2020-2021 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Report: Harvest, Youth Hunts, and Season Preferences

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

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113460 Copy

Description

Title

2020-2021 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Report: Harvest, Youth Hunts, and Season Preferences

Author(s)

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

Issue Date

2021-11-10

Keyword(s)

• Illinois
• waterfowl
• waterfowl hunt
• waterfowl hunter
• hunter harvest
• youth hunts
• hunter satisfaction
• hunting season preferences

Geographic Coverage

Illinois

Abstract

A total of 1,805 (37% response rate) Illinois waterfowl hunters returned usable questionnaires to the 2020-21 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey. An estimated 39,525 adult waterfowl hunters spent 1 day or more afield during 2020-21, an increase of 12.3% from 35,185 hunters during the 2019-20 seasons. Waterfowl hunters spent 837,609 days afield, a decrease of 0.1% from the 841,828 days devoted during the 2019-20 license year. Total estimated waterfowl harvest decreased 13.9%, from 471,872 during 2019-20 seasons to 406,259 during 2020-21. Duck harvest estimates for the regular duck season were as follows: 127,525 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 35,335 wood ducks (Aix sponsa), and 88,081 other ducks. A total of 18,967 teal (Anas spp.) were harvested during the September teal season. Goose hunters harvested 94,510 Canada geese (Branta canadensis) during the regular Canada goose season, a 10.9% increase from the 85,188 Canada geese harvested during the 2019-20 regular goose season. Hunters harvested 16,811 Canada geese during the September Canada goose season, a 9.0% increase from the previous year. During the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season, 5,029 adults took 6,950 youths waterfowl hunting, a 24.5% increase in adult participation and a 53.5% increase in youth participation from the 2019-20 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

• Technical Report INHS 2022 (09)
• Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-30

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113460

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

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

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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