2015-2016 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report

Williams, Brent D.; Conat, Ryan J.; Schweizer, Laura A.; Campbell, Linda K.; Miller, Craig A.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/96053 Copy

Description

Title

2015-2016 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report

Author(s)

• Williams, Brent D.
• Conat, Ryan J.
• Schweizer, Laura A.
• Campbell, Linda K.
• Miller, Craig A.

Issue Date

2016-12-02

Keyword(s)

• hunter harvest
• license sales
• days afield
• rabbit
• dove
• crow
• groundhog
• fox
• gray squirrel
• turkey
• coyote
• opossum
• red fox
• gray fox
• woodcock
• deer
• raccoon
• wild quail
• wild pheasant
• shooting preserves
• season preference
• bag limits
• epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD)
• blue tongue virus (BTV)
• hunter attitudes

Geographic Coverage

Illinois

Abstract

A random sample of 3,000 hunters was selected from 2015 Illinois resident Habitat Stamp and hunting license holders and mailed an 8-page self-administered questionnaire designed to query hunters about their hunting activities and harvest in Illinois. We received 1,447 questionnaires, 1,319 of which were usable, for a 47% response rate. Illinois resident license sales decreased 2.4% from 2014 (278,546) to the 2015 seasons (271,939). Total days afield decreased for 11game species (rabbit, dove, crow, groundhog, fox and gray squirrel, turkey, coyote, opossum, red and gray fox) from 2014-15, but increased for 3 species (woodcock, deer, and raccoon). Harvest decreased for 10 game species (rabbit, dove, crow, groundhog raccoon, fox and gray squirrel, red fox, coyote, and opossum) from 2014-2015, but increased for 4 species (woodcock, turkey, deer, and gray fox). Harvest could not be compared for two game species (wild quail and wild pheasant). Efforts to distinguish between harvested wild birds and birds harvested on shooting preserves began in 2012, but suitable data points to develop adjustment factors have not been obtained. Hunters were also asked about hunting information, harvest reporting, youth turkey season preferences, deer bag limits and seasons, the effects of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Blue Tongue Virus (BTV) on deer hunting, as well as their attitudes toward wildlife and hunting in Illinois.

Publisher

Illinois Natural History Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

• Technical Report INHS 2016 (59)
• Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-25
• Human Dimensions Research Program Report HR-16-01

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/96053

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, W-112-R-25

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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