Hunter Participation, Harvest, and Hunting Behavior During the 2014 Illinois Conservation Order Season

Harvest of light geese(Chen caerulescens, Chen rossii) during the 2014Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order season was estimated at 82,161. An estimated 1,962hunters participated in the 2014 Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order season. Hunters spent an estimated 21,170 days afield during 2014, and the majority (51%) of the light goose harvest occurred during the month of March. Due to changes in sampling of addresses and calculation of estimates, comparisons cannot be made to previous years’ figures. Addresses were sampled from Harvest Information Program (HIP) registrants who indicated they hunted light geese during the 2013 waterfowl hunting season. Electronic calls were used by 81% of hunters, 77% used unplugged shotguns, and 70%indicated hunting between sunset and ½ hour after sunset. Fifty-six percent of light goose hunters indicated an increase in effort over the past five years, and 49% of hunters perceived an increase in light goose abundance during the regular goose seasons.A majority of the hunters(91%) were interested in light goose hunting to extend their hunting season.