University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

2020-2021 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report

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

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113379

Description

Title
2020-2021 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report
Author(s)
  • Walberg, Eric M.
  • Miller, Craig A.
  • Stephens, Lauren J.
  • Williams, Brent D.
Issue Date
2021-11-05
Keyword(s)
  • Hunting activity
  • Hunter harvest
  • Hunter satisfaction
  • wildlife disease
Date of Ingest
2022-01-26T16:17:55Z
Geographic Coverage
Illinois
Abstract
A random sample of 5,000 Illinois resident hunters was selected from adult 2020 Illinois resident Habitat Stamp and hunting license holders. Selected individuals were mailed an 8-page self-administered questionnaire designed to query hunters about their hunting activities and harvest in Illinois. We received 2,240 questionnaires, 2,052 of which were usable, for a 42% response rate. Illinois resident license sales increased 3% from 2019-20 (242,704) to 249,554 for the 2020-21 seasons. Total days afield decreased for rabbit, quail, pheasant, woodcock, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, turkey, red fox, gray fox, and opossum. Harvest increased for 6 game species (wild pheasant, groundhog, deer, raccoon, gray fox, and coyote) from 2019-20. Hunters were also asked questions regarding hunting activity and harvest in Illinois, proposed hunting regulations, impacts of COVID-19 on hunting, ticks and tick-borne diseases, and perceived effects of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Blue Tongue Virus (BTV) on deer hunting. Estimates of wild quail and pheasant harvested beginning with the 2011-12 season were calculated differently than previous estimates to include harvest of captive-raised birds distinct from wild birds, so comparisons with seasons prior to 2011-12 are to be made with caution.
Publisher
Illinois Natural History Survey
Series/Report Name or Number
  • Technical Report INHS 2022 (03)
  • Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-30
Type of Resource
text
Genre of Resource
technical report
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113379
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
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.

Owning Collections

Technical Reports - Illinois Natural History Survey PRIMARY
Reports produced by INHS staff, usually as deliverables for assessment projects funded by federal or state agencies or non-governmental organizations.