Results of the 2012-13 Allerton Park Deer Hunter Survey

To try and curb the deer population at Allerton Park (Monticello, Illinois), a deer management program was instated in the fall of 2004 to reduce the size of the herd. After trial of a few different types of deer seasons at the park, the Allerton deer management program now uses a 16 week archery hunt from October through January; among other harvest and usage restrictions, hunters are also required to volunteer 30 hours of their time to the park. All 35 Allerton Park hunters were mailed an 8-page questionnaire, and we received 23 (70%) questionnaires. Ninety-five percent of Allerton Park hunters indicated they had hunted at the park in previous years; 45% indicated there was no change in harvest for the 2012-13 season from previous years. We discuss hunter satisfaction and agreement with Allerton Park hunting and regulations along with hunter attitudes toward deer hunting.