University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Hunter Participation, Harvest, and Hunting Behavior During The 2013 Illinois Conservation Order Season

Williams, Brent D.; Miller, Craig A.; Campbell, Linda K.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/47546

Description

Title
Hunter Participation, Harvest, and Hunting Behavior During The 2013 Illinois Conservation Order Season
Author(s)
  • Williams, Brent D.
  • Miller, Craig A.
  • Campbell, Linda K.
Issue Date
2013-09-05
Keyword(s)
  • Geese
  • harvest
  • participation
  • hunting
  • behavior
  • season
  • IDNR Division of Wildlife U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service INHS
Abstract
Harvest of light geese (Chen caerulescens, Chen rossii) during the 2013 Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order season was estimated at 73,495, a 16% decrease from the 2012 estimate of 87,558 geese. Participation decreased 22%, from 5,726 hunters in 2012 to 4,477 hunters in 2013. Hunters spent an estimated 45,724 days afield during 2013, a decrease of 6,039days (12%) from 2012. The majority (49%) of the light goose harvest occurred during the month of February. Electronic calls were used by 57% of hunters, 64% used unplugged shotguns, and 56% indicated hunting between sunset and ½ hour after sunset. Fifty-eight percent of light goose hunters indicated an increase in effort over the past five years, and 58% of hunters perceived an increase in light goose abundance during the regular goose seasons. More than three-quarters (84%) of non-hunters were interested in light goose hunting to extend their hunting season. Hunters who did not participate in the Conservation Order season reported “no place to hunt snow geese,”“no snow geese in my area,” and “not enough time” as the primary reasons they did not hunt light geese.
Publisher
Illinois Natural History Survey
Series/Report Name or Number
Technical Report INHS 2013 (33)
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/47546
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
Federal Aid Project Number W-112-R-22
Copyright and License Information
This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

Owning Collections

Technical Reports - Illinois Natural History Survey PRIMARY
Reports produced by INHS staff, usually as deliverables for assessment projects funded by federal or state agencies or non-governmental organizations.