2012-2013 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Report: Effort, Harvest, and Season Preferences

A total of 1,882(41%) Illinois waterfowl hunters responded to the 2012-2013Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey.Hunters reported spending 1,155,346days afield, an increase of .7% from the 1,147,037days devoted during the 2011-2012license year. Waterfowl harvest increased .5% from 577,654during 2011-2012to 580,557during 2012-2013. Duck harvest estimates forthe regular duck season were as follows: 244,988mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 47,623wood ducks (Aix sponsa), and 185,776other ducks. A total of 31,942teal (Anas spp.) were harvested during the September teal season.Goose hunters harvested 72,682Canada geese (Branta canadensis) during the regular Canada goose season, a 3.2% decrease from the 75,061 Canadageese harvested during the 2011-2012regular goose season. Hunters harvested 18,028Canada geese during the September Canada goose season, a 4%decrease from the previous year. During the YouthWaterfowl Hunting Season, 7,825adults took 10,001 youths waterfowl hunting, a24% increase from the 6,325 adults and a16%increase from the 8,642 youths that participated in the 2011-2012Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season. We discuss the use of public duck permits, duck hunter satisfaction with the waterfowl seasons, and hunter spendinghabits regardingwaterfowl.