Illinois Waterfowl Harvest, Hunter Activity, and Attitudes Toward Duck Identification, Split Goose Season, and Goose Season Dates in 1990

Purchasers of the (1989) Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp were sampled via mail-letter questionnaire to obtain information on waterfowl harvest, hunter activity, and attitudes toward selected issues, during the 1990 season (57,399 stamps were sold in 1990).Of 2,833 respondents (72% response), 611 (22%) did not purchase a stamp again in 1990.Thus, the sample size was reduced to 2,222 respondents, 87% of which hunted waterfowl in Illinois in 1990.An estimated 57,546 hunters (3% less than in 1989) expended an estimated 739,139 days afield (7% less than in 1989) and harvested an estimated 277,068 waterfowl (18% less than in 1989).From 1985 to 1990, the ratio of duck hunters to goose hunters shifted from 2.3:1 to 1:1.During the regular duck season in 1990, 40,441 hunters expended 365,316 days afield and harvested 205,744 ducks (14% less than in 1989) and 2,386 coots.During the experimental September giant Canada goose season in 9 northeastern counties (Region 2), 4,215 hunters spent 12,767 days afield and harvested 2,878 Canada geese.During the regular goose season, 42,215 hunters devoted 361,057 days afield to harvest 67,127 Canada geese (27% less than in 1989) and 68,446 total geese.The Canada goose harvest included 31,319 taken in the Southern Quota Zone, 8,763 taken in the Rend Lake Quota Zone, 5,961 taken in the Tri-County Zone, and 7,400 taken in Region 2. Harvest in the latter (regular season and September season combined) averaged 1,142 Canada geese per county, or 60% greater than the statewide average for all 102 counties.Hunters reported that they correctly identified at least 86% of duck flights as to species, harvested >1 ducks during 55% of their duck days afield, harvested >1 Canada geese during 30% of their goose days afield, and spent an average of $743 (total -$43 million) for waterfowl hunting in Illinois during the 1990 season.Majorities of hunters looked favorably on the split goose season in the North Zone, and a majority believed the dates for the goose season in the Tri-County Zone were too early in 1990.