A content analysis of annual reports for 15 southeastern state fisheries and wildlife agencies revealed that resource information (e.g., habitat, populations, and use) appears much less frequently than administrative information (e.g., revenues, personnel, permit review). The “typical report” consists of 35% administrative, 28% fisheries, 16% facilities, 11% wildlife, and 11% public involvement information. States cluster into 4 groups based on relative emphasis of freshwater fisheries, freshwater and marine fisheries, wildlife, or facilities and administrative information. Reports consist primarily of quantitative data in a textual or tabular format, with little comparison to previous years. Content analysis of these reports is useful to illustrate objectively how state agencies present themselves and to provide a baseline for monitoring changes in the character of agency programs.
