2019 Illinois Turkey Hunter And Landowner Report

A random sample was drawn of 5,000 Illinois residents with a 2019 Illinois spring turkey hunting permit. The sample included 3,000 turkey hunters with a spring turkey shotgun/archery permit (general hunters) and 2,000 hunters with a landowner spring turkey shotgun/archery permit (landowner hunters). Selected individuals were mailed an 8-page self-administered questionnaire designed to understand attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of turkey hunters in Illinois. We received 2,932 questionnaires, 2,733 of which were usable, for a 57% response rate. Turkey hunters on average hunted 4.5 days during the 2019 spring turkey season and harvested an average of .4 turkeys per hunter. Most turkey hunters were satisfied with their overall turkey hunting experience (76%). Fifty percent of respondents believed that the turkey population in the areas that they hunted most often for turkey was too low. Most hunters only hunted on private land during the 2019 spring turkey season (82%). On average, turkey hunters encountered 1.0 other hunters (that were not part of their party) on their most crowded day in the field during the 2019 spring turkey season. Most hunters indicated there was not too much competition from other hunters where they hunted (70%). Enjoying nature and the outdoors, being out in the woods, and experiencing the challenge of the hunt were the most important factors for respondents during the spring turkey season. Only 1% of respondents (n = 30) hunted turkeys on an Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) property during the 2019 spring turkey season. Sixteen percent of respondents indicated that they took a youth (17 years old or younger) hunting during the 2019 spring turkey season.Federal Aid Project Number W-112-R-28unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Glucocorticoid Effects on Contact Hypersensitivity and on the Cutaneous Response to Ultraviolet Light in the Mouse

A single exposure to 254nm ultraviolet irradiation (UV) can systemically suppress experimental sensitization to the simple allergen 2,4-dinitro, 1-chlorobenzene (DNCB) in the mouse. We show here that topical application at the site of irradiation of the 21-oic acid methyl ester derivative of the synthetic glucocorticoid triamcinolone acetonide (TAme) prevents UV suppression of sensitization. That is, mice painted with TAme at the site of UV exposure developed normal contact hypersensitivity (CH); mice exposed to UV only, like mice treated with the parent compound triamcinolone acetonide (TA), failed to be sensitized by DNCB applied to a distal site. TAme is inactivated rapidly by plasma esterases, so its effect is thought to be confined to the skin. Apparently, TAme blocked the cutaneous signal(s) for systemic suppression of CH. Histologically, irradiated skin exhibited mild inflammation and hyperproliferation, but these effects were greatly exaggerated and prolonged in the UV + TAme-treated skin, independent of sensitization at the distal site. The infiltrate consisted mostly of neutrophils and lacked the round cells characteristic of cell-mediated immunity. Apparently, normal immune suppression by UV prevented this vigorous reaction to irradiated skin. Applied together with DNCB, TAme blocked sensitization. It also prevented response to challenge by DNCB in previously sensitized animals. However, unlike the parent compound triamcinolone acetonide (TA), Budesonide or Beclomethasone diproprionate, each of which can penetrate the epidermis in active form, TAme had no effect on sensitization when applied at a distal site. Likewise, TAme did not affect plasma B (17-desoxycortisol) levels, whereas the other three compounds reduced plasma B tenfold, as expected of compounds causing adrenal-pituitary suppression. The results as a whole show that glucocorticoids can specifically inhibit cutaneous steps in induction of cell-mediated immunity or its suppression, and can, at the site of challenge, prevent its expression in CH

2018-2019 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report

A random sample of 5,000 hunters was selected from adult 2018 Illinois resident Habitat Stamp and hunting license holders. Selected individuals were mailed an 8-page self-administered questionnaire designed to query hunters about their hunting activities and harvest in Illinois. We received 2,631 questionnaires, 2,284 of which were usable, for a 47% response rate. Illinois resident license sales decreased 5% from 2017-18 (263,495) to 250,007 for the 2018-19 seasons. Total days afield for rabbit, quail, non-wild pheasant, dove, crow, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, turkey, deer, red fox, gray fox, coyote, and opossum decreased. Harvest increased for 5 game species (wild quail, wild pheasant, groundhog, deer, and red fox) from 2017-18. Hunters were also asked questions regarding hunting activity and harvest in Illinois, recruitment and retention, perceived effects of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Blue Tongue Virus (BTV) on deer hunting, and their attitudes toward wildlife and hunting in Illinois. Estimates of wild quail and pheasant harvested beginning during 2011-12 were calculated differently than previous estimates to include harvest of captive-raised birds distinct from wild birds, so comparisons across years are to be made with caution.Federal Aid Project Number W-112-R-28unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Hunter Participation, Harvest, and Hunting Behavior During the 2019 Illinois Conservation Order

Harvest of light geese (Chen caerulescens, Chen rossii) during the 2019 Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order was estimated at 86,683. An estimated 2,694 hunters participated in the 2019 Illinois Light Goose Conservation Order. Hunters spent an estimated 30,206 days afield during 2019, and the majority (64%) of the snow goose harvest occurred during the month of February. Due to changes in sampling of addresses and calculation of estimates, comparisons should not be made to years prior to 2014. 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 2018 Light Goose Conservation Order. Electronic calls were used by 83.8% of hunters, 80.2% used unplugged shotguns, and 59.5% reported hunting between sunset and ½ hour after sunset. About forty-four percent of active snow goose hunters indicated an increase in effort over the past five years, and 7.2% of hunters had increased harvest of snow goose over the previous 5 years. Approximately fifty-three percent of active snow goose hunters used a guide or outfitter while hunting snow geese during the 2019 order.Federal Aid Project Number W-112-R-28unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Medicare Part D roulette: potential implications of random assignment and plan restrictions

Background: Dual-eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) beneficiaries are randomly assigned to a benchmark plan, which provides prescription drug coverage under the Part D benefit without consideration of their prescription drug profile. To date, the potential for beneficiary assignment to a plan with poor formulary coverage has been minimally studied and the resultant financial impact to beneficiaries unknown. Objective: We sought to determine cost variability and drug use restrictions under each available 2010 California benchmark plan. Methods: Dual-eligible beneficiaries were provided Part D plan assistance during the 2010 annual election period. The Medicare Web site was used to determine benchmark plan costs and prescription utilization restrictions for each of the six California benchmark plans available for random assignment in 2010. A standardized survey was used to record all de-identified beneficiary demographic and plan specific data. For each low-income subsidy-recipient (n = 113), cost, rank, number of non-formulary medications, and prescription utilization restrictions were recorded for each available 2010 California benchmark plan. Formulary matching rates (percent of beneficiary’s medications on plan formulary) were calculated for each benchmark plan. Results: Auto-assigned beneficiaries had only a 34% chance of being assigned to the lowest cost plan; the remainder faced potentially significant avoidable out-of-pocket costs. Wide variations between benchmark plans were observed for plan cost, formulary coverage, formulary matching rates, and prescription utilization restrictions. Conclusions: Beneficiaries had a 66% chance of being assigned to a sub-optimal plan; thereby, they faced significant avoidable out-of-pocket costs. Alternative methods of beneficiary assignment could decrease beneficiary and Medicare costs while also reducing medication non-compliance

2019-2020 Illinois Hunter Harvest Report

A random sample of 5,000 hunters was selected from adult 2019 Illinois resident Habitat Stamp and hunting license holders. Selected individuals were mailed an 8-page self-administered questionnaire designed to query hunters about their hunting activities and harvest in Illinois. We received 2,406 questionnaires, 2,198 of which were usable, for a 45% response rate. Illinois resident license sales decreased 3% from 2018-19 (250,007) to 242,704 for the 2019-20 seasons. Total days afield decreased for rabbit, quail, pheasant, dove, woodcock, crow, groundhog, raccoon, red fox, and gray fox. Harvest increased for 9 game species (wild quail, crow, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, turkey, deer, gray fox, coyote, and opossum) from 2018-19. Hunters were also asked questions regarding hunting activity and harvest in Illinois, satisfaction with small game hunting, and perceived effects of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Blue Tongue Virus (BTV) on deer hunting. Estimates of wild quail and pheasant harvested beginning during 2011-12 were calculated differently than previous estimates to include harvest of captive-raised birds distinct from wild birds, so comparisons across years are to be made with caution.Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlifeunpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Cost variability of suggested generic treatment alternatives under the Medicare Part D benefit

BACKGROUND: The substitution of generic treatment alternatives for brand-name drugs is a strategy that can help lower Medicare beneficiary out-of-pocket costs. Beginning in 2011, Medicare beneficiaries reaching the coverage gap received a 50% discount on the full drug cost of brand-name medications and a 7% discount on generic medications filled during the gap. This discount will increase until 2020, when beneficiaries will be responsible for 25% of total drug costs during the coverage gap. OBJECTIVE: To examine the cost variability of brand and generic drugs within 4 therapeutic classes before and during the coverage gap for each 2011 California stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) and prospective coverage gap costs in 2020 to determine the effects on beneficiary out-of-pocket drug costs. METHODS: Equivalent doses of brand and generic drugs in the following 4 pharmacological classes were examined: angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), bisphosphonates, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The full drug cost and patient copay/coinsurance amounts during initial coverage and the coverage gap of each drug was recorded based on information retrieved from the Medicare website. These drug cost data were recorded for 28 California PDPs. RESULTS: The highest cost difference between a brand medication and a Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS)-suggested generic treatment alternative varied between $110.53 and$195.49 at full cost and between $51.37 and$82.35 in the coverage gap. The lowest cost difference varied between $38.45 and$76.93 at full cost and between -$4.11 and$18.52 during the gap. CONCLUSION: Medicare beneficiaries can realize significant out-of-pocket cost savings for their drugs by taking CMS-suggested generic treatment alternatives. However, due to larger discounts on brand medications made available through recent changes reducing the coverage gap, the potential dollar savings by taking suggested generic treatment alternatives during the gap is less compelling and will decrease as subsidies increase

Medicare Part D Plan Optimization: The Need for an Annual Check-Up

Background: Since its inception, Medicare Part D requires beneficiaries to choose from a myriad of insurance plans in order to receive prescription drug coverage. Moreover, each year beneficiaries are confronted with plan cancellations, new plan offerings, changes in existing plan formularies and cost-sharing structure. Objective: This study prospectively examined the relationship between stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) costs, subsidy status, and the number of plans offered in California from 2009-2012. Methods: Forty-one community outreach events were held throughout Central/Northern California during the Medicare Part D annual election periods from 2008-2011. In total, 1,578 beneficiaries were assisted, 983 (62.2%) of whom had a PDP. During each intervention, beneficiary subsidy status, cost data for the beneficiary\u27s current plan and lowest cost plan for the upcoming year were recorded from the Medicare website. The percent of beneficiaries that did not need to switch plans to reduce their out-of-pocket (OOP) drug costs was compared to the number of available plans in the subsequent year.Results: On average, 14.3-23.7% of beneficiaries would have been enrolled in the lowest cost plan in the upcoming year had they remained in their current plan. Subsidy recipients were significantly more likely to be in the lowest cost plan each year. The chance of being in the lowest cost plan was significantly negatively correlated to the number of drug plans offered in the subsequent year. Conclusion: Annual Part D plan reexamination is essential to ensure that beneficiaries optimize their prescription medication coverage and minimize their OOP costs

Hunter Participation, Harvest, and Hunting Behavior During the 2021 Illinois Conservation Order

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlifeunpublishednot peer reviewedOpe