge. Through guidance from PASA, refuge staff implemented the surveys “on the ground.” 

Methods 

In order to develop a survey that reflected the policy-relevant public-use management issues 

to be addressed in the CCP planning process, we met with refuge staff in October of 2003. Detailed 

discussions were held with FWS Refuge and Regional Office planning personnel. The purpose of 

the site visit was to better understand the refuge and the planning process so that we could design a 

survey that was best suited to obtain the information necessary to inform the CCP process. A 

second purpose of the site visit was to identify the populations to be sampled. 

Based on these discussions, we developed preliminary survey instruments. The survey 

instruments were reviewed by FWS personnel, and their comments and suggestions were 

incorporated. The survey instruments were then peer reviewed and pretested for readability, clarity, 

and conciseness before being sent through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 

information collection approval. Comments were reviewed and suggestions were incorporated 

when appropriate. The survey was approved by the DOI Generic Clearance for Customer 

Satisfaction Surveys for OMB (OMB Control #1040-0001). 

Populations Sampled 

Two populations were sampled for this study: visitors to Prime Hook NWR and local 

community residents. These populations were chosen in order to capture the feelings of the people 

who were known to visit the refuge and the feelings of the communities that were most likely to be 

affected by any implemented management options. 

Visitors to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

A sampling protocol was set up through discussions with refuge and regional staff to ensure 

that a stratified random sample of visitors, representing consumptive and nonconsumptive-users, 

was collected. For each stratum, specific categories of use were identified to sample. For 

consumptive-use visitors, this included those engaging in: 

• waterfowl hunting, 

• deer hunting, and 

• angling /crabbing. 

For nonconsumptive-user visitors, this included those engaging in: 

• wildlife observation, 

3 
• canoeing/kayaking, and 

• attending special events. 

Sampling took place from September 2004 to September 2005. Peak sampling dates were 

identified separately within each season (fall through summer) for each user group on the basis of 

peak dates of visitation activity for each category of use. We identified key locations for survey 

distribution to ensure to the extent possible that visitors engaging in each of the categories of use 

had an opportunity to participate in the study. The refuge relied on a combination of staff, members 

of Friends of Prime Hook NWR, and volunteer rangers to distribute surveys to visitors. Visitors 

were intercepted and asked to participate in the study. A log was used to record the following: 

• date of intercept, 

• time of intercept, 

• location, 

• category of use the visitor was observed participating in, 

• refusals to participate (when they existed), and 

• contact information for visitors who agreed to participate. 

Visitors were given the survey packet, which included the survey instrument, return 

envelope, and a token thank-you magnet. They were asked either to fill out the survey onsite and 

return it at the visitor center or to fill it out at home and mail it in. 

Following the Dillman Method (a dependable process for survey sampling that maximizes 

the quality and quantity of responses; Dillman, 2000), nonrespondents were sent a followup 

mailing the beginning of the following month after they received the survey onsite, and a second 

followup was sent a few weeks after that. Table 1 outlines the survey distribution and response rate 

for visitors. The distributed surveys were nearly evenly split between visitors engaging in 

nonconsumptive-use and consumptive-use activities. This response rate exceeds professional 

standards for this type of research. 

Table 1. Visitor survey distribution and response rate for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Total 

Number of surveys distributed 429 

Undeliverable addresses 15 

Number of returned surveys 332 

Response rate 80 percent 

Confidence interval (±)

a 5.4 

a The confidence interval is the plus-or-minus error figure related to the sample size and population size and is 

associated with the results. For example, for a ±5 percent margin of error, if 55 percent of the sample chooses an 

answer, you can be "sure" that if you had asked the question of the entire relevant population, between 50 percent (55–

5) and 60 percent (55+5) would have chosen that answer. 

4 
Community Residents 

To sample the local community, we used a stratified random sample. The community 

sampling area was identified by refuge staff, based on their knowledge of the area. The sampling 

polygon included towns and locations near the refuge. Once the sampling polygon was decided 

upon, individual communities were identified based on hypothesized differences among the areas. 

These were designated as individual communities so that we could investigate the existence of 

differences among these three areas, as was hypothesized by the refuge staff. These were broken 

into three strata: “beach towns,” “western neighbors,” and “rest of community” (fig. 1). The 

polygons for each stratum were defined through close coordination with refuge staff. “Beach town” 

residents included all the residents along the coast adjacent to the refuge, including Slaughter 

Beach, Prime Hook Beach, and Broadkill Beach. “Western neighbors” included residents in 

adjacent areas west of the refuge, including the town of Milton. “Rest of community” included 

residents beyond the “western neighbors” polygon thought to have an effect on and be affected by 

the refuge. This stratum included the towns of Milford and Lewes but stopped short of the beaches 

south of Lewes (for example, Rehoboth and Dewey Beaches). For the “western neighbors” and 

“rest of community” strata, a random sample of residents was purchased from Marketing Systems 

Group, a national marketing research firm, and consisted of individuals from a listed household 

database (households listed in the telephone book white pages). A limitation in the “beach town” 

sample was the low number of individual households that were listed in the local white pages due 

to the more seasonal nature of community residence. Because the population of listed households 

for the “beach town” residents was small (573), surveys were sent to all households with 

deliverable addresses, including those for which specific names were unavailable. The proportion 

that each community’s population contributed to the overall population within the sampling 

polygon was calculated in order to determine the number of people to survey in each stratum. 

Following the Dillman Method, the survey packets were mailed to community respondents 

in the summer of 2005 with followups occurring throughout the fall of that year. Table 2 outlines 

the survey distribution and response rate for community residents. The overall response rate for 

community residents was slightly lower than expected. One reason for this may have been the 

unanticipated administrative glitch that occurred with the local Milton post office. This caused a 

significant delay in followup to nonrespondents, which according to Dillman (2000) can lower 

response rate. The sample size was large enough, however, to produce an acceptable margin of 

error. To address potential nonresponsive biases (for example, potential differences between those 

who responded and those who did not), we compared our demographic data to the U.S. Census data 

for the county and weighted our data appropriately (weighting of the community resident data is 

explained in greater detail herein). 

Table 2. Community survey distribution and response rate for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Beach towns 

Western 

neighbors 

Rest of 

community Total 

Number of surveys distributed 370 520 540 1,430 

Undeliverable addresses 57 38 69 164 

Numbered returned surveys 178 170 143 491 

Response rate 57 percent 35 percent 30 percent 39 percent 

Confidence intervals 6.1 7.4 8.2 4.4 

5 
Figure 1. Map of three strata sampled for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge community survey. 

6 
Results 

Appendices A and B of this report include the survey instruments for visitor and community 

residents, respectively. Appendices C and D include the summary data for all of the questions in the 

surveys, in the order that they appear in the survey. Appendices E and F include the verbatim 

responses to the open-ended questions in the surveys. The body of the report focuses on the 

meaning of more in-depth analyses of the survey data and comparisons of the different samples. 

For this reason, frequency information in the appendices is, for the most part, not repeated in this 

portion of the report. It will be useful to reference these appendices in conjunction with the report. 

Interpreting the Data 

Throughout this report, results are presented for the visitor and community surveys. Data 

from the visitor survey are referred to as “visitors” and data from the community survey are 

referred to as “community residents,” even though community residents were asked about their 

visitation to the refuge, and many had visited the refuge. Though our sampling design did allow for 

community residents to be double sampled (sent a community resident survey and then possibly 

asked to participate in the visitor survey when visiting the refuge during our sampling frame), this 

only occurred in less than 1 percent of the cases and did not affect the results. 

Visitors 

The visitor sample is composed of two groups: consumptive-use and nonconsumptive-use 

visitors. Data were insufficient to report about specific categories of use (for example, waterfowl 

hunting, wildlife observation, and so forth). Steps were taken in the survey distribution process to 

achieve adequate subsamples of consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors based on location, 

season, and observation. It should be noted that the categorization of consumptive- and 

nonconsumptive-use visitors was not based on visitor self-reporting. Regardless of a priori

categorization, we wanted to ensure we had accurately assigned visitors into the appropriate user 

category for the purposes of comparing consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors. In order to 

achieve this goal, we used the response to a question on the survey that asked visitors to identify 

the activity they considered their most important reason for their most recent trip. Certainly, visitors 

engage in other uses besides those identified on their most recent trip (for example, hunters may 

engage in wildlife observation or attend bird walks); however, this categorization based on most 

important activity allowed us to effectively compare these two groups. 

The breakdown of consumptive/nonconsumptive-use respondents was 42 percent and 58 

percent, respectively. Refuge estimates of the proportion of consumptive compared to 

nonconsumptive-users are somewhat different (roughly 10 percent and 90 percent respectively). 

Because these estimates could not be objectively verified, the overall visitor data were not 

weighted. Therefore, it is possible that the overall visitor results from this study overemphasize 

consumptive-users. However, consumptive and nonconsumptive-users are compared, and 

statistically meaningful differences1

 are highlighted; so where possible, we address this potential 

issue. 

 

1

 Meaningful differences are defined as follows for this report: While statistical differences at p < .05 may exist, in 

some cases the differences are not practically significant. Practical significance is defined by measures of association 

that indicate “typical” to “substantial” statistical differences in populations as opposed to “minimal” differences due to 

sample size. These minimal differences, while statistically significant, have no substantive differences in regard to 

application to population descriptions and thus are not reported. 

7 
Visitors were also categorized as local or nonlocal, and comparisons were made between 

these two groups. Interestingly, the breakdown of consumptive/nonconsumptive users for local 

residents was similar to the overall breakdown (56 percent and 44 percent respectively). However, 

nonlocal visitors were primarily nonconsumptive-users (89 percent). 

Community Residents 

For the community sample, residents from “beach town,” “western neighbors,” and the “rest 

of community” strata were compared. Where statistically meaningful differences exist among these 

groups, those differences are highlighted. Data for the community residents were weighted to 

account for potential sampling biases on two counts. First, data for age and gender in individual 

communities were compared to census data in order to check the generalizability of the sample. 

The community sample, in general, was older and had a greater representation of males than 

actually occurred in the communities according to the 2000 U.S. Census (U.S. Census Bureau, 

2006). Data were weighted to reflect population age and gender proportions. 

In addition, due to an overrepresentation of the “beach town” stratum because of a greater 

response rate, the data for the overall community were weighted to reflect the relative proportion of 

the three strata that comprise the community residents. 

Meaningful differences between the overall visitor sample and community resident sample 

(for same or similar questions) are also discussed. 

Visitor and Community Resident Profile 

Visitor and community profiles are based on questions from Section 6 of the visitor survey 

and Section 4 of the community survey (see Appendices C and D for frequencies). 

Demographics for visitors and community residents are presented in table 3. The gender 

ratio of visitor and community residents differed, indicating more male visitors than male 

community residents. This is likely due to the high proportion of male consumptive-use visitors (97 

percent) as compared to nonconsumptive-use visitors (46 percent). There were no other meaningful 

differences between visitor and community demographics. There were no meaningful differences in 

demographics among community groups. 

Nearly all demographic variables measured were statistically different between 

consumptive and nonconsumptive-users (table 4). Consumptive-users appear to be predominantly 

male, younger (late 40’s as compared to 60’s for nonconsumptive-users), more likely to be 

employed, and less likely to be retired than nonconsumptive-users. 

8 
Table 3. Demographics of survey respondents [%, percent; < less than]. 

Demographics Visitors Community 

Gendera67% male/ 

33% female 

43% male/ 

57% female 

Average age 55 51 

Worked full- or part-time 72% 81% 

Retired 36% 28% 

Average education level Four years of college or technical 

school 

Four years of college or technical 

school 

Average household income $50, 000–74,999 $50,000–74,999 

Raceb

White 97% 96% 

American Indian 1% 2% 

Black or African American 2% 2% 

Asian <1% <1% 

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific 

Islander 0% 0% 

Ethnicity Not Hispanic or Latino 99% 98% 

a

Meaningful statistical difference in gender, χ

2

 = 42.04, p <. 001, φ = –.232. 

b

Race percentages are number of responses, not number of respondents, as respondents could check more than one race. 

Table 4. Demographics of consumptive-use and nonconsumptive-use visitors where statistically 

meaningful differences exist. 

Demographics Consumptive-user 

visitors 

Nonconsumptive-user 

visitors 

Test of significant difference 

Gender 97% male/ 

3% female 

46% male/ 

54% female 

χ

2 = 87.26, p <.001, φ = –.54

Average age 47 60 t = 8.48, p <.001 

Worked full- or part-time 83% 49% χ

2

 = 35.29, p <.001, φ = .35 

Retired 15% 49% χ

2

 = 34.53, p <.001, φ = –.35 

Average education level Two years of college or 

technical school 

Four years of college 

or technical school 

F = 92.53, p <.001, η = .493

Average household income $50,000–74,999 $50,000–74,999 No difference 

By far, the majority of visitors to Prime Hook NWR are living in the state of Delaware (72 

percent; fig. 2). Nearly a quarter are living in the neighboring states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or 

Virginia (21 percent). The remainder are living in other states, with one international visitor from 

Germany. Within Delaware, many are from areas that correspond to the community sampling area 

(fig. 3). 

 

2

The phi coefficient (φ) is a measure of the degree of association between two binary variables. 

3

The eta coefficient (η) is a measure of the degree of mean difference between or among sample populations existing in 

a given dependent variable. 

9 
Figure 2. Residence of visitors to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Figure 3. Residence of Delaware visitors to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, by zip code. 

10 
Overall, nearly all community residents (95 percent) live in the area year round. About half 

of the “beach town” residents surveyed are part-time residents. Of the 87 community members who 

indicated that they were part-time residents of the Milton, Lewes, Milford area, 75 gave indication 

of what time of the year they resided in the area. About one-third of these individuals stated that 

they live part-time in the area during all seasons, and about one-third reported residing in the area 

only during the spring, summer, and fall. The next most common season in which part-time 

residents live in the area was summer. 

Community residents have lived in the Milton, Lewes, Milford area for an average of 18 

years; around half of residents indicated their families have lived in the area at least two 

generations. On average, they have lived in the area for 21⁄2 generations, with 10 percent living in 

the area more than 5 generations. 

Around 90 percent of community residents and 60 percent of visitors take time off from 

work to participate in outdoor recreation. 

Visitor and Community Resident Trips to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

We asked respondents a series of questions regarding their trip to the refuge. Visitors were 

instructed to gauge their answers based on their most recent trip (when they received the survey). 

Community residents were asked to refer to trips made to the refuge in the past year. These trip 

characterizations are drawn from questions in Section 1 of the survey (see Appendices C and D). 

Over three-fourths (77 percent) of visitors surveyed were repeat visitors, on average visiting 

12 times per year. Visitors appear to make an equal number of trips during the week and weekend. 

When they visit, visitors stay a little over 4 1⁄2 hours. For 75 percent of visitors, visiting the refuge 

was the primary purpose or sole destination of their trip. Seventy percent of visitors indicated they 

were traveling as part of a group, the majority with friends and (or) family (62 percent). A little 

over 50 percent of visitors travel 25 miles or less to get to the refuge. Nearly 40 percent of visitors 

stayed overnight within 25 miles of the refuge on their most recent trip, in private homes (likely 

their own; 54 percent) or a hotel/motel (28 percent). 

Regarding trip differences between consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors, many 

more consumptive-use visitors are repeat visitors (94 percent compared to 64 percent respectively; 

χ

2

 = 39.05, p <.001, φ = –.35). Visiting the refuge is also more likely to be the primary purpose of 

their trip (92 percent compared to 64 percent; χ

2

 = 32.28, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .32)4. They also 

travel shorter distances to get to the refuge (around 35 minutes compared to 1 hour; t = 2.41, p = 

.02). Consumptive-use visitors differ from nonconsumptive-use visitors in the type of group with 

which they visit the refuge. Consumptive-use visitors are more likely to visit the refuge with friends 

(58 percent) than were nonconsumptive-use visitors (15 percent). Nonconsumptive-use visitors are 

more likely to visit with family (33 percent compared to 18 percent for consumptive-use visitors) or 

with organized clubs or groups (20 percent compared to 0 percent for consumptive-use visitors). 

For community residents, 61 percent had visited in the past 5 years, visiting an average of 

16 times per year, with slightly more trips occurring during weekdays than weekends (60 percent 

and 40 percent respectively). The average length of stay for community residents is about 2 1⁄2 

hours, significantly shorter than for visitors (F = 171.02, p < .001, η = .33). This difference could 

be explained by differences in activities in which visitors and community residents participate (see 

next section; for example, more visitors than community residents hunt, which typically involves 

longer visits on the refuge). Also, the questions were worded slightly differently on the two 

surveys—visitors were asked length of stay on their last visit while residents were asked on average 

 

4 φ and Cramer’s V are measures of the degree of association between two nominal categorical variables. 

11 
how long they stay when they visit. Most residents have a long history of visiting—on average they 

have been coming to the refuge for the past 12 years, with some as long as 50 years, indicating they 

have been using these lands even before the refuge was established. Within the past year, 

attendance by community members at festival events was high (58 percent attended the Waterfowl 

Festival and 56 percent attended the Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird Festival). Smaller numbers of 

community residents attended the lecture series, birding field trips, or National Fishing Day (fig. 4). 

There were meaningful statistical differences across community groups in the number who 

had visited in the past 5 years and average number of trips per year, with “beach town” residents 

having the most trip experience (82 percent visited 27 times/year on average), followed by 

“western neighbors” (71 percent visited 8 times/year), and then “rest of community” (58 percent 

visited 5 times/year). 

When asked “If you have not visited Prime Hook NWR in the past 5 years, what would 

encourage you to visit?,” 74 respondents provided comment. Most comments were related to more 

information or advertising by the refuge or to the provision of certain features by the refuge, though 

no recurring themes related to features emerged. 

3%

9%

11%

18%

56%

58%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Annual Vandegrift Memorial Lecture Series

Birding Field Trips

Monthly Lecture Series

National Fishing Day

Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird Festival

Waterfowl Festival

Figure 4. Special events attended by community members at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Visitor and Community Resident Experience at the Refuge 

We asked visitor and community resident respondents a series of questions related to their 

experience while visiting the refuge. These questions targeted five areas: 

• identifying participation in recreation activities at the refuge, 

• understanding the importance of those activities and the locations where they participate in 

them, 

• understanding the importance and satisfaction regarding visitor services and features 

provided at the refuge, 

12 
• understanding attachment to the refuge as a place, and 

• describing experiences that draw people back and aspects that would enhance the 

experience. 

These analyses are drawn from questions in Sections 1 and 4 of the visitor survey and Section 1 and 

2 of the community resident survey (see Appendices C and D). 

Participation in Activities 

Overall, the most frequently reported activities in which visitors participated were 

nature/wildlife viewing and birdwatching (fig. 5). For community residents, the activities most 

frequently participated in were nature/wildlife viewing and driving for pleasure, followed by 

birdwatching and hiking/nature trails. 

In comparing the participation in activities between community residents and visitors, there 

were only a few meaningful statistical differences. Significantly more visitors have hunted in the 

past 12 months than community residents (36 percent compared to 11 percent), with more local (48 

percent) than nonlocal (7 percent) visitors hunting. Significantly more community residents drove 

for pleasure than did visitors during that time (50 percent compared to 29 percent). 

Among community groups, “beach town” residents tend to have participated in bicycling 

(29 percent; χ

2

 = 16.25, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .23), canoeing/kayaking (22 percent; χ

2

 = 13.80, p < 

.001, Cramer’s V = .21), and special events (24 percent; χ

2

 = 8.67, p = .01, Cramer’s V = .17) more 

than “western neighbors” or “rest of community.” However, during the past 12 months these were 

activities with low participation overall. 

Between consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors, there were many differences in 

participation, with significantly more nonconsumptive visitors participating in most of the “Big 6”-

related activities except hunting and fishing (fig. 6). 

13 
14 

Figure 5. Activities respondents participated in during the past 12 months at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. Activities with asterisks indicate meaningful statistical differences in participation 

between community residents and visitors. Numbers do not add up to 100 percent as respondents could 

select more than one activity.

0%

1%

7%

7%

8%

10%

11%

11%

11%

21%

22%

30%

44%

45%

50%

54%

0%

6%

8%

8%

3%

20%

4%

36%

15%

7%

15%

14%

37%

50%

29%

54%

Cross country skiing

Volunteering

ided interpretive tours

Canoeing/Kayaking

Crabbing

Special events

Bicycling

*Hunting

ronmental education

Picnicking

Photography

Fishing

Hiking/Nature trails

Bird watching

*Driving for pleasure

ture/Wildlife viewing

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Gu

Envi

Na

Community Visitor
15%

24%

29%

56%

73%

4%

64%

4%

0%

2%

7%

10%

17%

30%

42%

80%

Guided interpretive tours

Environmental education

Special events

Hiking/Nature trails

Bird watching

Fishing

Nature/Wildlife viewing

Hunting

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Nonconsumptive UseVisitors Consumptive Use Visitors

Figure 6. Activities for which there were meaningful statistical differences in participation between 

visitor groups during the past 12 months at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Numbers do not add 

up to 100 percent as respondents could select more than one activity.

15 
Importance of Activities 

We asked respondents to rate the importance (on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 being not 

important and 4 being very important) of specific priority public-use activities as identified by the 

Refuge Improvement Act—wildlife observation, photography, hunting, fishing, interpretation, and 

environmental education—and other compatible activities available at the refuge. We also asked 

respondents about two motivations for visiting the refuge: “experiencing a serene environment” and 

“being in natural and undeveloped lands.” The argument can be made that an activity such as 

wildlife observation can also be a motivation for other activities (such as hunting or photography). 

Consequently, it is best not to interpret these “importance of activity” ratings as implying that some 

activities are more important than others, but that some activities are more important to a larger 

number of respondents than others. 

For visitors and community residents, “experiencing a serene environment” and “being in 

natural and undeveloped lands” are very important parts of their refuge experience (fig. 7). Viewing 

waterbirds (for example, geese, eagles, osprey, and shorebirds) is also very important both to 

visitors and to community residents. 

Also important to visitors and community residents, but slightly less so, is learning about 

the site from a staff person, viewing forest birds, environmental education programs, and wildlife 

photography opportunities. In comparing visitors and community residents, biking is the only 

activity that is meaningfully different between these two groups (F = 61.62, p < .001, η = .35). 

In comparing consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors, the mean importance of many 

activities differed, as would be expected (fig. 8). Not surprising, hunting waterfowl and deer is very 

important to consumptive-use visitors and not at all important to nonconsumptive-use visitors (for 

waterfowl hunting, F = 283.02, p < .001, η = .77; for deer hunting F = 176.60, p < .001, η = .69). 

As well, upland game hunting and fishing are important activities to consumptive-use visitors, but 

not to nonconsumptive-use visitors (for upland game hunting, F = 122.14, p < .001, η = .64; for 

fishing, F = 58.72, p < .001, η = .44). Wildlife observation of waterbirds and songbirds are more 

important to nonconsumptive-use visitors (for waterbirds, F = 36.07, p < .001, η = .34; for 

songbirds, F = 147.97, p < .001, η = .62). These differences are similar when comparing local to 

nonlocal visitors, with local visitors finding hunting and fishing more important than nonlocal 

visitors (F = 17.88–49.52, p < .001, η = .31-.46) and nonlocal visitors finding viewing songbirds (F 

= 15.02, p < .001, η = .25 and hiking (F = 8.44, p = .004, η = .20) more important. 

Though the differences were minimal and the means are at the lower end of importance 

(1.92–2.08), it is worth noting that, when comparing community groups, “western neighbors” 

consistently find hunting (waterfowl, upland game, and deer) more important than “beach town” 

residents and “rest of community” residents. 

16 
1

1.75

2.5

3.25

4

Being in natural, undeveleoped lands

Experiencing a serene environment

Hiking/Nature trails

Viewing birds on or near water

Environmental education programs

Learning about the site from a staff person

Other activities

Viewing forest birds

Wildlife photography opportunities

*Biking

Paddling

Fishing

Crabbing

Hunting deer

Hunting waterfowl

Hunting upland game

Importance

Low High 

Community Visitor

Figure 7. Mean importance of activities visitors and community residents participate in while visiting 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Activity with asterisk indicates meaningful statistical 

differences between visitors and community resident ratings of importance. Responses were coded 

on a Likert scale from 1 (not important) to 4 (very important).

nity residents participate in while visiting 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Activity with asterisk indicates meaningful statistical 

differences between visitors and community resident ratings of importance. Responses were coded 

on a Likert scale from 1 (not important) to 4 (very important).

Location of Activity 

In addition to the importance of the activity, we asked respondents the general location 

where they usually participate in each activity. The following locations were given as choices (a 

map insert was provided for reference; fig. 9): 

In addition to the importance of the activity, we asked respondents the general location 

where they usually participate in each activity. The following locations were given as choices (a 

map insert was provided for reference; fig. 9): 

• Slaughter Beach Road 

• Broadkill Beach Road 

• Prime Hook Beach Road 

• Fowler Beach Road 

Figure 10 shows the locations where visitors participate in activities on the refuge. Figure 

11 shows the same information for community residents. Both visitors and community residents 

appear to be participating in all activities more on Broadkill Beach Road and Prime Hook Beach 

Road than on Slaughter Beach Road or Fowler Beach Road. The only exception to this is the 

fishing trends of community residents. While Broadkill Beach Road is still the most often reported 

location for fishing, Slaughter Beach Road is reported by a larger percentage of residents than 

Prime Hook Beach Road. 

Figure 10 shows the locations where visitors participate in activities on the refuge. Figure 

11 shows the same information for community residents. Both visitors and community residents 

appear to be participating in all activities more on Broadkill Beach Road and Prime Hook Beach 

Road than on Slaughter Beach Road or Fowler Beach Road. The only exception to this is the 

fishing trends of community residents. While Broadkill Beach Road is still the most often reported 

location for fishing, Slaughter Beach Road is reported by a larger percentage of residents than 

Prime Hook Beach Road. 

17 
While differences in location of activities were not statistically tested between community 

residents and visitors, there appear to be some differences. Visitors appear to be participating in 

activities on Fowler Beach Road more than community residents, whereas community residents 

appear to be participating in activities on Slaughter Beach Road more than visitors, though as 

previously noted, neither of these are the most-used roads. 

1

1.75

2.5

Hunting waterfowl

Hunting deer

Viewing birds on or near water

Fishing

Hunting upland game

Hiking/nature trails

Crabbing

Viewing forest birds

Paddling

3.25

4

Consumptive user Nonconsumptive user

Figure 8. Activities for which there were meaningful statistical differences in importance between 

consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors. Responses were coded on a Likert scale from 1 (not

important) to 4 (very important). 

18 
Figure 9. Map insert provided in survey used by respondents to identify the locations where they 

participate in activities on the refuge. 

19 

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Being in natural,

undeveloped lands

Experiencing a serene

environment

Viewing waterbirds

Viewing forest birds

Wildlife photography

opportunities

Fishing

Biking

Crabbing

Fowler Beach Road

Slaughter Beach Road

Prime Hook Beach Road

Broadkill Beach Road

Figure 10. Location where visitors participate in activities when visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. Numbers do not add up to 100 percent as respondents could check more than one location 

for each activity. 

20 
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Being in natural,

undeveloped lands

Experiencing a serene

environment

Viewing waterbirds

Viewing forest birds

Wildlife photography

opportunities

Fishing

Biking

Crabbing

Fowler Beach Road

Slaughter Beach Road

Prime Hook Beach Road

Broadkill Beach Road

Figure 11. Location where community residents participate in activities when visiting Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. Numbers do not add up to 100 percent as respondents could check more 

than one location for each activity. 

Importance of and Satisfaction With Services 

Respondents were asked to rate the importance of and their satisfaction with various 

services provided at the refuge. (Importance was rated on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 being not 

important and 4 being very important, and satisfaction was rated on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being 

poor and 5 being outstanding.) Comparing the importance and satisfaction ratings for visitor 

services can help to identify how well the services are meeting visitor expectations. There are 

several ways to make this comparison. One way is through the importance-performance framework 

(Martilla and James, 1977; and Tarrant and Smith, 2002), where mean scores for importance and 

satisfaction are charted (fig. 12). This framework combines importance and satisfaction (or 

performance) into one model. It allows consideration of how visitors value an attribute, at the same 

time considering their satisfaction with the attribute. It is a tool that can be used to prioritize 

management decisions related to services and features. For example, a service with a “low” 

satisfaction rating that is very important to visitors should be given more attention than a service 

with a “low” satisfaction rating that is not at all important to visitors. 

21 
Importance 

Figure 12. Importance-performance framework (Martilla and James, 1977). 

As evidenced by the high mean scores for importance and satisfaction (see Appendices C 

and D), most of the services and features fall into the “keep up the good work” quadrant for both 

visitors and community residents (figs. 13 and 14). 

Only one service, media coverage of the refuge, fell in the “concentrate here” quadrant, 

indicating high importance but low satisfaction. 

Two services fell in the “possible overkill” quadrant: deer hunting and waterfowl hunting 

programs. The upland game hunting program also fell in this quadrant, but not definitively, 

bordering the “low priority” quadrant. 

Similarly, availability of gift shop or bookstore items did not fall neatly in a quadrant, 

bordering “keep up the good work” and “possible overkill.” 

Though there were virtually no differences between community residents and visitors in 

their importance-satisfaction ratings for services or features, there were several differences between 

consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors and among community groups. As might be 

expected, consumptive-use services were rated differently by the two visitor groups, with 

consumptive-use visitors indicating “keep up the good work,” and nonconsumptive-use visitors 

indicating more attention is being paid to these services than is necessary (table 5). Again, these 

differences appeared to correspond to differences between local and nonlocal visitors, with local 

visitors identifying more with consumptive-use services than did nonlocal visitors. 

22 
23 

Table 5. Importance-satisfaction rating differences between consumptive- and nonconsumptiveuse visitors. 

Consumptive-use visitors Nonconsumptive-use visitors 

Service Importance 

mean 

Satisfaction 

mean 

Rating Importance 

mean 

Satisfaction 

mean 

Rating 

Waterfowl 

hunting program 

4.71 3.63 Keep up the 

good work 

1.94 3.33 Possible 

overkill 

Deer hunting 

program 

4.43 3.56 Keep up the 

good work 

1.94 3.55 Possible 

overkill 

Upland game 

hunting program 

3.69 3.37 Keep up the 

good work 

1.80 3.32 Possible 

overkill 

Fishing 

opportunities 

3.86 3.31 Keep up the 

good work 

2.73 3.58 Possible 

overkill 

Importance of the Refuge as a Place 

With a shift from utilitarian management (management for the sole benefit and use of 

humans) to an ecosystem or landscape approach to public land management, there has been an 

effort to understand the emotional and symbolic meanings associated with natural places or 

landscapes and the attachments people form with these places (Williams and Stewart, 1998). This 

attachment or meaning may be personal or shared publicly. Williams identifies two dimensions of 

place attachment: “place dependence” and “place identity” (Williams and others, 1992; Jorgensen 

and Stedman, 2001). Place dependence is the functional attachment to a place, based on the activity 

one participates in or the goals one associates with a place. Place identity is the symbolic meaning 

one associates with a place. In addition to these two dimensions, we are testing a third dimension 

called place tradition—the importance of place to family tradition or heritage. All three aspects of 

place attachment were tested in these surveys. A series of statements was used to measure each of 

the three dimensions of place attachment (see table 33 in Appendix C), using a 5-point scale where 

1 = strongly disagree and 5=strongly agree. The statements for overall place attachment and for 

each of the dimensions had high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α’s ranging from .81 to .94), 

indicating together they effectively measure each dimension of place. 

Visitors and community residents have very similar attachment to the refuge (fig. 15). They 

identify with the refuge as a symbolic place of meaning (0 = 3.9 for community residents and 0 = 

4.1 for visitors, indicating mild agreement) and feel it is important part of family tradition and 

heritage (0 = 3.8 for community and 0 = 3.9 for visitors, indicating mild agreement). They are more 

neutral regarding their dependence on the refuge for the activities they like to do (0 = 3.4 for 

community and 0 = 3.6 for visitors). Though not a measure of place attachment, visitors and 

community residents strongly agree that because of their experiences at the refuge, they will 

definitely come back (0 = 4.2 for community residents and 0 = 4.7 for visitors). 

Given the motivations of visits for most consumptive-use visitors (for example, hunting, 

angling), it follows that they would be more dependent on the refuge for the activities they like to 

participate in, and as such, we did see differences in the dependence dimension of place attachment 

between consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors (F = 12.20, p < .001, η = .21; fig. 16). 

Among community groups, there were differences in place attachment as well (fig. 17), 

with agreement with all domains of attachment decreasing moving from “beach town” residents to 

“rest of community” (for identity F = 28.23, p < .001, η = .35; for heritage F = 10.37, p < .001, η = 

.22; and for dependence F = 22.61, p < .001, η = .32). 
Figure 13. Visitors’ importance-satisfaction ratings with services or features provided at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

standard error bars are shown for the services or features where the cross points do not fall fully in one quadrant. 

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

1 1.522.533.544.5 5

Performance

Importanc

Concentrate here Low priority Possible overkill 

Keep up the good work 

e

Parking Facilities Visitor Contact Stations Refuge Grounds Maintained Restrooms Wildlife Viewing Opportunities Availability of Refuge Staff Environmental Education Programs Bookstore Items Info on Hiking, Birdwatching Special Events Hiking Trails Kiosks or Signs User Fees Volunteer Oppertunities Media Coverage Waterfowl Hunting Program Deer Hunting Program Upland Hunting Program Fishing Opportunities Disabled Access

24 
25 

Figure 14. Community residents’ importance-satisfaction ratings with services or features provided at Prime Hook Nationa

Refuge. The standard error bars are shown for the services or features where the cross points do not fall fully in one quad

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

1 1.522.533.544.5 5

Performance

Importanc

Concentrate Here Keep Up the Good Work 

Low Priority Possible Overkill 

Wildlife Viewing OpportunitiesDisabled AccessMedia Coverage

Info on Hiking, Birdwatching Special EventsVolunteer OppertunitiesFishing Opportunities

Refuge Grounds Maintained RestroomsUpland Hunting ProgramBookstore ItemsUser Fees

Environmental Education ProgramsVisitor Contact StationsDeer Hunting ProgramKiosks or Signs

Waterfowl Hunting ProgramAvailability of Refuge StaffParking FacilitiesHiking Trails

5

e
4.1

3.8 3.9

3.7 3.6

3.2

1.0

1.8

2.6

3.4

4.2

5.0

Place Identity Place Heritage Place Dependence

Consumptive Use Visitors

Nonconsumptive Use Visitors

3.6 3.7

3.9

4.1

3.8 3.9

3.4

3.6

4.2

4.7

1.0

1.8

2.6

3.4

4.2

5.0

Overall Place

Attachment

Place Identity Place Heritage Place

Dependence

Because of

Experience, I'll

Come Back

Community Residents

Visitors

Figure 15. Mean agreement with place attachment dimensions for community residents and 

visitors. Responses were coded on a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). 

Figure 16. Mean agreement with place attachment dimensions for consumptive and 

nonconsumptive-use visitors. Responses were coded on a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 

5 (strongly agree).

26 
4.3

3.7

3.4

4.0

3.6 3.5

3.7

3.3

2.9

1.0

1.8

2.6

3.4

4.2

5.0

Place Identity Place Heritage Place Dependence

Beach Town

Western Neighbors

Rest of Community

Figure 17. Mean agreement with place attachment dimensions for community resident groups. 

Responses were coded on a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). 

Other Factors Affecting Experience 

In an effort to enrich the results regarding refuge experience, visitors and community 

residents were asked to respond to two open-ended questions: “What experience have you had at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that would bring you back?” and “What would enhance your 

experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?” The responses to these questions are 

qualitative and should be interpreted as such; however, they can inform the quantitative results of 

the study and provide anecdotal insight. The categories of responses are available in Appendices C 

and D. The verbatim responses are available in Appendices E and F. 

Regarding what would bring respondents back, many of the activities respondents rated as 

important were highlighted in their comments. Visitors commented most on the qualities of wildlife 

observation, hunting, and refuge programs and staff at the refuge. Comments capturing these 

sentiments include the following: 

 “Birding and wildlife viewing experiences and the feeling of being in a serene, undeveloped 

natural area.” 

 “Seeing bald eagles, but most importantly getting to see the thousands and thousands of snow 

geese in the winter. It’s why I keep coming to Prime Hook every winter.” 

 “Due to the hard work and efforts of the staff the waterfowl hunting is the best around!! 

Truly.” 

“Refuge staff and volunteers that are helpful and interested in assisting Refuge visitors. Prime 

Hook Refuge staff and volunteers have been friendly and helpful. Thank you!” 

27 
Community residents also are drawn back by the wildlife observation opportunities. In 

addition, they appreciate the scenic beauty and hiking opportunities. Some of their comments 

include the following: 

 “Seeing otters come up through the ice one winter. Arrival of snow geese, shorebirds.” 

“...a beautiful scenic environment where a bit of wilderness exists.” 

“Walking the Prime Hook Beach. Viewing the marsh area. The marshmallows in bloom. The 

flocks of snow geese. Watching sunrise on bay and sunset over marsh. Looking at tiny 

shorebirds. Turning over horseshoe crabs. And much more.” 

When asked what would enhance their experience, many visitors and community residents 

stated they would not change anything (12 percent of comments for residents, 10 percent for 

visitors). For visitors who would change something, comments focused on improved/increased 

access, particularly for hunting. Community residents stated improved programs and information 

would enhance their experience. 

Hunting and Angling Experience at the Refuge 

Section 2 of the visitor survey was designed to gather information from hunters and anglers 

at the refuge. We wanted to be able to characterize their trip experience and assess their desire for 

potential future options related to hunting and fishing services. 

Hunting Experience 

About 35 percent of visitor respondents indicated they hunted on the refuge and had been 

hunting there an average of 11 years. Some visitors have been hunting on the refuge as long as 45 

years, indicating they have been using these lands since or before the refuge was established. When 

asked the importance of hunting activities, a little over half of responses were rated as moderately 

to very important (fig. 18). Dove hunting, upland game hunting, and trapping appear much less 

important than other hunting activities according to hunters surveyed. 

When asked about desirability of changes to hunting regulations or services, ratings were 

not very high for most options (fig.19). Hunters do not appear to be interested in permits for stands 

only through a daily standby drawing (with no preseason drawing). They are also only slightly 

interested in adding preseason drawing for waterfowl hunting blinds (in addition to the daily 

standby drawing) or changing the permit issue time before shooting for waterfowl and deer to 1 1⁄2 

hours from the current 2 hours. They are more interested in the provision of more areas where 

portable deer stands could be used as well as areas where individuals could set up their own 

waterfowl blinds. 

Most hunters (85 percent) feel the refuge provides a quality hunting experience. We asked 

them to comment on that quality experience in an open-ended response. The responses to these 

questions are qualitative and should be interpreted as such; however, they can inform the 

quantitative results of the study and provide anecdotal insight. The categories of responses are 

available in Appendices C and D. The verbatim responses are available in Appendices E and F. 

Ninety-two hunters responded. Numerous comments captured the positive hunting experience they 

have at the refuge: 

“I thank you guys every time I hunt at the refuge. I don’t think I would change a thing except to 

get picked 1st at every lottery!!” 

28 
“It is one of the two premier duck hunting locations in Delaware. The best managed refuge 

within 100 miles of my residence.” 

“The refuge is some of the best waterfowl hunting in our area. I look forward to many years of 

hunting the refuge to come.” 

A small number of respondents mentioned crop plantings as an area that could be improved. 

“Need more crops in headquarters.” 

“Was better years ago when you planted crops instead of weeds, trees, and ragweed...” 

“Fields need to be mowed and I will volunteer...” 

“Hunting was better when land was farmed—deer were healthier.” 

Figure 18. Mean importance of hunting activities to visitors who hunt at Prime Hook National 

 (very 

3.37

3.26

3.13

2.93 2.85 2.82

2.10

1.91 1.87

1.75

1.40

1.00

1.75

2.50

3.25

4.00

Hunting ducks

Hunting deer using muzzle loader

Hunting deer using a shotgun

Hunting resident Canada geese

Hunting snow geese

Hunting deer using archery

Hunting dove

Hunting other upland and small game

Hunting rabbit

Hunting squirrel

Trapping

Wildlife Refuge. Responses were coded on a Liker-type scale from 1 (not at all important) to 4

important). 

29 
 

2.72

3.31

Provide more deer hunting areas where portable

stand could be used and less areas with permanent

Provide designated ponds where waterfowl hunters

could set up indiv. Blinds

1.35

2.14

2.03

1.00 1.75 2.50 3.25 4.00

Issue deer hunting permits for stand only thorugh a

daily standby drawing without conducting pre-season

drawing

Issue waterfowl hunting permits for blids using preseason drawing in addition to daily stand-by drawing

Conduct permit drawing for waterfowl and deer 1 1/2

hrs before shooting time instead of current 2 hrs

fixed stands

Figure 19. Mean desirability of hypothetical options related to hunting on Prime Hook National 

Fishing Experience 

ercent of visitor respondents indicated they fished on the Refuge and had been 

Wildlife Refuge. Responses were coded on a Liker-type scale from 1 (not at all desirable) to 4 (v

desirable). 

ery 

angling r 

t) feel the refuge provides a quality fishing experience. We 

asked t

 at 

“The ponds are excellent for fishing. Prime Hook Creek is well managed and offers excellent 

“...I take my grandkids (10 and 15) all the time and they always have a great time catching 

Very few comments regarding improvements were made. A few respondents mentioned water 

About 20 p

 there an average of 11 years. Some visitors have been angling as long as 40–50 years, prio

to the establishment of the refuge. When asked the importance of angling activities, all were rated 

as moderately important (fig. 20). 

Most all anglers (89 percen

hem to comment on that quality experience in an open-ended response. The responses to

these questions are qualitative and should be interpreted as such; however, they can inform the 

quantitative results of the study and provide anecdotal insight. The categories of responses are 

available in Appendices C and D. The verbatim responses are available in Appendices E and F. 

Forty-seven anglers responded. Numerous comments captured the positive experience they have

the refuge: 

fishing.” 

bass, perch and pickerels, great place for youngsters to spend their leisure time.” 

levels and better access to some fishing areas. 

30 
1.75

2.50

3.25

4.00

1.00

Fishing at Prime Hook

Creek

Fishing at the w ater

control structures on the

Refuge

Fishing at

Fleetw ood/Turkle Ponds

Figure 20. Mean importance of fishing activities to visitors who fish at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. Responses were coded on a Liker-type scale from 1 (not at all important) to 4 (very 

important).

Visitor Trip Spending 

The refuge offers a wide variety of year-round accessible recreational opportunities 

including wildlife viewing (on land and water), fishing, hunting, and other activities such as 

canoeing. Spending associated with refuge recreational activities can generate considerable 

economic benefits for local communities. The first step in estimating the impacts associated with 

visitor spending is to define the local economy surrounding the refuge. A region (and its economy) 

is typically defined as all counties within a 30–60 mile radius of the travel destination. Only 

spending that takes place within this local area is included as stimulating changes in economic 

activity. Prime Hook NWR is located in Sussex County, and most spending by Prime Hook visitors 

takes place within the local communities of Milton and Lewes. Thus, Sussex County will represent 

the local economic impact area for Prime Hook NWR. 

31 
Accounting for the Number of Refuge Visitors 

Annual refuge visitation estimates were based on 2005 visitation data from the FWS Refuge 

Annual Performance Plan (RAPP). The RAPP information is reported by refuge personnel based on 

several refuge statistic sources including visitors entering the visitor center/office, general 

observation, big game permits, as well as other methods that vary by type of visitor activity. 

Annual refuge visitation estimates are on a per-visit basis. Table 6 shows the RAPP refuge 

visitation estimates for each visitor activity. 

Table 6. Estimated annual Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge visitation by visitor activity. 

[%,percent]. 

Activity Total number 

 of visits 

Percentage of 

nonlocal visits 

Total number 

of nonlocal 

visits 

Number of 

hours spent at 

refuge 

Number of 

nonlocal 

visitor daysb

 

Consumptive-use 

Fishing 6,941 40% 2,776 8 2,776 

Hunting: big game 749 83% 622 8 622 

Hunting: migratory birds 1,271 25% 312 8 312 

Hunting: upland game 42 10%a4 8 4 

Nonconsumptive-use 

Wildlife viewing/ 

photography/water 

use/interpretation 79,346 46% 36,839 4 18,420 

Total 88,349 40,553 22,134 

a Visitor percentage estimates were provided by refuge personnel when there were not enough survey respondents 

within a visitor activity. 

b One visitor day = 8 hours. 

To determine the effects of visitor spending within the local economic impact area, only 

spending by persons living outside the local area of Sussex County are included in the impact 

analysis. The rationale for excluding local visitor spending is twofold. First, money flowing into 

Sussex County from visitors living outside the local area (hereinafter referred to as nonlocal 

visitors) is considered new money injected into the local economy. Second, if residents of Sussex 

County visit Prime Hook NWR more or less due to the management changes, they will 

correspondingly change the spending of their money elsewhere in Sussex County, resulting in no 

net change to the local economy. These are standard assumptions made in most regional economic 

analyses at the local level. Based on the visitor survey results, refuge visitors were split equally 

between local Sussex County visitors and nonlocal visitors. Table 6 shows the percentage 

breakdown of refuge visitors by place of residence for each visitor activity. If there were not 

enough survey respondents within a visitor activity to estimate the percentage of visitors by 

residence, estimates were adjusted by refuge personnel. 

Visitor spending typically is estimated on an average per-day (8 hours) or average per-trip 

basis. Refuge RAPP visitation records account for visitors on a per-visit basis. Because some 

visitors only spend short amounts of time on the refuge, counting each refuge visit as a full visitor 

day would overestimate the economic effect of refuge visitation. A deer hunter spending a full day 

32 
hunting on the refuge is counted as one visit in RAPP. Likewise, a birdwatcher spending two hours 

on the refuge is also counted as one visit in RAPP. In order to properly account for the amount of 

spending associated with each type of refuge visitor, the annual number of nonlocal refuge visits 

were converted to visitor days. Survey results were used to determine the average amount of time 

spent for each visitor activity. On average, nonlocal nonconsumptive visitors spent approximately 3 

1⁄2 hours per trip (which was rounded up to 4hours), while nonlocal hunting and fishing visitors 

spent a full 8- hour day per trip. As shown in table 6, the number of nonlocal refuge visits estimated 

from RAPP was converted to visitor days for each visitor activity. 

Accounting for the Economic Effects of Visitor Spending 

A tourist usually buys a wide range of goods and services while visiting an area. Major 

expenditure categories include lodging, food, supplies, and gasoline. Refuge management activities 

can affect the number and type of visitors. As more visitors come to an area, local businesses will 

purchase extra labor and supplies to meet the increase in demand for additional services. The 

income and employment resulting from visitor purchases from local businesses represent the direct

effects of visitor spending within the economy. In order to increase supplies to local businesses, 

input suppliers must also increase their purchases of inputs from other industries. The income and 

employment resulting from these secondary purchases by input suppliers are the indirect effects of 

visitor spending within the local economy. The input supplier’s new employees use their incomes 

to purchase goods and services. The resulting increased economic activity from new employee 

income is the induced effect of visitor spending. The indirect and induced effects are known as the 

secondary or multiplier effects of visitor spending. Multipliers capture the size of the secondary 

effects, usually as a ratio of total effects to direct effects (Stynes, 1998). The sums of the direct and 

secondary effects describe the total economic effects of visitor spending in the local economy. 

The economic effects associated with spending by refuge visitors are estimated by the 

following equation: 

Number of refuge visitors x average spending x regional multiplier = Economic effect 

The number of nonlocal visitors (Table 6) was calculated by using the RAPP report and 

visitor survey results. Survey results on visitor spending will provide the average spending. Ideally, 

average nonlocal visitor spending profiles for each visitor activity would have been created from 

the visitor survey results on trip expenses. Splitting up the sample of survey respondents by visitor 

activity and then by local and nonlocal visitors resulted in having only a few or no respondents for 

some of the nonlocal visitor activities. As a result, it was only possible to create spending profiles 

for nonlocal visitors participating in nonconsumptive-use activities and nonlocal big game hunting. 

Economic effects are typically measured in terms of number of jobs lost or gained, and the 

associated result for employment income. Economic input-output models are commonly used to 

predict the total level of regional economic activity that would result from a change in visitor 

spending. IMPLAN is a computerized database and modeling system that provides a regional inputoutput analysis of economic activity in terms of 10 industrial groups involving as many as 528 

sectors (Olson and Lindall, 1999). The IMPLAN modeling system was used to derive the 

multipliers that capture the secondary (indirect and induced) effects needed to determine the 

economic effects of visitor spending. The IMPLAN Sussex County data profile for the year 2003 

was used in this study. The IMPLAN employment data estimates were comparable to the U.S. 

Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Information System 

data at the 1-digit Standard Industrial Code level for the year 2003. IMPLAN’s regional purchase 

coefficients were adjusted to better reflect typical nonlocal visitor spending patterns. 

33 
Regional economic effects from the IMPLAN model are reported for the following 

categories: 

• Local output represents the change in local sales or revenue. 

• Personal Income represents the change in employee income in the region that is generated 

from a change in regional output. 

• Employment represents the change in number of jobs generated in the region from a change 

in regional output. IMPLAN estimates for employment include both full-time and part-time 

workers, which are measured in total jobs. 

In the survey, we asked respondents to “indicate the amount you and members of your 

group with whom you shared expenses (for example, other family members, traveling companions) 

spent on your most recent visit” to the refuge. Table 7 illustrates the average amount spent in 

Sussex County by nonlocal refuge visitors. Amounts of spending are the average expenditures 

nonlocal visitors reported spending in the local area near the refuge. Not every group had 

expenditures in every category, so the numbers reported in table 7 represent an average across all 

visitors within each visitor activity, including some who had no expenditure in that category. The 

expenditures reported in each category were divided by the number of persons in each group 

sharing the expenses (as shown in table 8) and then divided by the number of days spent in the 

local area to determine the average spending per person per day. Table 7 shows that, on average, 

nonlocal nonconsumptive-use visitors spent the most on hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and 

gasoline in the local communities near the refuge, and nonlocal deer hunters spent the most on 

hunting expenses (including daily permit fee), restaurants, and gasoline. Average spending per 

person per day averaged $50 for nonconsumptive-use visitors and $87 for big game hunters. 

Table 7. Average nonlocal visitor spending for Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Nonconsumptive-use 

visitors 

Deer 

hunters 

Nonlocal spending in 

Sussex County

$ per group 

per trip 

$ per person 

per day 

$ per group 

per trip 

$ per person 

per day 

Gasoline/related automobile costs 23.26 3.13 12.67 11.52 

Hotels 197.08 26.54 12.44 11.31 

Camping 3.45 0.46 0.23 0.21 

Restaurants 77.30 10.41 17.58 15.98 

Grocery stores 27.08 3.65 5.58 5.07 

Supplies and souvenirs 26.54 3.57 2.67 2.43 

Taxidermy 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Game processing 1.32 0.00 9.42 8.56 

Bait/fishing tackle 16.84 2.27 10.60 9.64 

Other fishing/hunting expenses 2.37 0.32 24.69 22.44 

Equipment rental 0.66 0.09 0.00 0.00 

Total spending 375.89 50.45 95.89 87.16 

On average nonconsumptive visitors spent 2 to 3 days in the local area with approximately 

three people in their group sharing expenses (table 8). Most of the nonlocal deer hunters were from 

34 
other counties in Delaware; about half spent the night locally, and the other half drove home after 

hunting. 

Table 8. Average time spent and number sharing expenses for visitor activities at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

 Nonconsumptive Deer hunting 

Average time spent in the local area 2.75 days 1 day 

Average number of people in group sharing expenses 2.7 1.1 

The current level of nonconsumptive-use and big game hunting nonlocal visitor days 

accounts for over $983,500 of spending annually in the local communities near Prime Hook NWR. 

The resulting effects of nonlocal visitor spending on the local economy are presented in table 9. As 

shown in table 9, it is estimated that the direct and secondary effects generate over $1.21 million in 

local output, $447,700 in personal income, and 19.4 jobs annually in Sussex County. 

Table 9. Annual economic impacts of nonlocal deer hunter and nonconsumptive-use visitor 

spending in Sussex County (2005, $,000). 

Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge Nonconsumptive Deer hunting Total 

Direct effects 

Local output ($/year) $829.2 $45.8 $874.9 

Income ($/year) $321.8 $21.5 $343.2 

Jobs 15.0 0.7 15.7 

Secondary effects 

Local output ($/year) $318.7 $17.7 $336.4 

Income ($/year) $99.0 $5.4 $104.4 

Jobs 3.5 0.2 3.7 

Total effects 

Local output ($/year) $1,147.8 $63.5 $1,211.3 

Income ($/year) $420.8 $26.9 $447.7 

Jobs 18.5 0.9 19.4 

Visitor and Community Resident Preferences for Refuge Management 

In an effort to better understand visitors’ and community residents’ preferences for various 

potential management options, we asked respondents a series of questions related to refuge 

management. These included: 

• opinions about how certain existing services and(or) features should be managed to 

maximize experience at the refuge, 

• desire for the potential new services, 

• support for fees, 

• opinions regarding specific uses that should be and should not be allowed at the refuge, and 

• agreement with habitat management tradeoffs. 

35 
These analyses are drawn from questions in Sections 4 and 5 of the visitor survey and Sections 2 

and 3 of the community resident survey (see Appendices C and D). 

Management of Services 

Respondents were asked how 15 features and (or) services provided at the refuge should be 

managed. For each feature, they were asked if it should be decreased/minimized, left as is, or 

increased/improved (fig. 21). This question ties closely to the “importance-satisfaction” of services 

ratings described earlier and is meant to further refine the results of that question. For most services 

or features, the majority of both community residents and visitors feel they should be left as is.

However, there were several features where a strong contingent (≥~30%) of both residents and 

visitors feel a change in management is warranted. These features were: 

• naturalness (restore more natural conditions), 

• hiking trails (provide more), 

• environmental education opportunities (provide more programs and activities), 

• interpretive exhibits (provide more), 

• wildlife observation/photography opportunities (provide more facilities such as blinds and 

walkways), 

• restrooms/comfort stations (provide more facilities along rivers and parking areas, 

• visitor numbers (encourage more visitation). 

Residents and visitors were more evenly split on how to manage visitor impacts on wildlife. As can 

be observed from Figure 21, there were few differences in opinion between visitors and community 

residents. More residents than visitors would like to see an increase in 

• brochures and publications (χ

2

 = 57.38, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .30), and 

• hiking trails (χ

2

 = 22.96, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .19). 

More visitors than residents would like to see more hunting areas (χ

2

 = 24.84, p < .001, Cramer’s V 

= .20). This difference appears to be driven by the preferences of the local visitors, with 49 percent 

wanting more hunting opportunities, as opposed to 21percent of residents. 

Between consumptive-use and nonconsumptive-use visitors, there were differences in 

opinions for management of five services (fig. 22). More nonconsumptive-use than consumptiveuse visitors would like to see an increase in 

• naturalness (restore more natural conditions (χ

2

 = 19.92, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .26), 

• hiking trails (χ

2

 = 48.38, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .41), and 

• interpretive exhibits (χ

2

 = 15.61, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .24). 

More consumptive than nonconsumptive-use visitors would like to see an increase in hunting 

(provide more areas; χ

2

 = 140.14, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .73) and fishing (provide more access to 

ponds, creeks, and shorelines; χ

2

 = 37.75, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .37). Again, these differences are 

similar to the differences between local and nonlocal visitors, with local visitors wanting more 

hunting and fishing opportunities. There were no meaningful differences in preferences for 

management of services among community groups. 

36 
37 

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

More Leave

As Is

Less

Availability of staff

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Allow M

Landsc

Altera

Leave A

Resto

More

Natur

Conditi

ore

ape

tions

s Is

re

al

ons

Naturalness

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

10%

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*Hiking trails

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Residents

Visitors

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Information signs

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Residents

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*Hunting

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Residents

Visitors

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Interpretive exhibits

Community

Residents

Visitors

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*Brochures/Publications

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

10%

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More Leave

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Environmental education 

opportunities

Community

Residents

Visitors
38 

0%

10%

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More Leave

As Is

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Refuge access

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

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Wildlife observation/Photography

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

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Boat ramps

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

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Fishing

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

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Restrooms

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Residents

Visitors

0%

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Encourage

M ore

V isitation

Leave A s

Is

Restrict

V isitation

Visitor numbers

Community

Residents

Visitors

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

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R est rict only

behavior known t o

have imp act s

Leave A s Is R est rict any

b ehavio r t hat may

imp act

Visitor impacts on wildlife

Community

Residents

Visitors

Figure 21. Visitors’ and community residents’ preferences for management of services at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. Services with asterisks indicate meaningful statistical differences between 

visitors and community resident preferences for management. 
 

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

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Allow More

Landscape

Alterations

Leave As Is

Retore

More

Natural

Conditions

Naturalness

Consumptive Use

Visitors

Nonconsumptive Use

Visitors

0%

10%

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Naturalness

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Use Visitors

sumptive

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Use Visitors

0%

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Visitors

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Use Visitors

0%

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30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

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More Leave

As Is

Less

Interpretive exhibits

Consumptive Use

Visitors

Nonconsumptive

Use Visitors

Figure 22. Consumptive-use compared to nonconsumptive-use visitors’ preferences for 

management of services for those services where meaningful statistical differences exist. 

0%

10%

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More Leave

As Is

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Hiking trails

Consumptive Use

Visitors

Nonconsumptive

Use Visitors

39 
Desirability of Future Services 

We asked respondents about their support for five potential future services on the refuge 

(fig. 23). They were asked to rate their desirability (on a 4-point scale with 1 = not desirable and 4 

= very desirable) of the following options: 

• additional walking trails around headquarters area, 

• waterfowl observation tower overlooking marsh, 

• regularly scheduled interpretive walks, 

• roadside pulloffs for wildlife observation/photography along Fowler Beach Road, and 

• roadside pulloffs for wildlife observation/photography along Slaughter Beach Road. 

All five potential options were rated as desirable by both visitors and community residents. 

As might be expected, given the lower importance consumptive-use visitors place on wildlife 

observation, hiking, and environmental education and interpretation (see previous sections), there 

were meaningful differences in desire for all of these options between these two visitor groups (fig. 

24). All options were only somewhat to generally desirable to consumptive-use visitors but were 

significantly more desirable to nonconsumptive-use visitors. There were no differences in 

desirability for options among community groups. 

3.49

3.28

3.20

3.17

3.04

3.31

2.90

3.11

3.08

2.89

1.00 1.75 2.50 3.25 4.00

Observation tower

overlooking marsh

Additional walking trails

around Refuge

headquarters

Roadside pulloffs along

Fowler Beach Road

Roadside pulloffs along

Slaughter Beach Road

Scheduled guided

interpretive walks

Community Residents Visitors

Figure 23. Visitor and community residents’ mean desirability of future services at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. Responses were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (not desirable) to 4 

(Very desirable). 

40 
2.92

2.32

2.74

2.74

2.24

3.53

3.18

3.35

3.32

3.23

1.00 1.75 2.50 3.25 4.00

Observation tower

overlooking marsh

Additional walking

trails around Refuge

headquarters

Roadside pulloffs

along Fowler Beach

Road

Roadside pulloffs

along Slaughter Beach

Road

Scheduled guided

interpretive walks

Nonconsumptive Use Visitors

Consumptive Use Visitors

Figure 24. Consumptive-use and nonconsumptive-use visitors’ mean desirability of future services at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Responses were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (not 

desirable) to 4 (very desirable). 

Support for Fees 

We asked respondents their opinions about paying a fee to visit the refuge (fig. 25). 

Currently, no fees are charged to enter the refuge. We asked their general agreement with two 

statements using a 5-point scale (where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree): 

• I would consider paying a fee to visit this refuge, and 

• I should not have to pay a fee to visit this or any wildlife refuge. 

More visitors than community residents said they were willing to pay a fee to visit Prime 

Hook NWR; however, there was no meaningful difference in mean score (0 = 2.97 for community 

and 3.32 for visitors), indicating neutral feelings overall. More community residents than visitors 

feel they should not have to pay a fee to visit a wildlife refuge; however, again, mean scores were 

not meaningfully different and were in the neutral range (0 = 3.32 for community and 2.87 for 

visitors). 

When comparing agreement to pay a fee to visit Prime Hook NWR and the principle of 

paying to visit a National Wildlife Refuge, some dichotomies existed. Five percent of respondents 

(n = 33) agreed that they would be willing to pay a fee to visit Prime Hook NWR but did not agree 

they should have to pay a fee to visit a National Wildlife Refuge. Conversely, 6 percent of 

respondents (n = 44) indicated they were not willing to pay a fee to visit Prime Hook NWR but felt 

they should have to pay a fee to visit National Wildlife Refuges. 

41 
I would consider paying a fee to visit 

this Refuge

39% 34%

27%

52%

24% 24%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Agree Disagree Unsure

Community Residents Visitors

I should not have to pay a fee to visit 

this or any wildlife refuge

50%

26% 24% 29%

43%

27%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Agree Disagree Unsure

Community Residents Visitors

Figure 25. Visitors’ and community residents’ feelings toward paying a fee to visit Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge or other refuges. 

Preferences for Activities—To Allow or Not To Allow 

To further gauge visitor and community residents’ opinions regarding preferences for 

management of the visitor experience, we asked them if there were activities or services that they 

feel should be allowed at Prime Hook NWR that currently are not allowed, or conversely should 

not be allowed that currently are allowed. The responses to these questions are qualitative and 

should be interpreted as such; however they can inform the quantitative results of the study and 

provide anecdotal insight. The categories of responses are available in Appendices C and D. The 

verbatim responses are available in Appendices E and F. 

To further gauge visitor and community residents’ opinions regarding preferences for 

management of the visitor experience, we asked them if there were activities or services that they 

feel should be allowed at Prime Hook NWR that currently are not allowed, or conversely should 

not be allowed that currently are allowed. The responses to these questions are qualitative and 

should be interpreted as such; however they can inform the quantitative results of the study and 

provide anecdotal insight. The categories of responses are available in Appendices C and D. The 

verbatim responses are available in Appendices E and F. 

Only around 20 percent of visitors and community residents indicated there were activities 

that should be allowed that currently are not allowed. Similarly, around 25 percent said that there 

were activities that should not be allowed. Around 20–30 percent of visitors and community 

residents who answered this question provided additional written comments. 

Only around 20 percent of visitors and community residents indicated there were activities 

that should be allowed that currently are not allowed. Similarly, around 25 percent said that there 

were activities that should not be allowed. Around 20–30 percent of visitors and community 

residents who answered this question provided additional written comments. 

Regarding activities that should be allowed, many of the comments both from visitors and 

from community residents related to hunting. Community residents also discussed hiking/walking 

trails and hunting-related activities in their open-ended responses. Comments on hiking related to 

expanding opportunities, and many related to hunting, for example, “Walking the hunting land off 

the trails,” and “expanded walking trails to include hunting areas where hunting is not allowed.” 

Miscellaneous activities mentioned by visitors and community residents varied from the obscure 

enduro riding to ATV use, though this respondent indicated, “Riding ATV’s, but I realize that 

cannot happen, because some people do not know how to respect nature.” 

Regarding activities that should be allowed, many of the comments both from visitors and 

from community residents related to hunting. Community residents also discussed hiking/walking 

trails and hunting-related activities in their open-ended responses. Comments on hiking related to 

expanding opportunities, and many related to hunting, for example, “Walking the hunting land off 

the trails,” and “expanded walking trails to include hunting areas where hunting is not allowed.” 

Miscellaneous activities mentioned by visitors and community residents varied from the obscure 

enduro riding to ATV use, though this respondent indicated, “Riding ATV’s, but I realize that 

cannot happen, because some people do not know how to respect nature.” 

Regarding activities that should not be allowed, around half of comments from both visitors 

(n = 80) and community residents (n = 121) were hunting-related. ATV use was also mentioned by 

a small number of visitors and residents. Comments included the following: 

Regarding activities that should not be allowed, around half of comments from both visitors 

(n = 80) and community residents (n = 121) were hunting-related. ATV use was also mentioned by 

a small number of visitors and residents. Comments included the following: 

“Hunting! I/we have a problem with hunting on a “refuge.” Seems like a contradiction in 

terms.” 

“Hunting of geese where people are bird watching or living. The gunshots scare off all the 

birds.” and 

42 
“On-beach truck access is a nuisance and deteriorates beach sand quality and quality for 

walking.” 

Refuge Land Management Tradeoffs 

The management tradeoffs are a measure of community residents’ and visitors’ agreement 

with specific management options, many of which encompass the benefit and drawback associated 

with their implementation. These tradeoff statements were developed collaboratively with refuge 

staff, based on the issues identified during the CCP process (at the time the survey was developed). 

The three issues identified were: 

• mosquito control, 

• land acquisition, and 

• general habitat management (including endangered species management). 

Respondents were asked to rate (using a 5-point scale) whether they agreed or disagreed 

with a series of statements regarding these management issues. We conducted a series of analyses 

to better understand visitors’ and community residents’ agreement (or disagreement) with these 

potential management options. Below is some necessary explanation of those analyses, followed by 

results for each category of management tradeoff. 

In an attempt to identify meaningful differences in agreement with these different 

management options, we used the “potential for conflict index” (PCI; Manfredo, Vaske, and Teel, 

2003). The PCI shows central tendency, dispersion, and form simultaneously and thus presents a 

concise indication of potential conflict for the management issue in question. The PCI is the ratio of 

scoring on either side of a neutral point. This analysis assumes that the greatest conflict would 

occur when responses are distributed between two extreme values on a scale (in this case, 50 

percent strongly disagreeing and 50 percent strongly agreeing). This scenario would produce a PCI 

value of 1. If all responses were on one side of the neutral point (for example 100 percent 

agreeing), a PCI value of 0 would result. Graphically, a larger bubble represents a higher potential 

for conflict. In addition, the graph shows the distribution of the means (that is, where they fall on 

the agreement scale). 

For all tradeoff options there were no meaningful statistical differences between visitors and 

community residents. There were some differences among community groups and between 

consumptive-use and nonconsumptive-use visitors. Those differences are noted within each 

category of management tradeoff. 

Habitat Management 

Five tradeoff statements were developed around habitat management: 

• It is important to restore and manage refuge habitats for rare and endangered species on the 

refuge. 

• It is acceptable to use fire as a management tool to reduce buildup of vegetation that could 

fuel fires. 

• It is acceptable to use fire as a tool to maintain high productivity of refuge wetland, 

forested, and grassland habitats for the benefit of wildlife. 

• It is important to eliminate non-native/invasive plant communities on the refuge. 

43 
• It is important to cease farming and strive to restore drained and (or) degraded areas to 

natural habitats. 

There appears to be high agreement and low potential for conflict with potential 

management options relating to habitat management, except for one (figs. 26 and 27). There is 

much less agreement with the option of ceasing farming to restore drained and (or) degraded areas 

to natural habitats. Only around half of community residents and a little more than 40 percent of 

visitors agree with this option. This sentiment is supported by end-of-survey comments as well. 

Around one fourth of visitors and community residents are uncertain about this option. The larger 

PCI score (.36 for community and .50 for visitors) indicates there are polarized opinions regarding 

this option. There were some differences in agreement with this option among community resident 

groups (F = 7.32, p < .001, η = .19), with “rest of community” residents being more supportive (0 = 

3.54, indicating mild agreement) than “western neighbors” or “beach town” residents” (0 = 2.91 

and 3.27, respectively, indicating uncertainty). 

Levels of agreement with the cease-farming option also differed between consumptive-use 

and nonconsumptive-use visitors (F = 38.61, p < .001, η = .34), with consumptive-use visitors 

being less supportive (0 = 2.63) than nonconsumptive-use visitors (0 = 3.55). Similarly, local 

visitors were much less supportive (0 = 2.99) of this option than were nonlocal visitors (0 = 3.69). 

Land Acquisition 

Three tradeoff statements were developed around land acquisition: 

• It is acceptable to purchase land within the refuge boundary from willing sellers at market 

value for the benefit of wildlife. 

• It is acceptable for the refuge to purchase conservation easements on land outside the 

current boundary to manage the area’s wildlife resources. 

• It is acceptable to maintain and preserve refuge shoreline as habitat for spawning horseshoe 

crabs and migratory shorebirds. 

There appears to be high agreement and low potential for conflict with all potential 

management options related to land acquisition (figs. 28 and 29). There were no meaningful 

differences among community groups or between visitor groups regarding these options. 

Mosquito Control 

Three tradeoff statements were developed around mosquito control: 

• Mosquitoes are a natural component of healthy and functional wetland ecosystems. 

• Mosquito control activities on the refuge should only occur during a declared public health 

emergency. 

• The use of chemicals to control mosquitoes on refuge lands should only occur when field 

data show high numbers of breeding mosquitoes. 

There is less agreement and more potential for conflict with the options related to mosquito control 

than with any of the other management options (figs. 30 and 31). These options received some of 

the lower mean scores and highest PCI values. These options also had the highest percentages of 

visitors and community residents who indicated they were unsure about the options (25–30 

percent). The option of controlling mosquitoes only during public health emergencies appears 

44 
especially to have potential for conflict (PCI = .49 for community residents, .53 for visitors). The 

option of using chemicals only when high numbers of breeding mosquitoes appears a more 

acceptable management action than limiting activities to public health emergencies. There is 

neutral to mild agreement with the statement mosquitoes are a natural part of a healthy ecosystem, 

though there are some differences in opinions on this. Consistently, nonconsumptive-use visitors 

are more supportive of these mosquito control options than consumptive-use visitors. 

91%

87%

5%

5%

4%

8%

Manage habitats for rare and

endangered species

Visitor 

Community 

71%

78%

4%

6%

25%

16%

Use fire to reduce

vegetation buildup

Visitor 

Community 

70%

79%

6%

4%

24%

18%

Use fire to maintain habitat

Visitor 

Community 

73%

85%

5%

3%

22%

12%

Eliminate non-native/invasive

plant communities

Visitor 

Community 

Figure 26. Visitors and community residents’ agreement with management tradeoff statements 

regarding habitat management. 

Visitor 

Community 53% 2 1% 26%

0% 10% 20% 3 0% 4 0% 50% 6 0% 7 0% 8 0% 9 0% 10 0%

Cease farming to restore

drained/degraded areas

42% 29% 29%

Agree Disagree Unsure

45
Figure 27. “Potential for Conflict Index” graphs for habitat management tradeoff statements for 

community residents and visitors. Numbers to the left of the bubbles are mean agreement scores. 

Numbers to the right are PCI scores, ranging from 0 to1, where 0 indicates no conflict and 1 

indicates maximum potential for conflict.

46 
Visitor 

84% Community 

89%

8%

3%

8%

8%

P urchase land fro m willing

sellers within R efuge

boundary

Visitor 

81% Community 

87%

4%

4%

15%

10%

P urcase conservation

easements outside

Refuge boundary

88%

90%

3%

3%

9%

7%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

M aintain and preserve

Refuge shoreline

Visitor 

Community 

47 

Agree Disagree Unsure

Figure 28. Visitors’ and community residents’ agreement with management tradeoff statements 

regarding land acquisition. 
Figure 29. “Potential for Conflict Index” graphs for land acquisition tradeoff statements for 

community residents and visitors. Numbers to the left of the bubbles are mean agreement 

scores. Numbers to the right are PCI scores, ranging from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates no conflict 

and 1 indicates maximum potential for conflict.

48 
55%

61%

18%

15%

27%

24%

Mosquitos natural part of

healthy ecosystem

Visitor 

Community

31%

44%

40%

31%

30%

25%

Mosquito control activites

only during public health

emergency

58%

60%

20%

19%

27%

22%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Use of chemicals only when high

numbers of breeding mosquitoes

Agree Disagree Unsure

Visitor 

Community 

Visitor 

Community 

Figure 30. Visitors’ and community residents’ agreement with management tradeoff statements 

regarding mosquito control. 

49 
Figure 31. “Potential for Conflict Index” graphs for mosquito control tradeoff statements for 

community residents and visitors. Numbers to the left of the bubbles are mean agreement scores. 

50 
Other Opinions on Management 

In addition to the specific questions focusing on refuge management, respondents had the 

opportunity to provide written comment on the refuge at the end of the survey. Around 150 visitor 

respondents and 100 community respondents provided comments. More than half of these 

comments were positive in nature. The responses provided to questions are qualitative and should 

be interpreted as such; however, they can inform the quantitative results of the study and provide 

anecdotal insight. The categorized verbatim responses are available in Appendices E and F. 

Many comments were related to the refuge and its management, which included suggestions 

and expectations for refuge management, ideas for improvement, and an interest in future plans and 

programs. Responses seem indicative that local residents and visitors have an interest in striking a 

balance between keeping the area remote and natural while at the same time maintaining a 

professional approach to understanding the needs of the community. 

Community residents and visitors stressed the importance of habitat management on the 

refuge. Many respondents recognize that the protection of wildlife and habitat as the single most 

important priority in managing a wildlife refuge: 

“Management of the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge should be geared toward a moderate 

amount of human recreation and a large amount of preservation of the lands and the wildlife.” 

“I support efforts to maintain and restore biodiversity on our National Wildlife Refuges.” 

“We always support as much ‘naturalness’ as possible, but we recognize that Refuge 

management objectives preclude a complete restoration to natural conditions.” 

Some members of the community would like to understand the short- and long-range 

wildlife and habitat management goals of the refuge: 

“... the refuge needs to do a better job in educating the public about allowing land to go fallow 

in order to increase species diversity. If we are only promoting a few species, such as deer and 

geese, we are limiting the value of this refuge as a true land of opportunity for increasingly 

marginalized species.” 

 “I think that it is important to know and realize the community of owners and visitors year 

round are here because PHNWR is here. Not the other way around. Thank you for your 

presence!” 

Management alternatives to hunting and fishing encompassed several comments, both 

positive and negative: 

“I am not anti-hunting. However, I do feel that a National Refuge should be just that - a refuge, 

a safe haven for nature to live naturally and a public who funds it to have access to enjoy, 

observe and preserve it as primitively as possible. Hunting and bird watching do not go 

together well. Hunting should take place outside the refuge; otherwise it is not a refuge, is it? 

Trails like the one at Wolf Neck are the best way to allow maximum public assess with little 

impact on habitat.” 

The relationship among land acquisition, farming, and development was a theme that was 

recognized by the respondents with varying viewpoints. Many suggested they are satisfied the area 

51 
is being protected from further development and wish to have additional lands preserved, while 

others suggest that the government should stop the practice of selling refuge land and using the 

refuge as farmland. One individual suggests, 

“If we are going to allow farming on the refuge under the guise of food for waterfowl some of 

the crop should be left in the fields at harvest time. The new harvesting equipment is so 

efficient that it leaves nothing in the fields for the animals to feed on. The farmers that lease the 

fields should also pay the same per acre for refuge field that they pay for local acreage. We 

should not lease for less than local fields are leased for and cause bad feelings with neighbors 

that also lease.” 

Another concern was about too much land going to farmers. 

“My family and I are greatly concerned about the sale of refuge land to farmers. It is our strong 

opinion that this land should continue to be part of PHNWR.” 

One respondent related the topic of farmland acquisition to a personal experience. 

“I have always been somewhat disgruntled about the refuge. I have stated my home was 

located next to Turkle Pond when I was young and I did not agree with the government 

basically forcing my parents from our home. However, in all honesty - good job in preserving 

habitat, wildlife and recreation. I at least can enjoy this area along with thousands of others.” 

Many respondents expressed concerns for effects of development on habitat and the need for more 

protection, 

“[Prime Hook NWR] is one of Delaware's greatest remaining natural resources. It is my 

opinion that everything the United States can do to preserve, enhance and protect it should be 

done. Poor planning on the part of Sussex County and overdevelopment in the area has resulted 

in increased air and water pollution that will only degrade and destroy this environmental 

wonder unless stringent methods are taken to lessen the impact. I would support any initiatives 

taken to expand the area, establish buffers, no growth zones, etc. Habitat for migratory 

waterfowl and shorebirds will be non-existent in another 100 years on the Atlantic flyway with 

the exception of these wildlife refuges. The animal and plant life must be considered above all 

in these refuges, not the tourist and visitors. That being said anything done to enhance the 

quality of visitation experience for this and future generations are highly commendable and 

greatly appreciated by those of us who frequent these marvelous places.” 

Open-ended comments support survey data that indicate visitors and residents support and 

are pleased with the refuge and its management. Staff and volunteers were recognized and praised 

for their dedication, devotion, and enthusiasm for the refuge. The visitors were especially grateful 

for the maintenance of the property, the activities and lectures, and “great leadership.” Others 

replied that they were confident in their decisionmaking, adding that the staff are “helpful, friendly, 

and competent.” According to the visitors, the staff make for a more enjoyable visit, are a pleasure 

to talk with, and show interest in answering their questions. In many instances respondents simply 

wrote “keep up the good work!” Overall, there was a sense that visitors are impressed by the staff. 

52 
Communication, Civic Engagement, and Trust 

In communicating with the public, it is important to understand how individuals participate 

in natural resource decisionmaking and ways in which they commonly obtain information on these 

topics. It is also important to understand their trust in the managing organization. In an effort to 

better understand these issues, we asked respondents about their engagement in natural resource 

issues and the sources of information they rely on to learn about Prime Hook NWR, and their trust 

both in the refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Communication 

Both community residents and visitors get much of their news and information about the 

refuge from friends and neighbors (fig. 32). The largest proportion of community residents 

indicated they rely on newspapers (52 percent). This is much different than for visitors (19 percent; 

χ

2

 = 82.97, p < .001, φ = –.34). Residents cited The Cape Gazette, News Journal, and Delaware 

Coast Press for newspapers they rely upon. Residents also use radio (14 percent) and television (19 

percent) to a greater extent than do visitors (0 percent for radio, χ

2

 = 50.81, p < .001, φ = -.27; 1 

percent for television, χ

2

 = 58.13, p < .001, φ = –.29). 

There are some differences in information use between consumptive-use and 

nonconsumptive-use visitors. Consumptive-users rely more heavily on friends (70 percent 

compared to 27 percent; χ

2

 = 53.38, p < .001, φ = .43); family (31 percent compared to 10 percent; 

χ

2

 = 22.68, p < .001, φ = .27); and the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife (37 percent compared 

to 7 percent; χ

2

 = 40.25, p < .001, φ = .36). Nonconsumptive-use visitors appear to use more varied 

sources than consumptive-use visitors. 

Use of a neighborhood association was the only meaningful difference in information 

sources among community groups (χ

2

 = 68.47, p < .001, φ = .41), with “beach town” residents 

using this source more often. 

“Other” sources mentioned in the open-ended option included, for visitors, AAA, 

Elderhostel, and road signs. “Other” sources mentioned by community residents included a 

billboard, Friends of Prime Hook, and road signs. 

When asked what sources of information they rely on most for news and information about 

the refuge, visitors and community residents indicated friends and neighbors and newspapers. 

Interestingly, 12 percent of visitors and 6 percent of community residents rely on the Internet most 

for this information. Also, 8 percent of residents and 6 percent of visitors rely on refuge staff the 

most for refuge happenings. 

53 
47%

26%

19% 19% 18%

14%

12% 11%

10%

8%

7%

3% 3%

2% 1% 1% 0% 0%

41%

16%

52%

10%

22%

23%

14%

16%

17%

9%

0%

3%

7%

3%

19%

2% 2%

14%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Friends/neighbors/colleagues

Other

Newspaper

Delaware Division of Wildlife

Family

Delaware State Parks

Internet

Government brochures

Refuge staff

Recreation/environmental groups

Magazine articles

Community groups

Local newsletter

Neighborhood association

Television

Local business people

Local town officials

Radio

Visitors Community Residents

Figure 32. Sources of news and information about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge used by 

visitors and community residents. 

 National Wildlife Refuge used by 

54 
Civic Engagement in Natural Resource Decisionmaking 

Community residents and visitors have been quite participatory in natural resource and 

environmental decisionmaking activities within the last 5 years (fig. 33). The largest percentage of 

respondents indicated that they have attended a public hearing or meeting, followed by signing a 

petition. There was some difference between community members and visitors in civic engagement 

activities. Visitors were more likely to have signed a petition and joined a special interest group 

than community members (χ

2 = 10.94, p = .001; φ = .15; χ2

 7.04, p = .008, φ = .12). Among 

community groups, “beach town” residents are more likely to have contacted a U.S. Senator, 

Member of Congress, or State Legislator (48 percent “beach,” 26 percent “western neighbors,” 37 

percent “rest of community;” χ

2 = 9.01, p < .001, Cramer’s V = .19) “Western neighbor” residents 

were more likely to have attended a public hearing or meeting (69 percent “western neighbor”, 61 

percent “beach”, 46 percent “rest of community”; χ

2 = 8.80, p = .01, Cramer’s V = .19. 

Additionally, an index of total civic engagement was created for each respondent. This was 

accomplished by summing the total number of activities in which community residents and visitors 

had participated. The score ranged from 1 to 6 (one activity to all six activities). The average 

number of activities in which both visitors and community residents had participated in was three. 

Among community groups, residents of the beach towns participated in an average of three 

activities, while people in the “western neighbors” and “rest of community” groups participated in 

an average of two. 

Regarding receiving information from the refuge, most respondents indicated they would 

like to receive results from this study (66 percent for residents and 58 percent for visitors) and 

information about future refuge planning activities (around 70 percent for residents and visitors). 

Fewer respondents were interested in information about the Refuge Friends group (29 percent for 

community and 20 percent for visitors) or volunteer opportunities (around 30 percent for both 

groups).

59%

50%

59%

45%

53%

41% 38%35% 34%31%

7% 7%

-5%

5%

15%

25%

35%

45%

55%

65%

75%

Attended a

public

meeting

Signed a

petition

Joined a

special

interest group

Contacted or

wro te a U.S.

Senator or

State

Legislator

Contacted or

wro te a state

or federal

agency

Wrote a letter

to the editor

of a

newspaper

Visitors Community Residents

Figure 33. Visitor and community resident participation in natural resource decisionmaking.

55 
Trust in the Refuge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Community residents and visitors were asked to rate their agreement (on a 5-point scale, 

where 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree) with three statements related to trust in the 

agency and the refuge (fig. 34). The mean scores for these statements indicate moderate trust with 

both the refuge and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Interestingly, though, almost one fourth of 

respondents are unsure about their trust in the agency and in the refuge. 

I have confidence in Refuge decisions made 

by the U.S. F ish and Wildlife Service

69%

10%

22%

64%

13%

23%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Agree Disagree Unsure

Community Residents Visitors

I trust the Refuge staff will do what is right 

for the Refuge 76%

6%

19%

75%

5%

19%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Agree Disagree Unsure

Community Residents Visitors

I have confidence in decisions made by 

the local staff at the Refuge

69%

7%

24%

71%

6%

22%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Agree Disagree Unsure

0%

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Community Residents Visitors

Figure 34. Community resident and visitor agreement with statements related to confidence/trust in 

refuge staff and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

56 
Refuge Benefits and Impacts to the Local Community 

In an effort to better understand the importance of the refuge to the local community, we 

asked community residents two open-ended questions: 

• What is the biggest benefit to the local community from Prime Hook NWR, and 

• Do you see any negative impacts to the local community? 

The responses to these questions are qualitative and should be interpreted as such; however, they 

can inform the quantitative results of the study and provide anecdotal insight. The categories of 

responses are available in Appendices C and D. The verbatim responses are available in 

Appendices E and F. 

Benefits 

Eighty-two percent of respondents (n = 399) answered the open-ended question that asked, 

“Please tell us what you see as the biggest benefit to the local community from Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge.” First and foremost, residents appreciate the place for wildlife offered by 

the refuge and also the environmental benefits provided. Thirty-two percent of respondents relayed 

thoughts on this topic: 

“I think people really enjoy watching the wildlife and knowing it is there and being protected.” 

“Natural filtration system to protect Bay from pollution-refuge is a great place to protect open 

space and habitat.” 

“Preserves a natural habitat where children can see and learn about nature and animals.” 

“Prime Hook is essential to the preservation of the marshes, ecological habitats and for its 

contribution to climate control and its role as a haven from regional development.” 

Over 100 respondents (23 percent) commented on protection from development offered by the 

existence of the Refuge. They value the fact that this land will remain undeveloped into the future: 

“A beautiful environment protected from the building growth occurring throughout the state of 

Delaware.” 

“A place for people to go and still be able to enjoy nature and open country as it should be. The 

natural environment is a victim of developers in the once beautiful state of Delaware.” 

“It’s nice to see birds and not housing developments.” 

They also recognize the aesthetic value of the refuge: 

“Being able to go to a natural, unstressful, beautiful area for relaxation.” 

“Having a serene place for a refuge for wildlife and to remind us of the importance of our 

environment.” 

57 
“I see it as a natural wild refuge and buffer for people and wildlife to escape from the pressures 

of daily life.” 

“Nature brings peace and serenity to the soul. It teaches us about life in every aspect. The 

refuge allows us to go and see this firsthand.” 

“The biggest benefit to the local community is the ability to view a pristine natural habitat for 

animals and birds in close proximity to where I live.” 

Impacts 

Only around 10 percent of community respondents see any negative impacts to the local 

community from the refuge. A few themes could be extracted from the 56 responses, though each 

one only had a small number of comments. Mosquito control was mentioned as well as hunting 

noise and safety. On a positive note, one resident stated, 

“Due to communication, if we initially felt any negativity, we soon felt otherwise, once we 

learned the "whys" behind the actions of the refuge that seemed to affect us.” 

Discussion of Key Findings 

Visitor and Community Resident Profile 

Nearly all visitors are local to the area, likely explaining why there is little meaningful 

statistical difference in profile and demographic variables between these two groups. However, 

there are many differences between consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors. These 

differences are closely aligned with differences between local and nonlocal visitors, with 56 percent 

of local visitors being classified as consumptive-users and 89 percent of nonlocal visitors being 

classified as nonconsumptive-users. 

Community residents have a long history in the Milton, Milford, Lewes area. Most have 

lived in the area for nearly 20 years, and nearly all live there year round. There is no meaningful 

difference in profile and demographic variables among the community groups (“beach town,” 

“western neighbors,” “rest of community”). Understanding the profile of visitors and community 

residents involved in a public participatory process can be informative in communicating with 

those groups. 

Trips to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

Most all visitors and community residents are repeat visitors to the refuge. This is 

particularly true for consumptive-use visitors. Visitors come to the refuge on an average of once a 

month. Residents come even more often (16 times/year). Because most visitors are local, proximity 

is likely key for the repeated use demonstrated by both groups. They appear to use the refuge 

equally on weekends and weekdays and stay from a quarter of a day (2 hours) to a half day (4 

hours)—a significant amount of time when thinking about opportunities for visitor contacts from 

staff and opportunity to engage in programs onsite. Over half of the community has attended both 

of the special events coordinated with the local community (Waterfowl Festival and Horseshoe 

Crab/Shorebird Festival). This is a premier opportunity for relationship building in a larger context 

and environmental education with a larger proportion of the local community. These events may 

provide future opportunities to engage the public in the CCP planning process in a nonthreatening, 

58 
positive way in the coming year. They may also provide opportunities to expand a mailing list of 

interested individuals, further gauge public sentiment on key issues anecdotally, and gain trust and 

build relationships. 

Visitor and Community Resident Experience at the Refuge 

Wildlife observation is an important priority public use at Prime Hook NWR and one that 

the refuge is known for. It is the primary reason for most visitors’ and community residents’ visits 

to the refuge and is considered very important to their visit by both groups. Being in a natural, 

undeveloped area and experiencing a serene environment are equally important to their refuge 

experience as are the trails that afford this opportunity. These are activities that are important to 

consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors. As such, there are opportunities to engage both 

user groups, who visit the refuge for quite different reasons. 

Regarding quality of services that are offered at the refuge that contribute to their positive 

experience, visitors and community residents say “keep up the good work!” Nearly all services are 

meeting their expectations. The only exception is that both groups would like to see more media 

coverage of the refuge and its events. 

Likely because of all of these attributes, residents and visitors are fairly emotionally 

attached to the refuge as a place. They identify with the refuge for what it symbolizes to them, and 

they agree that it is an important place for family tradition and heritage. Visitors and community 

residents do appear to recognize the importance of the experiences they have at the refuge, and 

those experiences bring them back time and again. They do not appear solely dependent upon the 

refuge for the activities in which they participate, although, consumptive-use visitors are more 

dependent upon Prime Hook NWR as a place to hunt and fish. Several comments were made 

regarding the unique waterfowl hunting experience provided at the refuge that is not available in 

many other places in the State. It is important to understand why people are attached to places such 

as this refuge as these meanings are related to attitudes and preferences regarding its management. 

Hunting and Angling Experience at the Refuge

Most visitors who engage in hunting and angling activities feel a quality experience is being 

provided by the refuge. Hunters and anglers have a long history at Prime Hook NWR, engaging in 

those activities on average for the past 11 years, with some doing so since before the refuge was 

established. This group of users is unique—nearly all aspects of visitor experience were different 

between consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors. They also differ demographically. It is 

important to understand those differences and to recognize the opinions of these interest groups (as 

well as others) as planning and potential changes to management are discussed. 

Visitor Trip Spending 

Spending associated with refuge recreational activities such as wildlife viewing and hunting 

can generate considerable tourism activity in the local Sussex County economy. On average, 

nonconsumptive visitors spent 2–3 days in the local area with approximately three people in their 

group sharing expenses. Most of the nonlocal deer hunters were from other counties in Delaware; 

about half spent the night locally, and the other half drove home after hunting. The current level of 

nonconsumptive-use and big game hunting nonlocal visitor days accounts for over $983,500 of 

spending annually in the local communities near Prime Hook NWR. Direct and secondary effects 

generate over $1.21 million in local output, $447,700 in personal income, and 19.4 jobs annually in 

Sussex County. 

59 
Preferences for Refuge Management 

Understanding public attitudes and preferences for potential changes to management can 

allow more effective communication about those changes during development and implementation. 

Visitor Services and Features 

As mentioned previously, visitors and community residents appear pleased with current 

management of services. While satisfied, however, there are some services a considerable 

contingent (≥ 30 percent) would like to see increased or improved. These include wildlife viewing 

opportunities such as blinds and walkways, environmental education, interpretive exhibits, and 

hiking/nature trails. This is especially true of nonconsumptive-use visitors and community 

residents. In addition to these improvements, consumptive-use visitors would also like to see 

increases in hunting and fishing areas and access. 

Desire for more wildlife viewing opportunities is further evidenced by the support for an 

observation tower overlooking the marsh, additional walking trails around headquarters, and 

roadside pulloffs. Though likely for different reasons, these improvements were supported by both 

consumptive- and nonconsumptive-use visitors. Many of these features were either being proposed 

or being built at the time of the survey. Since then, all features have been completed or are in the 

process of being implemented. There may be an opportunity to showcase these improvements and 

their ability to meet the needs of many different visitors. 

Visitors and community residents do not feel strongly that they should have to, or would be 

willing to pay for these services. Responses were divided among agreement, disagreement, and 

uncertainty regarding this issue. Interestingly, Vaske, Donnelly, and Taylor (1999) found that for 

eight refuges where fees were being charged, about 88 percent of visitors felt that the price was 

about right. While opinions regarding fees sometimes change once implemented, more study would 

be needed if implementation of fees were to be considered at Prime Hook NWR in the future. 

Land-Management Tradeoffs 

We measured respondents’ agreement with specific management options related to three 

issues identified by the refuge as important in the CCP planning: general habitat management, land 

acquisition, and mosquito control. There appears to be high agreement and low potential for 

conflict with possible management options related to habitat management, with one exception. The 

idea of ceasing farming to restore drained or degraded areas to natural habitat did not receive high 

support overall and has a high potential for conflict. Visitors were especially polarized on this 

issue, with nonconsumptive-use visitors much more supportive than consumptive-use visitors. 

Regarding land acquisition, there appears to be high support and little potential for conflict 

over the refuge acquiring lands, either through conservation easements or purchasing from willing 

sellers. Similarly, there is little disagreement over the preservation of refuge shoreline for 

horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds, which has acquisition implications. 

Options for mosquito control and management received the least agreement and have most 

potential for conflict. These options also had the most visitor and community resident respondents 

who simply were unsure of their opinions regarding mosquito management. It appears that 

controlling mosquitoes only during a declared public health emergency is highly polarized. The 

polarization for visitors appears linked to differences in opinion between consumptive- and 

nonconsumptive-use visitors, with nonconsumptive-use visitors more likely to recognize 

mosquitoes as a natural part of a healthy wetland ecosystem and in favor of control only when 

numbers are excessively high or when a public health emergency has been declared. It is not clear 

60 
what is driving the polarization within community residents regarding mosquito control. There 

were no meaningful differences among community groups, so it is not related to where people live 

in relation to the refuge. 

As options are developed for the CCP, understanding the acceptability of different scenarios 

can be helpful in developing ecologically sound management options that are sociopolitically 

balanced, when possible. It will also be helpful to know where opposition may occur as the public 

participation process continues. Likewise, as alternatives are implemented, it will be important to 

recognize potential resistance; even though the development of a CCP is a public process, it is 

unlikely that all stakeholders will be in agreement with all management actions. 

Communication, Civic Engagement, and Trust 

In communicating with the public, it is important to understand how individuals participate 

in natural resource decisionmaking (civic engagement) and ways in which they commonly obtain 

information on these topics. It is also important to understand their trust in the managing 

organization. 

Visitors to Prime Hook NWR rely heavily on friends and neighbors for news and 

information about the refuge. Even though most visitors are local, they do not rely heavily on 

newspapers. This is contrary to local residents, who rely mostly on newspapers, followed by friends 

and neighbors, for news and information about the refuge. There appears to be some emerging use 

of the Internet for refuge information by both visitors and community residents. These results 

support the importance of targeting communication strategies and outlets to different user groups of 

the refuge to convey important messages. 

Community residents and visitors to the refuge have been quite engaged in natural resource 

decisionmaking in the past 5 years, engaging in both passive activities, such as signing a petition, 

and active activities, such as joining a special interest group. On average, visitors and community 

residents have engaged in half of the activities listed in the survey. Interestingly, while community 

residents rely heavily on newspapers to receive refuge information, they do not use this outlet much 

to engage in civic dialogue about natural resource issues—only a very small portion of residents 

have ever written a letter to the editor of a newspaper. 

Results show that visitors to Prime Hook NWR and local community residents are well 

educated and are relatively highly involved in natural resource decisionmaking. Many studies have 

shown that the more education people have, the more likely they are to engage in civic 

decisionmaking activities (see Verba, Lehman Schlozman, and Brady, 1995). When asked, around 

70 percent of residents and visitors indicated they would like more information about future refuge 

planning activities, and nearly as many requested results from this study. To that end, it is likely 

that local visitors and residents will continue their involvement and will desire to be actively 

involved in the CCP planning process for Prime Hook NWR. 

Another factor important in public involvement in decisionmaking is trust in the managing 

agency. Visitors and community residents appear to have moderate trust in Prime Hook NWR staff 

and the FWS. There is nearly a 25-percent contingent, however, that is unsure about their level of 

trust in the agency and the refuge. A planning process such as development of the CCP is an 

opportunity to build relationships and improve trust not only with visitors and community residents 

with whom the refuge has established relationships, but also with those who are less familiar with 

the refuge or have not engaged in the process due to lack of trust in the agency or uncertainty of 

their role in the process. 

61 
Benefits of the Refuge to the Local Community 

Based on qualitative responses, visitors and community residents recognize the value the 

refuge provides to the local community. They feel the refuge is providing an important function in 

protecting and preserving valued natural resources. They also recognize that refuge lands are 

protected from development and value the long-term implications of this protection in regard to 

future growth in the surrounding area and in the State. 

References 

Burby, R.J., 2003, Making plans that matter: Citizen involvement and government action: Journal 

of the American Planning Association, v. 69, no. 1, p. 33–49. 

Carr, D.S., and Halvorsen, K., 2001, An evaluation of three democratic, community-based 

approaches to citizen participation–Surveys, conversations with community groups, and 

community dinners: Society and Natural Resources, v., p. 107–126. 

Dillman, D.A., 2000, Mail and internet surveys–The tailored design method (2d ed.): New York, 

John Wiley and Sons, 464 p. 

Halvorsen, K.E., 2003, Assessing the effects of public participation: Public Administration Review, 

v. 63, no. 5, p. 535–543. 

Jorgensen, B.S., and Stedman, R.C., 2001, Sense of place as an attitude–Lakeshore owners’ 

attitudes toward their properties: Journal of Environmental Psychology, v. 21, p. 233–248. 

Manfredo, M.J., Vaske, J.J., and Teel, T.L., 2003, The potential for conflict index– A graphic 

approach to practical significance of human dimensions research: Human Dimensions of 

Wildlife, v. 8, p. 219–228. 

Martilla, J.A., and James, J.C., 1977, Importance-performance analysis: Journal of Marketing, v. 

41, p. 77–79. 

McCool, S.F., and Guthrie, K., 2001, Mapping the dimensions of successful public participation in 

messy natural resources management situations: Society and Natural Resources, v. 14, p. 309–

323. 

Olson, D. and Lindall, S., 1999, IMPLAN Professional Software, Analysis and Data Guide: 

Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc. 

Poisner, J., 1996, A civic republican perspective on the National Environmental Policy Act’s 

process of citizen participation: Environmental Law, v. 26, p. 53–94. 

Stynes, D., 1998, Guidelines for measuring visitor spending: Ann Arbor, Department of Parks, 

Recreation and Tourism Resources, Michigan State University. 

Tarrant, M.A., and Smith, E.K., 2002, The use of a modified importance-performance framework 

to examine visitor satisfaction with attributes of outdoor recreation settings: Managing Leisure, v. 

7, p. 69–82. 

The citizen's wildlife refuge planning handbook: Charting the future of conservation on the 

National Wildlife Refuge near you. Accessed May 15, 2006 online: 

http://www.defenders.org/pubs/refuge00.html 

U.S. Census Bureau, 2006, 2000 Census of population and housing, Washington, D.C.: U.S. 

Census Bureau. 

Vaske, J. J., Donnelly, M. P., and Taylor, J. G., 1999, The price is “about “ right: National Wildlife 

Refuge visitors’ evaluations of the fee demonstration program: Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 

v. 4, p. 62-72. 

Verba, S., Lehman Schlozman, K., and Brady, H., 1995, Voice and equality– Civic voluntarism in 

American politics: Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 640 p. 

62 
63 

Williams, D.R., Patterson, M.E., Roggenbuck, J.W., and Watson, A.E., 1992, Beyond the 

commodity metaphor–Examining emotional and symbolic attachment to place: Leisure Science, 

v. 14, p. 29–46. 

Williams, D.R., and Stewart, S.I., 1998, Sense of place–An elusive concept that is finding a home 

in ecosystem management: Journal of Forestry, v. 96, no. 5, p. 18–23. 
Appendix A: Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

Visitor Survey 

A-1
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

Visitor Survey
SECTION 1 – Please tell us about your visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

1. How many times have you visited Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in the last 12 months?

 This is my first visit to the Refuge _______ # trips 

2. Of your trips to the Refuge, how many occurred during the week/weekend?

 _______ # trips during weekdays _______ # trips during weekends

3. Please check the activities you have participated in during the last 12 months at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. Please check all that apply.

 Bird watching  Nature/Wildlife viewing  Driving for pleasure

 Environmental education  Bicycling  Volunteering

 Fishing  Crabbing  Guided interpretive tours

 Picnicking  Photography  Special events

 Hiking/Nature trails  Canoeing/Kayaking  Other (please specify) 

 Hunting  Cross country skiing __________________________

4. Which of the activities that you checked above was the most important reason for your most recent visit? 

 Most Important Activity_____________________________

5. For your most recent visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, was it (please check only one):

 the primary purpose or sole destination of your trip?

 one of many equally important reasons or destinations for your trip? 

 just an incidental or spur of the moment stop on a trip taken for other purposes or to other destinations?

6. What was your one-way travel time and travel distance from home to Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge on this most recent trip? 

Travel time: ______ # hours ______ # minutes Distance: ____ # one-way miles

7. What was the amount of time you spent at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on this most recent trip?

 _____ # hours 

8. If you were part of a group on your most recent visit to the Refuge, which of the following best describes 

that group? Please check only one.

 Family  Commercial tour group  Other (please specify)___________

 Friends  Organized club or group _____________________________

 Friends and family  School group

9. Did you or do you plan to stay overnight within 25 miles of the Refuge as part of this most recent trip to the 

Refuge?

  No  If No, please skip to Section 2 on the next page. 

 Yes
10. What type of overnight accommodations did you use or do you plan to use? Please check all that apply.

  Hotel/motel  Private home

  Public campground  Other (please specify)_____________________

  Bed & Breakfast

11. How many nights did you or will you be staying overnight? ______ # nights

SECTION 2 - If you hunt or fish on the Refuge, please tell us about those experiences 

below. If you do not hunt or fish on the Refuge, please skip to Section 3.

1. How many years have you been hunting or fishing at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?

 _______ # years hunting _______ # years fishing

2. Please tell us how important the following hunting/fishing activities are in terms of your decision to take 

hunting/fishing trips to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Please circle one number for each item.

Activity Importance for your recreation at Prime Hook NWR

Not at all 

Important

Somewhat 

Important

Moderately 

Important

Very 

Important

No 

Opinion

Hunting deer using archery 1 2 3 4 

Hunting deer using muzzle loader 1 2 3 4 

Hunting deer using shotgun 1 2 3 4 

Hunting dove 1 2 3 4 

Hunting rabbit 1 2 3 4 

Hunting squirrel 1 2 3 4 

Hunting other upland and small game (e.g., quail) 1 2 3 4 

Hunting snow geese 1 2 3 4 

Hunting resident Canada geese 1 2 3 4 

Hunting ducks 1 2 3 4 

Trapping 1 2 3 4 

Fishing in Prime Hook Creek 1 2 3 4 

Fishing in Fleetwood/Turkle Ponds 1 2 3 4 

Fishing at the water control structures on the Refuge 1 2 3 4 

3. Do you think the Refuge provides a quality hunting experience?

  No  Yes  Please comment on your answer below. ____________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you think the Refuge provides a quality fishing experience?

 No  Yes  Please comment on your answer below. ____________________________________

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. How desirable are the following hypothetical options related to hunting on the Refuge? Please circle the 

number that best represents your opinion.

Options

Not at allDesirableSomewhat DesirableModerately DesirableVeryDesirableNo Opinion

Provide more deer hunting areas where portable stands could be used and less 

areas with permanent fixed stands. 1 2 3 4 

Provide designated ponds where waterfowl hunters could set up individual blinds 

(in boat or on edge of pond). It would be the hunter’s responsibility to choose 

their hunting location and set up and remove a blind within the designated pond.

1 2 3 4 

Conduct a drawing to issue permits for waterfowl and deer hunting 11⁄2 hours 

before shooting time as opposed to the current 2 hours before shooting time. 1 2 3 4 

Issue waterfowl hunting permits for blinds using a pre-season drawing in addition 

to a daily standby drawing. 1 2 3 4 

Issue deer hunting permits for stands only through a daily standby drawing 

without conducting a pre-season drawing. 1 2 3 4 

SECTION 3 – Please tell us about your trip expenditures.

1. Please indicate the amount you and members of your group with whom you shared expenses (e.g., other 

family members, traveling companions) spent on your most recent visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. Please enter the amount for each category.

Category

Amount Spent Locally in Sussex 

County (within 25 miles of the 

Refuge)

Amount Spent Elsewhere in Delaware 

En Route to Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge

Gasoline/Related automobile costs $ _________ $ _________

Hotels/Motels/Bed and Breakfast $ _________ $ _________

Campground/RV park fees $ _________ $ _________

Food/drink: restaurants $ _________ $ _________

Food/drink: groceries $ _________ $ _________

Taxidermy $ _________ $ _________

Game processing $ _________ $ _________

Supplies/Souvenirs/Other retail $ _________ $ _________

Car rental $ _________ $ _________

Equipment rental (for example, canoe/

kayak)

$ _________ $ _________

Hunting/Fishing license $ _________ $ _________

Hunting/Fishing supplies $ _________ $ _________

2. Including yourself, how many people in your group shared these expenses on this most recent trip? 

 ________# of persons in your group sharing expenses
SECTION 4 – Please tell us about your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

1. For each activity listed in the middle column, please tell us how important that activity is to you when 

visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (numbers on left). Then, tell us the general location where 

you usually participate in each activity (numbers on right). 

Importance 

(Please circle only one.)

Location (See map 

insert; please circle all 

that apply.)

Not at all ImportantSomewhat ImportantModerately ImportantVery ImportantNo Opinion

Activity

Slaughter Beach RoadBroadkill Beach RoadPrime Hook Beach RoadFowler Beach Road

1 2 3 4 5 Viewing ducks, geese, eagles, osprey,

shorebirds, and other birds on or near the water 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Viewing forest birds (songbirds) 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Experiencing a serene environment 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Being in natural, undeveloped lands 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Fishing 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Biking/Mountain biking 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Wildlife photography opportunities 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Crabbing 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Environmental education programs Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Paddling (canoeing or kayaking) Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hiking/Nature trails Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hunting waterfowl Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hunting upland game Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hunting deer Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Learning about the site from a staff person Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Other activities (Please list)____________

__________________________________ 1 2 3 4

2. Are there activities or services that you think should be allowed at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

that currently are not allowed? 

 No  Yes  If yes, please list these activities below.

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

3. Are there activities or services that you think should not be allowed at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge that are currently allowed? 

  No  Yes  If yes, please list these activities below.

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 4. This question has two parts. First rate how important the item is to your satisfaction during your last 

visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Then rate how satisfied you are with the way the Refuge is 

managing for each item.

Importance Satisfaction

Not at all ImportantSomewhat ImportantModerately Important Very Important

Does Not ApplyPoorAdequateAverageGoodOutstandingDoes Not Apply

1 2 3 4 DA Parking facilities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Visitor contact station 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Refuge grounds maintained (such as litter pick-up) 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Restrooms/Comfort stations 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Wildlife viewing opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Condition of the natural environment 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Availability of Refuge staff 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Environmental education programs 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Gift shop or bookstore items 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Availability of information on hiking, bird watching, or 

 wildlife photography 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Refuge special events 1 2 3 4 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Boat ramps 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Hiking trails 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Kiosks or signs with information about the Refuge and its 

 wildlife 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA User fees to support services provided 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Volunteer opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Media coverage of Refuge 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Access for people with disabilities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Availability of information on the history of the site 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Waterfowl hunting program 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Deer hunting program 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Upland game hunting program 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Fishing opportunities (e.g., piers, parking areas) 1 2 3 4 5 DA
5. Please indicate how you feel the features listed below should be managed to maximize your experience at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Please check one answer for each feature. 

Naturalness  restore more natural conditions  leave as is  allow more landscape alterations

Information services  Refuge staff less visible and 

available

 leave as is  Refuge staff more visible and 

available

Hiking trails  provide fewer trails  leave as is  provide more trails

Information signs  limit the number of signs  leave as is  provide more signs

Environmental 

education opportunities  reduce programs and activities  leave as is  provide more programs and 

activities

Brochures/Publications  provide fewer brochures/ 

publications about Refuge 

resources, activities, and 

regulations

 leave as is  provide more brochures/ 

publications about Refuge 

resources, activities, and 

regulations

Interpretive exhibits  provide fewer interpretive 

exhibits

 leave as is  provide more interpretive 

exhibits

Hunting  provide fewer hunting areas  leave as is  provide more hunting areas

Fishing  restrict access to ponds, creeks, 

and shorelines

 leave as is  provide more access to ponds, 

creeks, and shorelines

Boat ramps  provide fewer boat ramps  leave as is  provide more boat ramps

Wildlife observation/

photography 

opportunities

 provide fewer facilities (such as 

viewing blinds and walkways)  leave as is  provide more facilities (such as 

viewing blinds and walkways)

Access to Refuge  provide fewer parking areas and 

access points  leave as is  provide more parking areas and 

access points

Restrooms/Comfort 

stations  provide fewer facilities along 

rivers and parking areas  leave as is  provide more facilities along 

rivers and parking areas

Visitor numbers  restrict visitation to Refuge  leave as is  encourage more visitation to 

Refuge 

Visitor impacts on 

wildlife  restrict any visitor behavior that 

may negatively impact wildlife  leave as is  restrict only visitor behavior that 

is known to have negative 

impacts to wildlife

6. What would enhance your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? ______________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________________

7. What experience have you had at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that would bring you back? 

______________________________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________________
8. Please indicate the extent to which each statement below describes your general feelings about Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. Please circle the number that best describes how you feel about each statement.

Statements

Strongly DisagreeMildly Disagree

UnsureMildly

AgreeStrongly Agree

It is important to me that my children and my children’s children will be able to 

visit the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I am very attached to the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

Coming to places like this Refuge is an important part of my family tradition. 1 2 3 4 5

This area is the best place for what I like to do. 1 2 3 4 5

Because of my experiences at this Refuge I will definitely come back. 1 2 3 4 5

I feel this Refuge is a part of me. 1 2 3 4 5

This place is special because it is where my family and I spend time. 1 2 3 4 5

Everything considered, I trust the Refuge staff will do what is right for the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I get more satisfaction out of visiting this place than visiting any other. 1 2 3 4 5

This Refuge means a lot to me. 1 2 3 4 5

Doing what I do at this Refuge is more important to me than doing it in any other 

place. 1 2 3 4 5

I have confidence in decisions made by the local staff at the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

The Refuge provides me with a sense of connection to past and future generations. 1 2 3 4 5

No other place can compare to this area. 1 2 3 4 5

I identify strongly with the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

Coming to places like this Refuge was an important part of my childhood. 1 2 3 4 5

I wouldn’t substitute any other place for doing what I do here. 1 2 3 4 5

This place is special because it is where my friends and I spend time. 1 2 3 4 5

In general, I have confidence in the decisions that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service makes about managing this Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I would consider paying a fee to visit this Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I should not have to pay a fee to visit this or any wildlife Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

If I could, I would volunteer my services to the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I would consider participating in a Refuge Friends group. 1 2 3 4 5
SECTION 5 – Please tell us your opinion about different management issues on Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

1. The Refuge manages a unique mosaic of wetland habitat types that fulfills its primary purpose of providing 

food and cover resources for migratory birds. Historically, marsh and upland ecosystems were exposed to 

dynamic processes such as fire, flood, drought and grazing. In the past, Refuge managers used burning, 

mowing, water level management, farming and salt marsh ditching (open marsh and water management) 

activities to manage its wildlife habitats. In the future, greater efforts may be employed to restore and 

maintain important habitat for endangered and protected species. Please read each statement below and 

circle the number that best represents your level of agreement. 

Management Issues

StronglyDisagreeMildlyDisagreeUnsureMildlyAgreeStronglyAgree

It is important to restore and manage refuge habitats for rare and endangered species on 

the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

Mosquitoes are a natural component of healthy and functional wetland ecosystems. 1 2 3 4 5

Mosquito control activities on the Refuge should only occur during a declared public 

health emergency. 1 2 3 4 5

The use of chemicals to control mosquitoes on Refuge lands should only occur when 

field data show high numbers of breeding mosquitoes. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to use fire as a management tool to reduce buildup of vegetation that 

could fuel fires.

1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to use fire as a tool to maintain high productivity of Refuge wetland, 

forested, and grassland habitats for the benefit of wildlife. 1 2 3 4 5

It is important to eliminate non-native/invasive plant communities on the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

It is important to cease farming and strive to restore drained and/or degraded areas to 

natural habitats. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to purchase land within the Refuge boundary from willing sellers at 

market value for the benefit of wildlife. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable for the Refuge to purchase conservation easements on land outside the 

current boundary to manage the area’s wildlife resources. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to maintain and preserve Refuge shoreline as habitat for spawning 

horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds. 1 2 3 4 5
2. As a visitor to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, how desirable are the following hypothetical options 

related to visitation to the Refuge? Please circle the number that best represents your opinion.

Options Not 

Desirable

Somewhat 

Desirable

Generally 

Desirable

Very 

Desirable

No 

Opinion

Additional walking trails around the Refuge 

Headquarters area 1 2 3 4 

Observation tower overlooking marsh for viewing 

waterfowl and other wildlife 1 2 3 4 

Regularly scheduled interpretive walks by a guide 1 2 3 4 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife observation or 

photography along Fowler Beach Road 1 2 3 4 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife observation or 

photography along Slaughter Beach Road 1 2 3 4 

SECTION 6 – Please tell us something about yourself. 

These last few questions will help us in evaluating how well our sample represents visitors to the area. 

Your answers will be kept strictly confidential. You will not be identified in any way.

1. How did you learn about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? Please check all that apply. 

 Radio  Delaware State Parks

 Newspaper (please specify which you read most)

____________________________________  Television

 Family  Magazine articles

 Friends/Neighbors/Work colleagues  Internet/websites/email

 Refuge staff  Local town officials

 Recreation/Environmental group  Community groups

 Neighborhood association  Local newsletter

 Local business people  Government brochures/printed materials

 Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife  Other (please specify)______________________

2. From the list of information sources in Question 1 (above), please state which single source you rely on 

most. Please write the one source from above in the blank provided. _______________________________

3. We would like to understand how Refuge visitors participate in local or regional natural resource or 

environmental issues. Please indicate which of the activities you have participated in within the last 5 years 

related to environmental or natural resource issues. Please check all that apply. 

 Attended a public hearing or meeting

 Contacted or wrote a state/federal agency

 Contacted or wrote a U.S. Senator, member of Congress, or State Legislator 

 Wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper

 Signed a petition

 Joined a special interest group (such as an environmental, sportsman’s, animal rights, agriculture, or 

 resource use organization)
4. Are you?  Male  Female

5. In what year were you born? ________ (yyyy)

6. Are you employed?  Yes  (Please check one)  Full time  Part time 

  No  Are you retired?  Yes  No

7. If you are employed, do you take time off from work to participate in outdoor recreation? 

 Yes  No 

8. What is your highest year of formal schooling? Please circle one.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

(elementary) (jr. high or 

middle)

(high school) (college or

technical school)

(graduate or

 professional school)

9. What ethnicity do you consider yourself? Please select one.

 Hispanic or Latino  Not Hispanic or Latino

10. What racial origin do you consider yourself? Please select all that apply.

 American Indian or Alaska Native  Asian 

 White  Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

  Black or African American

11. How many members are in your household? _____ persons

12. Including these people, what was your approximate household income from all sources (before taxes) 

last year? 

 less than $10,000  $10,000-$14,999  $15,000-$24,999

 $25,000-$34,999  $35,000-$49,999  $50,000-$74,999

 $75,000-$99,999  $100,000-$149,999  over $150,000

13. Would you like more information on any of the following?

 Refuge Friends Group  Results from this study

  Refuge Volunteer opportunities  Information about future Refuge planning activities

Thank you for completing the survey. There is space for any 

additional comments you may have on the next page. 
Comments?

Please write any additional comments about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge below.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information 

unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Public burden for the collection of this information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response. 

Comments regarding this collection of information should be directed to: Desk Officer for the Interior Department, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office 

of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503; and the Bureau Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 208 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192.

Control Number: 1040-0001, January 31, 2005.
Appendix B: Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

Community Resident Survey 

B-1
Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

Community Survey
SECTION 1 – Please tell us about your visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

1.	 Have you visited Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in the past 5 years? Please check one.

 No  If no, what would encourage you to visit? __________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

	 	 IF NO, PLEASE SKIP NOW TO QUESTION 8 ON THE NEXT PAGE.

 Yes

2.	 About how many years have you been visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?

I have been visiting the Refuge for ________ years.

3.	 On average, how many times per year do you visit Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?

I visit the Refuge _______ times per year.

4.	 Of your trips to the Refuge, how many occurred during the week/weekend?

	 _______ # trips during weekdays		 _______ # trips during weekends

5.	 When you visit the Refuge, what is the average length of your stay?

	 ________ # of hours

6.	 Please check the activities you have participated in during the last 12 months at Prime Hook National

Wildlife Refuge. Please check all that apply.

 Bird watching		 	  Nature/Wildlife viewing	 	  Driving for pleasure

 Environmental education	  Bicycling	 	 	 	  Volunteering

 Fishing	 	 	  Crabbing	 	 	 	  Guided interpretive tours

 Picnicking	 	 	  Photography	 	 	  Special events

 Hiking/Nature trails	 	  Canoeing/Kayaking	 	  Other (please specify) 

 Hunting	 	 	  Cross country skiing	 	 __________________________

7.	 Did you attend any of the following special events at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? Please check 

all that apply for the past year.

 Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird Festival (May)	 	  National Fishing Day (June)

 Waterfowl Festival (October)		 	 	  Monthly Lecture Series

	 Birding Field Trips	 	 	 	 	 Annual Vandegrift Memorial Lecture Series	
8.	 For each activity listed in the middle column, please tell us how important that activity is to you when 	 	

	 visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (numbers on left). Then, tell us the general location 	 	

	 where you usually participate in each activity (numbers on right).

Importance

(Please circle only one.)

Location (See map 

insert; please circle all 

that apply.)

Not at all ImportantSomewhat ImportantModerately ImportantVery ImportantNo Opinion

Activity

Slaughter Beach RoadBroadkill Beach RoadPrime Hook Beach RoadFowler Beach Road

1 2 3 4 5 Viewing ducks, geese, eagles, osprey,

shorebirds, and other birds on or near the water

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Viewing forest birds (songbirds) 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Experiencing a serene environment 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Being in natural, undeveloped lands 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Fishing 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Biking 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Wildlife photography opportunities 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Crabbing 1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4 5 Environmental education programs Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Paddling (canoeing or kayaking) Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hiking/Nature trails Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hunting waterfowl Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hunting upland game Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Hunting deer Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Learning about the site from a staff person Not applicable

1 2 3 4 5 Other activities (Please list)____________

__________________________________ 1 2 3 4

9. From the list of activities in Question 8 (above), what is your primary reason for visiting Prime Hook

National Wildlife Refuge? Please write the one activity from above in the blank provided.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
10.	Are there activities or services that you think should be allowed at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

that currently are not allowed?

 No	 	  Yes  If yes, please list these activities below.

	 _______________________________________________________________________________________

	 _______________________________________________________________________________________

11.	Are there activities or services that you think should not be allowed at Prime Hook National Wildlife

Refuge that are currently allowed?

	 No	 	  Yes  If yes, please list these activities below.

	 _______________________________________________________________________________________

	 _______________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 2 - Please tell us about the importance of the Refuge to you and the local 

community.

1.	 Please tell us what you see as the biggest benefit to the local community from Prime Hook National Wildlife

Refuge. Please write your response below.

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

2.	 Do you see any negative impacts to the local community from Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge?

 No  Yes  If yes, please write your response below.

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________
3.	 Please indicate the extent to which each statement below describes your general feelings about Prime Hook

National Wildlife Refuge. Please circle the number that best describes how you feel about each statement.

Statements

StronglyDisagreeMildlyDisagreeUnsureMildlyAgreeStronglyAgree

It is important to me that my children and my children’s children will be able to

visit the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I am very attached to the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

Coming to places like this Refuge is an important part of my family tradition. 1 2 3 4 5

This area is the best place for what I like to do. 1 2 3 4 5

Because of my experiences at this Refuge I will definitely come back. 1 2 3 4 5

I feel this Refuge is a part of me. 1 2 3 4 5

This place is special because it is where my family and I spend time. 1 2 3 4 5

Everything considered, I trust the Refuge staff will do what is right for the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I get more satisfaction out of visiting this place than visiting any other. 1 2 3 4 5

This Refuge means a lot to me. 1 2 3 4 5

Doing what I do at this Refuge is more important to me than doing it in any other place. 1 2 3 4 5

I have confidence in decisions made by the local staff at the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

The Refuge provides me a sense of connection to past and future generations. 1 2 3 4 5

No other place can compare to this area. 1 2 3 4 5

I identify strongly with the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

Coming to places like this Refuge was an important part of my childhood. 1 2 3 4 5

I wouldn’t substitute any other place for doing what I do here. 1 2 3 4 5

This place is special because it is where my friends and I spend time. 1 2 3 4 5

In general, I have confidence in the decisions that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service makes about managing this Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I would consider paying a fee to visit this Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

I should not have to pay a fee to visit this or any wildlife Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5
SECTION 3 – Please tell us your opinions about the Refuge and its management.

1.	 This question has two parts. First rate how important the item was to your satisfaction during your last

visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Then rate how satisfied you are with the way the Refuge is

managing for each item.

Importance Satisfaction

Not at All ImportantSomewhat ImportantModerately Important Very ImportantDoes Not ApplyPoorAdequateAverageGoodOutstandingDoes Not Apply 

1 2 3 4 DA Parking facilities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Visitor contact station 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Refuge grounds maintained (such as litter pick-up) 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Restrooms/Comfort stations 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Wildlife viewing opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Condition of the natural environment 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Availability of Refuge staff 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Environmental education programs 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Gift shop or bookstore items 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Availability of information on hiking, bird watching,

or wildlife photography 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Refuge special events 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Boat ramps 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Hiking trails 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Kiosks or signs with information about the Refuge

and its wildlife 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA User fees to support services provided 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Volunteer opportunities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Media coverage of the Refuge 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Access for people with disabilities 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Availability of information on the history of the site 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Waterfowl hunting program 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Deer hunting program 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Upland game hunting program 1 2 3 4 5 DA

1 2 3 4 DA Fishing opportunities (e.g., piers, parking areas) 1 2 3 4 5 DA
2.	 Please indicate how you feel the features listed below should be managed to maximize your experience at

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Please check one answer for each feature. 

Naturalness  restore more natural conditions  leave as is  allow more landscape alterations

Information services  Refuge staff less visible and 

available

 leave as is  Refuge staff more visible and 

available

Hiking trails  provide fewer trails  leave as is  provide more trails

Information signs  limit the number of signs  leave as is  provide more signs

Environmental

education opportunities

 reduce programs and activities  leave as is  provide more programs and

activities

Brochures/Publications

 provide fewer brochures/

publications about Refuge

resources, activities, and

regulations

leave as is provide more brochures/

publications about Refuge

resources, activities, and

regulations

Interpretive exhibits  provide fewer interpretive

exhibits

 leave as is  provide more interpretive

exhibits

Hunting  provide fewer hunting areas  leave as is  provide more hunting areas

Fishing  restrict access to ponds, creeks,

and shorelines

 leave as is  provide more access to ponds,

creeks, and shorelines

Boat ramps  provide fewer boat ramps  leave as is  provide more boat ramps

Wildlife observation/

photography

opportunities

 provide fewer facilities (such as

viewing blinds and walkways)  leave as is  provide more facilities (such as

viewing blinds and walkways)

Access to Refuge  provide fewer parking areas and

access points  leave as is  provide more parking areas and

access points

Restrooms/Comfort

stations

 provide fewer facilities  leave as is  provide more facilities

Visitor numbers  restrict visitation to Refuge  leave as is  encourage more visitation to

Refuge

Visitor impacts on 

wildlife

 restrict any visitor behavior that

may negatively impact wildlife  leave as is  restrict only visitor behavior that

is known to have negative 

impacts to wildlife

3.	 What would enhance your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? ______________________

	 ______________________________________________________________________________________

	 ______________________________________________________________________________________

4.	 What experience have you had at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that would bring you back?

	 ______________________________________________________________________________________

	 ______________________________________________________________________________________
5.	 The Refuge manages a unique mosaic of wetland habitat types that fulfills its primary purpose of providing

food and cover resources for migratory birds. Historically, marsh and upland ecosystems were exposed to

dynamic processes such as fire, flood, drought and grazing. In the past, Refuge managers used burning,

mowing, water level management, farming and salt marsh ditching (open marsh and water management)

activities to manage its wildlife habitats. In the future, greater efforts may be employed to restore and

maintain important habitat for endangered and protected species. Please read each statement below and 

circle the number that best represents your level of agreement. 

Management Issues

StronglyDisagreeMildly DisagreeUnsureMildly AgreeStronglyAgree

It is important to restore and manage Refuge habitats for rare and endangered species on

the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

Mosquitoes are a natural component of healthy and functional wetland ecosystems. 1 2 3 4 5

Mosquito control activities on the Refuge should only occur during a declared public

health emergency.

1 2 3 4 5

The use of chemicals to control mosquitoes on Refuge lands should only occur when

field data show high numbers of breeding mosquitoes. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to use fire as a management tool to reduce buildup of vegetation that

could fuel fires. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to use fire as a tool to maintain high productivity of Refuge wetland,

forested, and grassland habitats for the benefit of wildlife. 1 2 3 4 5

It is important to eliminate non-native/invasive plant communities on the Refuge. 1 2 3 4 5

It is important to cease farming and strive to restore drained and/or degraded areas to

natural habitats. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to purchase land within the Refuge boundary from willing sellers at

market value for the benefit of wildlife. 1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable for the Refuge to purchase conservation easements on land outside the

current boundary to manage the area’s wildlife resources.

1 2 3 4 5

It is acceptable to maintain and preserve Refuge shoreline as habitat for spawning

horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds. 1 2 3 4 5
6.	 As a resident of the local community, how desirable are the following hypothetical options related to

visitation to the Refuge? Please circle the number that best represents your opinion.

Options Not 

Desirable

Somewhat 

Desirable

Generally 

Desirable

Very 

Desirable

No 

Opinion

Additional walking trails around the Refuge

Headquarters area

1 2 3 4 

Observation tower overlooking marsh for viewing

waterfowl and other wildlife 1 2 3 4 

Regularly scheduled interpretive walks by a guide 1 2 3 4 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife observation or

photography along Fowler Beach Road 1 2 3 4 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife observation or

photography along Slaughter Beach Road	 1 2 3 4 

SECTION 4 – Please tell us something about yourself. 

1.	 Where do you get most of your news and information about Prime Hook National Refuge? Please check all 

that apply. 

 Radio	  Television

 Newspaper (please specify which you read most)

____________________________________  Internet/Websites/Email

 Family  Local town officials

 Friends/Neighbors/Work colleagues  Local newsletter

 Neighborhood association  Government brochures or other printed materials

 Recreation/Environmental group  Civic group or organization

 Prime Hook Refuge staff  Local business people

 Bombay Hook Refuge Staff  Community groups

 Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife  Other (please specify)______________________

 Delaware State Parks

2.	 From the list of information sources in Question 1 (above), please state which single source you rely on

most. Please write the one source from above in the blank provided. _______________________________

3.	 We would like to understand how Refuge visitors participate in local or regional natural resource or

environmental issues. Please indicate which of the activities you have participated in within the last 5 years

related to environmental or natural resource issues. Please check all that apply. 

 Attended a public hearing or meeting

 Contacted or wrote a state/federal agency

 Contacted or wrote a U.S. Senator, member of Congress, or State Legislator

 Wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper

 Signed a petition

 Joined a special interest group (such as an environmental, sportsman’s, animal rights, agriculture, or 	 	

resource use organization)
These last few questions will help us in evaluating how well our sample represents local community 

members. These questions are necessary to ensure the results are statistically valid. Know that your 

answers will not be associated with you individually in any way.

4. How would you describe your residency at the address you were contacted?

Year-round resident	

 Part-time resident  If part-time resident, what time of year do you live there?

	 	  Spring	 	  Summer	 	  Fall	 	  Winter

5.	 How long have you lived in the Milton, Lewes, Milford area?	 ________ years

6.	 How many generations has your family lived in the Milton, Lewes, Milford area? ________ generations

7.	 Are you?  Male	  Female

8.	 In what year were you born? __________ (YYYY)

9.	 Are you employed?	 Yes  (Please check one)  Full-time	  Part-time

	 	 	 	 	  No  Are you retired?	 Yes	  No

10.	If you are employed, do you take time off from work to participate in outdoor recreation?

	Yes

 No

11.	What ethnicity do you consider yourself? Please select one.

 Hispanic or Latino	  Not Hispanic or Latino

12.	What racial origin do you consider yourself? Please select all that apply.

American Indian or Alaska Native Asian

 White	 	 	 	 	  Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

 Black or African American

13.	What is your highest year of formal schooling? Please circle one.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

(elementary) (jr. high or

middle)

(high school) (college or

technical school)

(graduate or

professional school)
14	 How many members are in your household? _________ persons

15.	Including these people, what was your approximate household income from all sources (before taxes) last year?

 less than $10,000	 	  $25,000-$34,999	 	  $75,000-$99,999	

 $10,000-$14,999	 	  $35,000-$49,999	 	  $100,000-$149,999

 $15,000-$24,999	 	  $50,000-$74,999	 	  over $150,000

16.	Would you like to receive information on any of the following?

 Refuge Friends Group

 Refuge volunteer opportunities

 Results from this study

 Information about future Refuge planning activities

Thank you for completing the survey. There is space for any 

additional comments you may have on the next page. 

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT: A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information

unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Public burden for the collection of this information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response.

Comments regarding this collection of information should be directed to: Desk Officer for the Interior Department, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office

of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503; and the Bureau Clearance Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, 208 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192.

Control Number: 1040-0001, January 31, 2005.
Comments?

Please write any additional comments about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge below.
Appendix C: Visitor Survey Frequency Results 

This appendix contains the information obtained from frequency counts of the 

raw data from the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge visitor survey. The order of the 

tables follows that of the questions in the survey, section by section. Open-ended 

questions contained in the survey have been categorized based on responses. Verbatim 

responses are provided at the end of the appendix. 

Section 1: In this section we asked the visitor to tell us about their visit to Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Question 1. How many times have you visited Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

in the last 12 months? 

Table 1. Number of trips per year taken to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge by visitors. 

Number of trips per year to Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge a n Percent (%) 

This is my first trip to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 78 23 

1 11 5 

2 30 12 

3 27 11 

4 17 7 

5 17 7 

6–10 57 23 

11–20 53 22 

21–30 18 7 

31–40 6 2 

41–50 5 2 

> 50 5 2 

a

n = 319 

Average number of trips = 12 

C-1
Question 2. Of your trips to the refuge, how many occurred during the 

week/weekend? 

Table 2. Number of trips taken to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge during the 

week/weekend. 

Number of trips taken 

during weekdays a

 Percent (%) Number of trips taken during weekends b Percent (%) 

1 30 1 25 

2 14 2 18 

3 8 3 8 

4 8 4 7 

5 10 5 9 

6–10 15 6–10 19 

11–20 11 11–20 10 

21–30 2 21–30 2 

31–40 1 31–40 1 

> 40 1 > 40 1 

a

n = 259; Mean = 6.08; SD=8.3 b n = 233; Mean = 6.26; SD=8.27

Question 3. Please check the activities you have participated in during the last 12 

months at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 3. Activities participated in during the last 12 months at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Activity Participated (%) 

Nature/wildlife viewing 54 

Birdwatching 50 

Hiking/nature trails 37 

Hunting 36 

Driving for pleasure 29 

Special events 20 

Environmental education 15 

Photography 15 

Fishing 14 

Canoeing/kayaking 8 

Guided interpretive tours 8 

Picnicking 7 

Volunteering 6 

Bicycling 4 

Crabbing 3 

Cross-country skiing 0 

Other 

(responses included: birding/ bird Club, lectures, Red Hat Club, 

Scouting for deer, to relax, walking dog on beach 

swimming/vacationing)

7 

n = 324 

C-2
54%

50%

37% 36%

29%

20%

15% 15% 14%

8% 8% 7% 7% 6%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Nature / wildlife viewing

Bird watching

Hiking/nature trails

Hunting

Driving for pleasure

Special events

Photography

Environmental education

Fishing

Canoeing/kayaking

Guided interpretive tours

Picnicking

Other activity

Volunteering

Crabbing

Figure 1. Activities visitors participated in during last 12 months at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

C-3
Question 4. Which of the activities that you checked above was the most important 

reason for your most recent visit? 

Table 4. Categories of most important activities of visitor respondents. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses n % 

Birdwatching 

(responses included: bird club, birding, birds, and guided bird tour/walks, photography) 77 23.1 

Hunting 

(responses included: hunting waterfowl, deer & duck hunting) 102 30.6 

Environmental education 

(responses included: Environmental education w/birding emphasis, special event lectures, bug facts, 

Thursday evening lectures, learning about horseshoe crabs, guided interpretive tours, seed dispersal 

seminar) 

25 7.5 

Fishing and crabbing 

(responses included: fishing w/dad) 30 9 

Non-motorized Recreation 

(responses included: canoeing, walking, hiking, biking, kayaking) 26 7.8 

Nature and wildlife viewing 

(responses included: just relaxing with pleasant view) 29 8.7 

Miscellaneous 

(responses included: Special events volunteering, relaxing, driving for pleasure, festival, first visit 

to check out the facilities, Chamber of Commerce member) 

27 8.1 

n = 289

Question 5. For your most recent visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, was 

it: 

Table 5. Reason for visiting Prime Hook NWR during the most recent visit. 

Reason for visiting Visitors (%)

Primary purpose or sole destination 75 

One of many equally important destinations 19 

Incidental stop 6 

n = 333

C-4
Question 6. What was your one-way travel time and travel distance from home to 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? 

Table 6. Travel time (in hours) from visitors’ home to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Travel time n Percent (%) 

1 70 55 

2 22 17 

3 16 13 

4 5 4 

5 4 3 

6 2 2 

7 3 2 

8 1 1 

9 1 1 

24 1 1 

38 1 1 

45 1 1 

Average travel time to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge = 47 minutes. 

C-5
Table 7. Distance traveled from home to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Distance in miles n Percent (%) 

2 6 2 

3 5 2 

4 8 3 

5 12 4 

6 7 3 

7 7 3 

8 8 3 

9 1 1 

10 24 9 

11 3 1 

12 11 4 

13 1 < 1 

14 2 1 

15 22 8 

16 1 < 1 

17 3 1 

18 5 1 

20-40 40 15 

42-60 18 7 

62-80 29 11 

82-100 20 6 

106-125 8 4 

130-150 5 3 

160-200 11 4 

215-500 11 4 

1800 1 < 1 

2023 1 < 1 

4000 1 < 1 

n = 275; Mean = 83.5; SD = 294.52

C-6
Question 7. What was the amount of time you spent at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge on this most recent trip?

Table 8. Length of visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Number of hours spent at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge Percent (%) 

.3 .3 

.5 .3 

1 6 

1.5 10 

2 16 

2.5 4 

3 12 

3.5 1 

4 12 

4.5 < 1 

5 8 

5.5 < 1 

6 9 

7 3 

8 7 

10 2 

11 1 

12 2 

13 < 1 

14 2 

15 2 

16 1 

n = 312; Mean = 4.6; SD = 3.5

Question 8. If you were part of a group on your most recent visit to the refuge, 

which of the following best describes that group? 

Table 9. Type of group with which visitors traveled on their most recent trip to Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge.

Description of group % 

Friends 35 

Family 27 

Organized club or group 11 

Friends and family 9 

School group 2 

Commercial tour group 1 

Other 

(responses included: alone, birdwatchers group, Birds & Bill Fintel, DNA, DTCCElderhostel, just a couple, Red Hatters, volunteer groups) 

17 

n = 236

C-7
Questions 9 and 10. Did you or do you plan to stay overnight within 25 miles of the 

refuge as part of this most recent trip to the refuge? What type of overnight 

accommodations did you use or do you plan to use? 

Table 10. Type of overnight accommodation used by visitors to Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refugeb

Overnight accommodation % 

Stayed within 25 miles of the refuge a37 

Hotel/motel 13 

Public campground 2 

Bed & Breakfast 2 

Private home 

(includes 10 responses from other category: I live here, my home, my home residence, home 

(summer), new condo we bought, uncle, we live in Lewis) 

25 

Other 

(responses included: 1955 trailer, beach house, condo, cottages Indian river, rental 

house/condo/cottage)

7 

a

n = 311

b

n = 265

Question 11. How many nights did you or will you be staying overnight? 

Table 11. Number of nights stayed during most recent visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Number of nights Visitors (%) 

1 12 

2 17 

3 19 

4 8 

5 13 

6 7 

7 8 

9 4 

14 2 

60 2 

90 1 

350 1 

365 4 

n = 83; mean = 23.66; SD = 77.52 

C-8
Section 2 – if you hunt or fish on the refuge, please tell us about those 

experiences below. 

*** Note: Responses in this section are only included for those who indicated they 

hunted or fished for any amount of time greater than 0 years. 

Question 1. How many years have you been hunting or fishing at prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge? 

Table 12. Number of years visitors have been hunting or fishing at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Number of years hunting a n % Number of years fishing b n % 

1 12 10 1 9 15 

2 11 11 2 8 13 

3 7 6 3 6 10 

4 6 5 4 9 15 

5 7 6 5 3 5 

6–10 27 23 8 2 3 

11–15 17 15 10 4 7 

16–20 14 12 12–15 5 8 

21–25 8 7 16–20 6 10 

26–35 7 6 25–35 6 10 

45 1 1 40–50 4 7 

a 

n = 117;mean = 11.29; SD = 9.37 

b

n = 62; mean = 10.87; SD = 12.16 

C-9
Question 2. Please tell us how important the following hunting/fishing activities are 

in terms of your decision to take hunting/fishing trips to Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 13. Mean importance of types of hunting or fishing at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Activity mean SD n 

Hunting ducks 3.37 1.43 111 

Hunting deer using muzzle loader 3.26 1.24 109 

Hunting deer using a shotgun 3.13 1.26 109 

Hunting resident Canada geese 2.93 1.27 108 

Hunting snow geese 2.85 1.28 110 

Hunting deer using archery 2.82 1.22 102 

Fishing at Prime Hook Creek 3.27 1.27 107 

Fishing at the water-control structures on the refuge 3.00 1.28 102 

Fishing at Fleetwood/Turkle Ponds 2.98 1.21 106 

Hunting dove 2.10 1.07 99 

Hunting other upland and small game 1.91 1.01 95 

Hunting rabbit 1.87 .97 92 

Hunting squirrel 1.75 .99 91 

Trapping 1.40 .84 78 

C-10
6%

13%

15%

19%

23%

29%

23%

35%

41%

48%

49%

51%

56%

63%

55%

54%

51%

52%

38%

41%

50%

36%

34%

33%

32%

25%

22%

23%

43%

33%

34%

30%

33%

29%

27%

29%

25%

20%

19%

24%

22%

15%

Trapping

Hutnting squirrel

Hunting rabbit

Hunting ulpand and small game

Fishing at water control structures

Fishing in Fleetwood/Turkle Ponds

Hunting dove

Fishing in Prime Hook Creek

Hunting deer using archery

Hunting resident Canada geese

Hunting snow gesse

Hunting deer using shotgun

Hunting deer using muzzleloader

Hunting ducks

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Moderately / Very Important Not at all / Somewhat Important No Opinion

Figure 2. Collapsed levels of importance for types of hunting or fishing at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

C-11
Questions 3 and 4. Do you think the refuge provides a quality hunting experience? 

Fishing experience? 

Table 14. Visitor perceptions of quality hunting or fishing experiences on Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

Quality hunting experience a % Quality fishing experience b % 

No 17 No 11 

Yes 83 Yes 89 

a 

n = 123

b 

n = 84 

Table 15. Categorized responses of visitor opinion of hunting experience. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) Count 

enjoyable experience/praise 23 30 

bring back crops 14 18 

don't know/don't hunt 13 17 

blind maintenance 11 14 

refuge staff/management 11 14 

improved hunting opportunity 10 13 

access 8 10 

water level/ditch management 5 7 

other 5 6 

Table 16. Categorized responses of visitor opinion of fishing experience. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) Count 

don't fish/don’t know 41 32 

quality fishing experience 35 28 

access 13 10 

limited fish 8 6 

water levels 4 3 

C-12
Question 5. How desirable are the following hypothetical options related to hunting 

on the refuge? 

Table 17. Mean desirability of hypothetical hunting options on Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Option mean SD n 

Provide designated ponds where waterfowl hunters could set up individual 

blinds (in boat or edge of pond). It would be the hunter’s responsibility to 

choose their hunting location and set up and remove a blind within the 

designated pond. 

3.00 1.24 127 

Provide more deer hunting areas where portable stands could be used and 

less areas with permanent fixed stands. 2.56 1.28 110 

Issue waterfowl hunting permits for blinds using a preseason drawing in 

addition to a daily stand-by drawing. 2.35 1.30 117 

Conduct a drawing to issue permits for waterfowl and deer hunting 1 1⁄2 

hours before shooting time as opposed to the current 2 hours before 

shooting time. 

2.26 1.36 125 

Issue deer hunting permits for stands only through a daily standby drawing 

without conducting a pre-season drawing. 1.72 1.18 108 

C-13
18%

36%

37%

40%

60%

52%

42%

47%

28%

22%

30%

23%

15%

32%

18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Issue deer hunting

permits for stands only

through daily standby

drawing

Issue waterfowl hunting

permints pre-season

and daily standby

Conduct drawing to

issue hunting permits 1

1/2 hours before

shooting time

Provide more deer

hunting areas for

portable stands

Provide designated

ponds where waterfowl

hunters could set up

individual blinds

Moderately / Very Desirable Not at all / Somewhat Desirable No Opinion

Figure 3. Level of visitor desirability for hypothetical options related to hunting on Prime

Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

C-14
Section 3 – Please tell us about your trip expenditures.

The data in this section requires more in-depth analysis, and will be provided at a later 

date. 

Section 4 – Please tell us about your experience as Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge 

Question 1. For each activity listed...please tell us how important that activity is to 

you when visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. Then, tell us the general 

location where you usually participate in each activity. 

Table 18. Importance of activities to visitors when visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Importance

Activity 

Very 

Important 

(%) 

Moderately 

important (%) 

Somewhat 

important 

(%) 

Not at all 

important 

(%) 

No 

opinion 

(%) 

n 

Being in natural, undeveloped 

lands 

77 8 4 4 8 303 

Experiencing a serene 

environment 

75 11 2 5 7 296 

Viewing ducks, geese, eagles, 

osprey, shorebirds, and other 

birds on or near the water 

68 13 8 4 6 308 

Viewing forest birds 

(songbirds) 

46 13 10 14 17 302 

Hiking/nature Trails 45 19 5 13 18 276 

Learning about the site from a 

staff person 

42 29 13 7 9 263 

Environmental education 

programs 

35 23 14 11 18 267 

Hunting waterfowl 35 4 3 40 19 256 

Hunting deer 33 4 4 42 18 254 

Wildlife photography 30 22 12 17 19 267 

Fishing 23 11 9 30 27 263 

Paddling (canoeing or 

kayaking) 

20 14 11 25 29 257 

Hunting upland game 11 12 7 45 25 248 

Biking/mountain biking 9 9 9 41 33 259 

Crabbing 9 5 11 41 34 258 

Other 37 3 6 23 31 35 

C-15
4%

14%

17%

23%

34%

34%

36%

38%

52%

57%

58%

65%

71%

82%

85%

86%

3%

52%

49%

52%

37%

39%

46%

43%

29%

25%

25%

17%

20%

12%

7%

7%

3%

34%

33%

25%

29%

27%

18%

19%

19%

18%

17%

18%

9%

6%

8%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other activities

Crabbing

Biking

Hunting upland game

Paddling

Fishing

Hunting deer

Hunting waterfowl

Wildlife photography opportunities

Environmental education programs

Viewing forest birds

Hiking/nature trails

Learning about the site from a staff person

Viewing ducks, geese, ospreys, and birds near water

Being in natural, undeveloped lands

Experiencing a serene environment

Moderately / Very Important Not At All / Somewhat Important No Opinion

Figure 4. Importance of activities to visitors when visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge.

C-16
Table 19. Mean importance of activities to visitors at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Activity mean SD 

Being in natural, undeveloped lands 3.72 .72 

Experiencing a serene environment 3.68 .76 

Viewing ducks, geese, eagles, osprey, shorebirds, and other birds on or near the 

water 3.55 .82 

Hiking/nature trails 3.19 1.10 

Learning about the site from a staff person 3.17 .94 

Viewing forest birds (songbirds) 3.08 1.17 

Environmental education programs 2.99 1.07 

Wildlife photography 2.80 1.15 

Paddling (canoeing or kayaking) 2.41 1.24 

Hunting waterfowl 2.41 1.45 

Fishing 2.38 1.30 

Hunting deer 2.33 1.43 

Hunting upland game 1.87 1.16 

Biking/mountain biking 1.78 1.10 

Crabbing 1.73 1.08 

Other 2.79 1.41 

Table 20. Location where community members participate in activities when visiting Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Location 

Activity Slaughter 

Beach Road 

(%) 

Broadkill 

Beach Road 

(%) 

Prime Hook 

Beach Road 

(%) 

Fowler Beach 

Road 

(%) 

n 

Viewing ducks, geese, 

eagles, osprey, 

shorebirds, and other 

birds on or near the 

water 

20 75 64 29 226 

Viewing forest birds 

(songbirds) 

14 69 54 18 155 

Experiencing a serene 

environment 

25 68 66 36 201 

Being in natural, 

undeveloped lands 

27 67 70 40 201 

Fishing 20 60 45 27 232 

Biking/mountain 

biking 

18 57 51 18 257 

Wildlife photography 31 76 68 38 128 

Crabbing 29 51 40 27 270 

Other 36 57 57 50 14 

C-17
Question 2. Are there activities or services that you think should be allowed at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that currently are not allowed?

Table 21. Percent respondents indicating activities should be allowed. 

Percent (%) 

No 78 

Yes 23 

n = 285 

Table 22. Categories of activities/services that should be allowed at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) Count 

hunting related 32 25 

miscellaneous 21 16 

access 10 8 

don't know/unsure/no opinion 9 7 

kayak/canoe 6 5 

horseback riding 5 4 

camping 4 3 

hiking/walking trails 4 3 

crabbing/fishing 4 3 

picnic areas/benches 4 3 

n = 72. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

Question 3. Are there activities or services that you think should not be allowed at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that currently are not allowed? 

Table 23. Percent respondents indicating activities should be allowed. 

Percent (%) 

No 74 

Yes 26 

n = 273 

C-18
Table 24. Categories of activities that should not be allowed at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) Count 

hunting 51 43 

miscellaneous 15 13 

ATV's/driving on beach 8 7 

unsure/don't know/no opinion 8 7 

limit on hunting 5 4 

bikes (mountain & motor) 5 4 

fishing 4 3 

farming 4 3 

n = 80. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

C-19
Question 4. Rate how important the item is to your satisfaction during your last 

visit...then rate how satisfied you are with the way the refuge is managing for 

each item. 

Table 25. Visitors’ ratings of importance of services offered at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Importance 

Service Very 

important 

(%) 

Moderately 

important (%) 

Somewhat 

important 

(%) 

Not at all 

important 

(%) 

Does not 

apply 

(%) 

n 

Conditions of the natural 

environment 

87 10 1 --- 2 301 

Refuge grounds maintained 

(litter pickup) 

78 18 2 --- 2 305 

Wildlife viewing 

opportunities 

74 13 5 1 7 224 

Restrooms/comfort stations 65 28 3 1 5 310 

Hiking trails 50 17 7 6 20 298 

Parking facilities 47 38 10 3 3 315 

Visitor contact stations 47 31 9 4 10 302 

Availability of information 

on hiking, bird watching or 

wildlife photography 

44 24 9 6 17 300 

Availability of refuge staff 41 37 13 2 7 300 

Kiosks or signs with 

information about the 

Refuge and its wildlife 

40 33 9 5 13 295 

Boat ramps 39 13 10 13 26 390 

Access for people with 

disabilities 

37 19 8 5 31 286 

Environmental education 

programs 

34 29 11 6 21 298 

User fees to support 

services provided 

34 28 11 7 22 283 

Waterfowl hunting 

program 

32 7 4 26 33 286 

Deer hunting program 31 7 4 27 32 283 

Refuge special events 28 29 12 9 22 290 

Volunteer opportunities 28 19 12 3 32 288 

Availability of information 

on the history of the site 

24 30 18 6 22 292 

Fishing opportunities (for 

example, piers, parking 

areas) 

21 15 12 19 33 292 

Media coverage of refuge 18 25 13 13 31 288 

Gift shop or bookstore 

items 

15 26 22 19 19 302 

Upland game hunting 

program 

12 12 6 29 41 283 

C-20
24%

36%

38%

39%

40%

43%

47%

52%

54%

56%

57%

61%

63%

67%

68%

74%

78%

78%

84%

87%

92%

96%

97%

35%

31%

31%

29%

41%

26%

21%

22%

24%

13%

21%

17%

16%

13%

15%

17%

13%

15%

13%

6%

3%

2%

1%

41%

33%

32%

33%

19%

31%

32%

26%

22%

31%

22%

22%

21%

20%

17%

22%

10%

7%

3%

7%

5%

2%

2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Upland game hunting program

Fishing opportunities

Deer hunting program

Waterfowl hunting program

Gift shop / bookstore items

Media coverage of the Refuge

Volunteer opportunities

Boat ramps

Information on history of the site

Access for people with disabilities

Refuge special events

User fees to support services

Environmental eductaion programs

Hiking trails

Information on hiking, bird watching, wildlife photography

Kiosks or signs about Refuge and wildlife

Visitor contact station

Availability of Refuge staff

Parking facilities

Wildlife viewing opportunities

Restrooms

Refuge grounds maintained

Condition of the natural environment

Moderately Important / Very Important Not At All / Somewhat Important Does Not Apply

Figure 5. Collapsed visitor ratings of importance of services offered at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

C-21
Table 26. Mean importance rating for services offered. 

Service 1 mean SD 

Conditions of the natural environment 3.87 .37 

Refuge grounds maintained (litter pick up) 3.78 .46 

Wildlife viewing opportunities 3.72 .62 

Restrooms/Comfort stations 3.64 .57 

Hiking trails 3.39 .93 

Visitor contact stations 3.34 .82 

Parking facilities 3.32 .79 

Availability of information on hiking, birdwatching or wildlife photography 3.29 .92 

Availability of refuge staff 3.26 .78 

Access for people with disabilities 3.26 .94 

Kiosks or signs with information about the refuge and its wildlife 3.25 .85 

Environmental education programs 3.15 .91 

User fees to support services provided 3.12 .95 

Boat ramps 3.05 1.15 

Refuge special events 2.97 .99 

Volunteer opportunities 2.96 1.06 

Availability of information on the history of the site 2.92 .93 

Media coverage of refuge 2.68 1.05 

Waterfowl hunting program 2.66 1.39 

Deer hunting program 2.60 1.39 

Fishing opportunities (for example, piers, parking areas) 2.56 1.20 

Gift shop or bookstore items 2.44 1.04 

Upland game hunting program 2.12 1.22 

1

 Responses were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (not at all important) to 4 (very important). 

C-22
Table 27. Visitors’ satisfaction with services offered at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Satisfaction

Service Outstanding 

(%) 

Good 

(%) 

Average 

(%) 

Adequate 

(%) 

Poor 

(%) 

Does not 

apply (%) 

n 

Refuge grounds 

maintained (litter pickup) 

52 37 7 2 2 1 296 

Conditions of the natural 

environment 

41 45 6 2 4 2 294 

Restrooms/comfort 

stations 

41 40 6 4 4 5 297 

Wildlife viewing 

opportunities 

35 45 8 2 3 7 292 

Availability of refuge 

staff 

34 40 13 2 3 8 289 

Visitor contact stations 32 46 8 4 1 9 285 

Parking facilities 26 51 11 9 2 1 305 

Availability of 

information on hiking, 

birdwatching or wildlife 

photography 

23 38 14 3 2 21 275 

Environmental education 

programs 

22 35 9 2 1 31 271 

Hiking trails 21 42 11 4 < 1 22 266 

Kiosks or signs with 

information about the 

refuge and its wildlife 

16 40 22 4 2 16 275 

Gift shop or bookstore 

items 

16 36 14 5 1 28 275 

User fees to support 

services provided 

15 31 14 7 2 32 259 

Access for people with 

disabilities 

14 22 18 6 2 38 247 

Volunteer opportunities 13 27 13 5 1 40 255 

Boat ramps 12 29 14 8 3 33 262 

Deer hunting program 12 16 10 4 5 53 245 

Availability of 

information on the history 

of the site 

10 31 20 11 2 27 255 

Waterfowl hunting 

program 

9 21 10 5 4 52 244 

Fishing opportunities (for 

example, piers, parking 

areas) 

7 17 19 4 3 51 251 

Media coverage of refuge 5 21 17 8 9 40 250 

Upland game hunting 

program 

5 12 13 4 3 64 236 

Refuge special events 3 48 12 3 2 32 259 

C-23
17%

24%

26%

28%

30%

36%

40%

40%

41%

46%

51%

52%

56%

57%

61%

63%

73%

77%

78%

80%

81%

86%

89%

13%

19%

17%

10%

10%

18%

20%

13%

14%

14%

12%

14%

22%

9%

14%

11%

13%

11%

8%

8%

6%

6%

7%

7%

7%

17%

9%

9%

8%

13%

6%

12%

9%

5%

6%

6%

3%

4%

4%

5%

12%

5%

6%

7%

7%

3%

64%

51%

40%

53%

52%

38%

27%

40%

33%

32%

32%

28%

16%

31%

21%

22%

8%

1%

9%

7%

5%

2%

1%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Upland game hunting opportunities

Fishing opportunities

Media coverage of refuge

Deer hunting program

Waterfowl hunting program

Access for people with disabilities

Information on history of the site

Volunteer opportunities

Boat ramps

User fees to support services provided

Refuge special events

Gift shop or bookstore items

Information about refuge and its wildlife

Environmental education programs

Information on hiking, bird watching, or wildife photography

Hiking trails

Availability of refuge staff

Parking facilities

Visitor contact station

Wildlife viewing opportunities

Restrooms

Condition of natural environment

Refuge grounds maintained

Good / Outstanding Average Poor / Adequate Does not apply

Figure 6. Collapsed visitor ratings of satisfaction with services offered at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

C-24
Table 28. Mean satisfaction rating for services offered. 

Service 1 mean SD 

Parking facilities 3.89 .97 

Visitor contact stations 4.15 .83 

Refuge grounds maintained (litter pickup) 4.38 .83 

Restrooms/comfort stations 4.18 .99 

Wildlife viewing opportunities 4.14 .92 

Conditions of the natural environment 4.18 .96 

Availability of refuge staff 4.08 .95 

Environmental education programs 4.08 .85 

Gift shop or bookstore items 3.87 .88 

Availability of information on hiking, birdwatching or wildlife photography 4.00 .89 

Refuge special events 3.68 .78 

Boat ramps 3.58 1.07 

Hiking trails 4.02 .81 

Kiosks or signs with information about the refuge and its wildlife 3.77 .88 

User fees to support services provided 3.73 .98 

Volunteer opportunities 3.78 .95 

Media coverage of refuge 3.10 1.19 

Access for people with disabilities 3.66 1.03 

Availability of information on the history of the site 3.48 1.00 

Waterfowl hunting program 3.55 1.15 

Deer hunting program 3.55 1.26 

Upland game hunting program 3.34 1.10 

Fishing opportunities (for example, piers, parking areas) 3.41 1.02 

1

 Responses were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (outstanding). 

C-25
Question 5. Please indicate how you feel the features listed below should be 

managed to maximize your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 29. Community members’ ratings about how certain features should be managed at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Feature More features Leave as is Less features n 

Naturalness 310 

Allow more landscape alterations 17 

Leave as is 53 

Restore more natural conditions 30 

Information services 312 

Refuge staff more visible and available 20 

Leave as is 79 

Refuge staff less visible and available 2 

Hiking trails 309 

Provide more trails 41 

Leave as is 53 

Provide fewer trails 2 

Information signs 312 

Provide more signs 27 

Leave as is 67 

Limit the number of signs 6 

Environmental education opportunities 294 

Provide more programs and activities 38 

Leave as is 62 

Reduce programs and activities < 1 

Brochures/Publications 311 

Provide more brochures/publications about 

Refuge resources, activities, and regulations 24 

Leave as is 75 

Provide fewer brochures/publications about 

Refuge resources, activities, and regulations 2 

Interpretive Exhibits 298 

Provide more interpretive exhibits 32 

Leave as is 67 

Provide fewer interpretive exhibits 1 

Hunting 278 

Provide more hunting areas 37 

Leave as is 37 

Provide fewer hunting areas 25 

Fishing 287 

Provide more access to pond, creek, and 

shoreline 26 

Leave as is 66 

Restrict access to pond, creek, and shoreline 8 

Boat ramps 291 

Provide more boat ramps 27 

Leave as is 69 

Provide fewer boat ramps 5 

Wildlife Observation/photography opportunities 301 

Provide more facilities along rivers and 

parking areas 44 

Leave as it 56 

Provide fewer facilities (such as viewing 

blinds and walkways) < 1 

C-26
Feature More features Leave as is Less features n 

Table 29, continued. 

Feature More features Leave as is Less features n 

Access to Refuge 307 

Provide more parking areas and access 

points 30 

Leave as is 69 

Provide fewer parking areas and access 

points 1 

Restrooms and comfort stations 312 

Provide more facilities along rives and 

parkways 35 

Leave as is 64 

Provide fewer facilities along rivers and 

parkways 1 

Visitor numbers 308 

Encourage more visitation to refuge 32 

Leave as is 68 

Restrict visitation to refuge 1 

Visitor impacts on wildlife 311 

Restrict any behavior that may negatively 

impact wildlife 30 

Leave as is 42 

Restrict only behavior that is known to have 

negative impacts on wildlife 28 

Question 6. What would enhance your experiences at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge? 

Table 30. Categorized responses of what would enhance experience at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) Count 

improved hunting opportunities/access 18 49 

improved access 10 28 

nothing 10 27 

more crops for wildlife 8 22 

improved programs/information/staff 8 21 

more wildlife viewing opportunities 7 19 

improved trails 7 18 

improved boating/kayak/boating opportunities 6 15 

improved parking/restrooms/cleanup, and so forth 6 16 

more personal time to visit 4 12 

miscellaneous 9 23 

limiting hunting 2 5 

keep/improve naturalness 2 6 

improved hiking/walking opportunities 1 3 

improved fishing opportunities 1 3 

C-27
Question 7. What experience have you had at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge 

that would bring you back? 

Table 31. Categorized responses to what experience would bring visitors back. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) Count 

wildlife observation 26 89 

hunting 22 76 

refuge programs/events/facilities/staff 13 44 

scenery/beauty/intrinsic value 11 36 

hiking/trails 9 32 

fishing 8 28 

miscellaneous 5 17 

canoeing/kayaking 3 9 

everything 2 8 

nothing 1 3 

n = 266. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

Question 8. Please indicate the extent to which each statement below describes 

your general feelings about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 32. Visitors’ agreement or disagreement with statements regarding their feelings 

towards Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Statement mean SD 

Overall place attachment 3.71 .80 

Place heritage 3.94 .81 

It is important to me that my children and my grandchildren will be able to visit the refuge. 4.81 .51 

Coming to places like this refuge is an important part of my family tradition. 4.19 1.00 

The refuge provides me a sense of connection to past and future generations. 3.80 1.00 

This place is special because it is where my family and I spend time. 3.65 1.24 

This place is special because it is where my friends and I spend time. 3.47 1.34 

Coming to places like this refuge was an important part of my childhood. 3.07 1.42 

Place identity 4.11 .84 

I am very attached to the refuge. 4.19 .86 

This refuge means a lot to me. 4.13 .99 

I feel this refuge is a part of me. 3.83 1.09 

I identify strongly with the refuge. 3.54 1.13 

Place dependence 3.60 .92 

This is the best place for what I like to do. 4.04 1.00 

Doing what I do at this refuge is more important to me than doing it in any other place. 3.34 1.16 

I get more satisfaction out of visiting this place than visiting any other. 3.32 1.14 

No other place can compare to this area. 3.16 1.15 

I wouldn’t substitute any other place for doing what I do here. 2.97 1.22 

Trust 3.60 1.18 

Everything considered, I trust the refuge staff will do what is right for the refuge. 4.15 1.01 

I have confidence in decision made by the local staff at the refuge. 3.97 1.00 

In general, I have confidence in the decisions that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes 

about managing this refuge. 

3.75 1.11 

Because of my experiences at the refuge I will definitely come back. 4.67 .62 

C-28
Table 33. Mean ratings for visitors’ feelings about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Statement Strongly/ mildly 

agree (%) 

Strongly/ mildly 

disagree (%) Unsure (%) n 

Place heritage 

It is important to me that my children and 

my grandchildren will be able to visit the 

refuge. 

96 < 1 4 312 

Coming to places like this refuge is an 

important part of my family tradition. 

79 7 15 303 

The refuge provides me a sense of 

connection to past and future generations. 

65 10 26 305 

This place is special because it is where my 

family and I spend time. 

60 18 22 301 

This place is special because it is where my 

friends and I spend time. 

58 26 16 293 

Coming to places like this refuge was an 

important part of my childhood. 

44 34 21 282 

Place identity 

I am very attached to the refuge. 83 4 13 307 

This refuge means a lot to me. 79 7 14 308 

I feel this refuge is a part of me. 66 10 24 301 

I identify strongly with the refuge. 58 19 23 293 

Place dependence 

This is the best place for what I like to do. 78 9 13 307 

Doing what I do at this refuge is more 

important to me than doing it in any other 

place. 

50 24 26 305 

I get more satisfaction out of visiting this 

place than visiting any other. 

48 23 29 302 

No other place can compare to this area. 43 29 29 301 

I wouldn’t substitute any other place for 

doing what I do here. 

33 34 33 294 

Trust 

Everything considered, I trust the refuge 

staff will do what is right for the refuge. 

78 7 16 310 

I have confidence in decisions made by the 

local staff at the refuge. 

72 6 23 310 

In general, I have confidence in the 

decisions that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service makes about managing this refuge. 

64 13 23 308 

Because of my experiences at the refuge I will 

definitely come back. 

94 1 5 312 

C-29
Section 5 – Please tell us your opinion about different management issues on 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Question 1. Agreement with management options 

Table 34. Visitors’ agreement or disagreement with statements about wetland 

management issues on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Action Strongly 

agree (%) 

Mildly 

agree (%) 

Unsure 

(%) 

Mildly 

disagree (%) 

Strongly 

disagree (%) n 

It is important to restore and manage 

refuge habitats for rare and endangered 

species on the refuge. 

72 15 8 3 3 317 

It is acceptable to maintain and 

preserve refuge shoreline as habitat for 

spawning horseshoe craps and 

migratory shorebirds. 

71 19 7 1 1 320 

It is acceptable to purchase land within 

the refuge boundary from willing 

sellers at market value for the benefit of 

wildlife 

66 23 8 --- 3 318 

It is acceptable for the refuge to 

purchase conservation easements on 

land outside of the current boundary to 

manage the area’s wildlife resources. 

61 26 10 2 2 318 

It is important to eliminate nonnative/invasive plant communities on 

the refuge. 

56 29 12 2 1 316 

It is acceptable to use fire as a tool to 

maintain high productivity of refuge 

wetland, forested, and grassland 

habitats for the benefit of wildlife. 

50 29 18 3 1 315 

It is acceptable to use fire as a 

management tool to reduce buildup of 

vegetation that could fuel fires. 

47 31 16 4 3 315 

The use of chemicals to control 

mosquitoes on refuge lands should only 

occur when field data show high 

numbers of breeding mosquitoes. 

29 30 22 7 11 316 

Mosquitoes are a natural component of 

healthy and functional wetland 

ecosystem 

24 37 24 7 8 316 

Mosquito control activities on refuge 

lands should only occur when field data 

show high numbers of breeding 

mosquitoes. 

23 22 25 14 18 315 

It is important to cease farming and 

strive to restore drained and/or 

degraded areas to natural habitats. 

21 21 29 11 18 318 

C-30
42%

44%

60%

61%

78%

79%

85%

87%

87%

89%

90%

29%

31%

19%

15%

6%

4%

3%

4%

5%

3%

3%

29%

25%

22%

24%

16%

18%

12%

10%

8%

8%

7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Important to cease farming and restore drained or degraded

areas to natural habitats

Mosquito control during declared public emergency

Use of chemicals to control mosquitoes only when high

numbers of mosquitoes breeding

Mosquitoes natural component of healthy ecosystem

Acceptable to use fire to reduce vegetation that could fuel

fires

Acceptable to use fire to maintain productivity of wildlife

habitat

Important to eliminate non-native/invasive plant

communities on refuge

Acceptable for refuge to purchase conservation easements

Important to restore and maintain habitat for rare and

endangered species

Acceptable to purchase land within refuge boundary from

willing sellers

Acceptable to maintain and preserve refuge shoreline for

crabs and shorebirds

Agree Disagree Unsure

Figure 7. Collapsed importance rating of hypothetical options for managing wetlands at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

C-31
Table 35. Mean importance rating of hypothetical options for wetland management at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Management issue mean SD 

It is important to restore and manage refuge habitats for rare and endangered species on the 

refuge. 4.5 .94 

Mosquitoes are a natural component of healthy and functional wetland ecosystem 3.62 1.17 

Mosquito control activities on refuge lands should only occur when field data show high 

numbers of breeding mosquitoes. 3.18 1.39 

The use of chemicals to control mosquitoes on refuge lands should only occur when field 

data show high numbers of breeding mosquitoes. 3.59 1.29 

It is acceptable to use fire as a management tool to reduce buildup of vegetation that could 

fuel fires. 4.15 1.00 

It is acceptable to use fire as a tool to maintain high productivity of refuge wetland, 

forested, and grassland habitats for the benefit of wildlife. 4.24 .90 

It is important to eliminate non-native/invasive plant communities on the refuge. 4.37 .85 

It is important to cease farming and strive to restore drained and (or) degraded areas to 

natural habitats. 3.17 1.36 

It is acceptable to purchase land within the refuge boundary from willing sellers at market 

value for the benefit of wildlife. 4.49 .87 

It is acceptable for the refuge to purchase conservation easements on land outside of the 

current boundary to manage the area’s wildlife resources. 4.42 .87 

It is acceptable to maintain and preserve refuge shoreline as habitat for spawning horseshoe 

crabs and migratory shorebirds. 4.58 .78 

Question 2. As a visitor to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, how desirable are 

the following hypothetical options related to visitation to the refuge? 

Table 36. Visitors’ desirability of hypothetical options related to visitation on Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

Option 

Very 

desirable 

(%) 

Generally 

desirable 

(%) 

Somewhat 

desirable 

(%) 

Not 

desirable 

(%) 

No 

opinion 

(%) 

n 

Observation tower overlooking marsh 

for viewing waterfowl and other 

wildlife 

50 25 10 6 10 319 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife 

observation or photograph along 

Fowler Beach Road 

35 27 14 6 19 317 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife 

observation or photograph along 

Slaughter Beach Road 

34 25 15 6 21 315 

Additional walking trails around the 

refuge Headquarters area 28 26 15 11 20 319 

Regularly scheduled interpretive walks 

by a guide 26 26 19 8 21 317 

C-32
52%

54%

58%

62%

74%

21%

20%

21%

19%

10%

27%

26%

21%

20%

16%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Interpretive walks by a

guide

Additional walking trails

around Headquarters

area

Roadside pulloffs for

wildlife observation

along Slaughter Beach

Road

Roadside pulloffs for

wildlife observation

along Fowler Beach

Road

Observation tower

overlooking marsh

Generally/Very Desireable No Opinion Not/Somewhat Desirable

Figure 8. Collapsed desirability of hypothetical options related to visitation on Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge.

Table 37. Mean desirability of hypothetical options. 

Options mean SD 

Observation tower overlooking marsh for viewing waterfowl and other wildlife. 3.31 .90 

New roadside pull-offs for wildlife observation or photograph along Fowler Beach 

Road. 3.11 .95 

New roadside pull-offs for wildlife observation or photograph along Slaughter 

Beach Road. 3.08 .96 

Additional walking trails around the refuge Headquarters area. 2.90 1.03 

Regularly scheduled interpretive walks by a guide. 2.89 .98 

C-33
Section 6. Please tell us something about yourself. 

Question 1. How did you learn about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? 

47%

26%

19% 19% 18%

14%

12% 11%

10%

8%

7%

3% 3%

2% 1% 1% 0%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Friends/neighbors/colleagues

Other

Newspaper

Delaware Division of Wildlife

Family

Delaware State Parks

Internet

Government brochures

Refuge staff

Recreation/environmental groups

Magazine articles

Community groups

Local newsletter

Neighborhood association

Television

Local business people

Local town officials

Figure 9. Sources from which visitors learned about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

C-34
Question 1a. Please specify which newspaper you read most. 

Table 38. Newspapers read most by visitors 

Source n 

The Cape Gazette 31 

News Journal 6 

Delaware Coast Press 5 

The Wave 5 

Local papers 2 

Milford Beacon 2 

Milford Chronicle 2 

Individual articles 2 

Beachcomber 1 

Internet 1 

State news 1 

Washington Post 1 

Wilmington Morning News 1 

Question 2. From the list of information sources, please state which single source 

you rely on most. 

Table 39. Source from which visitors rely on most to learn about Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) Count 

Travel guide/organization, that is, AAA, Elderhostel 2 8 

Newspaper 16 55 

Magazine 16 55 

Delaware Division of fish and Wildlife 6 22 

Family 7 24 

Internet/email 10 36 

Friends/neighbors 20 67 

Refuge staff 5 18 

Radio 1 3 

Delaware State Parks 2 6 

Recreation/environmental group 5 16 

Government brochures 2 8 

Miscellaneous 5 16 

Maps/signs 2 6 

Other State government agencies 1 3 

n = 287. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

C-35
Question 3. Which of the activities have you participated in within the last 5 years 

related to environmental or natural resource issues? 

Table 40. Participation in natural resource decision making. 

Activity Participation (%) 

Attended a public hearing or meeting 59 

Signed a petition 59 

Joined a special interest group 53 

Contacted or wrote a U.S. Senator or State Legislator 38 

Contacted or wrote a State or Federal agency 34 

Wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper 7 

n = 244 

Question 4. Are you male/female? 

Table 41. Gender of respondents 

Gender Respondents (%) 

Male 67 

Female 33 

n = 321 

Question 5. In what year were you born? 

Table 42. Percentage of visitors by age category. 

Age category Respondents (%) 

18-24 1 

25-34 10 

35-44 12 

45-54 21 

55-64 26 

65-74 22 

75-84 8 

85 and above < 1 

n = 320; mean age = 55.24 

C-36
Question 6. Are you employed?

Table 43. Employment status of visitors. 

Work a % n Retired % n 

Yes 62 194 Yes 62 113 

Full-time 88 170 And work part-time 1 1 

Part-time 12 24 No 38 69 

No 38 119 

a Percentage of full-time and part-time workers represent those respondents who answered the question “Do 

you work full- or part-time?” 

Question 7. If you are employed, do you take time off from work to participate in 

outdoor recreation?

Table 44. Percentage of respondents who take time off from work to participate in outdoor 

recreation. 

Take time off Percent (%) 

Yes 59 

No 41 

n = 301 

Question 8. What is your highest year of formal schooling? 

Table 45. Level of education of respondents. 

Level of education Respondents (%) 

Less than high school 2 

High school 23 

Some college 24 

College 23 

Advanced degree 28 

n = 316; mean = 3.52; SD = 1.17 

C-37
C-38

Questions 9 and 10: What ethnicity do you consider yourself? What racial origin do 

you consider yourself? 

Table 46. Race and ethnicity of respondents. 

Ethnicity a Percent (%) 

Hispanic or Latino 1 

Not Hispanic or Latino 99 

Race b

White 97 

Black or African American 2 

American Indian or Alaska Native 1 

Asian < 1 

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0 

a 

n = 309 

b 

n = 319 

Question 11 and 12: How many members are in your household? Including these 

people, what was your approximate household income from all sources (before 

taxes) last year? 

Table 47. Income and household size of respondents. 

Income Percent (%) 

 Less than $10,000 1 

 $10,000 to $14,999 2 

 $15,000 to $24,999 4 

 $25,000 to $34,999 9 

 $35,000 to $49,999 18 

 $50,000 to $74,999 24 

 $75,000 to $99,999 19 

 $100,000 to $149,999 16 

 Over $150,000 8 

Median income $50,000– $74,999 

Mean number of persons in household 2 

Question 13: Would you like more information on any of the following?

Table 48. Visitor interest in more information. 

Information about: Yes (%) 

Results from this study 72 

Information about future refuge planning activities 58 

Refuge Friends Group 20 

Refuge volunteer opportunities 33 

n = 20 
Appendix D: Community Survey Frequency Results 

This appendix contains the information obtained from the Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge community survey. The data has been weighted to account for potential sampling biases on 

two counts. First, data for age and gender in individual communities were compared to census data 

in order to check the generalizability of the sample. The community sample, in general, was older 

and had a greater representation of males than actually occurred in the communities according to 

the 2000 U.S. Census (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006). Data were weighted to reflect population age 

and gender proportions. In addition, due to an over-representation of the beach strata (more “beach 

town” residents returned surveys), the data for the overall community were weighted, to reflect the 

relative proportion of the three strata that comprise the community residents. 

The order of the tables follows that of the questions in the survey, section by section. Openended questions contained in the survey have been categorized based on responses. Verbatim 

responses are provided at the end of the appendix. 

Section 1: Please tell us about your visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Question 1. Have you visited Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in the past 5 years? 

Table 1. Visitation to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

n Percent (%) 

0 no 175 39 

1 yes 269 61 

n = 444 

Question 1a. If you have not visited Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in the past 5 years, 

what would encourage you to visit? 

Table 2. Categories of what would encourage community residents to visit Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open- ended responses Percent (%) Count 

more information/more advertising 23 17 

change something/provide something at refuge (for example, kill 

mosquitoes, more accessible for disabled) 20 15 

miscellaneous 14 10 

no time 11 8 

don't know/unsure/no opinion 8 6 

no interest 7 5 

new to area 7 5 

medical problems/age/health 5 4 

nothing 5 4 

n = 74 

D-1
Question 2. About how many years have you been visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge? 

Table 3. Number of years spent visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Number of years n Percent (%) 

< 1 0 < 1 

1 16 6 

2 33 13 

3 42 17 

4 14 6 

5 35 14 

6–10 54 22 

11–15 12 5 

16–20 14 5 

21–30 25 10 

31–40 6 3 

41–50 0 0 

> 50 1 < 1 

n = 252 

Average years visiting = 12 

Question 3. On average, how many times per year have you been visiting Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge? 

Table 4. Number of times per year respondent visits Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Number of times n Percent (%) 

1 94 37 

2 48 19 

3 28 11 

4 14 6 

5 7 3 

6 9 4 

7 4 2 

8 1 <1 

9 0 < 1 

10 15 6 

11–15 20 8 

16–20 3 1 

21–30 6 3 

31–40 1 <1 

41–50 2 1 

> 50 4 2 

n = 258 

Average number times per year visiting = 16 

D-2
Question 4. Of your trips to the refuge, how many occur during the week/weekend? 

Table 5. Number of trips taken to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge during the week/weekend. 

Weekday trips n Percent (%) Weekend trips n Percent (%) 

.5 1 1 .5 1 4 

1.0 68 39 1.0 48 30 

1.5 3 2 1.5 2 2 

2.0 39 22 2.0 24 15 

2.5 0 0 

3.0 21 5 3.0 26 16 

3.5 3 2 3.5 3 2 

4.0 7 4 4.0 23 14 

5.0 2 1 5.0 5 3 

6–10 15 10 6–10 25 15 

11–15 4 2 11–15 5 3 

16–20 4 2 16–20 3 2 

21–30 4 2 21–30 0 3 

31–40 0 <1 31–40 0 1 

41–50 1 <1 41–50 0 1 

> 50 2 1 > 50 0 1 

n = 174 for weekday, 165 for weekend 

Average number of weekday trips = 8, average number of weekend trips = 6 

D-3
Question 5. When you visit the refuge, what is the average length of your stay? 

Table 6. Length of visit to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Length of refuge visit 

(in hours) Percent (%) 

.2 0 

.3 <1 

.5 3 

.6 < 1 

1 18 

1.3 0 

1.5 9 

2 36 

2.5 4 

3 11 

3.3 < 1 

3.5 0 

4 10 

4.5 < 1 

5 2 

5.5 < 1 

6 1 

8 2 

13 < 1 

24 2 

40 < 1 

n = 256 

Average length of stay = 2.6 hours 

D-4
Question 6. Please check the activities you have participated in during the last 12 months at 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 7. Activities participated in during last 12 months at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge by 

community members. 

Activity Participated (%) 

Nature/wildlife viewing 54 

Driving for pleasure 50 

Birdwatching 45 

Hiking/nature trails 44 

Fishing 30 

Photography 22 

Picnicking 21 

Bicycling 11 

Environmental education 11 

Hunting 11 

Other activity 10 

Special events 10 

Crabbing 8 

Canoeing/kayaking 7 

Guided interpretive tours 7 

Volunteering 1 

Cross-country skiing <1 

n = 262 

D-5
54%

50%

45% 44%

30%

22% 21%

11% 11% 11% 10% 10%

8% 7%

1% 0%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Nature / wildlife viewing

Driving for pleasure

Bird watching

Hiking/nature trails

Fishing

Photography

Picnicking

Bicycling

Environmental education

Hunting

Special events

Other activity

Crabbing

Guided interpretive tours

Volunteering

Cross country skiing

Figure 1. Activities participated in during last 12 months at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

D-6
Question 7. Did you attend any of the following special events at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge? 

3%

9%

11%

18%

56%

58%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Annual Vandegrift Memorial Lecture Series

Birding Field Trips

Monthly Lecture Series

National Fishing Day

Horseshoe Crab/Shorebird Festival

Waterfowl Festival

Figure 2. Special events attended by community members at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

D-7
Question 8. For each activity listed, please tell us how important that activity is, then tell use 

the general location where you usually participate in each activity. 

Table 8. Importance of activity to community members when visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Importance

Activity Very 

Important 

(%) 

Moderately 

important 

(%) 

Somewhat 

important 

(%) 

Not at all 

important 

(%) 

No 

opinion 

(%) n 

Being in natural, undeveloped 

lands 

74 16 1 2 6 400 

Experiencing a serene environment 74 14 5 2 6 386 

Viewing ducks, geese, eagles, 

osprey, shorebirds, and other 

birds on or near the water 

57 21 11 3 8 405 

Hiking/nature trails 59 24 5 6 5 378 

Other activities 60 1 1 33 6 50 

Viewing forest birds 28 26 27 9 10 393 

Environmental education programs 39 24 17 5 15 373 

Wildlife photography opportunities 28 17 14 15 26 382 

Learning about the site from a staff 

person 

32 27 16 10 14 359 

Fishing 30 15 18 23 14 378 

Biking 26 17 12 19 27 370 

Canoeing or kayaking 21 27 20 15 16 374 

Crabbing 14 12 19 25 31 391 

Hunting deer 15 8 4 52 20 381 

Hunting waterfowl 13 6 7 53 21 378 

Hunting upland game 12 6 4 56 22 375 

D-8
60%

18%

19%

24%

26%

42%

45%

45%

49%

55%

59%

63%

78%

84%

88%

91%

34%

60%

60%

56%

44%

31%

41%

28%

36%

36%

27%

23%

15%

11%

7%

4%

6%

22%

21%

20%

31%

27%

14%

26%

16%

9%

14%

15%

8%

5%

6%

6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other activities

Hunting upland game

Hunting waterfowl

Hunting deer

Crabbing

Biking

Fishing

Wildlife photography opportunities

Paddling

Viewing forest birds

Learning about the site from a staff person

Environmental education programs

Viewing ducks, geese, ospreys, and birds near water

Hiking/nature trails

Experiencing a serene environment

Being in natural, undeveloped lands

Moderately / Very Important Not At All / Somewhat Important No Opinion

Figure 3. Importance of activities to community members when visiting Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge.

D-9
Table 9. Mean importance of activities to community members when visiting Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Activity mean SD 

Being in natural, undeveloped lands 3.72 .62 

Experiencing a serene environment 3.69 .67 

Hiking/nature trails 3.45 .86 

Viewing ducks, geese, eagles, osprey, shorebirds, and other birds on or near the 

water 

3.42 .83 

Environmental education programs 3.13 .95 

Learning about the site from a staff person 2.94 1.02 

Other activities 2.93 1.44 

Viewing forest birds 2.82 .99 

Wildlife photography opportunities 2.80 1.15 

Biking 2.67 1.21 

Canoeing or kayaking 2.65 1.05 

Fishing 2.61 1.21 

Crabbing 2.22 1.14 

Hunting deer 1.83 1.22 

Hunting waterfowl 1.74 1.16 

Hunting upland game 1.66 1.13 

1

 Responses were coded on a scale from 1 (not at all important) to 4 (very important).

Table 10. Location where community members participate in activities when visiting Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

Location 

Activity Slaughter 

Beach Road 

(%) 

Broadkill 

Beach Road 

(%) 

Prime Hook 

Beach Road 

(%) 

Fowler Beach 

Road 

(%) 

n 

Experiencing a serene environment 38 67 51 24 256 

Being in natural, undeveloped 

lands 

34 64 49 23 241 

Viewing ducks, geese, eagles, 

osprey, shorebirds, and other 

birds on or near the water 

40 64 43 19 280 

Viewing forest birds 27 62 44 10 203 

Wildlife photography opportunities 21 61 45 13 162 

Fishing 30 66 26 16 159 

Biking 19 55 43 14 140 

Crabbing 23 58 41 18 138 

Other activities 37 43 48 34 30 

D-10
Question 9. From the list of activities, what is your primary reason for visiting Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 11. Categories of primary reason for community residents visiting Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) n

viewing birds 17 73 

experiencing a serene environment 16 69 

being in natural, undeveloped lands 14 57 

hiking/nature trails 10 40 

fishing 8 33 

wildlife observation, nonspecific or other than birds 5 20 

miscellaneous 4 16 

biking/mountain biking 3 11 

wildlife photography 3 14 

hunting deer 3 11 

do not visit 3 12 

being a local homeowner 3 12 

crabbing 2 9 

paddling 2 9 

hunting, nonspecific 2 7 

environmental education programs 1 6 

hunting waterfowl 1 6 

hunting upland game 1 4 

learning about the site from a staff person 1 5 

driving 1 6 

n = 395. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

D-11
Question 10. Are there activities or services that you think should be allowed at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge currently are not allowed? 

Table 12. Categories of activities that should be allowed at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) n

don't know/unsure/no opinion 21 20 

miscellaneous 15 14 

hiking/walking trails 14 13 

Hunting-related 13 12 

camping 5 5 

dog walking/run area 5 5 

horseback riding 4 4 

bicycling/bike trails 4 4 

kayaking 4 4 

beach cleanup 4 4 

observation towers 3 3 

more kids’ activities 3 3 

crabbing/fishing 3 3 

n = 84. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

Question 11. Are there activities or services that you think should not be allowed at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge are currently allowed? 

Table 13. Categories of activities that should not be allowed at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) n

hunting 44 56 

unsure/don't know/no opinion 13 16 

miscellaneous 13 17 

ATV's/driving on beach 7 9 

reckless behavior (e.g., partying/drinking/ bonfires/speeding) 6 8 

limit on hunting 3 4 

boating 3 4 

fishing 2 3 

farming 2 3 

development 2 3 

crabbing 2 3 

n = 121. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

D-12
Section 2: Please tell us about the importance of the refuge to you and the local 

community. 

Question 1. Please tell us what you see as the biggest benefit to the local community from 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 14. Categorized benefits to the local community from Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) n

having a place for wildlife, view wildlife 32 140 

protecting habitat from development 23 100 

aesthetic value--get away, serene environment 20 90 

a place to go with family/future generations 7 30 

Recreation opportunities 7 33 

environmental education opportunities 5 21 

don't know, no opinion 2 9 

miscellaneous 2 11 

tourism benefit 1 6 

none 1 4 

n = 399. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

Question 2. Do you see any negative impacts to the local community from Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge? 

Table 15. Do you see any negative impacts to the local community from Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge? 

See impact Percent (%) 

No 92 

Yes 8 

n = 394 

D-13
Table 16. Categorized negative impacts to local community from Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended comments Percent (%) n

No negative impacts 24 16 

mosquitoes 12 8 

hunting related 9 6 

don't know/unsure/no opinion 6 4 

access/restrictions 11 7 

development related 9 6 

crop management 8 5 

wildlife related 9 6 

traffic related 6 4 

miscellaneous 6 4 

n = 72. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

D-14
Question 3. Please indicate the extent to which each statement below describes your 

general feelings about Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 17. Mean ratings for community members’ feelings about Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Statement mean SD 

Place heritage 3.77 .92 

It is important to me that my children and my grandchildren will be able to visit the refuge. 4.74 .59 

The refuge provides me a sense of connection to past and future generations. 3.68 1.17 

Coming to places like this refuge is an important part of my family tradition. 3.66 1.18 

This place is special because it is where my family and I spend time. 3.33 1.28 

This place is special because it is where my friends and I spend time. 2.83 1.18 

Coming to places like this refuge was an important part of my childhood. 2.98 1.26 

Place identity 3.90 1.01 

This refuge means a lot to me. 3.60 1.04 

I am very attached to the refuge. 3.70 .98 

I feel this refuge is a part of me. 3.34 1.15 

I identify strongly with the refuge. 3.16 1.07 

Place dependence 3.39 1.00 

This is the best place for what I like to do. 3.51 1.05 

No other place can compare to this area. 3.02 1.09 

I get more satisfaction out of visiting this place than visiting any other. 2.93 1.05 

Doing what I do at this refuge is more important to me than doing it in any other place. 2.87 1.00 

I wouldn’t substitute any other place for doing what I do here. 2.74 1.01 

Trust 4.03 .96 

Everything considered, I trust the refuge staff will do what is right for the refuge. 4.11 .97 

I have confidence in decisions made by the local staff at the refuge. 3.88 .97 

In general, I have confidence in the decisions that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

makes about managing this refuge. 3.85 1.06 

Because of my experiences at the refuge I will definitely come back. 4.24 .98 

n = (listwise) 300 

1

 Responses were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). 

D-15
Table 18. Community members’ agreement or disagreement with statements regarding their feelings 

towards Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Statement Strongly/ mildly 

agree (%) 

Strongly/ mildly 

disagree (%) 

Unsure 

(%) n 

Place heritage 

It is important to me that my children and my 

grandchildren will be able to visit the refuge. 

95 1 5 408 

The refuge provides me a sense of connection to past and 

future generations. 

63 16 22 388 

Coming to places like this refuge is an important part of 

my family tradition. 

66 17 17 401 

This place is special because it is where my family and I 

spend time. 

50 25 26 378 

This place is special because it is where my friends and I 

spend time. 

28 37 36 381 

Coming to places like this refuge was an important part 

of my childhood. 

37 34 29 371 

Place identity 

This refuge means a lot to me. 60 15 25 399 

I am very attached to the refuge. 61 10 29 395 

I feel this refuge is a part of me. 44 21 35 392 

I identify strongly with the refuge. 36 24 41 377 

Place dependence 

This is the best place for what I like to do. 52 15 33 394 

I get more satisfaction out of visiting this place than 

visiting any other. 

26 32 43 386 

Doing what I do at this refuge is more important to me 

than doing it in any other place. 

26 32 42 377 

No other place can compare to this area. 30 25 45 379 

I wouldn’t substitute any other place for doing what I do 

here. 

19 37 44 377 

Trust 

Everything considered, I trust the refuge staff will do 

what is right for the refuge. 

76 6 19 400 

In general, I have confidence in the decisions that the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service makes about managing 

this refuge. 

69 10 22 399 

I have confidence in decisions made by the local staff at 

the refuge. 

69 7 24 398 

Because of my experiences at the refuge I will 

definitely come back. 

 79 17 4 370 

D-16
Section 3: Please tell us your opinions about the refuge and its management. 

Question 1. Please rate how important the item is to your satisfaction during your last visit to 

the refuge then rate how satisfied you are with the way the refuge is managing for each 

item. 

Table 19. Community members’ ratings of importance of services offered at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Importance

Service Very 

important 

(%) 

Moderately 

important 

(%) 

Somewhat 

important 

(%) 

Not at all 

important 

(%) 

Does not 

apply 

(%) 

n 

Condition of the natural 

environment 

79 8 <1 <1 13 290 

Refuge grounds maintained 70 14 1 <1 15 287 

Wildlife viewing opportunities 70 15 2 <1 13 289 

Restrooms/comfort stations 58 18 6 1 18 289 

Hiking trails 59 14 7 1 19 288 

Kiosks or signs with information 

about the refuge and its wildlife 

50 29 5 1 15 288 

Access for people with disabilities 51 13 4 3 29 287 

Availability of information on 

hiking, bird watching, or wildlife 

photography 

44 22 8 4 22 288 

Visitor contact station 40 23 8 3 27 290 

Availability of information on the 

history of the site 

40 26 11 5 18 288 

Environmental education programs 36 26 9 3 27 285 

Parking facilities 36 38 10 1 15 297 

Availability of refuge staff 38 25 10 2 25 286 

Boat ramps 32 22 12 6 28 287 

Fishing opportunities 30 22 10 13 25 289 

Media coverage of the refuge 29 25 9 14 23 290 

Refuge special events 20 31 15 4 30 281 

Volunteer opportunities 23 25 17 5 30 293 

Waterfowl hunting program 18 8 10 29 35 286 

Deer hunting program 18 11 9 30 33 287 

Upland game hunting program 15 12 9 30 34 287 

User fees to support services 

provided 

18 20 19 14 29 289 

Gift shop or bookstore items 12 19 19 17 33 287 

D-17
26%

27%

28%

32%

38%

48%

51%

52%

54%

54%

62%

62%

64%

64%

66%

67%

73%

74%

76%

79%

84%

85%

87%

39%

39%

39%

35%

33%

22%

19%

23%

23%

17%

12%

11%

7%

11%

12%

16%

8%

11%

6%

6%

3%

35%

34%

33%

33%

29%

30%

30%

25%

23%

28%

27%

27%

29%

25%

22%

18%

19%

15%

18%

15%

15%

13%

13%

5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Waterfowl hunting program

Upland game hunting program

Deer hunting program

Gift shop / bookstore items

User fees to support services

Volunteer opportunities

Refuge special events

Fishing opportunities

Media coverage of the Refuge

Boat ramps

Environmental eductaion programs

Visitor contact station

Access for people with disabilities

Availability of Refuge staff

Information on hiking, bird watching, wildlife photography

Information on history of the site

Hiking trails

Parking facilities

Restrooms

Kiosks or signs about Refuge and wildlife

Refuge grounds maintained

Wildlife viewing opportunities

Condition of the natural environment

Moderately Important / Very Important Not At All / Somewhat Important Does Not Apply

Figure 4. Collapsed community member importance ratings for services offered at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge. 

D-18
Table 20. Mean importance rating for services offered. 

Service 1mean SD 

Condition of the natural environment 3.90 .33 

Refuge grounds maintained 3.80 .44 

Wildlife viewing opportunities 3.77 .51 

Restrooms/comfort stations 3.62 .65 

Hiking trails 3.61 .70 

Access for people with disabilities 3.57 .79 

Kiosks or signs with information about the refuge and its wildlife 3.51 .67 

Availability of information on hiking, bird watching, or wildlife photography 3.37 .85 

Visitor contact station 3.35 .827 

Availability of refuge staff 3.34 .79 

Environmental education programs 3.30 .83 

Parking facilities 3.28 .72 

Availability of information on the history of the site 3.24 .89 

Boat ramps 3.13 .95 

Refuge special events 2.97 .84 

Volunteer opportunities 2.94 .92 

Fishing opportunities 2.93 1.10 

Media coverage of the refuge 2.90 1.10 

User fees to support services provided 2.59 1.07 

Gift shop or bookstore items 2.41 1.06 

Deer hunting program 2.25 1.27 

Waterfowl hunting program 2.23 1.28 

Upland game hunting program 2.17 1.23 

1

 Responses were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (not at all important) to 4 (very important).

D-19
Table 21. Community members’ satisfaction with services offered at Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Satisfaction

Service Outstanding 

(%) 

Good 

(%) 

Average 

(%) 

Adequate(

%) 

Poor 

(%) 

Does not 

apply (%) n 

Refuge grounds maintained 37 34 10 2 1 17 289 

Condition of the natural 

environment 

33 45 4 3 1 14 294 

Wildlife viewing opportunities 31 40 10 4 <1 15 293 

Restrooms/comfort stations 15 36 18 5 3 23 291 

Availability of refuge staff 15 32 15 8 2 29 287 

Hiking trails 15 44 13 4 1 24 284 

Availability of information on 

hiking, birdwatching, or wildlife 

photography 

12 36 16 6 1 29 285 

Refuge special events 9 32 15 4 <1 40 281 

Visitor contact station 13 34 10 11 1 31 287 

Kiosks or signs with information 

about the refuge and its wildlife 

14 42 20 5 1 18 285 

Environmental education 

programs 

15 28 9 5 <1 43 284 

Parking facilities 7 46 18 11 2 17 292 

Volunteer opportunities 9 24 14 2 1 51 273 

Availability of information on 

the history of the site 

5 25 24 10 2 34 278 

Gift shop or bookstore items 5 24 16 6 <1 50 276 

Boat ramps 4 30 17 9 2 39 276 

Fishing opportunities 

Access for people with 

disabilities 

7 24 15 12 2 40 271 

Deer hunting program 6 18 5 7 4 60 270 

Waterfowl hunting program 7 17 5 5 3 62 270 

User fees to support services 

provided 

6 16 17 7 2 53 267 

Upland game hunting program 4 16 7 9 5 59 270 

Media coverage of the refuge 1 23 15 11 11 40 275 

D-20
20%

22%

24%

24%

25%

28%

30%

30%

31%

33%

33%

33%

41%

43%

46%

47%

47%

52%

53%

58%

70%

71%

78%

7%

17%

5%

5%

15%

16%

24%

24%

15%

14%

14%

17%

15%

9%

16%

15%

10%

18%

18%

13%

10%

10%

4%

14%

8%

11%

11%

22%

6%

12%

12%

14%

10%

3%

11%

4%

5%

7%

10%

12%

7%

12%

5%

5%

3%

4%

59%

53%

60%

60%

38%

50%

34%

34%

40%

43%

51%

39%

40%

43%

29%

29%

31%

23%

17%

24%

15%

16%

14%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Upland game hunting program

User fees to support services provided

Waterfowl hunting program

Deer hunting program

Media coverage of refuge

Gift shop or bookstore items

Information on history of the site

Information about refuge and its wildlife

Access for people with disabilities

Fishing opportunities

Volunteer opportunities

Boat ramps

Refuge special events

Environmental education programs

Information on hiking, bird watching, or wildife photography

Availability of refuge staff

Visitor contact station

Restrooms

Parking facilities

Hiking trails

Wildlife viewing opportunities

Refuge grounds maintained

Condition of natural environment

Good / Outstanding Average Poor / Adequate Does not apply

Figure 5. Collapsed community member satisfaction ratings for services offered at Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge.

D-21
Table 22. Mean satisfaction rating for services offered. 

Service 1 mean SD 

Condition of the natural environment 4.24 .78 

Refuge grounds maintained 4.24 .82 

Wildlife viewing opportunities 4.13 .84 

Environmental education programs 3.91 .89 

Hiking trails 3.89 .79 

Volunteer opportunities 3.78 .84 

Refuge special events 3.77 .81 

Kiosks or signs with information about the refuge and its wildlife 3.77 .843 

Restrooms/comfort stations 3.74 .97 

Availability of information on hiking, birdwatching, or wildlife photography 3.73 .88 

Visitor contact station 3.69 1.00 

Availability of Refuge staff 3.68 1.02 

Parking facilities 3.55 .88 

Gift shop or bookstore items 3.52 .83 

Waterfowl hunting program 3.49 1.19 

Fishing opportunities 3.45 1.06 

Boat ramps 3.40 .92 

Deer hunting program 3.39 1.23 

User fees to support services provided 3.39 1.00 

Access for people with disabilities 3.35 1.03 

Availability of information on the history of the site 3.33 .93 

Upland game hunting program 3.10 1.21 

Media coverage of the refuge 2.89 1.16 

1

 Responses were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (outstanding). 

D-22
Question 2. Please indicate how you feel the features listed below should be managed to 

maximize your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Table 23. Community members’ ratings about how certain features should be managed at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Feature More 

features 

Leave 

as is 

Less 

features n 

Naturalness 324 

Allow more landscape alterations 7 

Leave as is 55 

Restore more natural conditions 38 

Information services 314 

Refuge staff more visible and available 29 

leave as is 69 

Refuge staff less visible and available 3 

Hiking trails 339 

Provide more trails 59 

Leave as is 39 

Provide fewer trails 2 

Information signs 335 

Provide more signs 35 

Leave as is 53 

Limit the number of signs 12 

Environmental education opportunities 331 

Provide more programs and activities 45 

Leave as is 54 

Reduce programs and activities 1 

Brochures/publications 337 

Provide more brochures/publications about refuge 

resources, activities, and regulations 51 

leave as is 45 

Provide fewer brochures/publications about refuge 

resources, activities, and regulations 3 

Interpretive Exhibits 318 

Provide more interpretive exhibits 36 

leave as is 62 

Provide fewer interpretive exhibits 3 

Hunting 321 

Provide more hunting areas 21 

Leave as is 40 

Provide fewer hunting areas 40 

D-23
Feature More 

features 

Leave 

as is 

Less 

features n 

Fishing 323 

Provide more access to pond, creek, and shoreline 32 

Leave as is 55 

Restrict access to pond, creek, and shoreline 13 

Boat ramps 317 

Provide more boat ramps 20 

Leave as is 69 

Provide fewer boat ramps 12 

Wildlife Observation/photography opportunities 318 

Provide more facilities along rivers and parking areas 47 

Leave as it 50 

Provide fewer facilities (such as viewing blinds and 

walkways) 3 

Access to refuge 323 

Provide more parking areas and access points 31 

Leave as is 68 

Provide fewer parking areas and access points <1 

Restrooms and comfort stations 328 

Provide more facilities along rivers and parkways 37 

Leave as is 63 

Provide fewer facilities along rivers and parkways <1 

Visitor numbers 325 

Encourage more visitation to refuge 44 

Leave as is 53 

Restrict visitation to refuge 3 

Visitor impacts on wildlife 328 

Restrict any behavior that may negatively impact 

wildlife 38 

Leave as is 31 

Restrict only behavior that is known to have negative 

impacts on wildlife 31 

D-24
Question 3. What would enhance your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? 

Table 24. Categorized responses of what would enhance your experience at Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

Categories of what would enhance experience Percent (%) n 

improved programs/information/staff 12 35 

Nothing/ok as is 12 34 

don't know/unsure/no opinion 11 31 

improved hiking/walking opportunities 10 30 

more wildlife viewing opportunities 8 22 

keep/improve naturalness 6 17 

insect control 5 13 

improved boating/kayak/boating opportunities 5 14 

improved parking/restrooms/cleanup, etc. 5 15 

miscellaneous 5 14 

improved access 4 11 

improved hunting opportunities/access 4 12 

improved fishing opportunities 4 11 

limiting hunting 3 8 

more personal time to visit 3 8 

improved bike trails 1 4 

improved signage/maps 1 4 

more crops for wildlife 1 4 

n = 254. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

D-25
Question 4. What experience have you had at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that 

would bring you back? 

Table 25. Categorized responses of what would bring residents back to Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) n

wildlife observation 26 92 

scenery/beauty/intrinsic value 19 68 

hiking/trails 10 36 

fishing 8 28 

hunting 6 21 

don't know/unsure/no opinion 6 21 

refuge programs/events/facilities/staff 5 19 

everything 4 14 

canoeing/kayaking 4 13 

nothing 4 13 

family heritage 3 12 

biking 2 6 

wildlife photography 2 8 

miscellaneous 2 8 

n = 288. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

D-26
Question 5. Agreement with management options. 

Table 26. Community members’ agreement or disagreement with statements about management 

issues on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Action Strongly 

agree 

Mildly 

agree 

Unsure Mildly 

disagree 

Strongly 

disagree n 

It is important to restore and manage refuge 

habitats for rare and endangered species on 

the refuge. 

73 19 4 3 3 398 

It is acceptable to maintain and preserve 

refuge shoreline as habitat for spawning 

horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds. 

57 31 9 1 2 396 

It is important to eliminate nonnative/invasive plant communities on the 

refuge. 

43 30 22 4 <1 393 

It is acceptable to purchase land within the 

refuge boundary form willing sellers at 

market value for the benefit of wildlife. 

43 41 8 1 7 392 

It is acceptable to use fire as a tool to 

maintain high productivity of refuge 

wetland, forested, and grassland habitats for 

the benefit of wildlife. 

35 35 24 5 1 394 

It is acceptable to use fire as a management 

tool to reduce buildup of vegetation that 

could fuel fires. 

34 37 25 3 1 395 

It is acceptable for the refuge to purchase 

conservation easements on land outside the 

current boundary to manage the area’s 

wildlife resources. 

41 39 15 2 2 389 

The use of chemicals to control mosquitoes 

on refuge lands should only occur when 

field data show high numbers of breeding 

mosquitoes. 

26 32 22 14 6 396 

It is important to cease farming and strive to 

restore drained and/or degraded areas to 

natural habitats. 

20 33 26 10 10 386 

Mosquitoes are a natural component of 

healthy and functional wetland ecosystems. 13 42 27 8 10 395 

Mosquito control activities on the refuge 

should only occur during a declared public 

emergency. 

12 19 30 20 20 389 

D-27
31%

53%

55%

58%

70%

71%

73%

81%

84%

88%

91%

40%

21%

18%

20%

6%

4%

5%

4%

8%

3%

5%

30%

26%

27%

22%

24%

25%

22%

15%

8%

9%

4%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Mosquito control during declared public emergency

Important to cease farming and restore drained or

degraded areas to natural habitats

Mosquitoes natural component of healthy ecosystem

Use of chemicals to control mosquitoes only when high

numbers of mosquitoes breeding

Acceptable to use fire to maintain productivity of wildlife

habitat

Acceptable to use fire to reduce vegetation that could

fuel fires

Important to eliminate non-native/invasive plant

communities on refuge

Acceptable for refuge to purchase conservation

easements

Acceptable to purchase land within refuge boundary

from willing sellers

Acceptable to maintain and preserve refuge shoreline

for crabs and shorebirds

Important to restore and maintain habitat for rare and

endangered species

Agree Disagree Unsure

Figure 6. Collapsed community member agreement and disagreement with statements about 

management issues on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

D-28
Table 27. Mean agreement with management issues on Prime Hook National Wildlif uge e Ref . 

Action 1 mean SD 

It is important to restore and manage refuge habitats for rare and endangered species on the 

refuge. 4.56 .88 

It is acceptable to maintain and preserve refuge shoreline as habitat for spawning horseshoe 

crabs and migratory shorebirds. 4.41 .84 

It is important to eliminate non-native invasive plant communities on the refuge. 4.12 .92 

It is acceptable to purchase land within the refuge boundary from willing sellers at market 

value for the benefit of wildlife. 4.13 1.07 

It is acceptable to use fire as a tool to maintain high productivity of refuge wetland, forested, 

and grassland habitats for the benefit of wildlife. 3.99 .94 

It is acceptable to use fire as a management tool to reduce buildup of vegetation that could 

fuel fires. 3.99 .90 

It is acceptable for the refuge to purchase conservation easements on land outside the current 

boundary to manage the area’s wildlife resources. 4.15 .91 

The use of chemicals to control mosquitoes on refuge lands should only occur when field 

data show high numbers of breeding mosquitoes. 3.58 1.19 

Mosquitoes are a natural component of a healthy and functional wetland ecosystem. 3.39 1.12 

It is important to cease farming and strive to restore drained and/or degraded areas to natural

habitats. 3.42 1.21 

Mosquito control activities on the refuge should only occur during a declared public health 

emergency. 

2.83 1.28 

1 Statements were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). 

Question 6. As a visitor to Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, how desirable are the 

othetical options related to visitation on Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Very 

des le 

Generally 

des le 

Somewhat 

desi ble 

Not 

desi ble 

No 

op n 

n 

following hypothetical options related to visitation to the refuge? 

Table 28.Community members’ desirability of hyp

Option irab irab ra ra inio

Observation tower overlooking 

marsh for viewing waterfowl and 

other wildlife 

56 19 6 4 16 397 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife 

observation or photography along 38 16 15 4 26 391 

Fowler Beach Road 

New roadside pulloffs for wildlife 

observation or photography along

Slaughter Beach Road 

39 19 14 6 23 396 

Additional walking trails around 

the refuge headquarters area 35 26 8 3 28 400 

Regularly scheduled interpretive 27 31 15 4 23 398 walks by a guide 

 

D-29
28%

57%

55%

61%

75%

20%

20%

19%

11%

10%

23%

23%

26%

28%

16%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Interpertive walks by a

guide

Roadside pulloffs for

wildlife observation

along Slaughter Beach

Road

Roadside pulloffs for

wildlife observation

along Fowler Beach

Road

Additional walking

trails around

headquarters area

Observation tower

overlooking marsh for

viewing wildlife

Generally / Very Desirable Not / Somewhat Desirable No Opinion

Figure 7. Collapsed desirability of hypothetical options related to visitation on Prime Hook National 

Wildlife Refuge.

Table 29. Mean desirability of hypothetical options. 

Option 1 mean SD

Observation tower overlooking marsh for viewing waterfowl and other wildlife 3.49 .83 

Additional walking trails around the refuge headquarters area 3.28 .84 

New roadside pull offs for wildlife observation or photography along Fowler Beach Road 3.20 .96 

New roadside pull offs for wildlife observation or photography along Slaughter Beach Road 3.17 .97 

Regularly scheduled interpretive walks by a guide 3.04 .88 

1 Statements were coded on a Likert-type scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). 

D-30
Section 4. Please tell us something about yourself. 

Question 1. Where do you get most of your news and information about Prime Hook National 

Refuge? 

52%

41%

23% 22%

19% 17%

16% 16%

14% 14%

10%

9%

7%

3% 3% 3% 2% 2%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Newspaper

Friends/neighbors/work colleagues

Delaware State Parks

Family

Television

Prime Hook Refuge staff

Government brochures

Other

Internet

Radio

Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife

Recreation/environmental group

Local newsletter

Civic group or organization

Neighborhood Associations

Bombay Hook Refuge staff

Local town officials

Local business people

Figure 8. Community member sources for news and information about Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

D-31
Question 2. From the list of information sources, please state which single source you rely 

on most. 

Table 30. Categories of information sources community residents rely on most. 

Categories developed from open-ended responses Percent (%) n

newspaper 33 123 

friends/neighbors 13 49 

refuge staff 8 31 

internet/email 6 21 

neighborhood association 6 21 

TV 5 17 

family 4 14 

radio 4 16 

Delaware State Parks 4 14 

local newsletter 4 15 

miscellaneous 4 15 

Delaware Division of Wildlife 2 8 

Delaware State News 2 7 

recreation/environmental group 2 6 

government brochures 2 8 

community groups 1 5 

n = 373. Totals may be greater than n, as some respondents listed more than one response. 

Question 3. Which of the activities have you participated in within the last 5 years related to 

environmental or natural resource issues? 

Table 31. Participation in natural resource decisionmaking. 

Activity Participation (%) 

Attended a public hearing or meeting 50 

Signed a petition 45 

Joined a special interest group 41 

Contacted or wrote a U.S. Senator or State Legislator 35 

Contacted or wrote a State or Federal agency 31 

Wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper 7 

n = 250 

D-32
Question 4. How would you describe your residency at the address you were contacted? 

Table 32. Type and time of residency. 

Time of residency n 1 Percent 

(%) n 2 Percent (%) 

Year-round 428 95 

Part-time 24 5 

Spring 12 83 

Summer 11 77 

Fall 12 82 

Winter 6 45 

1 

n = 452

2 

n = 14 

Questions 5 and 6. How long have you lived in the Milton, Lewes, Milford area? How many 

generations has your family lived in the Milton, Lewes, Milford area? 

Table 33. Amount of time respondents have lived in the Milton, Lewes, Milford area. 

Years lived in Milton, 

Lewes, Milford area n Generations family lived in Milton, Lewes, Milford area 1 n 

0–5 196 1 82 

6–10 67 2 40 

11–15 21 3 60 

16–20 38 4 25 

21–30 50 5 8 

31–40 16 > 5 22 

41–50 16 

51–60 16 

61–70 8 

71–80 4 

> 80 3 

1 Outliers to this variable included the responses 11, 20, 25, 34, 45, and 100 generations. 

Average years lived in area = 18 years, SD = 20; average number of generations = 2.5 

Question 7. Are you male/female? 

Table 34. Gender of respondents 

Gender Respondents (%) 

Male 44 

Female 57 

n = 452 

D-33
Question 8. In what year were you born? 

Table 35. Percentage of respondents by age category. 

Age category Respondents (%) 

18–24 3 

25–34 17 

35–44 21 

45–54 15 

55–64 20 

65–74 16 

75–84 5 

85 and above 3 

n = 452 

Average age = 51 

Question 9. Are you employed? 

Table 36. Employment status of community members. 

Work a Percent (%) n Retired Percent (%) n 

Yes 66 298 Yes 81 131 

Full-time 53 242 And work full-time <1 1 

Part-time 16 48 And work part-time 11 15 

No 34 153 No 19 31 

a Percentage of full-time and part-time workers represent those respondents who answered the question “Do you work 

full- or part-time?” 

Question 10. If you are employed, do you take time off from work to participate in outdoor 

recreation? 

Table 37. Percentage of respondents who take time off from work to participate in outdoor 

recreation. 

Time off Percent (%) 

Yes 85 

No 15 

n = 298 

D-34
Questions 11 and 12. What ethnicity do you consider yourself? What racial origin do you 

consider yourself? 

Table 38. Race and ethnicity of respondents. 

Ethnicity a Percent (%) 

Hispanic or Latino 1 

Not Hispanic or Latino 99 

Race b

White 93 

American Indian or Alaska Native 3 

Black or African American 3 

Asian 1 

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0 

a

n = 430 

b

 n = 457 

Question 13. What is your highest year of formal schooling? 

Table 39. Level of education of respondents. 

Level of education Respondents (%) 

Less than high school 2 

High school 13 

Some college 29 

College 23 

Advanced degree 33 

n = 445 

D-35
D-36

Questions 14 and 15. How many members are in your household? Including these people, 

what was your approximate household income from all sources (before taxes) last year? 

Table 40. Income and household size of respondents. 

Income Percent (%) 

Less than $10,000 2 

$10,000 to $14,999 5 

$15,000 to $24,999 8 

$25,000 to $34,999 9 

$35,000 to $49,999 21 

$50,000 to $74,999 19 

$75,000 to $99,999 15 

$100,000 to $149,999 13 

Over $150,000 10 

Question 16. Would you like to receive information on any of the following? 

Table 41. Respondents desire for information regarding the refuge. 

Information Yes (%) 

Information about future refuge planning activities 73 

Results from the study 66 

Refuge volunteer opportunities 31 

Refuge Friends Group 29 

n = 306 
Appendix E: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended 

Questions for Visitor Survey 

Section 1, Question 3: Comments on “Do you think the Refuge provides a quality hunting 

experience?” 

Blind maintenance 

 Blinds need doors & more cover on roof 

 Didn't see any deer at Stand #33, fields weren't set 

up for hunting 

 In early season, after the hunters abuse the blinds 

and no effort is put forth to recamo blinds 

 Poor channels, poorly reeded blinds, gets worse by 

the year 

 duck blinds are nice 

 Having well kept duck blinds is greatly 

appreciated 

 The numbers of deer are good and for the most 

part, stands and access to them are good. 

However, more planting needs to be done in 

headquarters area. 

Improved hunting opportunity 

 But it is very hard to get to duck blinds 

 clean out the ditches to duck blinds 

 Clear out better shooting lanes around stands. 

 Do not require hunters to be in stands after 9:00am 

 I would like to see more deer hunting days for 

shotgun. 

 Very prejudiced 

 When you get picked in lottery, which is rare! 

 but I do not feel that hunters are welcome, 

respected visitors to the refuge. 

 Friends & family can hunt together with the pre 

lottery picks & the daily lotteries. Plus you have 

many deer stands & beautiful scenery. 

 To help control the deer herd 

 While I think the quality of hunting has 

diminished over the past 5-7 years (water fowl 

hunting especially), it is still enjoyable place to 

hunt and well worth time spent there. 

 Yes, but over the last 5 or so years the duck 

hunting has decreased. I understand the food has 

increased, but the open water has decreased. 

 Yes. But weekday hunts for deer would be good in 

Nov. shotgun. I'm on vac. All that week. Would 

be nice. 

Bring back crops 

 but you need to plant crops in the fields again and 

put goose pits into hunt Canada and snow geese 

and deer. Also open more areas besides what you 

have open now for water fowl hunting. 

 crops need to be planted on the office area, like it 

use to be. Weeds on regular area need to be 

mowed. You can't see the deer. 

 Hunting was better when land was farmed-deer 

were healthier 

 It needs more mowing to & around stands. Need 

to plant more crops. "Jefferson Track" new stands 

need to be bigger to take "youth hunters" "turkey 

hunting" 

 Need more crops in headquarters 

 Should plant headquarters area 

 Should plant more food plots for deer-clover, etc. 

 The fields that are not farmed are overgrown to 

the extent it is almost impossible to see deer, many 

are shot and lost for this reason 

 Was better years ago when you planted crops 

instead of weeds, trees, and ragweed. Even the 

state plants clover on the section of Prime Hook. 

 With crop lands going away so does the quality 

hunting and nature/wildlife viewing 

 would like to see more crops in fields 

 Yes and no. Too many weed cannot see game no 

feed for ducks and geese in open land 

 Your natural habitat is out of control-you don't 

even have path clear so you can get to the deer 

stand. It's to the point you can't even see the deer 

in the fields 

 But it could be better bring back the crops 

 fields need to be mowed and I will volunteer, open 

more day during the week 

E-1
Refuge staff/Management 

 Because ________ does not know how to run 

hunts 

 Deer hunting should be managed under QDM 

principals 

 I feel like an unwanted visitor. The current is 

aloof and unfriendly. 

 It’s ok but seems a little unorganized and not 

enough help from F&WS. Bring back drop off 

boxes stands could use some realignment i.e. 56 

57 58 

 A place to hunt that wouldn't be available to me 

otherwise; friendly and professional staff (restart 

mail out applications). 

 Although management strategies have changed 

over the years; it is the (naturally) best game 

around 

 Always, well managed 

 Contrary to several of my friends views of you 

present rules, I see little room for improvement. 

Most of these friends used to be as I call them 

Prime Hook Crony’s. 

 I think Prime Hook NWR is well managed. 

 Enjoy the safety of strict adherence to rules--

However much prefer the previous management 

and _____________ style!! 

 I think refuge policies on hunting have changed 

from years past. Some good, some not so good. 

 The drawing fair, deer stands pretty good, need to 

let hunters to help refuge maintain stands and 

other things at the refuge 

 Yes, but due to increased demands more duck 

hunting blinds need to be constructed. 

Management of the marsh/hunting is well done 

Water level/Ditch management 

 Average but low water levels in channels make 

travel hard 

 But it needs more water in the early hunting 

seasons instead of just the later seasons 

 But since the dams for water control have been put 

in the water has been a lot lower. Even worse than 

low tide before. With no tide the bottom has no 

end. The muck turned up by the go devils just sits 

there. 

 To improve this experience, I'd like to see the 

ditches cleaned out to better access blinds and the 

fields put back in crops for all wild life 

 Water level needs to be regulated(more water) 

Allow evening hunts for ducks until sunset with a 

reasonable time to get from blind to ramp 

 Only because a lot of ducks/geese frequent the 

area. The water is always too shallow and the 

blinds are in the open too much 

 There are a lot of birds. However water is too 

low, blinds are not grassed well, and too many 

hunters "sky busting." 

Access 

 Would like to see more antler restrictions; such as 

Woodland Beach 

 Areas are easily found and clean 

 Because I'm in a wheel chair and they make things 

a lot easier. Thank you. 

 I am a spinal cord injured veteran using a 

wheelchair for mobility. Prime has a wonderful 

disabled hunting program. Without Prime Hook 

there would be nowhere for me to continue 

hunting with the quality they have to offer. 

 Blinds are outstanding. Note-state access needs 

dredging. 

Enjoyable experience/Praise 

 I always have a fine experience 

 I enjoyed the experience seeing all the wildlife in 

my deer stands. 

 I like hunting from stands and having the area 

around the stand that is restricted to me 

 I thank you guys every time I hunt at the Refuge. 

I don't think I would not change a thing except to 

get picked 1st at every lottery!! 

 I think it is a safe place to hunt 

 I'm non ambulatory (wheelchair)and what I have 

seen was great. 

 It is one of two primer duck hunting locations in 

DE. The best managed refuge within 100 miles of 

my residence. 

 It's the only place in Delaware that I've seen deer 

 Lots of things to kill 

E-2
 Many deer stands available, good locations for 

deer stands, good information on deer stand 

locations 

 Outstanding resource for DE. Continue to manage 

for hunting not hunters, maintaining good 

population of birds in area effects local hunting 

too. 

 Great spot for duck and goose hunting 

 Plenty of stands, clean, not overcrowded. 

 Safe & relaxing experience 

 The blinds are well kept, the hunters are well 

informed from D.N.R. 

 The refuge is some of the best waterfowl hunting 

in our area. I look forward to many years of 

hunting the refuge to come. 

 The refuge maintains a good concentration of 

waterfowl 

 Usually good opportunity to see variety of 

waterfowl 

 Very good duck hunting. 

 Very well maintained 

 Yes, good duck hunting and deer. 

 Best hunting in state. However lack of 

enforcement of hunting laws in last 3 years has 

been a major disappointment. 

 Blinds are in good condition although I'm 6' 4" 

and they are a bit short. 

 Deer are in good numbers, however 75% are very 

small. 

 Duck blinds always seem to be in good condition; 

however, several of the blinds are extremely 

difficult to get to due to extreme shallow water 

and grass 

 I like the stands you have. It would be nice to 

have a roof on the stands. But if not I will still 

come back to hunt. 

 Most of the tree stands are in good spots-we need 

to move a few 

Other 

 Don't know its hunting season & I am afraid to go 

if hunters are shooting at you 

 Saw deer heard deer before daybreak did not get a 

shot at one out of range didn't want to injure one 

wanted a clean shot. 

 Although I've never hunted Prime Hook I hear the 

hunting is great, and would like to partake. 

 Excellent opportunity for the most part 

 Good access, good food source loads of ducks 

Don't know/Don't hunt 

 Can't comment as I no longer hunt 

 Do not hunt 

 Do not know 

 Don't hunt 

 Don't know 

 Have no idea 

 Haven't experienced hunting in refuge 

 I do not hunt 

 I don't hunt 

 I don't hunt 

 I don't hunt 

 I don't hunt 

 Not a hunter 

 Not interested in this 

 Unsure 

 Yes and no. Reasons on the back of this survey 

E-3
Section 1, Question 4: Comments on “Do you think the Refuge provides a quality fishing 

experience?” 

Water levels 

 Fishing is limited due to water levels which I 

understand must be changed to help other things 

such as weed control, aquatic plants, etc. 

Access 

 good public access 

 Except ponds are closed to public without notice 

 It would be nice to open the other side of the water 

where the levy is at the bridge (Peters Field Ditch) 

 Need more fishing areas 

 Need more walkways for fishermen 

 Some areas leading from one pond to another are 

getting overgrown and need to be thinned out in 

order to access. 

 Would be better if there were more fishing piers. 

 You should be able to fish all year except days 

where there is duck hunting, now you close the 

ramp during hunting season even on days you 

can't hunt 

 need to let more fishing in areas. Thank you for 

what you have open 

Quality fishing experience 

 Fishing is excellent, but I wish the water level was 

not lowered in summer, I question the reason for 

this, I would think this would increase mosquito 

population. 

 Fishing is ok 

 good fishing 

 Good quality fish, very nice setting for ponds. 

The ponds should be made catch and release only. 

 good water quality plenty of fish and not crowded 

 I fish on the bay/beach and if I catch nothing that 

is ok also 

 I have a great time there 

 I look forward to finding this out when Spring 

arrives 

 I would say quiet and relaxed atmosphere 

 Again not room for much improvement, It’s up to 

the fish. Hqts boat ramp needs to be concrete, no 

stones 

 Don't have to be bothered by anyone 

 Excellent white perch run early spring-good 

bass/otherwise rest of spring too many mosquitoes 

in the summer 

 It has in the past for me, but it has been several 

years since I fished there. 

 It is a beautiful place to visit and spend some time 

 Large perch in and about water control structures, 

large trout in Broadkill River/Beach Plum Island 

 Lots of variety in fish species 

 Never crowded, launch areas are generally clean, 

secluded 

 OK 

 Quality fishing and of the fish 

 Quiet fishing experience pristine ponds 

 The one time I went we had a good time. 

 The ponds are excellent for fishing. Prime Hook 

creek is well managed and offers excellent fishing. 

 To keep in touch with nature 

 Variety of fish is good. Fishing from a canoe 

gives you better accessibility due to structure & 

low water in some areas of the creek & ponds 

 Various locations offer a variety of fishing 

 Very much so. I take my grandkids(age 10 & 

15)all the time and they always have a great time 

catching bass, perch and pickerels, great place for 

youngsters to spend their leisure time. 

 Very quiet and looks great! 

 White perch fishing in Peterfield Ditch is excellent 

in spring. Cat fishing later on 

Limited fish 

 I like it the way it is, maybe stock some bass or 

other fish without much public knowing about it! 

 It is very limited 

 Talked to many people about your place but have 

not fished there yet will be there in the spring with 

my son. Had a this year with boy scouts and 

didn't get a chance to bow hunt there 

 The fishing used to be great for white perch and 

catfish. Does the dam affect that! 

 Never caught a fish. 

 never caught many fish 

E-4
Don't fish/Don’t know 

 Do not fish 

 Does not apply 

 Don't fish 

 Don't fish 

 Don't fish the refuge. 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 don't know looks like it would be good 

 don't know looks like it would be good 

 have not fished here 

 Haven't fished in a while 

 I can fish at a lot of different spots. 

 I do not fish 

 I don't fish 

 never fish there, but have plans for the future to do 

so. 

 never fished 

 never fished 

 Never fished 

 Never fished at the refuge. 

 Never fished but from seeing the ponds and ramps 

everything seems pretty easy to get to 

 never fished here 

 no comment 

 no comment 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 Not a fisher 

 Not sure, I have never fished there, but would like 

to try 

 Plan on fishing in future 

 But I don't travel there to fish 

 I don't know. I don't fish the refuge. 

 I have not fished here but from what I hear it is 

good 

 I never fished their 

E-5
Section 3, Question 2: Are there activities or services that you think should be allowed at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge that currently are not allowed? 

Camping 

 Camping  Tent camping 

Horseback riding 

 Horseback riding 

 Horseback riding 

 Horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing(limited camping or camping-educational 

programs)(as applicable) 

 horseback riding, gathering shedded deer antlers 

Hunting related 

 Add more days to deer hunt-add 1 or 2 more 

Sundays during the hunting season. 

 Hunt snow geese on the Broadkill Beach Ponds 

 Hunting deer in Nov. weekdays too. 

 hunting from boat or portable blinds because other 

hunters damage the reeds on the blinds and they 

are too in the open. 

 Hunting teal during the "teal" season. 2. More 

access to hunt snow geese during the early and 

late seasons. 3. Open more of the refuge up ( 

North and South 

 I think they should open up new area's for ducks 

there used to be more blinds and the ducks and 

geese know what ponds we need to bounce the 

birds to break u 

 I think when you are hunting and you have bad 

weather cancellations you should be able to go 

back to your car or truck and not have to stay with 

your stand 

 Increased hunting in a friendly environment. 

 Open dove hunting fields 

 open up more area and time for snow goose 

hunting 

 Put field blinds in so we can hunt geese in fields 

like Bombay Hook 

 should not be hunting 

 Snow goose hunting from deer stands 

 spring snow goose season 

 Sunday waterfowl hunts, waterfowl season is very 

short especially for the working man, we are the 

ones footing the bills. 

 Turkey hunting 

 turkey hunting goose pit hunting more office deer 

hunting 

 Turkey hunting; let more areas be hunted for small 

game 

 Wheelchair Snow & Canada goose hunting on the 

Island Farm 

 goose hunting in field planted with crops and deer 

hunting in fields planted with crops 

 more opportunities for snow goose hunting 

 Would like to be able to scout year round. 

 could make portable blinds take down at end of 

hunt 

 deer shed antler hunting. The few antlers that 

would be found would not impact the other 

wildlife 

Hiking/Walking trails 

 More hiking trails 

 More walking trails 

 Picnic places with fine hearths-more places to 

walk 

Kayak/Canoe 

 Canoe trail should be open some days in the fall. 

That is the best time for paddling and people who 

are not shooting animals deserve equal access. 

 Hose at boat launch ramp to clean boat hulls when 

leaving 

 Rent canoes or kayaks 

 I think kayakers & canoeists should be allowed to 

canoe on the canoe trail year round. I think the 

hunting blinds should be converted to photography 

blinds 

 Kayak rental 

E-6
Crabbing/Fishing 

 More fishing areas  More fishing room 

Access 

 Access to more areas that are currently off limits. 

 Birding access to Island Farm 

 Complete access to entire refuge 

 More access to closed areas 

 When availability exists, open handicap accessible 

areas to everyone 

Picnic areas/Benches 

 A few more benches for older folks like me 

 A modest picnic area would be nice 

 Picnic areas-covered areas for group events placed 

around the reserve-concertsDon't know/Unsure/No opinion 

 Don't really know 

 It seems (by this survey) you are already 

considering them 

 No knowledge 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 Not specifically 

Miscellaneous 

 Mountain biking along the hiking trails. 

 Controlled biking areas on bike paths 

 More family activities-things for elementary 

school age children in family 

 Doing a great job as is 

 Farming 

 There should be a separate room or area to display 

mounted animals & birds & other species that live 

here. 

 Be treated as a citizen and not a black man-we 

also pay taxes. 

 Bird & Rescue 

 Full time law enforcement 

 More farming 

 Open up other side of waterway off Broadkill Rt 

16. Put litter signs up stating fines and a # to call 

if someone does litter. 

 Peace and quiet and solitude 

 Photography lessons 

 More education sessions on weekends instead of 

Thursday nights

E-7
Section 3, Question 3: Are there activities or services that you think should not be allowed at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge that are currently allowed? 

Hunting 

 All bird hunting & any trapping. Hunting deer & 

trapping nutria is fine. 

 At 9 o'clock other hunters are allowed to roam 

thru my hunting area. This should stop. I want 

my spot to be left to nature. 

 Canoe during duck season open gate during deer 

season 

 Crabbing, hunting 

 Duck and goose hunting 

 duck/goose hunters are allowed too many shotgun 

shells, so they sky bust. 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting & fishing 

 Hunting & trapping 

 Hunting and fishing. It's not much of a "refuge" 

for wildlife if they can be killed. 

 Hunting if applicable 

 Hunting of geese where people are bird watching 

or living. The gunshots scare off all the birds. 

 Hunting should be minimized-this is a refuge 

 Hunting waterfowl 

 Hunting-unless for control 

 Hunting-very stressful to hear gunshots while 

hiking 

 I'm concerned about hunters in the area and gun 

safety of participants 

 no hunting 

 No hunting 

 No hunting it's a refuge.) 

 No upland hunting 

 There should be no hunting. 

 Very cruel, trapping, hunting & shooting animals. 

Refuge: place providing protection or shelter, a 

haven or sanctuary. 

 Wheelchair deer hunting by individuals that do not 

use a wheelchair as only mode of mobility. 

 While hunting is a permitted activity, it should be 

practiced sparingly here 

 Hunters should watch out for the fishermen 

ATV's/Driving on beach 

 ATV's 

 I am not familiar enough with the park to answer 

this. Hopefully you don't allow ATVs & such to 

scare the wildlife & tear up the terrain 

 I assume that ATVs & jet skis are not allowed, 

and should stay that way, in my opinion-too noisy 

& intrusive 

 If you allow it---ATV trails 

 No ATVs or off-road vehicles 

 Please continue to ban motor vehicles on the 

beach!!

Fishing 

 Turkle and Fleetwood Ponds should be catch and 

release fishing only 

Farming 

 Farming 

 Farming-all land should be for animal habitat. 

 use of insecticides and genetically modified 

organisms (round-up ready corn/soy)

E-8
Limit on hunting 

 Closing Jefferson-Loffland areas to hunting in 

January because of fox squirrels. Hunters have no 

impact on them being in woods for what little 

shooting that is done. 

 kayaking during duck season walking nature trails 

during deer season 

 Limiting the amount of fawns taken per hunter. 

Maybe certain areas with QDM or alternative 

areas each year 

 Youth hunt should not proceed the Nov. shotgun 

season. It should be held _____ the season

Bikes (mountain & motor) 

 Motorbikes 

 Mountain bikes and ATVs, cross-country skiers, 

hunting 

 Mountain biking 

 Snowmobiles, off road bikes, etc 

Miscellaneous 

 development and food, gas and t-shirt stands 

 Camping-loud music 

 Drinking alcoholic beverages 

 Boats should be restricted to paddles & electric 

motors only-hunting should be restricted to culling 

purposes only 

 Gas powered trips through the wilderness 

 As much as reasonably possible, anything that 

interferes with #2 above. 

 motorized ___ horses 

 Cross country/track practice 

 I enjoy being in a wildlife refuge, but wildlife 

refuge is its purpose, not entertaining vacationers. 

 Racism 

 Restricted canoeing during hunting season-some 

areas should be reserved for canoeing/kayaking 

year round 

 No dogs 

 Pets on trails.

Unsure/Don't know/No opinion 

 Don't know 

 I have no opinion 

 No opinion 

 Allowed activities seem nicely balanced for the 

area as far as I could tell in my brief visit. 

E-9
Section 3, Question 6: What would enhance your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge? 

Nothing—Good as is 

 Can't think of anything-wish we had more rain! 

 Enjoy as is, maybe more restrooms 

 Great place 

 Have been very good 

 I always enjoy myself here 

 I had a very positive experience bee. Love, the 

volunteer, was so knowledgeable and helpful. 

 I like it the way it is. 

 I'll come back anyway, It's like a second home. 

So I'd leave it as it is. 

 It is a good experience every time I visit 

 It is a wonderful place now 

 It was great 

 Leave as is 

 Like it as is, don't mess with a good thing 

 Not much to enhance! Beautiful refuge and 

helpful people. 

 Not sure-we had a wonderful visit. 

 Nothing 

 Nothing 

 Nothing it was great 

 Only been there 3 times, so far so good 

 Prime Hook great as is 

 Satisfied 

 Since our trip was with 2 outstanding and 

knowledgeable guides- nothing additional was 

needed 

 To keep the refuge moving as it is. 

 Too soon to tell 

 Unknown 

 Well satisfied with refuge at present time 

 You are doing a wonderful job. Just the way it is 

everyone is nice friendly and knowledgeable. 

Improved programs/Information/Staff 

 A return to Prime Hook with a program by 

naturalist 

 By having more programs 

 I didn't know about the other roads and areas of 

the park 

 Informational film 

 I've been there once but most important was the 

volunteer who took us into the area, explained 

what was there 

 Knowing more about the area, and how far does 

the refuge reach 

 More accurate maps 

 More educational programs, opportunities 

(guided) hiking trips & refuge staff/volunteers 

(guided)canoeing & refuge staff/volunteers. 

Research-library-videos (on site) archive 

information about Native American Indians & 

settlers related to refuge area! 

 More hands on 

 More interpretative programs on weekends; 

expand the gift shop to include more artisan's 

work. Have a ranger in the field. 

 More knowledge-I was unaware that the beach 

was part of the park. Always headed to beach & 

never visited the park-just found out in this survey 

info 

 More outdoor activities and more, more 

interesting learning activities 

 More signs leading to blinds 

 More staff available for questions 

 New manager 

 Should have activities other than Sundays-most 

events are scheduled Sunday at noon-handicap 

accessible boat ramps. 

 Some waterfowl seminars (duck/goose calls, 

decoy setups, etc./How to programs 

 Would feel more comfortable when walking alone 

to see more staff visible 

Insect control 

 Fewer biting bugs? 

More wildlife viewing opportunities 

 Get more birds! 

 I would like to see the African birds that come 

here in season to photograph. 

 More animals and ability to interact with them (if 

possible). Rescue programs 

 more bird species 

 More Ducks 

 More ducks and geese in fields-seeing more 

wildlife 

 More viewing sites for birders 

 More viewing stands on the saltwater pools. 

 More wildlife 

E-10
 Open swaths through overgrown fields so we can 

see wildlife better 

 See more quality deer. Deer checking station that 

also weighs deer. Higher stands. Maybe the food 

cart more often 

 See the geese in the fields 

 Seeing more birds 

 Whatever can be done to increase the numbers of 

wildlife to the area-is it possible to increase the 

food for them? 

Improved access 

 Access to Island Farm 

 Access to Island Farm Road, parking at Broadkill 

Impoundment 

 Acquire and manage a portion of beach on 

Delaware Bay 

 Being able to walk in areas currently off-limits, in 

small groups rather than individuals wreak havoc. 

 Being able to walk on the many paths that are 

closed to visitors which the refuge opens to 

Hunters (off season of course). 

 Better access for non ambulatory disabilities 

 Better access to duck hunting blinds(more waterless silt/grass 

 Better access to upper area by Deep Branch Rd., 

and leaving water level up in the summer months 

 Dredge-open up-state access & fed. Access to get 

to the creeks & ponds 

 Extension of the vehicle pull over areas for bird 

watching along Rt. 16 (Broadkill Beach Road) 

 More access to more sites, observation areas, 

blinds, etc. Less ticks & mosquitoes. 

 More access to ponds, creeks and shoreline 

 More areas open to hiking & kayaking 

 More parking shoulders along wetland roads. 

Better trail signage. 

 More pull offs on Prime hook Beach Rd. 

 My freedom to move about with less restrictions 

 Open other side of waterway at the levy on Rt. 16 

 Provide more access along Broadkill- (Peters field 

Ditch) to water for fishing(platform or walkway) 

 Restrict disabled hunting on the Island Farm to 

wheelchair dependent hunters only 

 Somewhat easier access to duck blinds. 

 Take time to clean ditches for better access to 

duck blinds. 

 Walk to duck blinds.

Improved trails 

 More "groomed" walkways-trails 

 More & longer hiking trails. 

 More bike trails 

 More hiking trails 

 More hiking trails 

 More hiking trails & safer pull offs along 

Broadkill Road & Prime Hook Road. 

 More hiking trails around ponds. Trailside signs 

about wildlife identification. 

 More hiking trails. 

 More nature trails and observation points 

 More trails 

 More trails and observation platforms. 

 More walking trails-especially longer ones 

 More walkways at Peter Field ditch 

 More well maintained trails, auto pull outs & 

observation platforms for major impoundments 

 Pathed/paved bike trails 

 This was my first visit to Prime Hook. I honestly 

don't know much about the refuge or what is 

available to a visitor. I would like to see a longer 

boardwalk or trail for nature & bird watching. 

 Wider shoulders on Broadkill Beach Road for 

safer pull off & observation; bike path on 

Broadkill Beach Road. 

Improved hunting opportunities/Access 

 (1) Food plots-fields; (2) Goose blinds; (3) Less 

rigid enforcement of minor rules and regulations. 

 A monthly planner that was sent to your home 

with pictures and descriptions of blinds that can be 

seen that month.-migratory information for each 

month. This would help the new birder. 

 Add more water for easier access to blind sites. 

Place a shell limit to discourage "sky busting" 

ducks 

 Allow waterfowl hunting until sunset on Saturdays 

as opposed to 3:00 PM 

 be allowed to transfer hunting stands using the 

original fee paid in the morning 

 Being able to have access to the refuge on some 

days during hunting season without having to hear 

guns 

 Being picked for headquarters hunt 

 Better quail hunting opportunities 

 Bigger duck blinds 

E-11
 Breakfast served in duck blind 

 Canada goose field blinds available-preseason 

draw and/or daily lottery 

 Changing drawing time from 2 hrs to 1 1/2 hrs for 

deer hunting 

 Clear out the ditches going to the duck blinds 

easier access to blinds 

 Create more water flow; hunting opportunities 

 Either place water fowl blinds on the shore or 

allow more hunters to use boat or portable blinds. 

Limit amount of shotgun shells per person 

 Feeling more welcome as a hunter 

 Getting picked more often, & more ducks. What 

you may not understand public places are the only 

places left! 

 Having more blind selections to choose from. 

And to keep hunting pressure down, go to 

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. 

 having more duck blinds available 

 Hotline to know when large numbers of birds are 

moving through 

 I believe the deer stands could be placed a bit 

better 

 I would like to scout for hunting anytime. I feel 

fees are a bit high to hunt and strongly oppose 

raising them. I'd like the opportunity to hunt more 

days. 

 Longer hunting (waterfowl)season 

 make all boat ramps, ponds, and access to blinds 

for hunting truly accessible 

 make another H.C. duck blind on the big pond 

 make it easier to get to duck blinds 

 More days to deer hunt 

 more duck blinds 

 More duck blinds-- It's very discouraging to get up 

at 2:am and not get drawn--also reopen #22 

w/access from the deer hunting parking area to 

keep from hindering traffic on Prime Hook Rd. 

 More duck hunting blinds. Add more and rotate 

open/close 

 More hunting area's for the hunters to be treated as 

a asset to the refuge and not another expense, also 

to have more programs for the youth. 

 More hunting on holiday weekends. Weekend are 

the only time most hunters have 

 more water during duck hunting season 

 More waterfowl hunting area. Too many hunters 

with not enough blinds/blind sites. It is 

discouraging to wake up @ 3:30am and not get 

picked or bring someone for their first hunt and 

not get picked. 

 more chances to hunt 

 Open more ground to hunting 

 Possibly a few well placed stationary scopes-if 

that is even a feasible idea-particularly where 

waterfowl is generally seen at a great distance. 

 Provide more hunting for deer. But don't hunt 

same area everyday. 

 purchase, rent or borrow an annual "cookie cutter" 

machine to clear vegetation and silt from main and 

duck blind access ditches prior to the season start. 

 quality deer management stop shooting button 

bucks shoot more does 

 Take hunters to stand so they won't get lost. A lot 

more habitat, move stands 

 Turkey hunting 

 Weekday deer hunting in Nov.-open Ock Iln. That 

week

Improved hiking/Walking opportunities 

 Walking/hiking tour.  We are new to the area. In the spring we are 

looking forward to hiking and kayaking. 

Improved boating/Kayak/Boating opportunities 

 A deeper water from the HQ ramp toward the 

ditch, silt build up restrict even with small boat 

from going through. 

 Better boat ramps & more ramps 

 Canoe/kayak rentals/children's 

exhibits/recreational opportunities 

 Clear logs from ditches, so mud motors aren't 

mandatory! 

 Guided kayak tours 

 If we had more time-I would like to see more from 

the water if renting kayaks or small boats were 

available 

 Improve boat ramps. More/better use of "cookie 

cutter" to improve passage of ditches and ponds 

during hunting season 

 Kayak rental 

 more water 

 more water making for easier boat ride to duck 

blinds 

 Rental canoes/kayaks. Maybe you have them, but 

we didn't visit long enough to find out. 

 Restrict motorboats-too much pollution. 

 Since the dam has been in the water cannot flow 

the muck out so it just pieces up. The channel 

needs to be cleaned up! You should be able to run 

outboard motors as you could years past. The 

refuge will be a mud flat in years to come? 

E-12
Improved fishing opportunities 

 Catching bigger fish 

 Maybe a little bit of stocking of fish with little or 

no publicity 

 More room to fish the beaches 

Limiting hunting 

 Eliminate hunting 

 Knowing that hunting was not allowed 

 no hunting 

 No hunting 

Improved parking/Restrooms/Cleanup, etc. 

 Better lighting in parking area 

 better parking at boat ramp locations 

 Do more to discourage people from littering. 

Cans & bottles are particularly bad in area of 

Fowler Beach. 

 Fewer loud radios and beer bottles 

 Frost free hand pumps for drinking water at sites 

 Lower the speed limits especially going into 

Broadkill Beach. People are fishing, crabbing or 

watching birds & cars are doing 50 around curves. 

 More parking & viewing areas 

 More parking on Broadkill & Prime Hook Beach 

Roads-viewing platforms on Broadkill Beach 

Road 

 More rest facilities. 

 More roadside parking especially Prime Hook 

Beach Road 

 Please put lights in your parking area-come out at 

night-hard to find your car! 

 Restrooms/comfort stations; rain shelters. 

 To have cars to slow down at Peters Field ditch to 

have to chain down at Beach Plum Island 

 Trash cans to reduce litter. 

More personal time to visit 

 A little closer to home 

 First visit-had good time w/son not there long 

enough to answer 

 More frequent visits 

 More guided tours & photography classes 

 More of my own free time! 

 More time 

 More time to go there 

 More time to visit all the sites 

 More time(personal restriction) 

 Plan to visit more-enjoy the lectures 

 To be able to make a return visit and be in a 

smaller group 

 Would have loved to stay longer and explore more 

of the nature trails. 

Keep/Improve naturalness 

 Convert corn fields into areas with native 

vegetation. Get rid of phragmites & nutria. Fix 

Purple Martin houses at Visitor Center & Black 

Farm Trail. Ensure the survival of the Delmarva 

Fox Squirrel. 

 Its continued growth and development as a 

wildlife refuge first and foremost. Impact by 

people should be minimized. 

 Let nature take over 

 More natural landscapes And more duck blinds 

 To see cultivated land restored to forest and 

grasslands. Entering Prime Hook through the 

forest and then seeing farmland lessens the feeling 

of a wildlife refuge. 

More crops for wildlife 

 Better feeding fields for deer 

 Bring back crops in the fields. 

 Clear fields up 

E-13
 crops placed back in fields to attract wildlife 

especially deer and Canadian geese. 

 Cut the fields!!! Plant food crops. There is 

suppose to be a lot of deer in Prime Hook, but 

they’re not staying due to no crops to eat. 

 Find a way to restore agricultural/crops to hunting 

areas 

 Get rid of weed fields-be fair to all hunters-stop 

giving special privileges to people in Sussex 

County 

 Having more areas to hunt deer and waterfowl, 

such as fields planted with crops and more spots in 

the marsh. Also need a decoy carving 

competitions during water fowl festival. 

 I would like to see a lot more crops planted. Also 

more hunt days per each season. 

 If fields were cut and crops planted you would be 

able to view more wildlife. 

 In some areas more food plots to encourage the 

deer out to the fields. 

 More crops in headquarters 

 more farming on available fields which would 

attract more animals and water fowl 

 Open the croplands for viewing and feeding 

wildlife. 

 plant crops for the wildlife 

 Planting more crops or wildlife attracting 

plants/foliage in areas that are overgrown or not 

used at all. 

 Planting your weed fields in crops. (you would 

make money) 

 Put crops back in field 

 Put fields back in crops. That's one of the largest 

viewing opportunities. Plus it has a very positive 

impact on all the wildlife. 

 returning the fields to farming so there would be a 

better source for the wildlife and water fowl and 

better viewing opportunity 

 Returning to filling fields available for farming. 

Use money for managing projects-leave food 

available for game. 

Miscellaneous 

 Being able to see the stars at nighttime 

 Better luck with rainfall! (Park was very dry)! 

 Educational programs; perhaps volunteer 

opportunities when we can spend more time in 

Delaware 

 Going in a group 

 If black people were treated equally 

 To get there at sunrise 

 To share it with more people 

 Bathrooms and bait & tackle store or even food in 

store 

 Better weather!!! More access to drinking 

water/frost free pumps 

 Concession stands, bait & tackle-hunting & 

fishing license at office. 

 Covered areas to escape the heat when viewingbuilt to also provide bats a shelter or a nesting area 

for the birds 

 Food-but that gets trashy 

 Some benches or other seating opportunities along 

trail 

 Working water/soda/juice machines. Better 

marked trails & observation sites. 

E-14
Section 3, Question 7: What experience have you had at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that 

would bring you back? 

Wildlife observation 

 Always an enjoyable time, especially when the 

coyote makes an appearance 

 Being out with nature and seeing a lot of wildlife 

as well as hunting it. 

 Bird watching 

 Bird watching 

 Bird watching, the bird club, I plan to enter the 

photography contest this year! 

 Bird watching, the snow geese in Fall & Winter. 

 Birding and wildlife viewing experiences & the 

feeling of being in a serene, undeveloped natural 

area 

 Birds to photograph-heron & egret 

 Bird watching 

 Bird watching trips with friends and SDALL 

classes 

 Bird watching was very good 

 Bird watching, lecture series, special events 

 Bird-wildlife viewing 

 Catching lots of big perch-peaceful wildlife 

observations 

 Enjoy deer hunting & bird watching 

 Excellent birding and interaction with great people 

 Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities 

 Good birding 

 Good birding in varied habitats 

 Good birding opportunities 

 Good birding opportunities-saw a Marsh Hawk 

hunting... 

 Good birds 

 Good habitat for birding & nice facility 

 Great birds-get more (smiley face) 

 Great spot-great birds 

 Hiking & birding 

 Hiking, wildlife viewing & hunting. 

 Hunting and wildlife viewing, also waterfowl 

festival. 

 I am a wildfowl caver and a fisherman, love 

watching wildfowl and fishing great, my 

grandkids enjoyed visiting the area all the time. 

 I went there to see birds. Therefore, I would like 

to see the same type of birds in a different season. 

 Interesting wildlife 

 It was a wonderful look at shorebirds and 

waterfowl. However if scopes had not been 

available to us they would have been largely 

unidentifiable. 

 Just seeing the many species of birds that reside 

there. 

 Listening to the birds and all quietness the refuge 

provided. 

 Migrating water birds--sparrows, hawks, 

songbirds. 

 More birding trips; more interesting lectures on 

nature 

 More birds 

 Opportunity to bird watch 

 Organized bird walks 

 Organized bird walk; viewing horseshoe crabs; 

independent bird watching 

 Perhaps another bird watching trip 

 Rare bird sightings 

 saw a lot of ducks 

 Saw the Northern Shrike, found American Pipits, 

watched Bald Eagle feed on deer carcass. 

Enjoyed Prothonotary and Pine Warbler antics. 

 Seeing and hearing wildlife (snakes, birds, 

mammals)that we don't see anywhere else. 

Interesting information from the refuge staff and 

volunteers. 

 Seeing Bald Eagles, but most importantly getting 

to see the thousands & thousands of snow geese in 

the winter. It's why I kept coming to Prime Hook 

every winter. And the otters in Prime Hook Creek 

are great 

 Seeing birds i.e. Cooper's Hawk Osprey Turkey & 

babies & resident lady coyote 

 Seeing eagles, hawks, geese in natural 

environment; wildlife viewing, would like to 

kayak there, serene marsh and wetland 

environment; trails through woods. 

 Seeing lots of deer 

 Seeing rare birds accompanied by naturalist 

leaders 

 Seeing the wildlife-in a natural setting-peaceful 

 Seeing the turkeys strutting about-the deer and 

hope to see more. 

 Seeing wildlife more often 

 Snow geese, trails 

 The ducks which are there! They just weed to be 

moved around. I've hunted there for a long time 

with this being the worst opening season yet! 

 The large # of ducks as well as all the different 

species of ducks. 

 The many years of duck hunting 

 The natural habitat for birding and the trail that 

was safe and easy to follow. 

 The warblers moving through in Spring & Fall. 

 Viewing birds 

 viewing shorebirds 

 Viewing the many species of waterfowl 

 viewing the shorebirds during migration times at 

several sites in the refuge. I come every year. 

E-15
 Viewing the thousands of snow geese near 

Broadkill Beach Road 

 Viewing wildlife, walk-trails, the Annual Prime 

Hook Day 

 Watching birds 

 Waterfowl hunting 

 Waterfowl hunting, nature trails, canoeing 

 We went to areas usually off limits thanks to the 

group (Sussex Bird Club) inviting us along, and so 

saw more birds. We'd come back if we could 

expand our own viewing range. 

 Wildlife viewing & pictures 

 Wildlife viewing, especially birds. 

 Wildlife viewing, paddling, hiking 

 Would like to come back in spring or fall during 

early am or at dusk to view more wildlife. Didn't 

see much but it was our fault-92 degrees at 

midday. 

Fishing 

 Being able to fish Fowler Beach 

 Big perch, large trout 

 Catching fish 

 Excellent fishing! 

 Excellent fishing-would hate to see anything 

change 

 Fishing 

 Fishing 

 Fishing 

 Fishing & beautiful scenery 

 Fishing & natural 

 fishing and hunting 

 Good crabbing 

 Good fishing 

 Good fishing experiences, nice scenery 

 Good perch fishing and crabbing 

 Great fishing 

 Great fishing, crabbing, hunting, beautiful area. 

 We enjoy fishing and tours about shorebirds 

Hiking/Trails 

 Adequate trails through natural areas 

 Bird walks 

 Bird walks, good nature trails, wildlife along all 

the roads into and along the refuge. 

 Clean hiking trails; easy to get to 

 Good experience-would return to hike more in 

different seasons 

 Hiking and paddling-listening to volunteer 

interpretations 

 Hiking the trails and viewing the diverse bird 

population 

 Hiking trails, guides to birding, serene 

environment 

 Hiking, bird watching 

 Hiking, canoeing 

 Hiking, nature viewing 

 Hiking-deer hunting 

 Lots of good trails to hike & lots of good scenery. 

 Marked trails w/mileage marked; observation of 

several migratory birds 

 New hiking trails 

 Trails and hunting opportunities and staff is 

wonderful 

 Walking 

 Walking the trails. 

 Walking, viewing nature, lecture series-how about 

something on the German submarine captured 

 Walks on trails-lecture series 

Hunting 

 A great hunting experience 

 All my hunting and fishing experiences 

 Average to good duck hunting 

 Deer & duck hunting 

 Deer and waterfowl hunting and observation. 

 deer hunting 

 Deer hunting 

 Deer hunting all 3 methods-hands down!(Archerymuzzle loader-shotgun) 

 Deer hunting I wait all year for deer season 

 Deer hunting no success but plenty of wildlife, 

beautiful scenery 

 Deer hunting-the people who are running the hunt 

program do not know what they are doing 

 Duck and Goose hunting 

 Duck and goose hunting 

 Duck hunting success 

 ducks deer 

 Due to the hard work and efforts of the staff the 

waterfowl hunting is the best around!! Truly 

 Early season hunting 

 Excellent duck hunting in safe comfortable blinds. 

 Fishing anytime/deer hunting never. Depends on 

who you know to get a good stand and what color 

you are 

 good deer hunting 

 Good duck hunting 

 good duck hunting 

E-16
 good duck hunting 

 Good duck hunting 

 Good duck hunting! 

 good duck hunts 

 Good hunting 

 Good hunting 

 great duck hunting 

 Great hunting trips with my son. Also the 

preseason lottery. It allows us to apply for the 

same days & hunt those days together. 

 Great hunting-lots of ducks 

 Great time w/friends doing what I love-hunting. I 

rely solely on public lands since I cannot afford to 

lease land anywhere. 

 Great waterfowl hunting 

 hunting 

 hunting 

 hunting 

 hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting & fishing 

 Hunting and fishing look at wildlife in open fields 

which are now tamber weeds look very bad 

 Hunting and fishing, nature itself, the comradeship 

 hunting and seeing old friends 

 Hunting deer 

 hunting They take very good care of volunteers 

 Hunting, fishing, Prime Hook Day 

 Hunting, fishing, walking trails with friends. 

(Would like to hunt geese in fields with my 

grandsons.) 

 I harvested my 1st deer at Pine Hook, lots of 

memories. Thanks 

 I like hunting the refuge. It holds a lot of birds 

and the habitat is well maintained 

 It's the only place in Delaware that I've seen deer 

while deer hunting 

 Its waterfowl hunting 

 I've had outstanding waterfowl hunts. 

 I've taken a few nice deer and think it is a different 

scenery then other areas 

 Just good hunting times. I really enjoy hunting 

there. 

 More shooting space, a fresh hunting area 

 Quality and safe hunting 

 Usually have an enjoyable hunt, if drawn. 

 Very enjoyable hunting experiences! 

 Very good duck hunting and enjoyable biking. 

 Very good waterfowl hunting 

 Very helpful people and wonderful hunting 

opportunity 

 waterfowl hunting, the location does draw 

waterfowl 

 Wheelchair hunting opportunities-more volunteer 

opportunities 

Everything 

 All 

 All experiences 

 All of it 

 All that apply to me. 

 All-going with volunteer leaders for bird watching 

into areas normally closed to the public 

 Every experience I've had there, so far. 

 Just being near 

 Just being relaxed 

Scenery/Beauty/Intrinsic value 

 A beautiful scenic environment where a bit of 

wilderness exists 

 Beauty & solace in all seasons 

 Good fishing, very nice natural setting for ponds, 

good wildlife viewing 

 It is a beautiful setting. I am a landscape painter 

and would enjoy painting here. 

 It is quiet and not crowded. Leave undeveloped 

areas the way they are. Increased parking and 

access will spoil Prime Hook. 

 It was a nice & beautiful environment 

 It was peaceful. Keep it quietly beautiful. 

 It's a great experience even if I don't get picked 

 Its beauty & peacefulness 

 Its beauty as a natural site-its friendly staff 

 Its natural wonders & wildlife & scenery 

 It's very peaceful-you can really enjoy nature. 

 Keep it natural with little publicity 

 Leave as is 

 Natural beauty 

 Nature is beautiful at Prime Hook. 

 Nice place to just look around 

 Peace and quiet-absence of roads 

 Peace, solitude, and viewing of birds & animals 

 Peaceful 

 Serene environment & the ability to see & enjoy 

all the game & other residents of the refuge 

 The beauty 

 The beauty & quiet-the variety of hiking & 

boating opportunities 

 The beauty, the trails, the staff, the programs 

 The serenity & beauty of the undisturbed 

environment. 

 The views, scenery, hiking trails 

E-17
 Tranquil & peaceful, wildlife viewing  Tranquility of the refuge 

Canoeing/Kayaking 

 All-canoeing & education 

 Good kayaking with lots to see 

 The experience of being able to try out a kayak for 

the 1st time with experts helping.- I could try it 

without fear.- I'd like to try it again. 

Refuge programs/Events/Facilities/Staff 

 Educational lectures 

 Educational, kayaking 

 Environmental Day 

 Environmental education, hiking trails. 

 Environmental education, seasonal bird 

migrations, bird club meetings 

 Evening @ the Hook presentation 

 Evening lecture series is particularly good. 

 Excellent lectures; hay rides; Horseshoe Crab 

Festival 

 Experienced & helpful staff. I love learning about 

nature! 

 Friendliness of staff; very good conditions of 

visitor center & trails 

 Friendly staff; peace & quiet 

 Friendly, well informed, helpful staff-It's a great 

place w/plenty of wildlife. 

 Good programs 

 I appreciate ________ approach to his job. He 

takes his responsibilities seriously. 

 I like the people there. _________ is an 

outstanding person. 

 Lecture 

 Lectures 

 Lectures/bird walks 

 Natural facilities available for nature viewing 

especially bird watching)without crowds of 

people. 

 Our first visit was 10/9/04 for the Waterfowl 

Festival. We enjoyed this event enough that we 

would want to return. 

 Refuge staff and volunteers that are helpful and 

interested in assisting refuge visitors. Prime Hook 

Refuge staff and volunteers have been friendly 

and helpful. Thank you! 

 Some of the staff were friendly and courteous to 

hunters and seem to very interested in the hunters 

needs. 

 The good people who work there-very nice. 

Killed my first goose there. 

 The hayride at the Horseshoe Crab Festival was 

most enjoyable 

 The professionalism of the refuge staff. 

 The programs & the general area 

 The speakers at the Lecture Series are great-and 

we get a snack! 

 Waterfowl Festival 

 When ________ was there I would come all the 

time 

 Courteous, knowledgeable staff and natural 

environment 

Nothing 

 No answer at this time. 

 No special experience I can think of. 

 Probably have better sites near home 

Miscellaneous 

 Bike riding (did not have) 

 To picnic again w/my family 

 Adjust habits of some of old staff 

 Didn't realize it was so interesting there. I will be 

back. 

 I am a regular visitor now 

 Many, many good times 

 More water in impoundments(not your fault, I 

know) 

 Not many people 

 put a ----- management on deer 

 Same 

 Several years ago the fields were planted, deer 

were abundant, and the staff was friendly but 

efficient. 

 Still waiting 

 This was our first trip 

 A good time. 

 First visit but would return 

 good days a field 

E-18
End-of-Survey Comments: 

(each comment appears only once under the heading it most closely addresses) 

Habitat/Harvest management 

 Deer stand #33, corn field was totally plowed under, no corn at all left for deer to feed on, thus they moved to 

different area. 

 The HQ hunt used to be much better when the fields were planted. Now if you don't get one of the 15-20 good 

stands, mostly around the [?] bean field or drawings [?] area. You don't even take the stand. All fields should be 

planted to allow for a better harvest. 

 Clear the fields up. 

 Need to do something different with weed fields. 

 I love the Refuge. I do want to see the plowed fields restored to native vegetation. I do not want to see it 

overdeveloped. I think hunting should be for deer only, on a limited basis. [?] Should be trapped out. I think the 

fishing is wonderful and should not be developed anymore than it is, as that would spoil it. First and foremost 

Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge should be for the protection of wildlife. Coddling hunters is very apparent under the 

current rules at Prime Hook. 

 Fields look like trash! Plant them back like they where suppose to be when the Refuge took over the land. A place 

to call home if you’re a year-round bird watcher. 

 When I first started using the Refuge there was no sloth catch on the creek. It seamed like there was a greater 

variety of fish. Hearing and crabs made it all the way to the falls at Wapples pond. I know they don't now. I think 

this was an important breeding ground for some fish that can't make it there now. I'm also concerned that this was 

food for some other wildlife that may not even be there now. I have been fishing at Prime Hook for about 50 

years. I know the water how it was and how it is. Any help I can be in restoring this to its natural state. Please call 

or write. 

 I am handicapped to some extent. I use a canoe with an electric motor at times to fish and travel to blinds for duck 

hunting. The state access to the ponds and creek need to deepened and opened some. Some at the FED. During 

low water periods. The creek seems to be developing an aquatic vegetation build up. This vegetation in some 

places is getting very heavy from top to bottom in the creek and some accesses to the pond. Some control might be 

necessary (i.e. grinding up or chemicals - vegetation specific). Thank you. 

 Please Note: Open up brush around deer stands for shooting lane. 

 I understand spraying for "bugs" is not totally desirable, but a little makes using the park year around more 

feasible. I guess you are aware of the horrible vine problem that is fast taking over the lovely flowers that line the 

road to Broadkill. All road side vegetation is being completely covered. By and large DE has done a great job of 

protecting its shoreline. Much better than most states. 

Management alternatives: Hunting & fishing 

 4.3: Hunting area should stay calm all day of the hunt. Hunter should only be able to search for a wounded deer. 

Not wander through the fields and woods from 9 to 3, walking through others hunting areas. I love hunting at 

Prime Hook. Friends and family are very happy when we get our pre-season lottery cards back in the mail and 

find that we have been selected. Thank you. 

 It would be nice of the fields at Jefferson [?] tract were corn or beans or clover. The deer need more food in that 

area. When replacing old or building new deer stands, could you make them a few feet higher? This is my first 

year hunting at Prime Hook and I plan on returning many more times in the future. Keep up the good work! 

 I would truly like to see Prime Hook stay as is had been in past years. The fields planted with crops and the staff 

to be friendly (but firm) with those that hunt there. In the past two years, I have heard many complaints from 

many people about over zealous enforcement of even minor rules and regulations. I have personally experiences 

two such incidents. I have hunted for over 40 years without any problems, but had two, in on year, at Trime [?]. 

Recently, a group of hunters were charged $10 each to hunt fields that were overgrown with weeds and impossible 

to hunt. Other hunters turned away after arriving late for the drawing, even though it would only take the Ranger 5 

minutes to allow them to sign up. In one case the hunter was there in plenty of time but hadn't signed the list. 

Without a last call - he was turned away. This is bad public relations. I'm sure late comers aren't turned away 

from the evening lectures. The quality of the staff seems good - I can't understand the resentment toward hunters. 

E-19
 Drawing time for waterfowl must remain at two hours before shooting time. Rarely do we get to the blind and be 

setup and waiting a half hour early. Little Creek recently followed making their drawing time two hours before 

shooting time. I think it makes for a more relaxed morning with less tempers rushing at the boat ramp while 

waiting for others to launch. - A preseason draw for waterfowl blinds would be hurtful to the overall experience. 

It would only guarantee the better blinds would not be available. Showing up to the drawing and having the better 

blinds taken would deter me from coming to the Refuge. Also, picking the blind we want is part of the fun and 

important because not all blinds are accessible to all boats, especially early season with low water and weeds. A 

preseason draw may be useful for the 3 opening days where the numbers of parties exceed over seventy-five. I 

would hunt if I got pre-selected but definitely would not go for a no-show drawing. I applaud allowing hunters to 

hunt anywhere within the ponds. It gives more options and will make some of the blinds like one and two more 

appealing to hunt. I do support the preseason drawings for deer hunting due to the large numbers of hunters on 

opening days, when most of the deer are taken. It's important to scout and find the stand ahead of time instead of 

the morning of the hunt. Although I love bow hunting, I believe archery should be limited immediately prior to 

gun seasons. I feel if I get picked for opening day and pay $3 for the application and $10 for the hunt, I should get 

a stand that wasn't hunted the night before. Either stop archery hunting a week or more before opening days or 

eliminate those stands from the preseason lottery (specifically muzzleloader season). I believe more of the fields 

need to be planted in crops. Large overgrown fields of weeds seem very wasteful. In visiting/hunting other areas 

such as Bombay and Assawoman, the warm season grasses along the edge of the woods leads to seeing more 

rabbits, quail, hawks, etc. Weed fields should be farmed or reforested. I would enjoy hunting snow geese on the 

water in the late season. When nothing else is open, hunters target snows. Providing a Refuge during that time is 

counter productive. The geese fly out in the morning and destroy the local wheat fields and the weekends when 

they get shot and they fly back to the Refuge and sit in huge flocks. Putting hunters in the Refuge would help 

spread the birds out and help shooting outside the Refuge. Perhaps a pre-season draw for the north fields for 

Canada goose hunting. Many hunters have layout blinds and can hunt designated spots in fields. Even a 

"Saturdays-only hunt" with a pre-season draw would help take off some of the pressure from the weekend duck 

drawing and provide a different type of hunting. While I'm writing, I'd like to say good job to the gentleman 

working the booth the last day of headquarters. An incident with a hunter and his son, hunting together and still 

putting his son in the drawing for his own stand. These guys know the rules and were only cheating the others that 

showed up just for the no who drawing. Taking the stand and putting it back the drawing was a good/necessary 

move. Thanks! These are just a few suggestions/ideas. I think the Refuge is well managed and well taken care of. 

I enjoy visiting very much. 

 The sign leading into the Refuge said "Caution, endangered squirrels." We took this as a warning to be careful 

driving through as not to run over the squirrels. Then in this survey, I see that squirrel hunting is allowed. 

 Re: Hunting & Fishing I understand the need to keep populations in balance. I just don't like to go to a "Refuge" 

and see animals being killed - especially the "best" of the lot. Hunting/fishing, like natural predation, should serve 

the purpose of ensuring the diversity and strength of a species. Predators take weak and sick prey. Humans take 

trophies. It disturbs my nature experience to hear gunshots while I am enjoying the peace of the woods. This visit 

I didn't experience hunting thankfully. A fisherman was catching skates and leaving them to die on the beach, they 

wouldn't keep getting hooked on hi line. That seemed cruel and wasteful/disrespectful. Re: My experience at 

Prime Hook. I had a great bird-watching experience. I saw 2 bald eagles in a talon lock, N. Harriers gliding over 

the marsh, red-tailed hawks, snow geese, Canada geese, sandpipers and woodland birds. It was some of the best 

bird-watching I have done. I have been to Blackwater NWR, Bombay Hook NWR, and now Prime Hook. It was a 

beautiful day; the staff in the office was helpful; the trials and pull offs allowed me to see more; and I will be back. 

I thank the eagles and waterfowl for the spectacular show. 

 Waterfowl program should add more blinds. You could only hunt 25 per day by rotating some open or closed each 

day. This would prevent blinds from getting "shot out." Where needed, move blinds back to marsh in [line?] in 

ponds where the marsh [line?] has receded (i.e. 15, 24, 31, 23, etc). On selected days, allow hunting until sunset. 

Put wooden doors on all blinds. Burlap/cloth doors are gone by mid-season. Post weekly harvest results by blind 

at the check station. Manage the water level for ducks. Get the feeling that #1 priority is plenty of water so 

outboards can run. Thanks for everything you do ________! Just a few ideas. 

 It appears very unnatural to maintain channels for high pollution motor boats to enter into the heart of the Wildlife 

Refuge. With our disappearing wetlands. These are the only Refuges for migrating birds. If you must in your 

policies, continue to allow hunting in the middle at least use electric motors. But I oppose hunting in Refuges as it 

disturbs not just the hunted but all the wildlife in the area. 

 Maybe stock a little more fish and have fisherman practice catch and release with only limited amount of fish to 

keep for trophies or eating! Very important to me! Thank you! 

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 I am wondering if it is possible to put some kind of lighting at Fowler Beach Road Bridge and Petensfield Ditch. It 

would be great to have those areas open in the evening because I like to go fishing and crabbing there after work 

and by the time I get there is not much sunlight left. I think that would bring more tourists and benefit a lot of 

fishermen. 

 (1) I'd like to thank __________ and _______ for the wonderful experiences I had at Prime Hook in the 90's. I 

truly understand that it was there strict enforcement of the rules that made it such a wonderful place. (2) Your deer 

stands are not safe for your youth and buddy hunts. Not set up for 2 people in stands. We should teach young 

hunters safety first. (3) Your (management) use to know exactly how many deer were killed on Prime Hook. Now 

you have very little idea. (4) Why do you close automobile access to [Tumble?] and Fleetwood ponds in the prime 

fishing season? Late winter and early spring). (5) If you want to go back to the real old days and have weeds and 

trees for deer habitat, you should try going back and running the Refuge with 3 or 4 employees. 

 Comment: Hunting is allowed on this property and your magnet shows wildlife of the area with a slogan of "a 

place to call home." Personally - I wouldn't want someone hunting me at my home! Hunting at a Refuge is just 

wrong! Please explain to me how you can encourage people and children (especially the children) to come and 

enjoy the wildlife and then sell permits for hunters to come and kill them? The Refuge visit was very enjoyable - 

the volunteer staff at the welcome center were extremely helpful with maps and info - even finding us info about 

our injured moth that my four year old found. I didn't get her name - but thanks to the dark-haired new volunteer 

(with the crab necklace) - She was so very helpful with our many questions. 

Member of community 

 I live in Lewes 

 House on the beach of Prime Hook 

 Permanent residence 

 I bought a home in Broadkill just because of the Refuge. I come down on weekends all year round as the Refuge 

is constantly changing. 

 Sorry this is so late - I have been dealing with family health problems. My family has had a cottage at Prime Hook 

for over 50 years. I value the Wildlife Refuge. I grew up around it and it is a spiritual home to me. I hope to see, 

hear and experience the beauty of the wetlands for many more years. 

 I enjoyed my visit to the Refuge. I really never realized that the Refuge offered so much and right in my own back 

yard (almost). I think it is very important that we have places like this because so much of Sussex County is 

becoming so overwhelmed with growth that we need to set aside lots of acreage for the natural habitat to survive. 

So many of the wetlands and farm lands have been turned into developments and roads. Our ecosystem needs to 

stay in tact and never changed up to make room for developments. So thank you for an enlightening experience 

today. Keep up the good work! 

 I moved to Lewes 2 years ago. The presentation about rainforests was my first visit to PHNWR. However, I have 

walked on Broadkill Beach many times. I frequently go to the Cape Henlopen State Park but will visit PHNWR 

more often now that I have had my first experience there. 

 Live 20 minutes away in Lewes. 

 Prime hook resident. 

 Live locally. 

 Live within 5 miles of the Refuge. 

 I have a house in Broadkill Beach. I have been visiting the Refuge for about 20 years. I recently inherited property 

at Broadkill Beach from someone who originally selected the property after I introduced her to the Refuge. I come 

to the area from Washington D.C. several times a month, but would not come so often if the Refuge were not here. 

I bring young people from my inner city neighborhood to Prime Hook so that they can connect with nature. I 

come all year round. The Refuge is a huge part of my life! Thank you! 

 Local resident. 

 We have a second home in Rehoboth. 

 DE resident (Sussex County) 

 I live within 25 miles. 

 Since purchasing a vacation home in Rehoboth Beach in 1988 and bird watch in Chincoteague seriously since 

1993, Prime Hook has become the natural area that I visit the most in this area. The habitat makes an outstanding 

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bird watching in Chincoteague are during all seasons. Birders from my home area, Lancaster, PA, often take trips 

to Bombay Hook and continue south to Chincoteague with stops at Cape Henlopen and Indian River. They are not 

familiar with Prime Hook, but admit seeing the sign. I'm helping to change my favorite Delaware birding sites. 

Keep up the good work. 

 The staff and volunteers I have encountered have been very helpful, friendly, and competent. 

 Live nearby. 

Miscellaneous 

 3.2: Note - Not sure of costs since I was coordinating an Elderhostel group of birding students for DTCC. 

 Thanks for keeping the wet lands wet! 

 Unfamiliar with area. 

 We stopped off at the Refuge on the way to Rehoboth to spend some time before checking in at the motel. It was 

cool and rainy but we were able to get a walk in between showers. 

 Unfamiliar with area. 

 Thank you so much for the magnet - I love it!! It will hold my granddaughters pictures on the refrigerator. 

 Please let speakers use microphones so air condition unit is kept on. 

 6.13: I took friends info today; no need to send any. 

 I was only there three or four hours one time. 

Permits/Fees/License 

 Did not purchase hunting/fishing licenses or supplies on most recent trip. 

 A National Wildlife Refuge like Prime Hook should not provide activities that require a visitor to have a license 

from the local state. For instance, hunting should not be allowed because it requires a hunting license from the 

local state. National Refuges get Federal tax money which comes from all states, not just from the local state. I 

feel it is wrong for an out-of-state individual to be required to purchase a license from the local state to pursue an 

activity that his tax money helps operate. Either stop the particular activity or be able to get some of the local state 

money from the licensing activity, such as requiring the hunter, for instance, to purchase a stamp to allow him to 

hunt on the federal land! 

 It seems hunting license fees and hunting daily costs have increased precipitously these past few years. I would 

like to see a decrease in hunting fees and would like to see a more consistent Refuge management. I mean all state 

Refuges should be managed under one umbrella. This would allow a better overall hunting experience. I do feel 

________________ would make an ideal statewide Refuge manager. He is doing a good job at Prime Hook. 

 As far as pre-season permits - most of the time people get pre-season passes and never use them, then people that 

are there miss the opportunity for blinds plus it takes even more time. 

 I feel if they know the Refuge is unsafe to hunt. They should close it instead of taking all the money at drawing 

time. And already knowing the ice won't let you out. I'm poor and can't afford to keep paying and assuming I can 

hunt. Then finding out it is not accessible. 

 The Refuge seems to be headed in a direction in which was not intended. This property was paid for through duck 

stamp moneys and mostly supported my hunting/fishing license taxes on gear and supplies. Now it seems to favor 

weed fields and bird watchers. These groups have the most time use and contribute the least. The croplands have 

always been one of the biggest assets this Refuge has had in the past. This asset I believe is very important for 

every visitor and user alike. Mostly for the wildlife. Let’s bring the croplands back. Thanks. 

 4.4: I am against these programs, so I am not rating them (hunting and fishing); 4.8: Doing what I do at this Refuge 

is more important to me than doing it at any other place - It is equally important with other places; Other Refuges 

are comparable; Of course there are other places that would substitute Prime Hook; I would consider paying a fee 

to visit this Refuge - How could this be done since much of the Refuge is visited by public road?; Don't mind a fee 

if Refuge is within area not accessible by public road (I.e. Chincoteague, Bombay Hook, Blackwater); I did 

volunteer my services for a while - now no time; however, not during hunting season which is when volunteers are 

needed in the center because staff is involved with hunting activities!! Comments: I have considerable concerns 

regarding wildlife Refuges permitting hunting on Refuge lands. According to my American Heritage dictionary, 

Refuge means "a place providing protection or shelter; haven or sanctuary." I might possibly be persuaded to 

condone the hunting of deer or snow geese (and resident Canada geese) because of their very high numbers on 

E-22
Delmarva Refuge land until/unless they become much more abundant that at present time. I also would like to 

comment Prime Hook "Refuge" for designating fields to revert to grasslands and to native species rather than 

planting them in agricultural crops. Grasslands and open areas are being depleted at an alarming rate in Delaware, 

which will result in birds and animals being adversely affected. I hope Prime Hook will continue this practice of 

providing habitat for all the wildlife of the area. 

 3.2: All our basic expenses for room, meals and transportation were covered in this trip; 4.1: Paddling - normally 

this would be a nice enhancement, but not on this trip; 4.4: Condition of natural environment - drought related; 

don't recall signs/kiosks; I don't object to minor fees but fear excluding some populations; don't recall seeing 

history of site; 4.5: This is a Refuge, it needs to be a safe haven for wildlife; 4.8: When fees are charged where tax 

monies are already used it creates the possibility of excluding some populations not able to pay the fee - to me that 

would be wrong. They should be safe refuges for wildlife and as free to the public as possible. 

Personal experience 

 I enjoy my time spent here - Prime Hook 

 Thanks for allowing the input of the people who utilize the Hook. Though I don't do much other than hunt at the 

Refuge, these places provide something for everyone. Hopefully the answers that you compile lead to a place that 

everyone can enjoy. Thanks again. 

 My husband and I stopped in route from MD to NY - found the Refuge on the map - I was close to not we selected 

to get to NY wanted to photograph anything interesting - found the area a good location for photography 

 My family and I enjoyed our stay at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. It was fun to picnic and to be 

educated. 

 Great place - proud of US government for it. Love the USGS ID on the front. I'm retired USGS. Wish state of 

Delaware would operate Assawoman Wildlife Preserve like Prime Hook. Traffic on Hwy 1 precludes too many 

trips up here in summertime from Bethany. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Prime Hook. If I am ever able to visits Delaware again I would certainly plan on 

revisiting it on my own. I do feel strongly that if we want future generations to be concerned about/and with 

refuges and the wildlife they protect the public of all ages needs reasonably free and easy access to these 

environments. It is difficult to care deeply about something you have never experienced. 

 Enjoyed my visit! (We usually visit Chincoteague NWR about twice per year). Thanks for providing habitat for 

migratory birds. 

Programs/Activities 

 4.4 Not aware that Broadkill Beach was part of park - use it all the time. Information - hard to get in Decliner 

VA.; Boat ramps - not aware of them; Hiking trails - never used; Volunteer opportunities - need info; Media 

coverage of Refuge - no local TV/radio; Hunting program - afraid of danger, when is it? 

 I would like information on all the events going on, and I am willing to volunteer on some things. 

 This was our first visit. Based on experiences, we will come again. (2) We took the Friday morning 

Shorebird/Horseshoe crab walk and found it very informative. The leaders were great - making sure everyone saw 

the birds and all questions were answered. (3) We have no interest in hunting, fishing, or boating. We presume 

those activities are handled responsibly on the Refuge, without long-term negative impact on any species. (4) The 

Refuge staff and volunteers were enthusiastic and helpful in sharing their knowledge. (5) Section 4, question 8 of 

this questionnaire was too nebulous/subjective. This is a wonderful place to visit. Questions like "no other place 

can compare to this area" are ludicrous. It compares favorably with other nearby Refuges - Bombay Hook and 

Blackwater, for example. 

 Environmental education opportunities - provide more programs and activities for visiting groups, such as 

Elderhostel. 

 4.4: Gift shop and bookstore items - over priced; Refuge special events - not promoted locally, found out about the 

last event by picking up a flyer in the rest stop; Volunteer opportunities - don't participate, always scheduled for 

Sunday. 4.5: Environmental education opportunities - provide more programs and activities at different times; 

Brochures/publications - provided more locally; Interpretive exhibits - provide more at different times; Boat ramps 

- provide more handicap accessible boat ramps. 

E-23
Property concerns 

 Just an observation: We bought lunch at the Refuge, including cans of soda. We looked around for same kind of 

container for the cans for recycling and didn't see any. We thought of all places there would be an opportunity for 

recycling. Everything else was well done and made for an enjoyable day. We now live on Broadkill Beach and 

look forward to more programs. 

 My grandparents had property along Prime Hook Road that was more or less taken for the Refuge. Now over the 

last few years it’s not being taken care of like it was supposed to. 

 Carry in carry out trash - should provide litter bags at the entrance. 

 Development of the Refuge - should concentrate on expanding marsh areas first since (in my opinion) it is the most 

critically endangered habitat on the U.S. East Coast. As much adjacent land as possible should be acquired for 

expansion of the Refuge. This may call for some unusual agreements in the short term but acquiring the land for 

the long term is critical. The larger the Refuge the more viable it becomes. 

Refuge agenda 

 I feel that the Refuge staff would always like to do what is right for the Refuge. However, because it is part of the 

federal government; the Refuge staff may have to do things for political reasons, etc. Which may not be in best 

interests of the Refuge; Volunteering - should meet the requirements! If I didn't have to pay a fee to join, I would 

participate in a Refuge Friends group; Confidence in decisions - I believe that you do your best; Importance of 

having children visit the Refuge - I have no children, but future generations 

 I support efforts to maintain and restore biodiversity on our National Wildlife Refuges. Waterfowl are an 

important part of the natural biota, but the "success" of a Refuge can't be measured solely by duck production. In 

general, I think the Refuge has done an excellent job of balancing goals. Keep up the good work! 

 It is acceptable to maintain and preserve Refuge shoreline as habitat for spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory 

shorebirds - strongly agree - most important. Sign on BBR is good idea. Would like to see BBR more bikefriendly. Would like to see more room for vehicles to pull off on BBR. Refuge should emphasize birds and 

horseshoe crabs. 

 Prime Hook has gone from excellent and now has gone to hell, beside the weed fields you have the worst 

maintenance crew I have ever seen. What happened to the CCP? That was supposed to happen back in 1997? 

There is also consideration of some legal action against Prime Hook regarding the screw up by your staff. This is 

also violation of our rights for not allowing the public there for the drawing. What is your staff hiding from the 

public? If things don't change we the people will start making phone calls, to Washington and Massachusetts, and 

letters. See how you like it you remember one thing this Refuge belongs to the people not you staff. You are 

supposed to be the care taker. Get it done, if you can't I know there somebody who can. P.S. There is a duck I.D. 

class coming up in Dover maybe your law enforcement should take it. 

 1.5: We also bird in Cape Henlopen State Park when we visit the Lewes area. 3.2: The second person was a 

spouse. 4.1: We have only explored the Broadkill and Prime Hook beach road areas so far. 4.2-3: We aren't fully 

aware of all the activities that are allowed or prohibited at Prime Hook or other federal wildlife refuges. We 

haven't felt impeded in any important way, and we support area closures, hunting, and other regulations that further 

the mission of Refuges. 4.4: Parking facilities are good at refuge headquarters, but poor (Prime Hook beach road) 

or barely adequate (Broadkill Beach Road) along roads through wetland areas. Not quite sure what "refuge grounds 

maintained" encompasses. The headquarters area is attractive and control of human litter is good, but some foot 

paths are difficult to find or follow. The restrooms at refuge headquarters are fine and have been adequate for our 

needs so far; don't think you need to scatter porta-potties around. Wildlife viewing opportunities are good along the 

Boardwalk trail near headquarters but poor in the wetlands because safe parking places are rare. (However, just 

noticed the announcement on your web site of a new observation platform and photography blind. Good!) We 

didn't go into the Refuge office this time (except to use the restrooms), but I presume that between staff and printed 

materials, information on hiking, etc., is at least adequate. Because we visit Refuges for wildlife and not for 

serious exercise, trails for hiking per se are unimportant to us. However trails providing access to a variety of 

habitats are very important to us. Hence the dual answer. Pick the one that suits you. The boardwalk trail is very 

good, but others that we've sampled are not well marked. Most outdoor signs and displays in public parks and 

reserves aren't worth the time and money needed to create them. Better to have a few good displays than lots of 

trivial ones. We would value things like: a good pictorial description of the Refuge's water management system 

and schedule; trail maps at trailheads; low-maintenance arboretum-type tree and shrub identifications; labeled 

photographs of key birds and marsh plants mounted on the boardwalk railing. We have Golden passports, so a 

Refuge user fee would be irrelevant to us. In general, we don't object to modest user fees. However, to the extent 

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E-25

that user fee revenue is offset by reductions in basic appropriations, this would amount to double taxation. We're 

too far away to volunteer at Prime Hook. We have other volunteer opportunities closer to home. 4.5: Naturalness. 

We always support as much "naturalness" as possible, but we recognize that Refuge management objectives 

preclude a complete restoration to natural conditions. In general, recognizing that federal Refuges are chronically 

underfunded, we urge that wildlife and habitat management receive budgetary priority over visitor amenities. 5.1: 

Mosquito control. High numbers of breeding mosquitoes are not necessarily associated with public health 

emergencies. We oppose applying chemicals simply to reduce numbers of the bugs. If control has to be used for 

public health purposes, we'd prefer that it be achieved through water management (if possible and if this will not 

thwart Refuge objectives) rather than via chemicals). Fire. It would be good if burning cycles could approximate 

the pre-settlement frequency, if this has been estimated. Invasive species. Removing non-native species is 

desirable, but you will not have the resources to eliminate them all. Concentrate on those that most seriously 

distort the habitats you're trying to protect for migratory birds and endangered species. Native North American 

species that invade the Refuge because of climate change should not be controlled. Restoration. Not sure what is 

intended here, because agricultural crops and wetland drainage (and flooding) are standard Refuge management 

tools. If the intent is to restore degraded lands already on the Refuge and to restore degraded and drained lands 

and wetlands that may be acquired through purchases and easements in the future, then we strongly agree with the 

statement. 5.2: Our preference for trails is for them to sample (collectively) as broad a range of habitat types as 

possible. The headquarters area already has the wonderfully diverse boardwalk trail. If other habitats can be 

reached by new trails in the vicinity, sure, build them there; they'll be that much easier to maintain. Otherwise, 

spread new trails throughout the Refuge. Guided walks. Circling "not desirable" simple means that we are 

unlikely to get to Prime Hook often enough to participate in them. They have intrinsic merit, especially if they can 

be conducted by volunteers instead of by the few staff available. We've not been along the Fowler Beach or 

Slaughter Beach roads, but presumably they are as short of pull-offs as is Prime Hook road. 

Survey 

 Too long! 

 You really shouldn't waste taxpayer money on this survey - I have to say, getting a second copy of this in the mail 

really pissed me off. I'm only sending this back to you so you don't waste even more money sending me yet 

another of these silly things - which USGS probably contracted out to a private p.r. polling company Grrrrrrrr! 

[Arrow pointing to PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT] - Are you kidding??? 

 Survey is too long. 

 I'd prefer not to participate in this survey. I only went to Prime Hook once with a friend and spent almost all of my 

time at Cape Henlopen State Park. 

 This was my first visit and we were there about 3 hours, so I did not have enough information to answer all the 

questions. 

 Stop asking same thing. 

 Redundant! 
Appendix F: Verbatim Responses to Open-ended 

Questions for Community Survey 

Section 1, Question 1a: If you have not visited Prime Hook National Wildlife in the past 5 years, what 

would encourage you to visit? 

More information/More advertising

 Advertising its beauty 

 I did not know the place existed 

 Information on the refuge 

 Information on the refuge & what it would offer 

my family. 

 Information-how to get there & what the Park 

offers 

 Knowing more information about it 

 Learning more about programs 

 More advertisement on any upcoming events 

 More information 

 More information about it-I don't know anything 

about it. 

 More information on activities 

 More information on the refuge 

 More reminders of what is going on there. Canoe 

trips maybe 

 Need better advertising 

 Need to make the public more aware of your 

programs & activities 

 Your reminder, we just moved here last 2 years 

 Didn't know it was open to visitors 

Medical problems/Age/Health

 Due to medical problems in the family we are not 

able to visit these areas like we used to. I can 

enjoy remembering them! 

 I am 88 years old, and just stay in Milford 

 Nothing can-too old 

 Younger age and better health 

No interest

 I have been just once. I did not like it & never 

came back. 

 I have no interest in fishing or wildlife observation 

 I have no interest. 

 Not an outdoor person, though I realize 

importance of refuge 

 Not Interested 

No time

 I just don't have the time 

 I just don't have the time right now, unless you can 

do all the repair work @ my house, I won't have 

the time. Which I would love to have the time to 

bring my kids to the refuge for learning 

 I think what you have done is enough-I just don't 

have the time 

 No desire to-allergic to mold 

 Time 

 Time 

 Time & information 

 Time in the fall 

Refuge change or provide something 

 fishing places 

 I would be encouraged if there was a community 

event or program being held there. 

 If I didn't have a handicapped son 

 Is it handicapped accessible? 

 Kill the mosquitoes 

 Knowing that once I park I don't have far to walk 

as I use a cane 

F-1
 More active learning spots close to Slaughter 

Beach 

 Nature Center-restrooms 

 Never visited-more planned activities 

 New management 

 Open up more upland hunting areas 

 Posted no trespassing at Slaughter Beach 

 Revised deer hunting regulations, more accessible 

boat facilities 

 Special events (music) 

 Special outdoor events such as retriever trials, 

wildlife presentations, etc. 

New to area 

 Curiosity-we are new residents to the state of 

Delaware 

 I just recently bought the home in Milford and 

have not yet moved to Delaware. But it is at the 

top of my activity list when I do! 

 Wasn't aware it was there. Basically new to area 

 We are new residents to the area-4 years 

 We are new to the area & plan on visiting 

Don't know/Unsure/No opinion 

 Do not know at this time 

 I don't know 

 No opinion really 

 Not sure 

 Not sure 

 unsure 

Nothing 

 Not much 

 Nothing 

 nothing 

 Nothing really 

Miscellaneous 

 A friend saying, "Let's go". 

 I am a 69 year old avid fisherman & deer hunter. I 

have my fishing & hunting areas set. Your area 

(PHNWR) is wonderful and much needed, and I 

have been there many times in the past. 

 I have been out of state for past 5 years 

 I have never visited Prime Hook National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

 I have only been to the refuge one time in past 10 

years-don't feel that I could give a fair evaluation. 

 I need to motivate myself to go 

 It's very nice 

 The wish of our children and theirs to visit 

 We live on East side of road (Bay Avenue) 

 We should visit-I am sure that we are missing a 

nice park. 

F-2
Section 1, Question 10: Are there activities or services that you think should be allowed at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge that currently are not allowed? 

Camping 

 Camping 

 Camping 

 Camping on beach overnight 

 Camping overnight in the refuge 

 Swimming, camping, school day trip

Horseback riding 

 Horseback riding 

 Horseback riding 

 Horseback riding, camping 

 Horseback riding, stables would be nice 

Hunting related 

 Going back to all day waterfowl hunting, instead 

of ending at 3:00. 

 Hunting the marsh the full snow geese season-not 

just during duck season. 

 Hunting turkey 

 I think there should be more time for hunting and 

a smaller fee for waterfowl hunting. And it should 

be easier access to waterfowl blinds. 

 Skeet shooting 

 Spot light deer, to a certain time to see mature 

bucks in natural habitat 

 Trap & skeet shooting 

 Turkey hunting, resident goose hunting 

 Bow hunting for deer in the headquarters area 

 Elevated wildlife observation platforms 

Bicycling/Bike trails 

 More bike trails 

 Would like to see a network of single-track offroad bicycle trails to be used off season-Sept-May 

 Bike & walking paths thru the refuge. 

Dog walking/Run area 

 Dog area-running 

 Let my dogs run-your skunks and coons & foxes 

trespass & I allow that! 

 off leash dog area (dedicated) that are fishing free 

areas 

 Running & training rabbit dogs 

 Walk your dog

Hiking/Walking trails 

 Expanded walking trails to include hunting areas 

where hunting is not allowed 

 Fishing-hiking-nature trails-crabbing-kayakingspecial events 

 Hiking and nature trails 

 Hiking/kayaking 

 Hiking/walking(only)trails-there is a real lack 

 More trails & bike paths 

 Nature trails-perhaps only when taken in the 

presence of a refuge worker or volunteer. Offered 

certain days & times. Needs oversight of refuge 

personnel to prevent damage to habitat. 

 Walking the hunting land off the trails 

 Walking trail 

 Add more trails for hiking, plant some fields for 

food to help keep the turkeys, deer, etc. 

F-3
Kayaking 

 I think you would do well with a kayak rental 

program. I have wanted to paddle there for some 

time however I do not have a kayak. You could 

also use the kayaks for special guided tours. 

 Ranger guided kayak/canoe trips for nature 

viewing in limited areas of the refuge 

Observation towers 

 a. Observation points along Slaughter Beach 

Road. B. Trails along Bay Road to see wildlife. 

 Bird watch towers on both sides of Route 16. Too 

many people stand in road, stop on curves, etc.

More kids activities 

 A picnic area-playground equipment for children 

 Educational for young children 

 Kids activities like in Cape Henlopen. 

Beach clean-up 

 Beach "clean-ups" sponsored by U.S. Department 

of the Interior 

 The area should be cleaned(in the bay)so that 

swimming is safe. The bay is polluted. 

 Trash barrels by Fowlers Beach(yes, I know it's 

not part of the refuge)

Crabbing/Fishing 

 24 hour access, night fishing and walking can be 

an added bonus 

 Certain areas are off limits to fishermen in the 

tidal creeks. 

 Crabbing-fishing

Don’t know/Unsure/No opinion 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know much about it 

 I've never visited so I don't know 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 no opinion 

 Not familiar w/the refuge 

 Not sure 

 Not sure 

 Unfortunately I am unaware of the activities 

 Unknown 

 "No opinion" 

Miscellaneous 

 Anything for the pleasure of the tax paying public 

 Bathrooms near trails & picnic tables. 

 Enduro riding 

 Farming on open fields-squirrel hunting 

 More access to posted areas(this could be very 

limited) 

 More beach activities-campfires, cookouts 

 More police surveillance-people speed down the 

roads and kill the wildlife 

 Nude beach/bathing & wild dog hunting 

 Paddle boating rentals & motorboat rentals. They 

should keep our beaches clean all year. They do 

not clean up Slaughter Beach at all. 

 Parking areas along roads; elevated viewing 

platforms 

 Please keep it as is! 

 Riding ATVs, but I realize that cannot happen, 

because some people do not know how to respect 

nature. 

 Too much is already allowed at this point in time. 

 We love it just the way it is

F-4
Section 1, Question 11: Are there activities or services that you think should not be allowed at Prime 

Hook National Wildlife Refuge at are currently allowed? 

Hunting 

 (1)I always have fears re: gun safety/accidents, 

therefore, I'm not a fan of hunting. (2)For me, I'm 

also philosophically opposed to it. The wildlife 

have so little habitat left, then we create a 

"refuge", & allow men w/guns to "hunt them 

down", to feed their own egos!! Have I been clear 

enough?? 

 All hunting 

 Fowl and deer hunting behind North Bayshore 

Drive. The risk of winter residents being shot by 

deer and duck hunters. It frightens me every 

Fall/Winter. 

 Hadn't realized hunting was allowed, but not sure I 

think it should be banned. 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting 

 Hunting & fishing 

 Hunting & killing of animals 

 Hunting and farming 

 Hunting birds 

 Hunting deer 

 Hunting deer 

 Hunting fowl and deer, especially the birds-it 

should be a safe haven 

 Hunting of any kind 

 Hunting of any kind 

 Hunting on the refuge area 

 Hunting to kill 

 Hunting w/guns 

 Hunting! 

 Hunting! 

 Hunting! Four wheeler ATVs 

 Hunting! I hate to see the hunters with all of their 

dead birds! 

 Hunting! I/we have a problem with hunting on a 

"refuge." Seems like a contradiction in terms. 

 Hunting (does it apply?) 

 Hunting (how can it be a refuge & allow hunting? 

Contrary purpose) 

 Hunting, development 

 Hunting/fishing 

 Hunting-it is dangerous and disruptive for people 

appreciating nature. 

 Hunting-to me this is not a sport. Just kill for the 

sake of it. 

 I don't believe in killing a living being(hunting) 

 If hunting is allowed (?-activities in question 8), it 

shouldn't be 

 No hunting 

 There should be no hunting on the refuge, for 

there are many animals killed on 16 in the summer 

to balance all. 

 Waterfowl hunting 

 Why do you let people hunt? It's a refuge! 

 Duck hunting is too close to residences-too noisy 

ATV's/Driving on beach 

 ATVs 

 I don't know if it is allowed now or not but ATV's should not be allowed in the park. The noise alone would disrupt 

the wildlife that is there now. 

 No four wheelers 

 No motorized vehicles/4 wheelers/ATVs 

 Vehicles of all types should not be allowed on these fragile beaches 

 Driving on the beach 

 Motorized vehicles 

 on-beach truck access is a nuisance and deteriorates beach sand quality for walking 

F-5
Fishing 

 Fishing 

Farming 

 Commercial farming  Expansion for farming/clearing 

Development 

 Development  Development; any kind of activity that changes 

the natural habitat; duck blinds 

Limit on hunting 

 Keep hunting extremely supervised and limited to 

population control for all resident species. 

 Less hunting 

 Less hunting 

 Some people might be scared off by deer hunting 

close to some of the trails. 

Reckless behavior (e.g., partying/drinking/bonfires/speeding) 

 Drinking parties with loud noise 

 Drinking-litter by careless people 

 No alcohol 

 No partying on the beach & trashing it. We've 

noticed Fowler's has been cleaned up & we were 

excited to see that. 

 People shoot guns on the beach/people shot 

firecrackers constantly on beach 

 We all love bonfires, however, we trust our laws, 

when they're unsafe, we cooperate 100% 

 Speeding on "Broadkill Road"-DE, Route 16, 

leading to "road kill"; especially bad during tourist 

season 

 Don't have big buses full of strangers stopping out 

on Route 16, walking in the middle of the road, 

littering, etc.... 

Crabbing 

 Crabbing from roadside bridges-a real eyesoregaming should only be for population control-not 

sport 

 Mexicans pulling conch off Beach without limit, 

and crabbing at Fowlers off bridge taking every 

crab caught 

 When we moved here 10 years ago I was very 

surprised that a refuge (a sheltered or protected 

state, safe from something threatening/harmful....) 

offered so much hunting. We have also rescued 

many dogs the hunters leave behind. Can the 

refuge limit horseshoe crabbing? I walk the beach 

to save them at the same time the crabbers are 

catching them. 

Boating 

 Avoid possible conflict between activities such as 

paddling & waterfowl hunting (paddling for 

recreation only). 

 Boating, anything that allows a high level of noise 

 Kayak/canoe during hunting season 

 Motorboats-extra noise 

Miscellaneous 

 Anything that harms &/or interferes with the 

wildlife 

 Farm the fields again 

 Government controls on adjacent lands 

 I don't think the refuge should be altered to allow 

easy access to birdwatchers 

 I would love to take an airboat ride thru the 

refuge; however, you cannot open this to the 

general public 

 It provides a nurturing environment for plants, 

animals and birds. 

 No smoking! 

F-6
 Other activities other than hunting during hunting 

seasons 

 perhaps some camping like at Assateague Wildlife 

National Park 

 Residents "dumping" brush & trash on West side 

Bay Avenue 

 See above 

 Send us a list of any other activities or services 

you propose-other than on page 8-so we can give 

you an opinion 

 Shooting with guns 

 Smoking 

 Solitude, peace, nature, exercise, sunlight, views. 

 They should keep the deer away from all houses. 

They carry ticks & eat all bushes & plants. 

 Would like to see it like it was 60 years ago. 

Unsure/Don't know/No opinion 

 "No opinion" 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know of any. I am not inspired to drive to 

Prime Hook/Milton to enjoy the birds & animals 

that inhabit my "backyard." 

 I do not know 

 I've never visited so I don't know 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 no opinion 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 Not familiar 

 Not sure 

F-7
Section 2, Question 1: Please tell us what you see at the biggest benefit to the local community from 

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge. 

Tourism benefit 

 (1)Local/regional tourism benefit (2) Protected 

open space vs. development encroachment 

everywhere around us! 

 Birdwatchers come from all around and eat/shop 

in Milton. 

 Great eco-tourist attraction 

 Helps improve the status of our locality 

 Provides a major attraction that brings locals and 

visitors to the area. Many friends from 

Pennsylvania have mentioned the refuge. 

 The refuge brings visitors and locals to the area 

Protecting habitat from development 

 Natural environment-in nature-undeveloped 

 (1)Allow local community access to a natural 

habitat (2)Financial gain due to tourist activities 

 A beautiful environment protected from the 

building growth occurring throughout the state of 

Delaware. 

 A natural place that cannot be developed 

 A place for people to go and still be able to enjoy 

nature and open country as it should be. The 

natural environment is a victim of developers in 

the once beautiful state of Delaware. 

 A place for wildlife left undisturbed by all the 

encroaching overdevelopment that is going on in 

and around the beach 

 a place to visit with nature 

 An area that is natural & set aside so that no 

development will occur there. 

 Beautiful, peaceful, natural environment for 

families to go. It is great for school children who 

may not get the chance to go 

 Being able to keep this area undeveloped & in its 

natural state 

 Ecosystem & non-development use 

 Having a natural area left within a developed area. 

 Having a place to visit that isn't developed and not 

jammed with people 

 Having a place undeveloped with wildlife for 

hiking & canoeing has a tremendous value 

 Having the land undeveloped and a sanctuary for 

the wildlife is very important 

 It is a large(but not large enough)natural buffer to 

all the development that's taking over 

 It protects the area from overdevelopment and 

offers all the natural wildlife to be seen and 

enjoyed. The quality of life at Slaughter Beach is 

much enhanced. 

 It will always be there and can never be developed 

for wildlife purposes. Wildlife need a place to live 

also. 

 It's nice to see birds and not housing developments 

 Keeping land free from development & providing 

a nearby place to get away from it all. 

 Keeping open space that is dwindling so rapidly 

 Keeping the land in its natural state, no further 

development, protecting wildlife 

 Knowing that it will not be developed 

 Land that cannot be developed 

 Limiting development 

 Maintaining an undeveloped nature preserve 

 Maintaining wild/natural areas, controlling 

development 

 Maintains a rural atmosphere-no development 

 Natural & undeveloped land 

 Animals-keeps more housing out 

 Environment, undevelopment, buffer from traffic 

 Natural area/open space in county under pressure 

for development 

 Natural refuge-due to overpopulation of Sussex 

County 

 Natural setting-no development 

 Natural surroundings-keep the human population 

down/developing 

 Natural undeveloped area 

 Nature-no building 

 No development allowed! 

 No development of land 

 No development of wild lands. 

 No developments 

 non-commercialized land 

 Open land. 

 Open space 

 Open space 

 Open space 

 Open space protection 

 Open space to visit 

 Open space; natural habitat 

 Preservation of natural, undeveloped lands to be 

used as a refuge for wildlife, native plants, etc. 

 Preservation of wetlands from "development" 

 Preserved & undeveloped land; the ability to enjoy 

unspoiled land safely. 

 Protected and undeveloped land 

 Provides some protection from continued 

development. 

F-8
 Providing a green buffer zone against 

overdevelopment 

 Puts a halt to development 

 Quiet and clean. Prohibits too much development. 

Saves many species of wildlife. 

 Relief from human development 

 Relief from overdevelopment 

 Saves land from development 

 Saving the land from development 

 Saving the land from development not just for the 

animals but for people to enjoy. 

 Some land that can't be developed and a place for 

wildlife. 

 That the construction stops at its door. 

 The area is being built on everywhere, the park 

will hopefully always be exactly what it is-a 

park(refuge) 

 The fact that it will eventually be the only 

undeveloped parcel of waterfront, along with 

Bombay Hook in all of Delaware and the 

importance of this to migratory waterfowl and the 

environment. 

 To visit and see undeveloped land 

 Undeveloped land 

 Undeveloped land 

 Undeveloped land for public use 

 Undeveloped land, open space 

 Undeveloped land-important to wildlife. 

 undeveloped lands in an overdeveloped 

community 

 Undeveloped natural area for wildlife. 

 Undeveloped wildlife refuge 

 Undeveloped, basically undisturbed wildland that 

provides habitat for wildlife that gives the 

community an opportunity to view this wildlife in 

a natural environment. 

 Undeveloped, natural lands that are protected and 

cared for 

 Undeveloped, serene atmosphere where wild 

critters can be observed and education about these 

critters & plants 

 Unspoiled area 

 Unspoiled environment/wildlife/nature as opposed 

to city/suburban life. 

 Unspoiled open space, wildlife, birds, beautiful 

scenery & no development 

 Unspoiled wildlife & views 

 Unspoiled, non-developed, true natural settings. 

 Untouched nature 

 We don't have to worry about a development 

coming in and ruining nature and wildlife. 

 With all the building it is important to have 

undeveloped land for wildlife viewing 

 With all the development going on-nice to have a 

place nearby to enjoy nature 

 With all the development it is one of the few 

natural places of beauty left 

 With the overdevelopment in Sussex County, 

PHNWR is a place for wildlife & people to find 

refuge. 

Aesthetic value—Get away/Serene environment 

 A place to spend time outdoors in a relatively 

pristine and natural environment. 

 A place to visit an undeveloped area 

 Just that it's there to do whatever, and to enjoy the 

open space 

 A quiet place to go 

 A quiet place to go-it is unspoiled park land-a 

retreat environment-the staff do a great job. 

 A quiet place to spend some time 

 A quiet rather untouched community out of the 

tourist section. 

 A serene environment 

 an area that is both peaceful and productive love 

the fishing areas 

 Beauty of the environment-peace/quiet 

 Beauty, education, serenity, sharing 

 Being able to enjoy nature in its natural 

environment 

 Being able to experience the beauty of nature in 

this increasingly developed area. 

 Being able to go to a natural, unstressful, beautiful 

area for relaxation. 

 Buffer between modern life(traffic)& Broadkill 

Beach and providing quiet place for 

contemplation. 

 Experiencing a serene environment 

 Having a serene place for a refuge for wildlife and 

to remind us of the importance of our environment 

 I live @ Prime Hook Beach. The 

serenity/isolation, issue applies to both 

 Just having it there and knowing it can be 

experienced is wonderful. 

 A place to enjoy away from the crowds at 

Delaware State Park at Seashore 

 A place to get away from noise, traffic, etc. and a 

place that the animals are safe. 

 A place to get away from the building boom 

 A place to get away from tourists. 

 A place to get away, to relax, to recharge your 

thoughts, enjoy nature 

 A place to go 

 a place to go and find serenity and be at one with 

nature without having to drive very far. 

 A place to go that's peaceful and undeveloped 

 A place to go to enjoy the environment. 

F-9
 A place to go, close to home, where you can be 

with nature. 

 A natural, peaceful environment that allows for 

introspection and relaxation 

 A place for people to go & enjoy nature 

 A place to see nature at work and the positive 

results of man's intervention 

 Being able to see all the neat and interesting things 

 A free place to visit for nature 

 allow to appreciate nature 

 Chance to see nature as it was and should be. 

 Chance to see nature in its natural environment 

 Enjoying nature in an unspoiled way 

 Enjoying undeveloped lands & nature 

 Experiencing an environment that is very natural 

 Good nature area-good place to visit 

 I see it as a natural wild refuge and buffer for 

people and wildlife to escape from the pressures of 

daily life 

 It is a natural way to enjoy life 

 It is a well managed and protected refuge and 

reasonably controlled and available 

 It is nice to have this available for people who 

want it. 

 It's a great place to come and see nature, and a 

great place to hunt 

 A place where natural beauty can still be found 

w/o interference by man 

 A protected natural environment full of wildlife 

 An undeveloped natural environment as well as 

for us to enjoy. 

 Clean, untouched environment 

 A natural place to go to enjoy wildlife, natural 

beauty and a place to walk. 

 Being able to view the refuge looking west from 

our bay house 

 Gives city folks place to enjoy nature. 

 I think it's great that people that have interest in 

Prime Hook have a place to go. 

 It's beautiful 

 It's important for everyone to have nature 

 Just like going there 

 Keeping nature alive 

 Keeping nature alive in its natural state 

 Natural beauty 

 Natural beauty 

 Natural beauty and outdoor activities 

 Natural environment-and the animals 

 Nature brings peace and serenity to the soul. It 

teaches us about life in every aspect. The refuge 

allows us to go and see this firsthand. 

 Nice, quiet, clean, Godlike environment 

 Peace 

 Peaceful co-existence/w nature 

 Place to relax and enjoy life 

 Quietness! 

 Relax & view nature 

 rest & enjoying the beauty of nature and nature's 

wildlife 

 Serene environment-limited development near the 

shore 

 Serene, open space w/wildlife in what is an 

otherwise busy, busy area 

 Serenity & wildlife preservation 

 Serenity-wildlife-love of the natural habitat 

 The ability to get away from the hubbub of a city 

environment 

 The ability to go to an natural area--undeveloped 

 The beauty of the marsh & wildlife 

 The beauty of the open space, the wildlife, the 

changing environment 

 The calm serenity-watching the birds 

 The closeness in miles to the community as 

compared to Delaware State Parks & no entrance 

fees. 

 The natural beauty & serene environment 

 The protection of this beautiful natural 

environment where one feels safe and able to 

connect with nature. 

 The refuge is a place to go for peace & solitude, 

with no houses to look at. 

 The scenic beauty 

 To unwind and feel the real life-see how lucky to 

see and feel and walk with life 

 Wonderful for the environment-a refuge from the 

day to day rush 

Environmental education opportunity 

 Beneficial to all the local school districts allowing 

the students to visit this great nature center! 

 Educating our children as to the importance of 

nature so that a balance will be maintained. 

 Educational experience for school children. 

 educational for children 

 Environmental education 

 Environmental education-re: wildlife/ecology. 

 Festivals/Education 

 Field trips for school children 

 Field trips for schools 

 Good for school children 

 A place to learn about and respect nature 

 As an educational benefit protecting the wildlife 

 Teach nature 

 The biggest benefit to the local community from 

the refuge is to educate the younger generations, 

and also to allow for serene/undeveloped areas for 

community members/tourists to visit. 

F-10
 The education & encouragement of all(especially 

children)to value & protect our natural resources 

and natural beauty. 

 We need to provide environmental education to 

students 

 Wildlife education. It's easier to care about 

something once you've experienced it. 

A place to go with family/Future generations 

 A family place 

 A healthy environment for the future generation 

and our nature wildlife view. It helps release 

stress. 

 An area to take children for enjoyment and 

appreciation of nature. 

 Children are able to watch nature in wildlife 

 Children seeing birds, snakes, & other animals in 

the wild. 

 Encouraging young people to experience this area 

 family gatherings, fishing 

 Family pleasure rides to sightsee 

 Great experience for children & families 

 It’s a place to go to relax and your children can 

learn more about natural environment 

 A glimpse of the past. 

 A venue that will not change over time, so it is a 

link to the past. 

 Availability of nature for adults and children 

 Our family and friends love to come here to enjoy 

all it has to offer especially the scenery 

 Place for families to interact with nature 

 Preservation of habitat so that young people have 

a place to hunt & shoot 

 The opportunity for our descendents to view & 

learn about our environment 

 The opportunity to be involved in environmentally 

sensitive & important activities 

 The refuge allows children, working people and 

retirees moments of peace and calm in an 

otherwise frenetic world. 

 To let people know & see what nature is all about. 

 Where families can go and enjoy nature, birds & 

animals & the land is preserved. 

Recreation 

 A nice fishing & recreational place-it is a place where local birds & wildlife can find refuge 

 Ability to use the area anytime 

 Access to fishing & hunting 

 being able to enjoy activities outdoors 

 Enhances the enjoyment of living in the area. 

Improves recreational opportunities. 

 Fishing our environment 

 Good hunting 

 Good place to fish 

 Hunting helps limit the geese 

 Hunting/fishing for pleasure 

 I think the recreational opportunities are of 

greatest benefit to the community. 

 It provides recreational facilities and provides 

safer outings. You feel much safer on the refuge. 

 Continue tradition of waterfowl hunting and 

habitat 

 Open lands, serene area, an area that can be used 

for hunting & fishing 

 PHNW provides an area for those who don't have 

access to hunting, fishing and nature activities 

 Prime Hook Refuge enables our locals to enjoy 

great waterfowl & deer hunting. 

 Protect open land for game, plants and open space 

 Provides a hunting area in Sussex County where 

good hunting grounds are becoming limited 

 Providing natural area in which humans can 

interact with wildlife, including: observation, 

hunting, fishing, etc. 

 Recreation, education, connecting to nature 

 recreational serene environment in a natural 

setting 

 Refuge provides natural habitat for recreation & 

an opportunity for the local community to learn 

about the importance of wildlife & habitat. 

 The ability to observe and participate in outdoor 

activities, especially hunting 

 The fact that you still allow hunting! Waterfowl 

& deer hunting dollar for dollar have the biggest 

impact for the state or local community. 

 The nature hikes, close to home, tranquility 

 This has been a good hunting area for many of the 

locals. 

 This seems to be a nice facility for those with an 

interest in this type of activity 

 To give hunters a place to go hunting who have no 

place to go 

F-11
Having a place for wildlife/View wildlife 

 Being able to review our wildlife as they actually 

live, and to see how beautiful life is within our 

wildlife refuges. 

 It gives a view of natural habitats. 

 An open space that is large enough to house a 

whole variety of wildlife (unspoiled, natural) 

 Conservation 

 Conservation of our natural habitats 

 Controlled natural environment for wildlife 

 Having such a unique and pristine environment so 

close is a blessing to all, especially to children 

who may not be able to enjoy wildlife and the 

outdoors anywhere else. 

 I feel the Refuge is necessary to preserve a 

wildlife environment and open spaces 

 I think that the wildlife refuge is a great asset in 

keeping a natural shore environment 

 A natural area for waterfowl and game 

 A place for wildlife to live 

 All birds. The heron are the most beautiful-they 

do not harm anything like the deer do. 

 Animals and peace that is serene 

 Attracting & holding migratory waterfowl 

 Being able to see many species of wildlife in a 

natural environment 

 Birds 

 Getting to see all the wildlife and different birds. 

And how they are changing over the years. 

 I think people really enjoy watching the wildlife & 

knowing it is there and being protected 

 It is a nice, peaceful area to visit/bird 

watching/photography/wildlife/flowers/especially 

waterfowl 

 It should be a SANCTUARY for wildlife 

 It's important for wildlife to have a refuge 

 Keeps some snow geese out of private fields 

 learning to protect the animals and enjoying nature 

 A flyway 

 Environmental 

 Gives wildlife safe haven. Gives Sussex County 

large "green" area of no-building. Hope it is never 

lessened or changed. 

 Land conservation, wildlife refuge, environmental 

education 

 Maintaining ecosystems 

 Maintaining natural resources of the area. 

 Mosquito & water level control 

 Natural environment 

 Natural environment as rest of county explodes 

w/development 

 Natural filtration system to protect Bay from 

pollution-refuge is a great place to protect open 

space & habitat. 

 Natural open space 

 Natural protected area for animals & environment 

 Nature preservation 

 Nature preserve 

 Nature reserve; a place for wildlife to exist 

alongside development without clashing 

 Nature, fishing, beaches, hunting, wildlife, hiking, 

biking 

 Nearby open space with wildlife... 

 Open wetlands, wildlife in its natural form & 

habitat 

 Opportunity to enjoy seashore life 

 Opportunity to view wildlife in a natural setting 

 PH is essential to the preservation of the marshes, 

ecological habitats & for its contribution to 

climate control & its role as a haven from regional 

development 

 PHNWR is a haven for wildlife & human life. It 

has become increasingly more valuable as 

developments encroach upon our Sussex County 

lives. 

 Preservation of environment 

 Preservation of fauna and flora for future 

generations 

 preservation of green space & environment 

 Preservation of green space, protection of coastal 

area for wildlife & land migration 

 Preservation of land 

 Preservation of land & wildlife for future 

generations to enjoy 

 Preservation of natural environment 

 Preservation of natural habitat 

 Preservation of natural habitat & land from 

development for future generations to 

enjoy(animals as well as humans). 

 Preservation of natural habitat. An opportunity for 

all to enjoy nature. 

 Preservation of natural resources 

 Preservation of shorebirds, osprey, eagles, 

muskrats, beavers, deer, etc. 

 Preservation of the environment 

 Preservation of undeveloped land for natural 

habitat 

 Preserved natural wetlands 

 Preserves a natural habitat where children can see 

and learn about nature and animals 

 Preserving and maintaining a wildlife area 

 Preserving land and the animals that run on it 

 Preserving lands for wildlife 

 Preserving natural environment 

 Preserving natural habitats-encouraging public 

appreciation of natural habitats 

 Preserving natural wetlands and wildlife 

 Preserving nature 

 Preserving nature for next generations 

 Preserving open natural habitat for wildlife 

F-12
 Prime Hook lets people explore the natural habitat 

of all different kinds of creatures 

 Protected environment, natural beauty 

 Protected land 

 Protected land for wildlife 

 Protected native land. Protected natural habitats. 

 Protected nature area. Open for public use offering 

recreational activities 

 Protected nature preserve that contributes to an 

atmosphere that is peaceful and close to nature. 

Opportunities for walks and viewing wildlife 

 Protecting our wildlife and nature 

 Protecting the land 

 Protecting waterfowl 

 Protection of land and wildlife. 

 Protection of natural wildlife & land 

 Protection of the environment. 

 Protection of wildlife 

 Provides open space and a place to both view and 

experience nature. 

 Providing a place of nature 

 Providing green space and recreational 

opportunity 

 Providing protected area for our wildlife 

 Providing some natural open space and a chance 

to see the wildlife that is native to the area 

 Refuge for birds 

 Retention, wildlife & marsh preservation 

 Seeing nature and wildlife 

 Sustaining natural ecosystems and educating the 

public through this 

 Sustaining open space, wildlife habitat and 

supporting environmental education. 

 The animals & birds 

 The biggest benefit is the opportunity to view 

wildlife and learn about environmental 

preservation 

 The biggest benefit to the local community is the 

ability to view a pristine natural habitat for 

animals and birds in close proximity to where I 

live 

 The ecosystem of the Delaware Bay 

 The enjoyment of a natural habitat 

 The green space that is needed for wildlife and the 

viewing of wildlife. It's beautiful and should 

remain that way. 

 The joy of walking in a special place, and 

enjoying the animals, birds, trees, plants 

 The natural habitats of shore animals is 

shrinking!! I want to let my son enjoy it as he 

grows. 

 The nature of Prime Hook is something you 

cannot get anywhere else, I really like the snow 

geese 

 The protection of waterfowl-this was the original 

intention of the refuge. If the prior owners knew 

what the refuge would have become they would 

not have sold their ground 

 The refuge keeps part of the natural environment 

of this area. It preserves the habitat. 

 The refuge provides a place to view nature at its 

best. We need undeveloped land to keep air 

quality & wildlife. 

 The refuge provides national high quality 

environmental natural resources to the community. 

It provides a setting that is becoming less and less 

of our everyday landscape. We come to the refuge 

to leave the cityscape behind. 

 There must be places undisturbed, or at least 

mildly disturbed, by man. Animal habitats are 

being ruined everywhere. 

 These areas need to be preserved-it is important to 

have wildlife refuges 

 To be able to watch wildlife 

 To preserve the natural integrity of the land & 

give residents an opportunity to enjoy the beauty 

& serenity. 

 To preserve wildlife and the environment-land in 

Sussex is disappearing! 

 Undisturbed open space-habitat for wildlife 

 Viewing wildlife in a natural setting 

 Viewing wildlife in natural environment 

 Water source recharge & natural beauty 

 Waterfowl resting, upland game 

 Wild areas are very important to me, more every 

year as I age 

 Wildlife 

 Wildlife 

 Wildlife habitat/migratory bird feeding & resting 

area 

 Wildlife observation & education-wonderful 

community spirit 

 Wildlife preserve 

 Wildlife refuges are important 

 Wildlife sanctuary 

 Wildlife viewing, walking, water activities 

 Wonderful natural environment open to public and 

well maintained 

None 

 At the moment none. In the past a true treasure. 

 None 

 Slaughter Beach-None: no access allowed 

 Waste of taxes 

F-13
Don't know/No opinion 

 Do not know 

 don't really know anything about it 

 Hard to say 

 I have no idea 

 I really don't know 

 "No opinion" 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 We have not been. This will influence us to plan a 

day outing. 

Miscellaneous 

 Convenience- it is the closest beach in Milton 

 In the early years I thought it was bad for the 

owners to lose their land-in the later years, I have 

understood 

 It's a "national" refuge 

 ____________ was the one & only refuge person 

to make such an impression on us of blending our 

community & the refuge. We feel that he has the 

best interests of both nature & residents in mind in 

present & future planning 

 Lovely setting to nearby Milton 

 Occasional visits 

 Prime Hook National Wildlife borders the Marvel 

Conservation Tract in Slaughter/Cedar Beach 

 Proximity 

 Something for almost everyone 

 We live in Slaughter Beach 9 years-we love the 

drinking water, little cruise 

 You appear to have good programs, should 

advertise a little more. 

F-14
Section 2, Question 2: do you see any negative impacts to the local community from Prime Hook 

National Wildlife Refuge? 

None 

 Absolutely not! 

 Absolutely not. 

 Due to communication, if we initially felt any 

negativity, we soon felt otherwise, once we 

learned the "whys" behind the actions of the 

refuge that seemed to affect us. 

 I can't see where it would have any negative 

impact on the local community-more than likelythe other way around as people continue to move 

here and housing expands. 

 It may seem to builders that it's a waste not to 

build houses on the refuge, but why do it? It's a 

natural habitat. 

 It will be a wonderful benefit 

 Just the opposite! 

 No 

 None 

 None at all 

 None that I am aware of 

 None whatsoever 

 None! 

 The balance of existing development & wildlife 

are perfect. 

 This is certainly a "selling point" for homeowners 

but bears positively no negatives because it is a 

"refuge" preserving natural lands that are our 

heritage & our legacy 

 Although I'm sure those only self-interested, & 

obsessed re: profit, would have many reasons to 

question the economic wisdom of a wildlife 

refuge! 

Mosquitoes 

 Absolutely no mosquito/insect control. 

 Bugs & odor 

 Flooding the wetlands during mosquito breeding 

season 

 Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, etc. 

 No-except maybe it draws more bugs to the areabut that's something we, as interloping humans, 

need to deal with without destroying! 

 Proliferation of mosquitoes 

 Ticks and mosquitoes 

Hunting related 

 An indirect one. We are often woken up by 

gunshots at 6-8 am in the Fall/Winter. It's a bit 

scary. 

 Hunting before and after sunrise/sunset 

 Hunting noise 

 It’s wonderful to have areas set aside for wildlife 

viewing and photography. Hunting is a safety 

issue for hikers and seems an oxymoron when 

talking about wildlife preservation. 

 Not really-other than the hunting that goes on 

literally next door. 

 The unfair killing of wildlife. 

Access/Restrictions 

 Delaware fox squirrel area-restrictions outside 

refuge 

 Less restrictions 

 Limited access to streams & beach 

 More areas restricted from people 

 Too many controls on adjacent land owners 

 Very limited access road upkeep. Allowed 

_________ to close alternate access for fire, 

emergencies, and your H/A goose blind. 

 Picnic area by office only during times staff there. 

Have lightweight tables & benches put away & 

picnic area sign taken down when no staff so 

"uneducated" won't leave food & trash. 

Development related 

 Building on adjacent properties to refuge as in 

Clifton Shores area 

 No more development 

 Some redistribution of growth of beach areas 

 Trucks, Development on or near the primary dune 

(and secondary too. 

 Your place of refuge may become overcrowded 

with birds and other animals forced from their 

F-15
habitat by the many developments that are 

replacing nearby farms. This is a problem 

overlooked by greedy people. 

 Development potential 

Crop management 

 Deer and geese reside on Prime Hook Refuge 

throughout the year and due to reduced farming go 

off the refuge and raid the local farmers fields for 

foods that should be available on the refuge. 

 lot of fields not used for anything. Better planning 

should be used. If farming was the original use go 

back to it. Possibly one of the local 4-h clubs or 

high schools could utilize these fields 

 Refuge allows fields to grow into weeds-the geese 

have to go to farmers fields to eat. 

 Removing farmland from crops that feed 

waterfowl & deer. Imposing restrictions on 

landowners within a 5 mile radius of the refuge. 

The restriction has been for an endangered species 

introduced to the area. 

 This refuge was purchased with the intent of 

managing Canada geese. Allowing the largest 

agricultural fields to go fallow does not serve this 

purpose.(However it does help local hunting.) Put 

the large fields back in production and let the 

smaller ones go fallow. Everybody is happy! 

Wildlife related 

 Often wildlife encroach on the beach property 

 Only if some of the unattractive small animals 

start migrating out of the refuge. 

 Overrun with deer. They eat our bushes. Overrun 

with skunk. They dig and try to come in our 

garage. They need to put in some drainage pipes 

in bay area. The water stands still in spots & then 

we have loads of mosquitoes & snakes. 

 Please pick up your dead animals from Route #16 

 Migratory birds that don't migrate. 

Traffic related 

 (1)No posted speed limits (2)When posted-people 

sped, killed ducks, geese, deer-I thought this area 

was supposed to be protected?! (3) I called 5 

years ago about a beached seal-nobody came output off. 

 So many car accidents involving deer along 

Broadkill Road(Route 16)-car insurance rates have 

been affected negatively. 

 Too much traffic?--too much speeding on 16 

Miscellaneous 

 But they are trying hard to change it so there is 

negative impact to the local community 

 I wish it was larger 

 Just because they have money don't mean I want 

them around. Many however are nice-I just wish 

we could weed them out. 

 Just dumb things dumb people do in the center and 

people looking at the wildlife. 

 Too many do-gooders 

 The "big brother" attitude that exists on the refuge. 

This is mostly seen by adjoining land owners. The 

bad feelings that have been created have been 

building for years and can be traced to one man-

_____________ 

 The pompous asses who work there & institute & 

enforce regulations which make the refuge a 

JOKE! It has become a haven for a handful of dogooder bird watchers at the expense of the entire 

community, not to mention visitors from all over 

the country. 

 Too many people and traffic. 

 Tourists are a pain, but we love living here, it's 

beautiful, the bay, the beach, everything we love 

in Slaughter Beach, it's quite less comparable to 

the city 

 You do not open the floodgates open which leads 

to flooding on our lot since has no place to go 

when it rains. And the mosquitoes are AWFUL! 

My children cannot go outside & play. We have 

been told by mosquito control that they are so bad 

because the refuge refuses to allow them to spray!! 

 The only negative impact, to me, is the 

overgrowth of foreign species of plants & animals. 

I wish there was more we could do to prevent this. 

 Non-native species(plants & animals)and the 

proliferation of feral domestic animals 

F-16
Don’t know/unsure/no opinion 

 Do not know anything about refuge 

 Don't know 

 "No opinion" 

 No opinion 

F-17
Section 3, Question 3: What would enhance your experience at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge/ 

Nothing 

 Basically, I am very satisfied w/the refuge. 

 Can't think of anything 

 Continue as is 

 Don't change anything! 

 Everything is fine as it is. 

 Fine as is 

 Good 

 Good as is 

 Good as is 

 Hard to say-I like the naturalness of the area and 

hope that a lot signs & other creature comforts do 

NOT appear to keep it that way 

 I do not need to visit it, I want to leave it alone. 

 I enjoy it as it is. Would like the interpretative 

programs to be open longer hours/weekends. 

 I enjoy riding through so leave as is. 

 I like it as it is(thanks) 

 I think considering everything it meets the public 

needs 

 I'm happy the way it is. Why anything has to 

change is beyond me. 

 I'm satisfied 

 I'm satisfied. Little more parking 

 It all seems to work 

 Its o.k. 

 Leave as is 

 Leave as is 

 leave as it 

 Let it be. Allow nature to balance itself instead of 

so much control issues of the people 

 None 

 Nothing 

 nothing 

 Nothing 

 Nothing 

 Nothing really comes to mind-I like it the way it is 

 Ok as is. 

 Perfect in its simplicity! 

 We live on Broadkill Beach and wouldn't change a 

thing 

 We love it as is

Improved programs/Information/Staff 

 A book available of the history of the people, 

animals & whole refuge/better road maintenance 

 Knowing more 

 Knowing more about PHNWR 

 Knowing more about the refuge's available 

activities 

 Knowledge of the refuge 

 More educational materials-in particular for 

elementary school age children-history for adults 

 More environmental education programs and more 

advertised volunteer opportunities. 

 More friendly educational interaction with staff & 

visitors. 

 More information about Prime Hook, the area it 

covers and goals for wildlife for the public 

 More information about the wildlife, etc. 

 More information and scheduled activities-hikes, 

bike rides, etc. scheduled with picnic lunches and 

guides 

 More information on all wildlife at the refuge 

 More information on migratory patterns by 

month/season. Also patterns of changes in Bay 

for mating of horseshoe crabs, dogfish, etc. 

 More information on species: history, present & 

future 

 More information on the options there(I learned a 

lot through this survey). 

 More information on these areas 

 More information provided, accessibility to view 

 More nature programs-more educational programs 

for the public 

 More outreach to neighboring communities to 

encourage visitation by older or younger folks 

 More programs, trails, & information 

 More public announcements on events at schools 

 More summer & fall programs and exhibits 

 Programs for over 50 crowd-active but slower 

 Refuge staff more visible 

 Staff for guided tours on trails to identify wildlife. 

 To be able to talk with someone knowledgeable 

about my interests. 

 To have a tour guide on trails & nature walks 

 When can I use the part of the refuge behind my 

house? No information furnished. 

 Friendly guides 

 More things to do-more restrooms-more trailsclean beaches. 

F-18
Insect control 

 Fewer bugs/insects 

 fewer mosquitoes 

 Get rid of mosquitoes 

 Getting a little help controlling the mosquitoes 

 Insect control(spray), increase bat population(in 

all parks), (crack down on the vandalism) 

 Less bugs 

 Less bugs-horseflies in general-1 jeep trail for 

viewing habitat 

 Less tabanid flies-more driving/biking trails for 

wildlife observation 

 Mosquito control in visitor use areas 

 Mosquito control!!! Black fly control!! Good 

bird habitat will help. Bats too!! 

 No mosquitoes 

 Reduce bug population 

More wildlife viewing opportunities 

 Be able to view more wildlife 

 Being able to see more wildlife. 

 Bird observation points at Slaughter Beach & 

Argos Central-SB Rd. Allow access by foot along 

Bay Av. 

 Butterflies 

 I visit Prime Hook & Fowlers more than 

Broadkill. No real place to view wildlife except 

pulling off in 1 or 2 spots. 

 More areas that have access to viewing wildlife. 

With planting of areas w/trees etc. you have 

eliminated wildlife viewing from Turtle Pond 

Road. 

 More places to view nature in the wild 

 More viewing areas 

 More viewing opportunities (open cropland where 

it once existed) 

 More visible wildlife! 

 More wildlife-quail 

 Observation towers for hawk/bird watching 

 Provide, if funds are available, more viewing 

blinds & walkways. 

 Putting photo blinds in areas where waterfowl 

actually use, and with easy access. Also, the 

ability to check out a blind and duck hunt the rest 

of the afternoon, to state wide shooting time. 

 See more wildlife 

 Site where wildlife is 

 Tower to overlook marsh 

 Viewing tours 

 Viewing wildlife 

 Better treatment of water areas along Prime Hook 

Road, including more support of wildlife along the 

road. It is wonderful to watch life around you. 

Improved access 

 Being handicapped-a fall rabbit hunt from 

wheelchair etc 

 More access & trails-experience is now mostly 

from roads... 

 More access to remote areas-designated trails 

either bike or canoe/kayak 

 Several times the refuge was closed except 

hunting after we brought friends there to hike. I 

think it would be good to have more parts open for 

hikers all of the time. Have away from hunting 

areas(could move around). 

 I love fall. No hunting-afraid to go near around 

hunting season. Hunting season is best season for 

me to experience nature 

 Leaving gate open 1/2 hr longer 

 More access points with parking near Slaughter 

Beach-canoe & kayak rentals. 

Improved bike trails 

 Bike trails  Bike trails, more walking trails, more 

signage(Slaughter Beach area) 

Improved hunting opportunities/Access 

 Additional waterfowl blinds for hunting. 

 Better job of managing upland game areas-rotate 

hunting on all sites-will improve stock. Provide 

one area to upland hunt during doe season! 

 Easier access to duck blinds 

 I would welcome having access to more areas of 

the refuge for bow hunting. 

 Improved hunting 

F-19
 More fishing & hunting opportunities, more 

parking & access points, but limit disturbance of 

natural areas as much as possible. 

 More hunting 

 More hunting allowed on office area. 

 More hunting opportunities 

 more hunting time 

 The deer stands could be larger to accommodate 

two people. I hunt with my son all the time who is 

now sixteen. It's hard to do this from the small 

stands. 

 Put boxes out for the end of each hunt to put card 

in so you don't have to drive all the way back to 

refuge like it was before. How are you supposed 

to get your deer out of woods and back to refuge 

by dark? 

Improved hiking/Walking opportunities 

 Additional access to hiking & fishing 

opportunities 

 Additional hiking trails & walks over the marshes 

& wetlands 

 Better trails to walk with my dogs. 

 Building a boardwalk for a multi-use path to 

connect Prime Hook and Broadkill 

 It would be nice to have a path around one of the 

lakes. 

 Maybe to add more trails for walking or biking. 

 More choices of hiking trails. More signs. 

 More hiking trails 

 More hiking trails 

 More hiking trails 

 More trails 

 More trails 

 More trails and observation sites 

 More trails and parking areas to get into other 

areas of the refuge. 

 More trails in more places throughout the refuge 

 More trails through forest, and make them lower 

impact trails with turns, and curves, follow the 

natural landscape, trails should be only wide 

enough to walk down, instead of trails cars can 

drive down 

 More trails/rest areas & restrooms 

 More trails; access to areas now denied to the 

public; more observation posts w/interpretative 

information 

 More visible hiking trails 

 More walking trails 

 More walking trails 

 More walking/hiking trails 

 To be able to walk the woods 

 Walking trails designed more for physical 

disabilities 

Improved boating/Kayak/Boating opportunities 

 Better boat ramps 

 Better boat ramps & more programs for children. 

 Better boat ramps-let fishermen use trolling 

motors only in the ponds, even if they have a large 

gas motor. 

 Boat or canoe rental 

 Canoe rental 

 I would have liked to have taken a canoe out but 

do not own one, therefore was not able to do that. 

 I would like to use the canoe trail in the fall after 

October 1. I understand that it is off-limits due to 

hunting. Getting hunters to pick up their shells. 

Getting hunters to start shooting later in the day. 

 Improve canoe viewing of area in general 

 Kayak rental-more picnic areas(tables)-enlarge 

gift shop 

 More boat ramps-more crabbing areas-this is what 

kids want to enjoy 

 Airboat trips to marshes 

Improved signage/Maps 

 Detailed maps for canoeing 

 Better signage through waterways and/or detailed 

maps. Access for canoes, kayaks from more 

spots, e.g., by the maintenance shed, and improved 

 access in the channel by the headquarters, e.g., 

"dredging" the invasive plants clogging the 

channel

F-20
Improved fishing opportunities 

 Being able to access at night, both for fishing and 

walking and to have boat access more easily with 

parking in mind 

 Fishing 

 Fishing piers 

 Good crabbing 

 More access to certain areas for fishing 

 More bank fishing areas, picnic area 

 Perhaps some novice fishing or crabbing classes. 

 Opening areas now closed to fishing 

Limiting hunting 

 Less hunting & fishing 

 Less hunting, more natural conditions, less 

farming, more hiking/walking areas 

 No hunting 

 No hunting ever 

 No hunting of birds 

 Provide more hunting blinks and more hunting 

days. 

 Stop letting people hunt at the refuge center. 

Improved parking/Restrooms/Cleanup, etc. 

 Bathroom facilities more accessible 

 More parking in natural areas 

 More parking, visitor snack shop. 

 Picnic tables/appropriate trash receptacles-viewing 

spots for specific wildlife-mosquito control 

 Provide additional pullover locations in areas 

away from contact station. 

 Pull-offs and observation platforms 

 Having trash receptacles available(next to comfort 

stations) 

 Impress upon fishermen the importance of 

"cleaning-up" after their fun-i.e.,: don't leave old 

bait, lines & hooks on the beach 

 Keeping up with trash 

 Large lodge to rent for overnight like Redden 

State Forest. 

 More fish, trash barrels, parking, boat ramps. 

More personal time to visit 

 More time in my life to go 

 More time off from work 

 More time to go! 

 More time to spend there 

 We need to visit more often to appreciate Prime 

Hook more 

 We work fulltime and are taking classes, which 

have kept us from recent participation w/PHNWR 

activities. So-more time! 

 Having more time to go there 

 More personal time to allot to visiting 

Keep/Improve naturalness 

 If the bay were cleaned! 

 Keep as natural a possible 

 Keep it natural 

 Keep it wild 

 Keeping it natural 

 Knowing that the refuge is trying to enhance 

wildlife diversity rather than serving primarily as a 

hunting site for selected geese & deer 

 Major emphasis on eliminating invasive species, 

e.g., phragmites, nutria, etc. 

 Make it larger 

 Make more remote areas available 

 More nature-less tourist trap 

 More protected space for peace & quiet/natural 

environment 

 More representation of the aquatic component. I 

feel it is not given the attention it deserves. 

 Naturalness of nature 

 Providing an experience of nature that is less 

disturbed and more pristine. 

 Restoration of more natural conditions 

 Restore more natural conditions 

 Shuttle service between Waples Pond & refuge 

headquarters for canoeing. 

F-21
More crops for wildlife 

 Maybe some open areas with corn to attract birds. 

 More fields released to farming or at least thinning 

some of the growth on the fields to give visitors 

the chance to view wildlife hidden in the fields. 

 Plant more crops that would attract more wildlife 

 To see crops planted to promote visibility of deer 

Miscellaneous 

 A new boat 

 A place to camp or swim 

 dog friendly policies for locals who need places to 

let their dogs play off leash 

 Having a beach area 

 If I found a treasure chest full of gold 

 If it would close forever give land back 

 If it's Route 16, Prime Hook Road, Slaughter 

Road, people speed in autos-because of real estate 

selling rapidly at beaches, newcomers have no 

regard for wildlife they kill with cars. 

 Removal of telephone poles-put underground 

 Remove policy makers & enforcers 

 taking a tour in a cart (open) with a guide 

 The refuge is fine, just the tourists have no respect 

for our environment. Litter is a major problem. 

 We would love to live there, but we are worried 

flooding 

 Wildflower plantings 

 Younger age 

Don't know/Unsure/No opinion 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 Don't know 

 don't know-have never been there 

 Have never been there 

 Have no opinion 

 Have not visited 

 I cannot answer these questions, as have never 

visited. My answers are based on living at 

Slaughter Beach, across from part of the refuge. 

 I cannot answer this question honestly at this time. 

 I don't feel I can adequately answer the above 

because we almost live right on the refuge & are 

attached to it but we haven't been able to visit as 

we would like lately so don't have enough 

information to answer. 

 I don't have the time to enjoy the refuge 

 I don't know anything about the refuge 

 I don't know-never been there 

 I haven't visited your facilities to answer the above 

 I live here 

 I really don't know; but restricting anything that 

would take away from its undeveloped status. 

 I've(we)have only driven through some areas-we 

haven't visited all so we can't really comment. 

 Never been 

 No idea 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

 not sure 

 Not sure 

 Not sure 

 Not sure! 

 Not visited 

 unknown 

 Unsure 

 Unsure 

 unsure

F-22
Section 3, Question 4: What experience have you had at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge that 

would bring you back? 

Everything 

 All experiences have been very positive-bird 

migration viewing has been a highlight 

 All have been very educational and rewarding 

 All my experiences at Prime Hook bring me back. 

 All of them 

 All of them 

 As a year round resident of Broadkill I am able to 

take advantage of many experiences anytime! 

 Enjoyed every visit 

 Every one-it's a great place 

 Every time there is something wonderful and new 

to see. 

 Everything-all experiences 

 It's all good 

 My experiences have been favorable and I will 

come back 

 PHNWR has become a vital part of my life 

 I'll always come back 

Wildlife observation 

 Seeing wildlife, hunting, fishing 

 Site seeing, wildlife, canoeing, fishing 

 I most enjoy observing the wildlife, particularly 

the waterfowl. I have fished all the beaches. 

 Ability to view wildlife and hiking trails 

 Bird watching, deer, trails 

 Bird watching; hiking 

 Seeing real wildlife, beautiful scenery. 

 Shorebird viewing, especially osprey and the 

feeling of remoteness. 

 Watching wildlife and quiet time 

 Walking/canoeing 

 Especially enjoy seeing wildlife & photo 

opportunities 

 (1)Seeing flocks of waterfowl in fall/winter 

(2)Viewing ospreys at nest sites-the whole refuge! 

 Animal sightings 

 Bird viewing 

 Birding 

 Birds(year round), the beauty(year round), the 

people 

 Bird watching 

 Bird watching 

 Close encounters with wildlife 

 Every year to watch the new hatchlings, fox cubs, 

etc. 

 Hawk watching 

 I like it-best for viewing waterfowl-once saw wild 

turkeys. 

 Looking for deer in evening 

 Observing area & wildlife 

 Observing the birds and animals 

 Observing wildlife 

 Saw a deer only 2-3 feet away from me 

 Saw turtles hatching, my first eagle sighting 

 See more deer, turkey & wildlife 

 See more wildlife, such as deer & rabbits 

 Seeing 30 deer in one field to look at 

 Seeing all of the wildlife & the natural beauty of 

the grounds. 

 Seeing birds in natural habitat close up. 

 Seeing deer grazing along road in soybean fields 

 Seeing eagles 

 Seeing flocks of wild turkeys 

 Seeing lots of wildlife 

 Seeing more animals 

 Seeing osprey nests, bald eagles, and migratory 

fowl. 

 Seeing otters come up through the ice one winter. 

Arrival of snow geese, shorebirds. 

 Seeing quail by the thousands. They are no longer 

seen in this area per over hunting & building 

 Seeing the animals and hiking the trails. 

 Seeing the birds & animals in their natural habitat! 

 Seeing the wild turkeys. 

 Seeing the wildlife 

 Seeing the wildlife in its natural habitat 

 Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat 

 Site seeing 

 The animals 

 The birding 

 The geese in spring, horseshoe crabs. 

 The wildlife! I've seen all sorts of birds-osprey, 

eagle, heron, egret & more...plus fox, raccoon, 

skunk, deer 

 Upon leaving, having to stop for baby foxes in 

road 

 Viewing of wildlife 

 Viewing wildlife 

 Viewing wildlife, I have learned a great deal 

 Views of wildlife 

 Watching birds & animals 

 watching birds soar & turtles hatch 

 Watching otters, eagles, fox & osprey 

 Watching snow geese in the winter 

 Watching wildlife in a natural setting not being 

forced to move elsewhere. 

F-23
 Watching wildlife in undeveloped areas. 

 Waterfowl we have seen on our visits 

 Wildlife 

 Wildlife 

 Wildlife observation 

 Wildlife viewing 

 Availability of waterfowl 

 I own property in Slaughter Beach & enjoy my 

view from that side very much! 

Fishing 

 Fishing, watching wildlife 

 Fishing, wildlife 

 Fishing at Turkle Pond and, I believe, Gordon 

Pond? And deer hunting at Prime Hook excluding 

the lottery 

 Fishing, hunting, bike trails 

 Fishing-hunting 

 Fishing and kayaking in Slaughter Beach 

 Fishing & boating 

 Bay surf fishing 

 Better fishing-weak fish 

 Catching fish 

 Catching fish 

 Catching fish 

 Fishing 

 Fishing 

 Fishing 

 Fishing 

 Good fishing 

 Good hunting 

 Great fishing 

 I only have been to the refuge a couple of times to 

fish 

 While fishing at Petersville Ditch I run into 

friendly rangers and volunteers. 

Hiking/Trails 

 Hiking, walking, biking & fishing 

 Walks, viewing wildlife and occasional bikes & 

canoe outings 

 The trails, quiet surroundings, pleasant staff 

 hiking and viewing nature teaching my children 

about nature and protection of animals 

 Hiking, bird watching, biking 

 I enjoy walking on Prime Hook Beach Road and 

watching the wildlife. 

 On a hike I came across a field loaded with 

beautiful colored frogs-a sign of a healthy 

environment. 

 Walking the Prime Hook Beach. Viewing the 

marsh area. The marshmallows in bloom. The 

floats of snow geese. Watching sunrise on bay 

and sunset over marsh. Looking at tiny 

shorebirds. Turning over horseshoe crabs. And 

much more. 

 Walking the trails & observing the animals in their 

natural habitat 

 Walking the trails over the marsh and to 

graveyards and seeing the wildlife. 

 Hiking and canoeing 

 nature walks with my children 

 Paved road to walk and bike with my children 

 Hiking the trails; seeing the Nature Center 

exhibits; hearing weekend talks on 

weekends(Sundays) 

 Pleasant trail hike/interesting exhibits & visitor 

station 

 Hiking & biking trails 

 enjoy walking the trails 

 Hiking 

 Hiking 

 Hiking in serenity 

 I enjoy the boardwalk section of the nature hike. I 

would like to have paths cleared a little to lessen 

probability of ticks. 

 I'll be back to walk around trails. 

 Being able to walk into a variety of areas 

 long walks on the beach w/dog 

 More trails 

 Nice hikes! 

 Take a hike on one of your paths 

 Trails 

 Walking trails, exploring old cemetery 

Hunting 

 Hunting, fishing & kayaking

 Hunting opportunities, habitat & wildlife viewing. 

 Outstanding hunting & fishing 

 Hunting and hiking 

 Good duck hunting & photo opportunities. 

 The enjoyment of hunting w/father, brother, & 

sons. 

 Better upland game hunting. 

 Bow hunting in September 

F-24
 Getting my limit on ducks 

 Hunting 

 hunting 

 Hunting waterfowl 

 I love to waterfowl hunt with my son, but 

sometimes the water level is too low for our setup. 

The water level at six inches higher during season 

would help a lot of us out. 

 Improved waterfowl, deer and upland game 

hunting 

 The great times spent hunting and fishing-hunting 

deer on the food plots(Fowler's) 

 Trap shooting

Scenery/Beauty/Intrinsic value 

 I've(we)have enjoyed Fowler's Beach-the peace & 

serenity! 

 Its peacefulness-a chance to see birds that are not 

generally in a city 

 The beaches, bird watching, nature trails, 

Horseshoe Crab Festival. 

 Absolutely beautiful scenery and unbelievable 

bird watching opportunities 

 The atmosphere is serene and peaceful and I 

greatly enjoyed observing wildflowers and 

wildlife. 

 The colors, birds, serenity-I love it-I was raised 

here. 

 The serene view-seeing wildlife in a safe, 

protected environment where they can rest, live & 

feed. 

 The serenity and the birds. 

 Viewing the serene environment/bird 

watching/wildflowers/wildlife in general 

 Nature & walking 

 I do not need any particular experience to enjoy itjust being in the naturalness it affords thrills me. 

 It's nice & quiet 

 just enjoy as is - rustic and natural 

 Just the beauty of it. 

 Just the calmness of being at one with nature 

 Just the naturalness of the area-peaceful 

 I love it here 

 I love that the refuge is there. 

 It's just a neat place to visit! 

 Just a great place 

 Just knowing it's there will bring me back 

 Just the fact that we can use them all the time 

 Beauty, education, serenity, sharing 

 Being alone to experience total solitude 

 Breathtakingly beautiful bay 

 Enjoying nature 

 Getting away from civilization 

 I come back because it is undeveloped. I am an 

artist - I like to paint there. 

 Natural habitat 

 Natural undisturbed wildlife areas-night patrols 

are needed with enforcement powers 

 Natural, unspoiled environment 

 Nature 

 Nature as it should be. 

 Nature as it should be. 

 Peace 

 Peace & serene environment 

 Peace and quiet 

 Peace and quiet/natural environment 

 Peace and tranquility while wandering the trails & 

viewing the wildlife. 

 Peace/quiet/safety 

 Peaceful environment 

 Quietness, peacefulness, seeing God's creation 

 Relaxing and being alone 

 Relaxing-seeing & hearing the wildlife around 

you. 

 Serenity 

 Sitting on the bench of Fleetwood Pond in the 

sunshine 

 The beauty & serenity of the area 

 The beauty and calmness of nature 

 The feeling of serenity & being with nature when 

visiting the refuge 

 The land, the views 

 The natural beauty 

 The natural beauty 

 the nice views 

 The peace and quiet 

 The peace and quiet 

 The quietness & natural surroundings 

 The serenity of the natural experience 

 The wonder of nature 

 The yearly changes in the environment. Every 

year it becomes more beautiful. 

 Very serene, natural setting 

 We come here for the beach, nature, peace and 

quiet 

 Environment, animals, birds, quietness 

Canoeing/Kayaking 

 Canoeing, hiking 

 More kayaking & birding 

 Area is very conductive to canoeing 

 I enjoy canoeing on the waterways of the refuge 

 The canoe trail 

F-25
Biking 

 Biking & nature trails  Bike riding with family & nature walks 

Wildlife photography 

 Photography contest, special events 

 Photographic opportunities 

 Photographic opportunities 

 Photography opportunities

 Snow geese photos

Family heritage 

 Having a place to take my grandchildren & greatgrandchildren to enjoy nature 

 Its availability to family-more great grandchildren 

 Many pleasant memories with family 

 Maybe when grandkids get bigger 

 Memories 

 Viewing migratory birds 

 Volunteering with kids 

 Ability to take family & visitors to the refuge 

Refuge programs/Events/Facilities/Staff 

 Visitor's Center; surf fishing; resident(part-time); 

family reunions; bird watching; photography; 

kayaking; horseshoe crabs 

 Airboat ride-guided bird watching 

 The outstanding educational programs, the unique 

character of PHNWR, the awesome beauty & 

spiritual satisfaction 

 Information I learned at the visitor center about 

wildlife in the area, and information about 

potential stressors (development, oil tankers on the 

bay, etc.) on wildlife. 

 Lecture series 

 More lectures on different nights 

 Prime Hook Refuge Center is peaceful and has 

lots of nature, that's why I like it. 

 Staff very nice/helpful; quietness & safety; 

information available 

 The waterfowl festival 

 Educational seminars 

 Friendly staff 

 I was very impressed by the friendliness and 

helpfulness of the volunteers and the professional 

staff members. 

 Meeting the refuge manager ______. He's a pretty 

nice person-always looking for feedback. 

 Provide airboat rides 

Nothing 

 None 

 None 

 None 

 None 

 None 

 None 

 None 

 None 

 None, yet. Going this weekend(10/8/05) 

 Not one damn thing/Sick of all the people that 

work back there. Such a waste! 

 nothing 

 Nothing comes to mind. 

 I live here. 

Don't know/Unsure/No opinion 

 Can't say 

 don't know-have never been there 

 Hard to say 

 Have had limited time so far to explore 

 Have never been there 

 Have no opinion 

 Have not visited 

 I have never visited the Refuge but will in the 

coming months so the next time that I fill out one 

of these I will know & answer the questions a lot 

better 

 N/A 

 N/A 

 Never been 

 Never been there 

 Never been there 

 No opinion 

 No opinion 

F-26
 Not familiar with the refuge. 

 Not visited 

 Unknown 

 Unsure 

 Unsure 

 unsure 

Miscellaneous 

 Live adjacent to refuge. Biking/kayaking and 

maintaining the traditional uses-more people 

coming/using facility causes additional problems 

of all types. 

 Does this include Broadkill Beach-if so, I love it 

in dead of winter. During tourist season we have 

traffic jams & gross running of stop sign @ 4 way 

stop @ Georgia Avenue! 

 Firearm safety. 

 I'm here all the time. 

 So glad to live across road from refuge 

 Turn clock back 20 years 

 User friendly, not too many people at the time 

 Visiting on a day that had no large groups touring

F-27
Draft—Not for Distribution10/3/2007 

End-of-Survey Comments: 

(each comment appears only once under the heading it most closely addresses) 

Development 

 Beautiful area. Frankly I am surprised you allow any residential construction at all I consider myself 

lucky to reside at PH. 

 The most important parts of the Refuge are the areas of no human activities. Control non-native plants 

and animals (esp. cats). Expand Refuge into farms, forest, and beach. Encourage donation of private 

beach property at Fowler Beach. Do not develop Fowler Beach Road for more uses. Wildlife Refuge 

is not for human recreation. 

 I am happy to be living near the refuge so there won't be any big developments going in near us. When 

we moved here we really didn't get much information about what the refuge was and what activities 

were available there 

 I feel there is a need for a place that wildlife can go to "be wild." Areas in Delaware that are still wild 

are disappearing fast. It seems that the Refuge is also following this course. The more you open areas 

to the public the more the wildlife will suffer. Most adjoining landowners to the Refuge had their 

lands taken away for its construction. These same people oppose any construction easements. Once 

you let the Refuge get their toe in the door suddenly you have lost your ground and all your rights. 

(more... personal issues with refuge staff - particularly - ___________) 

 PH is one of Delaware's greatest remaining natural resources. It is my opinion that everything the 

United States can do to preserve, enhance and protect it should be done. Poor planning on the part of 

Sussex County and overdevelopment in the area has resulted in increased air and water pollution that 

will only degrade and destroy this environmental wonder unless stringent methods are taken to lessen 

the impact. I would support any initiatives taken to expand the area, establish buffers, no growth 

zones, etc. Habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds will be non-existent in another 100 years 

on the Atlantic flyway with the exception of these wildlife refuges. The animal and plant life must be 

considered above all in these refuges, not the tourist and visitors. That being said anything done to 

enhance the quality of visitation experience for this and future generations are highly commendable 

and greatly appreciated by those of us who frequent these marvelous places. 

 I'm not sure why, but I feel sad when I see a new housing development. Rt1 is being built up so fast. 

That's why we have to save land for future generations. They will appreciate it. We all like the 

prosperity that growth brings but it needs to be at a steady slow pace. I feel so "high" when I see the 

snowy egret, blue heron geese and foxes, etc. Let's help them prosper too. 

Habitat/Wildlife Concerns--Positive 

 We are new to Delaware and have not been to PH. Although we do intend to visit soon. I have 

answered some info however, not visiting the refuge to date I feel that I can't answer many of the 

questions asked. P.S. My family is in favor of wildlife. 

 I have observed some of the mosquito control, phragmites control, water level control for wildfowl 

food and am very impressed favorably. I personally am a conservationist not a preservationist. I 

believe that the future is best for the environment and wildlife. If man practices thoughtful scientific 

intervention. Many of our problems are industrial and technological and solutions will be best if 

scientifically employed. I personally do not like and trust single agenda activists and feel this is 

adverse to progress. Keep up the good work. 

 PH has been a big selling point for being in the area. I am pleased at the current expansion and 

protection of the horse shoe crabs and shorebirds. Continue to do excellent work. 

 More stocking of fish in the ponds 

 I would love to know more about PH. 

 Please strive to keep things the way they are. PH is an amazing treasure for the whole community to 

share. 

 adding bike paths through the refuge would be great 

 You are doing a good job 

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 Do not view it as a "preserve" where nothing is done but let nature take its course. Rather, see need for 

good management to focus on goals of the Refuge. Need to have a near balance btw plants, animals, & 

people. We're concerned about the drying up of ponds on Prime Hook Beach Road. We've seen over 

last 3 years more & more drying up with fewer herons & egrets. Are you able to regulate the flow of 

water? 

Habitat/Wildlife Concerns--Negative 

 Amount of road kill in RT16. Broadkill extension. No signs on this road. Watching for bikers and 

joggers; which during the summer months lately have increased. I believe the speed limit is 50 mph 

until Bridge on/before Bay Shore Drive. Immediately before the bridge entering BBB is a popular 

deer crossing - often it is noted cars are speeding up to the point that they are about to become 

airborne. 

 NO MORE HUNTING 

 Overprotection can be as out of balance as under protection. Nature balances itself. Over protection of 

a species can be as detrimental as extinction 

 I am not anti-hunting. However, I do feel that a National Refuge should be just that - a refuge, a safe 

have for nature to live naturally and a public who funds it to have access to enjoy, observe and 

preserve it as primitively as possible. Hunting and bird watching do not go together well. Hunting 

should take place outside the refuge; otherwise it is not a refuge, is it? Trails like the one at Wolf Neck 

are the best way to allow maximum public assess with little impact on habitat. 

 I think the refuge needs to do a better job in educating the public about allowing land to go fallow in 

order to increase species diversity. If we are only promoting a few species, such as deer and geese, we 

are limiting the value of this refuge as a true land of opportunity for increasingly marginalized species. 

 It is such a waste land. Such a shame 

 1) They don't seem to be much in control of the mountain bike people they just seem to go any where 

they please! Most roads and trails show slide marks from the people jamming on the brakes. 2) The 

Japanese Knox weed is getting out of control I know it's very hard to kill! 3) We started coming in to 

the parks 1996. 

 Initially 40 years ago there was a plan to build a marina on Broadkill beach what happened to that 

plan? For people who boat, fish and crab this is something we need. For a community that lives off of 

the progress, where do you leave those fishermen families who stuck it out over the years? We need a 

marina at Broadkill with docks 

Have Never Visited or Not Visited Lately 

 We are new to Delaware and have not been to PH. Although we do intend to visit soon. I have 

answered some info however, not visiting the refuge to date I feel that I can't answer many of the 

questions asked. P.S. My family is in favor of wildlife. 

 Although I never actually visited the refuge I walk and bike along Slaughter Beach and Bay Ave. I 

appreciate the beauty of the Refuge and the wildlife especially the horseshoe crabs and visiting birds. 

From what I see from the road the Refuge is maintained and seems to look nicer than it did years ago. 

Keep up the good work and please don't allow any development. The peace and serenity is what makes 

Slaughter Beach special and I would like it to remain that way. 

 We used to go there a lot when my kids were small. Would like to go there more often in the future 

 We haven't been to the Refuge yet, but plan to visit this weekend 10-8-05. Hope to have a great time. 

 Some of the questions I could not answer because I have not visited any of the wildlife Refuges in 

years. I found then it was not accessible for wheelchairs persons. So it left us (my husband was 

handicapped for 25 years) out of the loop to be able to enjoy the activity. To be truthful we never went 

back. 

 Have never visited PH but looks like a nice place - hope to visit 

 PHNWR is a significant asset to Delaware and the beach community. It is a primary reason we plan to 

retire in this area. We drive 2 hours from DC to spend our weekends here year round. 

 Although we live almost directly adjacent to the refuge, we haven't actually visited to hike, etc in a 

while. We hope this will change soon and we will be able to picnic/hike more often. We drive 

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through the refuge everyday to and from work and it is the beautiful environment that we enjoy the 

most. We try to keep up with refuge happenings and we are members of the Friends of PH. We think 

the refuge is a wonderful place and often say we life in one of the most beautiful areas of the world. I 

regret that I not more familiar with the management/facilities to better fill out this survey. 

 We visited the refuge when our children were young but they are grown now. Our interest in the refuge 

is in preserving rather than viewing 

 I am happy to be living near the refuge so there won't be any big developments going in near us. When 

we moved here we really didn't get much information about what the refuge was and what activities 

were available there. 

 I really don't know much about the refuge. Even though I read DE State News daily and News Journal 

Sunday I don't really see much written about it. 

 I don't feel that I was able to answer many of these questions as I have never visited the refuge. 

Perhaps in the future I can slow down and take advantage of some of the programs you offer. 

 The main reasons we don't use the refuge are - we love being on the waterfront and the "quiet" after 

living all winter in suburban Wilmington. Another reason is the mosquitoes - my husband is very tasty 

to them and gets really big welts from the bites, even with insect repellent on. Plus the ticks. I attract 

them just taking photo from the edge of the road. For the record we are both 75 and owned out cottage 

since 2000. It's been my husband’s parent's property since 1960. We really hate to see all those huge 

houses going up all over the place. Some are in wetland areas and should have never gotten a permit. 

It appears that you are doing a good job keeping up the refuge. Except for the phragmites! We enjoy 

looking for the Ospreys. 

 I have never been to the refuge 

 We haven't been to the Refuge yet, but plan to visit this weekend 10-8-05. Hope to have a great time. 

 We do not live at Slaughter Beach full time & have never visited Prime Hook in the 18 years we have 

been visiting Delaware. 

 We feel we wouldn't be of help in your survey. We are both retired and have busy lives that do not 

involve the refuge. Our place in Slaughter is a summer residence. 

 I do not feel I am able to answer any question about Prime Hook--I have never been there, or any or 

the others associated with it. I generally go Cape Henlopen State Park for all of these activities 

 Jonathan, I owe an apology. I have been coming to Milton for more years than you want to know. I 

have never been to the Refuge except to drive to Broadkill and visit friends. I appreciate your efforts 

and the wetlands. Both serve a need for the area. Again, I apologize. 

 Comprehensive survey! I regret that although I live here and drive within the Refuge daily, my 

experience visiting the refuge has been quite limited. 

 Although we live almost directly adjacent to the refuge, we haven't actually visited to hike, etc in a 

while. We hope this will change soon and we will be able to picnic/hike more often. We drive 

through the refuge everyday to and from work and it is the beautiful environment that we enjoy the 

most. We try to keep up with refuge happenings and we are members of the Friends of PH. We think 

the refuge is a wonderful place and often say we life in one of the most beautiful areas of the world. I 

regret that I not more familiar with the management/facilities to better fill out this survey. 

 To date ... have not participated in any activities. Enjoy the trip - Rt 16 - home through the Refuge. 

 Some of the questions I couldn't answer because I haven't been there (only driven through) I do plan on 

visiting and want my daughter to grow up knowing and experiencing the refuge. 

 My wife and I had the pleasure of riding these areas but that is "all". My wife was not compatible 

because of leg sickness for the pass seven years now is deceased. Now I'm not capable of moving 

around that much. This is why my answers are such. 

I live here because... 

 We are summer residents of Slaughter Beach and have been for 32 years. We have always loved the 

area and consider ourselves very fortunate that the area has remained pretty much the same all these 

years. Although there have been many new homes on the beach and in the Milford area - things have 

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not changed to much, but can see that this will not always be the case for the beach and the serenity 

and wild life we have always enjoyed for years will be threatened. 

Miscellaneous Issues 

 It is a shame to spend much more money on our criminals in jail. Then we allocate minimal funds for 

our citizens to enjoy the parks and refuges that are so important to our environment. 

 There should be a refuge for: 1) natural wildlife and not taken over by developers/development, 2) our 

children and their children and so on; to see the birds and other animals not lost to extension, 3) a place 

of quietness, 4) a place o be at one with nature, 5) a place of contemplation. Hopefully I can come to 

see the refuge by next spring. 

 Thank you for all that the Refuge has been doing during these recent years. Does the Refuge offer any 

help or classes on planting beach grass? Landscaping with natural plants? 

 I consider myself blessed to live in close proximity of a wildlife refuge presently and in past years to 

have lived very near Grand Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, The Badlands, Paradise Valley in Montana, 

and the Arizona desert. The natural environments are so very vital to my well being! Thanks for the 

fridge magnet. 

 I am already a member of the Friends of the Refuge 

 Living in the area and visiting the majority of the parks and preserves in the area, I can't help but recall 

the places that were in a natural state that have now changed to a people environment. I realize that 

with all the people and crowds we now have are looking for a place to go - so far away that that the 

natural environment we have remaining has to be controlled and kept if we are to have any place left to 

go. As things are going this may present a problem from a financial stand point. Do what you can. 

Personal Experiences and Visitation 

 I no longer live in Delaware (was there 8 months doing Americorps). However, PH was a great asset 

to the area and I enjoyed hiking there very much. The lady at the information station was very friendly 

and knowledgeable, as a new resident to Delaware in the fall. I was very appreciative of her 

willingness to inform me of activities. While working at a State Park, I spoke with many visitors about 

the Refuge and wildlife viewing opportunities there. It was a great resource for education, recreation 

and wildlife habitat. 

 I grew up in the area and I spent a lot of time hunting, fishing and canoeing in PH and have always 

enjoyed the atmosphere of the Refuge. I think the staff does a great job. 

Recreational Activities 

 I started kayaking at PH about 10 years ago. Being familiar with PH influenced my decision to buy a 

retirement home in Milford. I recommend PH to everyone possible 

 I grew up in the area and I spent a lot of time hunting, fishing and canoeing in PH and have always 

enjoyed the atmosphere of the Refuge. I think the staff does a great job. 

 While filling out the survey last year I commented on Turkle and Flatwood Ponds roads access being 

closed during the prime fishing times. I noticed the road was open for traffic a lot earlier this year 

THANKS. My wife and I and our grandson had many great fishing trips there this year. It was on 

these trips I taught my grandsons to clean up the mess they make and also the mess other less 

considerate people make. It truly was a pleasant spring this year thanks to PH. I don't think they will 

ever forget it. 

 I would like to see camping at PH - tents only and a swimming pond and more information about 

things going on. We have missed events because we didn't know until after they were over. 

Refuge Management 

 I don't want to see anything happen to the Refuge. My grandfather was ________ and the refuge 

brought some of his property in 1963. I would like to see where we grew up. It is not a part of the 

Refuge that you can get to. 

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 I am not anti-hunting. However, I do feel that a National Refuge should be just that - a refuge, a safe 

have for nature to live naturally and a public who funds it to have access to enjoy, observe and 

preserve it as primitively as possible. Hunting and bird watching do not go together well. Hunting 

should take place outside of the refuge; otherwise it is not a refuge, is it? Trails like the one at Wolf 

Neck are the best way to allow maximum public assess with little impact on habitat. 

 Consider looking at what MD has done at Fishing Bay WMA 

 Speed limit is too high. Should be 35-40 mph into the beach. More areas for bicycling and walking 

safely. 

 The refuge is an import asset us. The changes in this last year has been extraordinary and we applaud 

those responsible. Mosquito control remains a problem. We have not problems with the refuge 

management or management staff they seem open and are helpful. 

 I think that it is important to know and realize the community of owners and visitors year round are 

here because PHNWR is here. Not the other way around. Thank you for your presence! Keep up your 

great work. 

 South end of Slaughter Beach is very fortunate to have Refuge across the road - surely enhances 

property values- we should respect and avoid and disposal of trash. Maybe a volunteer group could 

assist in maintenance issues. 

 Some of the questions I could not answer because I have not visited any of the wildlife Refuges in 

years. I found then it was not accessible for wheelchairs persons. So it left us (my husband was 

handicapped for 25 years) out of the loop to be able to enjoy the activity. To be truthful we never went 

back. 

 Focus on the primary mission of the NWRS and that is to maintain habitat. Thank you for the 

opportunity to express my views. 

 PHNWR is a beautiful, well managed, friendly place to visit. I am happy to have them as a neighbor. 

 PHNWR is a significant asset to Delaware and the beach community. It is a primary reason we plan to 

retire in this area. We drive 2 hours from DC to spend our weekends here year round. 

 We live part time in the PH Beach community so the refuge surrounds us and we feel like we are a part 

of the refuge. Our weekends here are quite special and provide much needed relief from the suburbs. 

Although this may contradict earlier responses I would like to see a boardwalk-like trail that connects 

PH Road to the Broadkill area or visitor center. This would provide for an extended trail walking or 

biking opportunity. I realize this means more access and more impact on the refuge but it may help 

increase visitation and increase the value of the refuge to more members of the Del Marva community. 

Hunters are bothersome when they start shooting in the early AM. It would be nice if they started later. 

The refuge staff is knowledgeable, friendly and committed to doing the best for the refuge with what I 

am sure are limited and for now dwindling resources. Of utmost importance is the protection of 

natural habitat for populations of wildlife. We are willing to give up some of our wants to protect 

these resources. 

 I have found refuge staff to be helpful and knowledgeable. Under the new director the refuge has been 

more prominent in the news and seems to have a broader range of activities and more outreach to the 

community. I have one bone to pick with him however. Shortly after he started, I read in the paper that 

he claimed to have visited and/or spoke with every community resident whose property borders the 

Refuge. That is not true. We border the Refuge at the end of Florida Ave. in Broadkill and were not 

contacted. One concern that we have is the management of the water level, especially how it affect 

flooding on our property, so we would like to discuss that. One suggestion I have is better signage to 

lead visitors to the proper entrance to the visitor center for information, restrooms and gift shops. 

 I no longer live in Delaware (was there 8 months doing Americorps). However, PH was a great asset 

to the area and I enjoyed hiking there very much. The lady at the information station was very friendly 

and knowledgeable, as a new resident to Delaware in the fall. I was very appreciative of her 

willingness to inform me of activities. While working at a State Park, I spoke with many visitors about 

the Refuge and wildlife viewing opportunities there. It was a great resource for education, recreation 

and wildlife habitat. 

 The most important part of the Refuge is the areas of no human activities. Control non-native plants 

and animals (esp. cats). Expand Refuge into farms, forest, and beach. Encourage donation of private 

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Draft—Not for Distribution10/3/2007 

beach property at Fowler Beach. Do not develop Fowler Beach Road for more uses. Wildlife Refuge 

is not for human recreation. 

 The word refuge is defined as a sanctuary - a place of safety, hunting and fishing are not activities 

conducive of a safe environment. If PH is a killing ground change the name. 

 My family and I are greatly concerned about the sale of Refuge land to farmers. It is our strong 

opinion that this land should continue to be part of PHNWR 

 It is a pleasure to live next to the Refuge. 

 I think that the wildlife refuge is a great asset. I hope that the refuge will continue to implement 

policies that are compatible with my ownership and enjoyment of my beach home at PH Beach. The 

refuge adds to my enjoyment of PH Beach. It is wonderful and has a natural shore area that is not over 

developed. 

 If we are going to allow farming on the refuge under the guise of food for waterfowl some of the crop 

should be left in the fields at harvest time. The new harvesting equipment is so efficient that it leaves 

nothing in the fields for the animals to feed on. The farmers that lease the fields should also pay the 

same per acre for refuge field that they pay for local acreage. We should not lease for less than local 

fields are leased for and cause bad feelings with neighbors that also lease. The deer hunting program 

for the office area should return to the procedure as it was in the past where hunters were taken in by 

truck by volunteers and all vehicles were kept off refuge. This keeps the disturbance of the deer on the 

refuge to and surrounding neighbor farms to a minimum. The hunting program both deer and 

waterfowl should be administered by one individual who is hired during the season for that purpose 

only and should not have any other duties. The refuge full time personnel should not have to perform 

these duties along with their regular job. 

 I have always been somewhat disgruntled about the Refuge. I have stated my home was located next 

to Turkle Pond when I was young and I did not agree with the government basically forcing my 

parents from our home. However, in all honesty - good job in preserving habitat, wildlife and 

recreation. I at least can enjoy this area along with thousands of others. 

 I love this refuge and feel you all are doing a great job. I like the Fowler Beach area due to its isolation 

so I have mixed feelings about improving the parking to encourage more people. I think you should be 

more sensitive to the farmer's plight and try to compromise. Geese like corn and soybeans too. This 

will be one of the few open spaces left in Delaware and we need to acquire as much of the land as 

possible to save it from development. Thank you for all you do. 

 While filling out the survey last year I commented on Turkle and Flatwood Ponds roads access being 

closed during the prime fishing times. I noticed the road was open for traffic a lot earlier this year 

THANKS. My wife and I and our grandson had many great fishing trips there this year. It was on 

these trips I taught my grandsons to clean up the mess they make and also the mess other less 

considerate people make. It truly was a pleasant spring this year thanks to PH. I don't think they will 

ever forget it. 

 Do not view it as a "preserve" where nothing is done but let nature take its course. Rather, see need for 

good management to focus on goals of the Refuge. Need to have a near balance btw plants, animals, & 

people. We're concerned about the drying up of ponds on Prime Hook Beach Road. We've seen over 

last 3 years more & more drying up with fewer herons & egrets. Are you able to regulate the flow of 

water? 

 After perusing through this survey, I decided not to continue filling out the remainder of this 

questionnaire because of Section 4 "Tell me something about yourself," numbers 11 and 12. There is 

no logical reason to inquire about the person's race. I am surprised you did not ask their religion! 

Having wildlife refuges is wonderful & I am a supporter of many organizations which protect all 

wildlife throughout the world!! There is always room for improvement no matter what area in 

Delaware you specified. I hope I have made my point regarding wildlife. 

Specific sites or locations 

 South end of Slaughter Beach is very fortunate to have Refuge across the road - surely enhances 

property values- we should respect and avoid and disposal of trash. Maybe a volunteer group could 

assist in maintenance issues 

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Draft—Not for Distribution10/3/2007 

 Amount of road kill in RT16. Broadkill extension. No signs on this road. Watching for bikers and 

joggers; which during the summer months lately have increased. I believe the speed limit is 50 mph 

until Bridge on/before Bay Shore Drive. Immediately before the bridge entering BBB is a popular 

deer crossing - often it is noted cars are speeding up to the point that they are about to become 

airborne. 

 I am not anti-hunting. However, I do feel that a National Refuge should be just that - a refuge, a safe 

have for nature to live naturally and a public who funds it to have access to enjoy, observe and 

preserve it as primitively as possible. Hunting and bird watching do not go together well. Hunting 

should take place outside the refuge; otherwise it is not a refuge, is it? Trails like the one at Wolf Neck 

are the best way to allow maximum public assess with little impact on habitat. 

 I enjoy the refuge twice or more each day going and coming home from Broadkill. 

 We haven't been involved in any activities the refuge provides. We have taken drives; bike rides, and 

walks on the beach and some fishing. We love the serenity and nature we have experienced. We will 

eventually expand our horizons and become more involved as time allows. We move here in Dec. of 

03 and fell in love with the area. Our only concern was people partying at Fowler's Beach and leaving 

trash. We recently noticed how Fowler's has been cleaned up and is more appealing. It is great! Is 

there any way gates can be closed at night to Fowler's to keep partiers out? 

 The most important thing in my mind is cleaning the bay, which is in shocking condition and sadly has 

been has been neglected. It influences all the things such as wildlife that have been mentioned here, in 

a dramatic way. I would donate money toward this. Access by Slaughter Beach Road would be 

wonderful (for Slaughter Beach and Milford, etc.) 

 We live on Lewes Beach. We are concerned about the beach. And since we have a large family with 

many grandchildren, we bike, hike, camp, and visit many different areas from New England 

throughout the mid-Atlantic states. We go where the children decide 

 South end of Slaughter Beach is very fortunate to have Refuge across the road - surely enhances 

property values- we should respect and avoid and disposal of trash. Maybe a volunteer group could 

assist in maintenance issues. 

 While filling out the survey last year I commented on Turkle and Flatwood Ponds roads access being 

closed during the prime fishing times. I noticed the road was open for traffic a lot earlier this year 

THANKS. My wife and I and our grandson had many great fishing trips there this year. It was on 

these trips I taught my grandsons to clean up the mess they make and also the mess other less 

considerate people make. It truly was a pleasant spring this year thanks to PH. I don't think they will 

ever forget it. 

 Jonathan, I owe an apology. I have been coming to Milton for more years than you want to know. I 

have never been to the Refuge except to drive to Broadkill and visit friends. I appreciate your efforts 

and the wetlands. Both serve a need for the area. Again, I apologize. 

Staff and Manager 

 I have found refuge staff to be helpful and knowledgeable. Under the new director the refuge has been 

more prominent in the news and seems to have a broader range of activities and more outreach to the 

community. I have one bone to pick with him however. Shortly after he started, I read in the paper that 

he claimed to have visited and/or spoke with every community resident whose property borders the 

Refuge. That is not true. We border the Refuge at the end of Florida Ave. in Broadkill and were not 

contacted. One concern that we have is the management of the water level, especially how it affect 

flooding on our property, so we would like to discuss that. One suggestion I have is better signage to 

lead visitors to the proper entrance to the visitor center for information, restrooms and gift shops. 

 I would like to help out but the only people I ran into were revenuers and snooty people. 

 I think that it is important to know and realize the community of owners and visitors year round are 

here because PHNWR is here. Not the other way around. Thank you for your presence! Keep up your 

great work. 

 The refuge is an import asset to us. The changes in this last year has been extraordinary and we 

applaud those responsible. Mosquito control remains a problem. We have not problems with the 

refuge management or management staff they seem open and are helpful 

F-34
Draft—Not for Distribution10/3/2007 

F-35

 I no longer live in Delaware (was there 8 months doing Americorps). However, PH was a great asset 

to the area and I enjoyed hiking there very much. The lady at the information station was very friendly 

and knowledgeable, as a new resident to Delaware in the fall. I was very appreciative of her 

willingness to inform me of activities. While working at a State Park, I spoke with many visitors about 

the Refuge and wildlife viewing opportunities there. It was a great resource for education, recreation 

and wildlife habitat. 

 _________ is an excellent refuge manager and very effective in community relations. He should be 

supported and is to be commended for his conscientiousness. 

 PH has been a big selling point for being in the area. I am pleased at the current expansion and 

protection of the horse shoe crabs and shorebirds. Continue to do excellent work. 

 I grew up in the area and I spent a lot of time hunting, fishing and canoeing in PH and have always 

enjoyed the atmosphere of the Refuge. I think the staff does a great job. 

 Keep up the good work 

 The refuge staff does a great job. We have watched the area progress positively over the years we've 

lived here. Sensible Control is appreciated. 

 Anytime we have had a problem with people doing something wrong in the park, ________ is always 

just a cell phone call away no matter what time of day or night. The refuge staff has always been 

professional and knowledgeable about different things. It's great to have you as my neighbor. 

 Keep up the good work 

Survey 

 It is a good thing to have a section of the government to be concerned about the environment. This is 

very important to our future. Thank you for allowing my comments and opinions to be viewed. 

 My wife and I are both firm believers in wildlife refuge areas. We applaud you in taking time to 

survey residents. Unfortunately, we have been by your area only twice and never took time to visit. I 

don't believe that I am qualified to evaluate. 

 This survey has given me a deeper appreciation of PHNWR. We will visit and explore the 

opportunities more in the future. 

 Thank you for giving me a chance to thank you and the state of Delaware for the Great State Parks and 

wildlife areas made accessible to me. 

 Spend less money on over mailing and more money on the refuge 

 You want too much personal information for this survey 

Traffic 

 Amount of road kill in RT16. Broadkill extension. No signs on this road. Watching for bikers and 

joggers; which during the summer months lately have increased. I believe the speed limit is 50 mph 

until Bridge on/before Bay Shore Drive. Immediately before the bridge entering BBB is a popular 

deer crossing - often it is noted cars are speeding up to the point that they are about to become 

airborne. 

 Speed limit is too high. Should be 35-40 mph into the beach. More areas for bicycling and walking 

safely