Using Ipads to Collect Field Data
other tablets to collect field data and upload to our online database. Seven iPads and one Windows tablet were purchased for this pilot study. The iPads were fitted with waterproof, floating cases to
make them more rugged for field work. Limited software was available to collect data, with the exception of one package in Windows for RAM sampling on small streams. FileMaker Pro was used to create iPad specific solutions. IPads are being used to collect creel and fish collection data. A third solution in development is aimed at collecting daily hatchery data. Several biologists used the iPads in spring 2014 to collect data from stream and lake samples with few glitches reported. Based on success in the spring ring, all biologists working on the Big Rivers Catfish Project were assigned iPads to collect and upload data for the fall sampling period. The iPads track the number of bony parts collected for aging and track and assign reward tags from a randomized table. IPads have proven to be easy to use, rugged in their cases and efficient for data entry in the field.