Internet Use Among Illinois Hunters: A Ten Year Comparison

Alessi, Mark G.; Miller, Craig A.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/45805 Copy

Description

Title

Internet Use Among Illinois Hunters: A Ten Year Comparison

Author(s)

• Alessi, Mark G.
• Miller, Craig A.

Issue Date

2011-08-29

Keyword(s)

• IDNR website
• internet
• age distribution
• mean age
• comparitive
• purchase license
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources
• Illinois Natural History Survey

Abstract

Technological advances have permitted outdoor enthusiasts the ability to use the internetto access information provided by state wildlife agencies.Using the 2010-2011 Illinois Hunter Harvest Survey, we investigated age distributionand incomesof hunters purchasing licenseson the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) website, differences inmean age and age distribution compared to a 2001dataset,and hunters’ attitudes towardvarious methods of receivinghunting information. Mean hunteragein 2010-2011was 49 years old, significantly higher thanthe mean age ofhunters(46 years old)reported in the 2000-2001Illinois Hunter HarvestSurvey. A minority (18%)of 2010 hunters purchased their license through the IDNR website, and the majority(72%)ofthose hunterswere 32-66 years of age. Younger (≤ 31 years of age) hunters were more likely to support receiving information from IDNR via technological means(e.g., text or email messages) than older hunters.A significant, positive relationship did existbetween household incomesand purchasing licenses through the Internet.Comparative data suggest themean age andage distribution of hunters is becoming skewed towards older hunters at a faster rate than young hunters are entering the population in Illinois, and the proportion of the hunting population that utilizes the internet to purchase their license remains small.Thus, it is important to continue to allow hunters the option of purchasing their licenses through traditional methods.

Publisher

Illinois Natural History Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

Technical Report INHS 2011 (34)

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45805

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Illinois Natural History Survey Grant/Contract No: W-112-R-20

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