Results of the 2009 Illinois Conservation Order Light Goose Hunter Survey

A random sample of 3,000 potential goose hunters was selected from National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) registrants in Illinois. Survey participants were mailed a 4-page questionnaire between April and May 2009. We received 1,334 returned questionnaires, 1,324 of which were usable, for a 46% response rate. Based on these responses, we estimate 4,663 hunters were active during the Conservation Order snow goose season in Illinois in 2009, a 27% decrease from the 6,409 hunters estimated for the 2008 season. Days hunted were estimated at 33,947 in 2009, which was 33% less than the estimate of 50,471 days in 2008. An estimated 85,635 snow geese were harvested during the 2009 Conservation Order snow goose season, a 12% decrease over 2008. However, recalculated estimates of snow goose harvest without an outlying respondent yielded an estimate of 77,789 snow geese harvested. The South Zone accounted for 43% of total days hunted and 58% of total harvest. Statewide, 69% of the harvest occurred during February. Of respondents who did not hunt during the Conservation Order season, 39% indicated they had no place to hunt; this percentage did not represent a change from the previous year.