Results of the 2010-2011 Illinois Deer Management Survey

A stratified random sample of Illinois farmers was generated and 5,000 farmers were mailed a self-administered, 8-page questionnaire. We received 2,706 surveys for a 55% response rate. Statewide, 51% of farmers perceived an increase in white-tailed deer(Odocoileus virginianus)density on their farms over the past 5 years, and 82% of those farmersfavor a decline in the deer populationduringthe next 5 years.A majority(68%) of farmers statewide enjoyed deer on their farm,but 46% worried about deer damage; however these attitudes varied acrossregions. One-third (33%) of farmers experienced minor crop damagefrom deeranda similar proportion(30%)moderate damage, but most farmers(74%) did not take any actions to prevent damagedue to deer. A majority (71%) of farmersdid not huntdeerduring 2010-2011 deer seasons, but allowed friends and family to huntdeer ontheir property. A minority (16%) of farmers who permitted deer hunting access imposed harvest regulations upon the hunters, of which minimum antler size and harvesting a doe before a buck were the most frequent.Farmers’attitudes towards deer hunting, hunters,and harvestare discussed.