Results of the 2010 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 March and May 2010. We received 1,441 returned questionnaires, 1,436 of which were usable (49% response rate). Based on these responses, we estimate 3,702 hunters were active during the 2010 Illinois Conservation Order snow goose season, a 21% decrease from the 4,663 hunters estimated for the 2009 season. Days hunted were estimated at 25,581 in 2010, which was 25% less than the estimate of 33,947 days in 2009. An estimated 65,987 snow geese were harvested during the 2010 Conservation Order snow goose season, a 23% decrease over 2009. The Central Zone accounted for 51% of total days hunted, and 29% of total harvest. Statewide, 68% of the harvest occurred during February. Of respondents who did not hunt during the Conservation Order season, 37% indicated they had no place to hunt; this percentage represented a small change from the previous year (a decrease of 2%). During the 2010 season, sixty percent of light (snow) geese were hunted on private land to which hunters had access.