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HumanDimensions
R e s e a r c h P r o g r a m
Hunter Participation,
Harvest, and Hunting Behavior
During the 2021 Illinois
Conservation Order
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Federal Aid Project
Number W-112-R-30
Job Number 101.4
Wildlife Restoration
Oct. 1, 2020-Sept. 30, 2021
Colleen Callahan, Director
Illinois Department of Natural
Resources
Jennifer Wellman,
Federal Aid Coordinator
Mike Wefer,
Chief, Division of Wildlife
Resources
Craig A. Miller, Ph.D.
Program Leader and Principal Investigator
Human Dimensions Research Program
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prepared by
Brent D. Williams, Craig A. Miller,
Lauren J. Stephens, and Eric M. Walberg
INHS Technical Report 2022 (12)
November 12, 2021
Key words: Conservation Order, light goose, harvest, hunting behavior
Suggested Citation:
Williams, B.D., C.A. Miller, L.J. Stephens, and E.M. Walberg. 2021. Hunter Participation, Harvest, and Hunting
Behavior During the 2021 Illinois Conservation Order. Job Completion Report, Federal Aid in Wildlife
Restoration W-112-R-30. Human Dimensions Program Report HR-19-04/INHS Technical Report 2022 (12).
Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL. 28pp.
HUNTER PARTICIPATION, HARVEST, AND HUNTING
BEHAVIOR DURING THE 2021 ILLINOIS
CONSERVATION ORDER
JOB COMPLETION REPORT
WILDLIFE HARVEST AND
HUMAN DIMENSIONS RESEARCH PROGRAM
STATE OF ILLINOIS
PROJECT NUMBER: W-112-R-30
STUDY 101
JOB NO. 101.4
Craig A. Miller, Ph.D.
Program Leader and Principal Investigator
Human Dimensions Research Program
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research Institute
University of Illinois
Prepared by
Brent D. Williams, Craig A. Miller,
Lauren J. Stephens, and Eric M. Walberg
Illinois Natural History Survey
Champaign, IL
November 12, 2021
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
W-112-R-30
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Colleen Callahan, Director Mike Wefer, Chief
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife Resources
Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those
funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of
race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been
discriminated against, contact the funding source’s civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity
Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217/785/0067; TTY 217/782/9175.
LIST OF FIGURES, TABLES, AND APPENDICES
Page
Figure 1 ..............Percentage of respondents who hunted light geese in Illinois the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order (LGCO) .......... 3
Figure 2 ..............How often light goose hunters hunt the LGCO in Illinois ...................................................................................................... 3
Figure 3 ..............Zone hunted most often during the 2021 LGCO ..................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 4 ..............Estimated Illinois LGCO hunter participation and harvest across time ............................................................................... 5
Figure 5 ..............Distribution of days afield per hunter and light geese harvested per hunter for Illinois’ during the 2021 LGCO ............ 5
Figure 6 ..............Type of land hunters hunt most often during LGCO ............................................................................................................. 6
Figure 7 ..............How respondents feel about the dates of the 2021 LGCO for the area they hunted ............................................................. 6
Figure 8 ..............Percent of light goose hunters who have ever used a guide/outfitter for light goose hunting .............................................. 7
Figure 9 ..............How frequently a guide is used for light goose hunting .......................................................................................................... 7
Figure 10 ............Gender of hunters ...................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Table 1 ................Estimates of the number of hunters, days afield, harvest, and crippled light geese 1999-2021 during the Illinois
Light Goose Conservation Order ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Table 2 ................Estimated light goose harvest by month during the Illinois LGCO 2004-2021 ..................................................................... 11
Table 3 ................Hunter comparison between the number of light geese SEEN during 2021 to the last 5 years ........................................... 12
Table 4 ................Hunter comparison between the number of light geese HARVESTED during 2021 to the last 5 years ............................. 12
Table 5 ................Satisfaction with the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order in Illinois ................................................................................ 13
Table 6 ................Hunters’ attitudes toward light goose conservation. ............................................................................................................... 13
Appendix A ........Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order Survey: 2021 Season ............................................................................................. 14
Appendix B ........Cover letter sent with the first mailing of the 2021 Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order Survey ................................ 18
Appendix C ........Thank you/reminder postcard sent as follow-up to the mailings ........................................................................................... 20
Appendix D ........Cover letter sent with second and third mailings of the 2021 Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order Survey ............... 21
Appendix E ........Geographic distribution tables of Illinois residence and light goose hunters’ activity in the 2021 LCGO.......................... 23
1
ABSTRACT
Harvest of light geese (Anser caerulescens, Anser rossii) during the 2021 Illinois Light Goose
Conservation Order was estimated at 90,392. An estimated 2,732 hunters participated in the 2021 Illinois
Light Goose Conservation Order. Hunters spent an estimated 32,369 days afield during 2021, and the majority
(55.7%) of the snow (light) goose harvest occurred during the month of February. Hunters were sampled from
Harvest Information Program (HIP) registrants who reported they hunted snow and other light geese
(including Ross’ and Blue geese) during the 2020 Light Goose Conservation Order. One in 10 hunters had
increased harvest of light goose over the previous 5 years. Approximately twenty-one percent of active light
goose hunters used a guide or outfitter while hunting light geese during the 2021 Order. Due to changes in
sampling of addresses and calculation of estimates, comparisons should not be made to years prior to 2014.
OBJECTIVE
To survey hunters participating in the Light Goose Conservation Order (LGCO) to determine their
activities and harvests in Illinois, as well as their opinions toward specific waterfowl management issues.
METHODS
A total of 3,000 waterfowl hunters were randomly selected from 2020-21 HIP registrants who reported
they hunted snow geese during the 2020 Light Goose Conservation Order in Illinois and purchased a state
waterfowl stamp. Hunters sampled were mailed a 4-page mail-back questionnaire (Appendix A) and cover
letter (Appendix B) 30 April 2021. Non-respondents were mailed a thank you/reminder postcard (Appendix
C) 14 May 2021, a second copy of the questionnaire and cover letter (Appendix D) 08 June 2021, and another
thank you/reminder postcard 28 June 2021. A third copy of the questionnaire and cover letter (Appendix D)
was mailed 14 July 2021. The number of light goose hunters (Huntsp), days afield (Dayssp), birds crippled but
not retrieved (Cripsp) and harvest (Harvsp) were calculated as follows:
2
n
L
HuntHunt t
rsp =
,
n
L
DaysDays t
rsp =
,
n
L
CripCrip
t
rsp
=
,
n
L
HarvHarv t
rsp =
Where:
r
Hunt
= number of respondents to the 2021 Illinois Spring Light Goose Hunter Survey who reported
hunting light geese (adjustment for non-hunters is inherent),
t
L
= total number of 2020-21 Harvest Information Program (HIP) registrants who indicated they hunted light
geese in Illinois during 2020 waterfowl hunting season,
n
= number of respondents to the 2021 Illinois Spring Light Goose Hunter Survey,
r
Days
= total number of days spent hunting reported by respondents,
r
Crip
= total number of birds crippled but not retrieved reported by respondents,
r
Harv
= total harvest of each species reported by respondents.
The 2021 estimates for number of hunters, days hunted, and light geese harvested were based on 5,443
HIP registrants who reported they hunted during the 2020 LGCO on their 2020-21 HIP registration. Estimated
light goose harvest was not adjusted for reporting bias using 0.478 as has been done in previous years (for
discussion of this estimator related to waterfowl harvest, see Anderson et al. 1996). Ninety-five percent
confidence intervals were calculated for number of hunters, days hunted, and geese harvested, as described in
Lischka et al. (2006). We entered and analyzed data using SPSS 28.0 (IBM SPSS Inc. 2021). Due to changes
in number of hunters sampled and calculation of estimates, comparisons to previous years’ figures must be
done with caution. The sample frame for this survey changed in 2014 and we recommend closely examining
confidence intervals when making any comparisons of results between results prior to 2014. The 2014
Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration was the first year in which hunters were asked if they hunted
light geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order the previous year. Addition of this question allowed
3
for more precise sampling of likely participants since the 2015 Light Goose Illinois Conservation Order than
did a random sample of Illinois State Waterfowl Stamp purchasers, the sampling method used in previous
light goose hunter surveys in Illinois (Williams et al. 2013).
ORDER DATES AND BAG LIMITS
The 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order took place from 15 January to 30 April in the North Zone
and from 1 February to 30 April in the Central, South Central, and South Zones. The Order began in each
zone the day after regular Canada goose (Branta canadensis) season closed. Hunters during the Light Goose
Conservation Order were required to have a state waterfowl permit and hunting license, but were exempt from
daily bag and possession limits, and needing a federal waterfowl stamp. Hunters were permitted to use
unplugged shotguns, electronic calls, and to hunt from one half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset;
these liberalized regulations were not permitted during waterfowl seasons.
RESULTS
Harvest Results
Figure 1. Percentage of survey respondents who Figure 2. How often light goose hunters* hunt the
hunted light geese in the 2021 Illinois LCGO LGCO in Illinois (n = 550).
(n = 1,018). *Hunters who reported they hunted light geese 1 day or more in
Illinois during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order.
54.0%
46.0%
Yes No
3.1% 8.9%
22.7%
65.3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Rarely Occasional
Years
Most
Years
Every
Year
4
The questionnaire was undeliverable to 69 addresses, reducing the mailing list to 2,931 individuals. A
total of 1,025 questionnaires were returned, of which 1,018 were considered usable, for a 35% response rate.
Over half (54.0%) of respondents reported hunting light geese during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation
Order (Figure 1). Two-thirds (65.3%) of active hunters, those who hunted at least one day during the 2021
LGCO, hunt light geese every year (Figure 2). Central zone was the most popular for hunters and over half
(57.8%) of active hunters reported hunting the Central Zone most often for light geese (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Zone hunted* most often during the 2021 LGCO (n = 550).
*Hunters who reported they hunted light geese 1 day or more in Illinois during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order.
During the 2021 Illinois LGCO, an estimated 2,748 participants hunted for 32,973 days and harvested
91,488 light geese (Table 1). Those who hunted most often in the Central zone were responsible for 58% of
the harvest and 61% of the days hunted (Table 2). In comparison to the 2020 Order, hunter participation
declined 16.5% and light goose harvest declined 34.9% (Figure 4). Among active LGCO hunters, 62.6%
hunted 10 days or less (Figure 5), and 16.2% reported not harvesting any light geese, whereas 7.4% harvested
≥ 100 light geese. The fewest number of geese were harvested during January (<1%), 55.7% of the harvest
occurred during February, and 44.2% percent occurred in March (Table 3).
Mean overall harvest was 33 geese per hunter, and 40 geese per hunter when unsuccessful hunters are
excluded. A total of 5,443 light geese were estimated to be downed but not retrieved by hunters this Order.
7.6%
31.1%
57.8%
3.5%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
South
South Central
Central
North
Zone
5
Figure 4. Estimated Illinois LGCO hunter participation and harvest across time.* Due to changes in number of hunters
sampled and calculation of estimates, comparisons to previous years’ figures must be done with caution.
Figure 5. Distribution of days afield per hunter and light geese harvested per hunter for Illinois’ during the
2021 Light Goose Conservation Order.
*Hunters who reported they hunted light geese 1 day or more in Illinois during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order.
Hunters hunted most frequently on private land with permission (59.6%), followed by private land for
a fee (28.4%) (Figure 6). Hunters averaged 5.6 days hunting public land and 11.2 days hunting private lands.
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
Ye a r
# of Days Afield
# of Snow Goose
# of Snow Goose Hunters
.0
3.0
6.0
9.0
12.0
1 6 11 16 21 26 31 36 41 46 51 56
Percent
Days Afield
.0
3.0
6.0
9.0
12.0
15.0
18.0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200+
Percent
Light Goose Harvest
6
Figure 6. Type of land hunters* hunt most often during LGCO (n = 550).
*Hunters who reported they hunted light geese 1 day or more in Illinois during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order.
**Percentages do not add up to 100 because some hunters indicated they hunted multiple types of land.
Satisfaction with the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order
Almost, fifteen percent (14.8%) hunters perceived an increase in the number of light geese seen during
the Conservation Order over the past 5 years, whereas two-thirds (67.0%) felt there was a decrease (Table 4).
One in ten hunters (9.6%) harvested more light geese than they had over the past 5 years and three quarters %
harvested fewer (Table 5). When asked about the dates of the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order, most
active hunters (68.3%) felt that the dates were about right, (Figure 7). Over half of active hunters were
dissatisfied with the number of light geese they saw (63.2%) and their amount of shooting (60.6%). Hunters
were most satisfied (34.9%) with the amount of hunting they did (Table 6.)
Figure 7. How hunters feel about the dates of the 2021 LGCO for the area they hunted.
2.5%
1.6%
6.5%
22.0%
28.4%
59.6%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Other
Other public land
Public land owned/managed by IDNR
Private land I/family own
Private land I paid to access
Private land where I had permission to hunt
2.9%
21.3%
7.5%
68.3%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Too Early
Too Late
I Am Not Sure
About Right
Hunted in 2020
7
When asked about conservation and the ecological impacts of light geese, hunters had the highest level
of agreement with “I feel light geese populations are an overabundant species” (69.7%), “I feel light geese
populations are too high” (65.5%), and “I feel light geese compete with greater white-fronted geese for food”
(60.4%) (Table 7).
Use of guides and outfitters
Figure 8. Percent of light goose hunters who have Figure 9. How frequently a guide is used for
ever used a guide/outfitter for light goose hunting. light goose hunting (n = 269).
Most hunters, regardless of participation in the most recent Conservation Order, have never used an
outfitter to hunt light geese (Figure 8), though those who hunted this year were more likely to have used
outfitters than those who did not hunt. Of those who have ever used an outfitter one in three use an
outfitter/guide every time (33.8) and 33.5% use one rarely (Figure 9). Differences in frequency of use among
those who were active hunters and those who did not hunt were not reported due to small sub-sample size.
Almost 20 percent (18.7%) of those who hunted LCGO this year used an outfitter/guide to do so.
Hunter characteristics
Light Goose Conservation Order hunters were younger (M = 46.8 ± 16.1 years old) than inactive
hunters (M = 48.9 ± 16.2 years old), and almost all (98.0%) were male (Figure 10). Those who hunted LCGO
this year have been hunting light geese during the spring in Illinois for an average of 9.2 years as compared to
68.8%
31.2%
79.1%
20.9%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
No Yes
Hunted (n = 548)
Did not hunt (n = 468)
33.8%
16.0% 16.7%
33.5%
0%
20%
40%
Every time Most times Occassionally Rarely
8
4.8 years for those who did not hunt. Similarly, they have hunted regular waterfowl in Illinois for an average
of 27.2 years as compared to 24.6 years for those who did not. The counties with the most respondents were
St. Clair (7.0%), Madison (6.9%), Adams (3.1%), Clinton (3.1%), and Tazewell (3.1%). The general locations
in Illinois in which light goose hunters live and concentrated their efforts is presented in Appendix E.
Figure 10. Gender of light goose hunters (n = 1,018).
98.0%
2.0%
Male Female
9
REFERENCES
Anderson, W.L., D.D. Thornburg, and R.M. Whitton. 1996. Estimating Canada goose harvest in southern
Illinois quota zones. Wildlife Society Bulletin 24:233-237.
IBM SPSS Inc. 2020. SPSS for Windows. IBM Corporation, 1 New Orchard Road, Armonk, NY, U.S.A.
Lischka, S.A., W.L. Anderson, and L.K. Campbell. 2006. Results of the 2005-2006 Illinois hunter harvest
survey. Human Dimensions Program Report HR-06-01. Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign,
IL. 55pp.
Williams, B.D., C.A. Miller, and L.K. Campbell. 2013. Hunter Participation, Harvest, and Hunting
Behavior During the 2013 Illinois Conservation Order Season. Job Completion Report, Federal Aid
in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-22. Human Dimensions Research Program HR-13-06/INHS
Technical Report (33). Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL. 22pp.
10
Table 1. Estimates of the number of hunters, days afield, light geese harvest, and number of birds crippled
from 1999-2021 during the Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order.
Hunters
Days Afield
Harvest
Crippled
1999
1,076
3,756
2,254
2000
865
6,643
7,612
2001
4,665
32,634
36,830
2002
5,107
31,204
17,875
2003
3,111
27,177
30,564
2004
5,976
44,306
37,189
2005
5,689
42,349
38,183
a
4,862
2006
5,543
53,154
59,799
a
8,892
2007
5,962 ± 1,147
b
39,170 ± 15,221
44,514 ± 25,794
11,078
2008
6,409 ± 1,046
b
50,471 ± 10,331
97,021 ± 40,811
11,050
2009
4,663 ± 950
b
33,947 ± 8,403
85,635 ± 36,479
5,547
2010
3,702 ± 820
b
25,581 ± 6,297
65,987 ± 42,519
3,561
2011
3,825 ± 826
b
30,753 ± 8,902
66,406 ± 30,962
7,810
2012
5,726 ± 943
b
51,763 ± 11,376
87,558 ± 41,316
4,157
2013
4,477 ± 1,192
b
45,724 ± 16,642
73,495 ± 52,191
3,686
2014
1,962 ± 188
b
21,170 ± 3,151
82,161
c
± 22,291
6,108
2015
2,599 ± 206
b
30,360 ± 3,213
123,944
c
± 29,265
5,491
2016
2,187 ± 81
b
33,048 ± 1,822
121,689
c
± 9,716
5,570
2017
2,459 ± 145
b
32,931 ± 2,403
133,629
c
± 24,576
5,774
2018
2,505 ± 141
b
30,989 ± 2,400
103,322
c
± 33,481
6,864
2019
2,694 ± 205
b
30,206 ± 3,138
86,683
c
± 34,461
5,558
2020
3,272 ± 186
b
41,621 ± 3,911
138,954
c
± 30,202
7,395
2021
2,748 ± 171
b
32,973 ± 2,702
91,488
c
± 30,313
5,630
a Harvest data estimates differ from the original estimates and were restricted to Conservation Order only.
b 95% confidence intervals
c Reporting bias of .487 was not used for these years.
11
Table 2. Estimated of the number of hunters, days afield, and harvest of light geese by zone hunted most often
in 2021.
Zone
Hunters
Days Afield
Harvest
Crippled
North
102 716 246 -
Central
1,577
20,013
53,195
2,091
South Central 866 9,908 31,990 1,674
South 203 2,337 6,058 1,866
Total
2,748
32,973
91,488
5,630
*Estimates are based off “zone hunted most often” rather than county reported for harvest because some counties lie in multiple
zones.
Table 3. Estimated light goose harvest by month during the Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order from
2004-2021.
Januaryb,c
February
March
April
2004
a
-
26,404
10,785
2005
824
29,008
8,351
2006
67
43,815
15,917
2007
2,006
32,564
9,944
2008
295
61,376
35,351
2009
77
58,761
26,797
2010
249
44,755
20,983
2011
-
48,323
18,082
2012
55
60,625
26,878
2013
476
d
45,080
22,233
2014
97
39,969
42,094
2015
20
65,454
58,470
2016
402
74,269
47,018
2017
678
84,153
48,798
2018
180
62,584
40,558
2019
82
55,167
31,434
2020
196
85,326
53,432
2021
96
50,340
39,956
1,096
a Monthly harvest data before 2004 are not available.
b January estimates include only North Zone harvest unless otherwise noted.
c Harvest data are estimates for Conservation Order only.
d Revised from reported 2013-14 harvest.
12
Table 4. Hunter comparison between the number of light geese SEEN during 2021 to the last 5 years
(n = 546).
Hunted in 2021
Number of Hunters
Percentage of Hunters (%)
Decreased Considerably
128
23.4
Decreased Moderately 115 21.1
Decreased Slightly 123 22.5
No Change 99 18.1
Increased Slightly 50 9.2
Increased Moderately 22 4.0
Increased Considerably
9
1.6
Table 5. Hunter comparison between the number of light geese HARVESTED during 2021 to the last 5 years
(n = 544).
Hunted in 2021
Number of Hunters
Percentage of Hunters (%)
Decreased Considerably
167
30.7
Decreased Moderately 112 20.6
Decreased Slightly 132 24.3
No Change 81 14.9
Increased Slightly 37 6.8
Increased Moderately 12 2.2
Increased Considerably
3
0.6
13
Table 6. Satisfaction with the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order in Illinois.
n
Very
Dissatisfied
%
Dissatisfied
%
Neither
%
Satisfied
%
Very
Satisfied
%
Number of light geese you saw. 547 14.3 31.6 24.9 25.0 4.2
Mid-season matched peak of light
goose migration. 543 12.0 30.4 34.3 20.4 2.9
Amount of shooting you got in. 548 27.2 33.4 23.2 12.8 3.5
Amount of time you spent light goose
hunting. 544 7.2 23.7 34.2 29.4 5.5
Number of light geese you harvested. 546 27.5 35.7 21.1 13.9 1.8
The weather during the Conservation
Order season.
546 20.7 22.5 30.8 23.4 2.6
Number of light geese that migrated
through areas you hunted.
547 19.7 29.4 26.0 20.7 4.2
Table 7. Hunters’ attitudes toward light goose conservation.
“I feel light geese…”
Strongly
Disagree
%
Disagree
%
Slightly
Disagree
%
Neither
Agree or
Disagree
%
Slightly
Agree
%
Agree
%
Strongly
Agree
%
…compete with Canada geese for nest sites. 9.8 15.7 6.8 34.5 10.2 15.9 7.1
…compete with greater white-fronted geese for nest sites. 5.4 9.7 5.4 38.9 11.5 21.7 7.5
...contribute to a balanced ecosystem. 8.3 17.6 14.8 36.6 9.3 10.9 2.5
…populations are too high. 2.9 4.4 5.1 20.0 11.6 30.2 25.8
…compete with Canada geese for food. 3.8 7.4 6.3 20.4 16.3 28.5 17.4
…compete with greater white-fronted geese for food. 3.3 5.1 3.4 26.0 15.3 29.6 17.3
…populations have rebounded due to conservation efforts. 4.4 7.6 6.9 45.6 10.9 16.7 7.9
…are a conservation success story. 4.3 8.1 7.7 45.2 12.3 17.0 5.5
…threaten biodiversity. 2.4 4.7 4.9 41.5 15.3 20.4 10.9
…are harming habitat in the Hudson Bay region. 1.8 2.7 1.8 46.2 9.7 21.5 16.3
…are an overabundant species. 2.7 3.0 3.5 23.2 13.9 28.3 25.4
14
Appendix A
Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order
Survey 2021
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Division of Wildlife Resources
&
The Illinois Natural History Survey
The Department of Natural Resources is requesting disclosure of information that is necessary to accomplish the statutory purpose
as outlined under the Illinois Compiled Statutes, The Wildlife Code, Chapter 520. Disclosure of information is voluntary. This
study is funded by the federal Wildlife Restoration Fund through your purchase of sporting arms and ammunition.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!
All of your responses will be kept confidential.
Please return this survey in the postage-paid return envelope provided.
15
Section 1. Light Goose Conservation Order (Spring Light Goose) Hunting Effort and Harvest. Please take a few
minutes to complete the following questionnaire to help us evaluate the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order for
goose hunting even if you did not hunt.
All questions pertain to Illinois hunting. Please note: "Light geese" includes Snow, Ross’, and Blue geese.
1. Did you hunt in Illinois during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order (spring light goose)
(North Zone: Jan. 15 - April 30, 2021; Central, South Central, and South Zones: Feb. 1 - April 30, 2021)?
Do not include hunting light geese during the regular Canada goose season. (Please check one.)
_____Yes _____No (If “No,” please go to Question 11)
2. Which of the following best describes how often you hunt light geese in Illinois?
_____Every year _____Most years _____Occassional years _____Rarely
3. In which zone did you hunt light geese most often during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order? (Please
check one.)
_____ North Zone _____Central Zone _____ South Central Zone _____ South Zone
4. On which of the following types of land did you hunt light geese during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order?
(Please check all that apply.)
_____ Public land owned/managed by IDNR _____Other public land
_____ Private land I/family own _____Private land where I had permission to hunt
_____ Private land I paid to access _____Other (Please identify): ___________________________
4a. How many days did you hunt light geese on Illinois state public land and/or private land during the 2021 Light
Goose Conservation Order? Please indicate number of days for each.
Public: ______ Days Private: ______ Days
5. Please indicate your personal effort (not your hunting party’s effort) and harvest in the following table. Include only
harvest that occurred during the spring Light Goose (light, blue, & Ross’) Conservation Order; do not include
light geese harvested during the regular Canada goose seasons. Report the counties in which you hunted, number
of days you hunted, and light geese harvested for the time period in which you hunted light geese. Include only light
geese you harvested and days you hunted in Illinois. Count part of 1 day as 1 day. Please refer to the county/zone
map on the backside of your cover letter to answer this question.
Please note, during January only the North zone is open to hunts.
County hunted
Days hunted
Geese harvested
Geese hit, but
not retrieved
January (North only):
February:
March:
April:
16
6. How does the number of light geese you saw during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order compare to the last
5 years? Please circle the number that matches your response.
Decreased
Considerably
Decreased
Moderately
Decreased
Slightly
No Change
Increased
Slightly
Increased
Moderately
Increased
Considerably
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7. How does the number of light geese you harvested during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order compare to
the last 5 years? Please circle the number that matches your response.
Decreased
Considerably
Decreased
Moderately
Decreased
Slightly
No Change
Increased
Slightly
Increased
Moderately
Increased
Considerably
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8. About how far, on average, did you travel to hunt light geese in Illinois during 2021? _______ Miles
9. How did you feel about the dates of the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order for the area where you hunted most
often? (Please circle one.)
Too early
About right
Too late
I am not sure
1
2
3
4
10. Please rate your SATISFACTION with the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order in Illinois for each of the
following by circling the number that matches your response.
Very
Dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Neither
Dissatisfied
or Satisfied
Satisfied
Very
Satisfied
Number of light geese you saw. 1 2 3 4 5
Mid-season matched peak of light goose migration. 1 2 3 4 5
Amount of shooting you got in. 1 2 3 4 5
Amount of time you spent light goose hunting. 1 2 3 4 5
Number of light geese you harvested. 1 2 3 4 5
Weather during the season. 1 2 3 4 5
Number of light geese that migrated through areas
you hunted. 1 2 3 4 5
11. Have you ever used a guide or outfitter while hunting light geese during the Light Goose Conservation Order in
Illinois?
_____ Yes _____ No (If “No,” please go to Question 12)
11a. If “Yes,” on average for all years you have hunted light geese, how often do you use a guide or outfitter while
hunting light geese in Illinois during the Light Goose Conservation Order?
____ Every time ____ Most times ____ Occasionally ____ Rarely
11b. Did you use a guide or outfitter while hunting light geese in Illinois during the 2021 Light Goose
Conservation Order?
_____ Yes _____ No
17
12. Please show how much you agree or disagree with the following statements about the Light Goose Conservation
Order by circling the number that matches your response.
“I feel light geese…”
Strongly
Disagree
Disagree
Slightly
Disagree
Neither
Agree or
Disagree
Slightly
Agree
Agree
Strongly
Agree
…compete with Canada geese for nest sites. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…compete with greater white-fronted geese for nest sites. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
...contribute to a balanced ecosystem. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…populations are too high. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…compete with Canada geese for food. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…compete with greater white-fronted geese for food. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…populations have rebounded due to conservation efforts. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…are a conservation success story. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…threaten biodiversity. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…are harming habitat in the Hudson Bay region. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
…are an overabundant species. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Section 2. Background Information. The following questions allow us to understand more about the people involved in
light goose hunting in Illinois. All responses are kept confidential.
1. How many years have you been waterfowl hunting in Illinois? _____ Years
2. How many years have you hunted during the Light Goose Conservation Order in Illinois? _____ Years
3. Please give your age. _____ Years
4. What is your gender? _____ Male _____ Female
5. What is your county of residence? ____________________________ County
Comments
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ASSISTANCE!
Please return this survey in the postage-paid envelope provided.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources receives federal assistance and therefore must comply with federal anti-discrimination laws. In compliance with the Illinois Human
Rights Act, the Illinois Constitution, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended, and the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program,
activity, or facility, please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62701-1787, (217)
782-7616 or the Officer of Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 20240.
18
Appendix B
Dear Illinois Hunter,
You have been chosen as one of a select group of Illinois light goose hunters to provide information
about your hunting activities. Enclosed is a survey questionnaire regarding your hunting experiences
in Illinois during the 2021 Light Goose Conservation Order (spring) season. Even if you did not hunt
in Illinois during the 2021 season, we ask that you please take a few minutes to complete the
portions of the questionnaire that pertain to you. A postage paid envelope is provided for returning
the questionnaire to us.
This study by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Natural History Survey is
being done to gather information about the economic contributions for light goose hunting in Illinois.
Results of this study will help wildlife managers make decisions to improve hunting opportunities
and to better manage Illinois’ wildlife populations. Your responses are voluntary and completely
confidential. By responding you will help us more effectively manage wildlife and hunting in
Illinois.
If you do not wish to participate, please return the blank questionnaire so we can remove your name
from our mailing list.
You may access the results of this and other studies of hunters and hunting in Illinois at
https://publish.illinois.edu/human-dimensions/. You may also find information about Illinois
Department of Natural Resources wildlife management programs and wildlife in Illinois at
http://dnr.state.illinois.gov/hunting/.
If you have questions regarding this study, please call us at (217) 244-5121 or email us at
laurenjs@illinois.edu.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Craig A. Miller
Human Dimensions Research Program
1816 South Oak Street,
Champaign, Illinois 61820 USA
19
20
Appendix C
Dear Illinois Hunter,
Recently you were mailed a questionnaire about your light goose
hunting during the Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order (spring)
season. We have not yet received your response. If you have already
returned the questionnaire, we thank you. If you have not
returned the questionnaire, please do so as soon as possible.
Your input is very important!
Your name and address will be deleted from our mailing list
when your questionnaire is received.
Thank you for your time and cooperation.
21
Appendix D
We recently mailed you a questionnaire regarding your hunting experiences during the 2021 Light Goose
Conservation Order (spring) season. Even if you did not hunt in Illinois during the 2021 season, we ask that
you please take a few minutes to complete the portions of the questionnaire that pertain to you. A postage
paid envelope is provided for returning the questionnaire to us. If you have already returned the questionnaire,
we thank you.
If you have not returned your completed questionnaire, please do so as soon as possible. We have
enclosed another copy for your use. This study by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the
Illinois Natural History Survey is being done to gather information about the economic contributions for light
goose hunting in Illinois. Results of this study will help wildlife managers make decisions to improve hunting
opportunities and to better manage Illinois’ wildlife populations. Your responses are voluntary and
completely confidential. By responding you will help us more effectively manage wildlife and hunting in
Illinois.
If you do not wish to participate, please return the blank questionnaire so we can remove your name from our
mailing list.
You may access the results of this and other studies of hunters and hunting in Illinois at
https://publish.illinois.edu/human-dimensions/. You may also find information about Illinois Department of
Natural Resources wildlife management programs and wildlife in Illinois at http://dnr.state.illinois.gov/hunting/.
If you have questions regarding this study, please call us at (217) 244-5121 or email us at laurenjs@illinois.edu.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Sincerely,
Craig A. Miller
Human Dimensions Research Program
1816 South Oak Street,
Champaign, Illinois 61820 USA
22
23
Table E-1. Distribution of respondents by county of residence (n = 1,018).
County
n
County
n
County
n
Adams 25 Hardin 0 Morgan 19
Alexander 4 Henderson 7 Moultrie 7
Bond 7 Henry 5 Ogle 3
Boone 1 Iroquois 6 Peoria 18
Brown 2 Jackson 11 Perry 6
Bureau 6 Jasper 6 Piatt 5
Calhoun 30 Jefferson 8 Pike 13
Carroll 1 Jersey - Pope 2
Cass 16 Jo Daviess 2 Pulaski 1
Champaign 11 Johnson 4 Putnam 12
Christian 12 Kane 3 Randolph 11
Clark 4 Kankakee 6 Richland 1
Clay 4 Kendall 2 Rock Island 18
Clinton 35 Knox 14 St. Clair 68
Coles 6 Lake 10 Saline 3
Cook 12 LaSalle 22 Sangamon 26
Crawford 3 Lawrence 3 Schuyler 5
Cumberland 1 Lee 2 Scott 0
De Kalb 1 Livingston 3 Shelby 7
DeWitt 7 Logan 4 Stark 2
Douglas 8 McDonough 6 Stephenson 5
Du Page 6 McHenry 10 Tazewell 45
Edgar 3 McLean 15 Union 6
Edwards 2 Macon 23 Vermillion 2
Effingham 6 Macoupin 17 Wabash 4
Fayette 14 Madison 51 Warren 4
Ford 3 Marion 12 Washington 8
Franklin 11 Marshall 2 Wayne 2
Fulton 20 Mason 22 White 3
Gallatin 0 Massac 6 Whiteside 17
Greene 11 Menard 6 Will 27
Grundy 9 Mercer 8 Williamson 21
Hamilton 1 Monroe 16 Winnebago 4
Hancock 9 Montgomery 12 Woodford 14
Appendix E
24
Table E-2. Distribution of light geese harvested per county (n = 550).
County
Light Geese
County
Light Geese
County
Light Geese
Adams 200 Hardin 0 Morgan 1,371
Alexander 81 Henderson 31 Moultrie 7
Bond 291 Henry 0 Ogle 0
Boone 0 Iroquois 0 Peoria 110
Brown 40 Jackson 344 Perry 144
Bureau 0 Jasper 1 Piatt 0
Calhoun 587 Jefferson 127 Pike 967
Carroll 1 Jersey - Pope 0
Cass 1,123 Jo Daviess 0 Pulaski 34
Champaign 0 Johnson 101 Putnam 12
Christian 71 Kane 0 Randolph 170
Clark 107 Kankakee 0 Richland 0
Clay 308 Kendall 0 Rock Island 1
Clinton 1,774 Knox 100 St. Clair 331
Coles 30 Lake 3 Saline 0
Cook 0 LaSalle 35 Sangamon 39
Crawford 0 Lawrence 7 Schuyler 91
Cumberland 0 Lee 0 Scott 97
De Kalb 0 Livingston 40 Shelby 13
DeWitt 0 Logan 0 Stark 0
Douglas 6 McDonough 34 Stephenson 0
Du Page 0 McHenry 35 Tazewell 127
Edgar 287 McLean 1 Union 167
Edwards 0 Macon 0 Vermillion 0
Effingham 77 Macoupin 178 Wabash 255
Fayette 1,751 Madison 169 Warren 10
Ford 0 Marion 431 Washington 265
Franklin 191 Marshall 0 Wayne 153
Fulton 335 Mason 1,443 White 0
Gallatin 0 Massac 54 Whiteside 1
Greene 109 Menard 0 Will 12
Grundy 2 Mercer 60 Williamson 109
Hamilton 53 Monroe 295 Winnebago 0
Hancock 10 Montgomery 409 Woodford 54
25
Table E-3. Distribution of days hunted per county by county hunted (n = 550).
County
Days
County
Days
County
Days
Adams 204 Hardin 0 Morgan 65
Alexander 61 Henderson 32 Moultrie 15
Bond 92 Henry 0 Ogle 0
Boone 0 Iroquois 0 Peoria 63
Brown 32 Jackson 81 Perry 70
Bureau 2 Jasper 5 Piatt 0
Calhoun 280 Jefferson 139 Pike 337
Carroll 6 Jersey - Pope 0
Cass 115 Jo Daviess 0 Pulaski 27
Champaign 0 Johnson 27 Putnam 30
Christian 44 Kane 0 Randolph 103
Clark 2 Kankakee 0 Richland 0
Clay 20 Kendall 0 Rock Island 18
Clinton 400 Knox 136 St. Clair 220
Coles 15 Lake 3 Saline 0
Cook 2 LaSalle 21 Sangamon 14
Crawford 0 Lawrence 7 Schuyler 89
Cumberland 0 Lee 0 Scott 30
De Kalb 20 Livingston 33 Shelby 34
DeWitt 4 Logan 2 Stark 0
Douglas 4 McDonough 51 Stephenson 0
Du Page 0 McHenry 3 Tazewell 134
Edgar 10 McLean 23 Union 79
Edwards 0 Macon 11 Vermillion 0
Effingham 19 Macoupin 127 Wabash 52
Fayette 523 Madison 153 Warren 7
Ford 0 Marion 92 Washington 108
Franklin 88 Marshall 1 Wayne 40
Fulton 303 Mason 508 White 2
Gallatin 0 Massac 10 Whiteside 18
Greene 94 Menard 5 Will 13
Grundy 3 Mercer 52 Williamson 51
Hamilton 37 Monroe 89 Winnebago 0
Hancock 43 Montgomery 200 Woodford 48
26
Table E-4. Distribution of hunters* per county (n = 550).
*Sum is greater than n because some hunters participated in multiple counties.
County
n
County
n
County
n
Adams 19 Hardin 0 Morgan 8
Alexander 7 Henderson 6 Moultrie 4
Bond 12 Henry 0 Ogle 0
Boone 0 Iroquois 0 Peoria 11
Brown 2 Jackson 11 Perry 12
Bureau 2 Jasper 3 Piatt 0
Calhoun 32 Jefferson 17 Pike 30
Carroll 2 Jersey - Pope 0
Cass 18 Jo Daviess 0 Pulaski 5
Champaign 0 Johnson 2 Putnam 4
Christian 4 Kane 0 Randolph 13
Clark 1 Kankakee 0 Richland 0
Clay 3 Kendall 0 Rock Island 3
Clinton 63 Knox 22 St. Clair 26
Coles 1 Lake 2 Saline 0
Cook 1 LaSalle 3 Sangamon 6
Crawford 0 Lawrence 3 Schuyler 11
Cumberland 0 Lee 0 Scott 6
De Kalb 3 Livingston 4 Shelby 6
DeWitt 1 Logan 1 Stark 0
Douglas 1 McDonough 8 Stephenson 0
Du Page 0 McHenry 1 Tazewell 8
Edgar 2 McLean 4 Union 18
Edwards 0 Macon 2 Vermillion 0
Effingham 5 Macoupin 15 Wabash 4
Fayette 58 Madison 17 Warren 1
Ford 0 Marion 13 Washington 11
Franklin 11 Marshall 1 Wayne 3
Fulton 43 Mason 74 White 1
Gallatin 0 Massac 3 Whiteside 7
Greene 10 Menard 1 Will 2
Grundy 1 Mercer 8 Williamson 4
Hamilton 4 Monroe 7 Winnebago 0
Hancock 5 Montgomery 21 Woodford 5
27
Figure E-1. Estimated number of LCGO harvested by month.* Due to changes in number of hunters sampled and calculation of
estimates, comparisons to previous years’ figures must be done with caution.
Figure E-2. Estimated number of LCGO hunters by month.* Due to changes in number of hunters sampled and calculation of
estimates, comparisons to previous years’ figures must be done with caution.
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
February & March LCGO Harvest
January LCGO harvest
Ye a r
January February March
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
LCGO Hunters
Ye a r
January February March
28
Figure E-3. Estimated number of days afield hunting LCGO by month.* Due to changes in number of hunters sampled and
calculation of estimates, comparisons to previous years’ figures must be done with caution.
Figure E-4. Estimated number of hit but not retrieved LCGO by month.* Due to changes in number of hunters sampled and
calculation of estimates, comparisons to previous years’ figures must be done with caution.
-
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
February & March LCGO Days
January LCGO Days
Ye a r
January February March
-
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
February & March LCGO Winged
January LCGO Winged
Ye a r
January February March