2017-2018 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report

Brent D. Williams, Craig A Miller

Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceedingTechnical report

Abstract

A random sample of 5,000 hunters was selected from adult 2017 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 2,272 questionnaires, 1,994 of which were usable, for a 42% response rate. Illinois resident license sales decreased 2.1% from 2016-17 (269,053) to 263,495 for the 2017-18 seasons. Total days afield for crow and groundhog decreased. Harvest increased for 11 game species (rabbit, wild pheasant, dove, groundhog, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, raccoon, red fox, coyote, deer, and opossum) from 2016-17. Hunters were also asked about questions regarding recruitment and retention, perceived effects of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Blue Tongue Virus (BTV) on deer hunting, and deer hunting expenditures, equipment technology and harvest, as well as their attitudes toward wildlife and hunting in Illinois. Estimates of wild quail and pheasant harvested beginning during 2011-12 were calculated differently than previous estimates to include harvest of captive-raised birds distinct from wild birds, so comparisons across years are to be made with caution.
Original languageEnglish (US)
PublisherIllinois Natural History Survey
Number of pages83
StatePublished - Nov 27 2018

Publication series

NameINHS Technical Report
No.2018 (41)

Keywords

  • hunting activities
  • hunting equipment
  • hunter recruitment
  • hunter harvest

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