2022-2023 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Report: Harvest, Youth Hunts, and Season Preferences

Miller, Craig A.; Walberg, Eric M.; Stephens, Lauren J.; Williams, Brent D.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121912 Copy

Description

Title

2022-2023 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Report: Harvest, Youth Hunts, and Season Preferences

Author(s)

• Miller, Craig A.
• Walberg, Eric M.
• Stephens, Lauren J.
• Williams, Brent D.

Issue Date

2023-11-28

Keyword(s)

• waterfowl
• youth hunts
• seaseon preferences

Geographic Coverage

Illinois

Abstract

A total of 1,602 (33% response rate) Illinois waterfowl hunters returned usable questionnaires to the 2022-23 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey. An estimated 36,419 adult waterfowl hunters spent ≥1 day afield during 2022-23, a decrease of 15.0% from 42,839 hunters during the 2021-22 seasons. Waterfowl hunters spent 778,576 days afield, a decrease of 22.2% from the 1,000,494 days devoted during the 2021-22 license year. Total estimated waterfowl harvest decreased 10.1%, from 543,858 during 2021-22 seasons to 489,094 during 2022-23. Duck harvest estimates for the regular duck season were as follows: 152,698 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 35,815 wood ducks (Aix sponsa), and 125,330 other ducks. A total of 23,122 teal (Spatula discors and Anas crecca) were harvested during the September teal season. Goose hunters harvested 94,139 Canada geese (Branta canadensis) during the regular Canada goose season, a 5.2% decrease from the 99,276 Canada geese harvested during the 2021-22 regular goose season. Hunters harvested 16,598 Canada geese during the September Canada goose season, a 25.4% decrease from the previous year. During the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season, 4,521 adults took 6,593 youths waterfowl hunting, a 16.4% decrease in adult participation and a 3.9% decrease in youth participation from the 2021-22 Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season. Hunter preferences for seasons and satisfaction with the waterfowl seasons are also discussed.

Publisher

Illinois Natural History Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

INHS Technical Report 2024 (08)

Type of Resource

text

Language

eng

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-32

Copyright and License Information

This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

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