Results of the 2006-2007 Illinois Hunter Harvest Survey

Lischka, Stacy A.; Anderson, William L.; Campbell, Linda K.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/18181 Copy

Description

Title

Results of the 2006-2007 Illinois Hunter Harvest Survey

Author(s)

• Lischka, Stacy A.
• Anderson, William L.
• Campbell, Linda K.

Issue Date

2008-04-02

Keyword(s)

• hunters
• harvest
• upland game
• leasing
• land access
• outfitters
• hunting
• INHS Division of Ecology and Conservation Science
• INHS Section for Wildlife and Plant Ecology
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Illinois Natural History Survey
• Science in support of state fish, wildlife and outdoor recreational programs

Abstract

A random sample of 3,000 potential hunters was selected from among 2006 Illinois Habitat Stamp and hunting license purchasers. An 11-page questionnaire was successfully mailed to 2,919 of the 3,000 individuals. We received 1,767 returned questionnaires, 1,744 of which were usable, for a 61% response rate. License sales increased 1% from 280,000 sold for the 2005 season to 282,000 sold for the 2006 season. Comparisons of harvest estimates from 2005-2006 season to 2006-2007 season suggest harvest decreased for 9 game animal categories (rabbit, quail, pheasant, dove, woodcock, gray partridge, raccoon, coyote, and opossum), and increased for 4 categories (fox squirrel, gray squirrel, red fox and gray fox). Resident hunters reported little difficulty gaining access to hunting lands for all species pursued. Few residents reported leasing land (6%) or hiring outfitters (1%) to access land. Few (7%) resident hunters hunted upland game species outside of Illinois. Pheasant, quail and rabbits were most commonly pursued out of state. Nearly ¾ (72%) of respondents hunted deer in Illinois during 2006-2007. The type of deer most commonly harvested were does (44% of total harvest). More than 80% of respondents hunted on private land during all deer hunting seasons. Few deer hunters (6%) leased land to hunt deer, however leasing appeared to increase harvest. Resident deer hunters are willing to harvest adult deer of either sex, but are unwilling to harvest fawns. A majority (78%) of resident deer hunters rated the quality of their deer hunt in Illinois average or better.

Publisher

Division of Ecology and Conservation Science, Section for Wildlife and Plant Ecology

Series/Report Name or Number

• Illinois Hunter Harvest Survey
• Technical Report INHS 2008 (13)
• Human Dimensions Research Program Report
• Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-16

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/18181

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

INHS Technical Report prepared for Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as required by Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act Illinois

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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