Hunter Participation, Harvest, And Hunting Behavior During The 2012 Illinois Conservation Order Season

Harvest of light geese (Chen caerulescens, Chen rossii) during the 2012 Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order season was estimated at 87,558, a 32% increase from the 2011 estimate of 66,406 geese. Participation increased 50%, from 3,825 hunters in 2011 to 5,726hunters in 2012. Hunters spent an estimated 51,763 days afield during 2012, an increase of 21,010 days (68%) from 2011. The majority (69%) of the light goose harvest occurred during the month of February. Electronic calls were used most often (68%); unplugged shotguns were used by 60% of hunters. Fifty-two percent of light goose hunters indicated an increase in effort over the past five years, and 59% of hunters perceived an increase in light goose abundance during the regular goose seasons. More than one-half (57%) of non-hunters were interested in light goose hunting to extend their hunting season and enjoy the outdoors. Hunters who did not participate in the Conservation Order season reported “no place to hunt snow geese,” “no snow geese in my area,” and “not enough time” as the primary reasons they did not hunt light geese.