Results of the 2011-2012 Illinois Trapper Survey

Mark G. Alessi, Craig A. Miller, Linda K. Campbell

Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceedingTechnical report

Abstract

A random sample of 1,200 persons who purchased a 2011resident Illinois trapping license was generated from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources licensing database. Licensees were mailed a 4-page questionnaire, and we received 817 (69%) questionnaires. Trapping license sales increased 18% from 2010 (4,202 licenses)to 2011 (4,944).Trappers set an average of 21 traps for an average of 29.1 days or nights during the 2011-2012season, and they harvested an estimated246,286furbearers (up 24% from the 198,653harvested in 2010-2011). An estimated 149,449raccoons (Procyon lotor) were trapped by trappers during the 2011-2012Illinois trapping season, an increase of 69% from the estimated 88,233 trapped during the 2010-2011season. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) harvest was the next highest at37,068 muskrats trapped (41% decreasefrom previous year).A higher proportion of trappers indicated capturing most and all of their raccoons in body gripping traps (Conibear™), followed by dog-proof traps(Li’lGrizz™, Egg™, Duffer’s™).Sightings of bobcat (Lynx rufus) by trappers, and harvest of furbearers by hunting,were also documented.
Original languageEnglish (US)
PublisherIllinois Natural History Survey
StatePublished - Sep 30 2012

Publication series

NameINHS Technical Report 2012 (32)
No.32

Keywords

  • INHS

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