2020-2021 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report

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

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

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

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

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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.

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