2014-2015 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Report: Harvest, Youth Hunts, and Season Preferences

• Main Authors: Williams, Brent D., Crain, James M., Campbell, Linda K., Miller, Craig A.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Illinois Natural History Survey 2015
• Subjects: hunter harvest; season preferences; zone options; hunter commitment; hunter satisfaction; IDNR Division of Wildlife; Canada; Branta canadensis; Canada Goose
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90022

A total of 2,212(48%response rate) Illinois waterfowl hunters responded to the 2014-15Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey. An estimated 50,698waterfowl hunters spent982,193days afield, adecreaseof6.7% from the 1,052,728days devoted during the 2013-2014license year. Waterfowl harvest decreased9.0%, from 605,720 during 2013-14to 550,946 during 2014-15.Duck harvest estimates for the regular duck season were as follows: 197,997mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), 48,216wood ducks (Aix sponsa), and 138,615other ducks. A total of 29,058teal (Anasspp.) were harvested during the September teal season. Goose hunters harvested 87,672Canada geese (Branta canadensis) during the regular Canada goose season, a 16.4% decreasefrom the 104,887Canadageese harvested during the 2013-14regular goose season. Hunters harvested 19,089Canada geese during the September Canada goose season, a 22.0% increasefrom the previous year. During the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season, 6,405adults took 8,572youths waterfowl hunting, a 24.1% decrease in adult participation and a less than 1.0% decrease in youth participation from the 2013-14Youth Waterfowl Hunting Season.Duck huntercommitment to waterfowl hunting, preferences for season and zones,and satisfaction with the waterfowl seasons are also discussed. Federal Aid Project Number W-112-R-24 IDNR Division of Wildlife U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service unpublished not peer reviewed