Anderson, William L.

Campbell, Linda K.

Miller, Craig A.

Yeagle, Jessica A.

English

Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship Repository

Results of the 2000-2001 Illinois Squirrel Hunter Survey ,.. Federal Aid Project Number W-112-R-10 Job Number 101.5 Wildlife Restoration Fund July 1, 2000-June 30, 2001 Craig A. Miller Program Leader and Principal Investigator Human Dimensions Research Program Illinois Natural History Survey 607 East Peabody Drive Champaign, IL 61820 (217)333-7483 Report prepared by Craig A. Miller, William L. Anderson Linda K. Campbell, and Jessica A. Yeagle December 17, 2002 Brent Manning, Director Illinois Department ofNatural Resources Tim Hickmann Jeffrey Ver Steeg Federal Aid Coordinator Chief, Division of Wildlife Program Development Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department ofNatural 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. Ifyou 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 62702-127l; 2171785/0067; TTY 217/782/9175. I I 2000-2001 Illinois Squirrel Hunter Survey Objective To survey I group ofupland game (squirrel, pheasant, quail, dove, or other) hunters I· armually to determine their activities, harvest, characteristics, attitudes, and opinions in lllinois. Methods A random sample of3,000 hunters was selected from purchasers of2000 lllinois Resident Hunting Licenses and Habitat Stamps. Hunters were mailed a questionnaire addressing hunter activities and harvest for the 2000 license year, as well as specific attitudes toward squirrel hunting in lllinois. The questionnaire was followed 14 days later with a postcard reminder to nomespondents. Hunters not responding to either the first mailing or postcard were sent a second questionnaire 14 days after the postcard reminder. Nomespondents to the second questionnaire were sent a second postcard reminder 14 days following the second questionnaire. Results A total of 2,078 hunters (74%) responded to the survey. Approximately one-third (37%) ofhunters hunted squirrels during the 1999 license year (1999-2000 seasons). Of those hunters who hunted squirrels, 92% did so as the main species of the hunt. Approximately half (49%) ofhunters reported their squirrel hunting efforts had decreased during the 5 years prior to this study (1995-2000). Hunters expressed mixed perspectives on squirrel populations: 11 % felt populations were lower, 33% thought populations were the same, and 32% believed popUlations were higher in 2000 than in the 5 years prior to the survey. Approximately one-quarter ofhunters (24%) were unsure about population levels. 1 I Hunters varied as to when they hunted squirrels. Most hunters (66%) hunted squirrels during the period September I -: October 31. Fewer hunters (15%) stated most of their squirrel hunting occurred after October 31, and 19% responded that most hunting was in August. Squirrel hunters were either accompanied by family (n = 491)or alone (n=482) while hunting, followed by friends (n = 325), and 115 stated they hunted with one or more of the choices provided. A majority ofhunters (56%) were not accompanied by youths during their hunt. Most hunters (53%) reported they would support a squirrel season in May if the season would have no effect on squirrel populations. Most frequent reasons were "Extended hunting opportunities" (n=622) and "Give me something to hunt during spring" (n=550). Hunters opposed to a spring season cited "Present season long enough" In=5J~l''-Ws not part ofour hunting tradition in lllinois" (n=178) as primary reasons ~' for opposing a spring season. Slightly more than one-third (37%) reported they would hunt during the spring season ifit was offered. When asked to rate the quality ofsquirrel hunting in lllinois, the most frequent response (40%) was "Good," followed by "Excellent" (28%). Very or extremely important reasons to hunt squirrels included "To spend time outdoors in sununer and early fall" (59%), "To pass along skills to young hunters" (49%), and "To scout for deer hunting" (45%). Discussion Squirrel hunting is still enjoyed by a substantial segment ofIllinois hunters. Hunter effort has declined for approximately half of Illinois hunters during 1995-2000. Hunters were in mixed in their opinions of changes in squirrel popUlations during the 5 years prior to this study (1995-2000). Hunters hunt squirrels alone or with family I members. Hunters are mixed on their support for a May squirrel season, and I . approximately one-third would take part in the season if it was offered. 2 I & la. Did you hunt gray or fox squirrels during the 2000-01 season? Number of Percent Respondents Response Yes 776 37% No 1302 63% If "yes," how did you hunt them most often? As the main species of the hunt 690 92% Incidental to other species 62 8% 2. How has your squirrel hunting effort changed in the past 5 years? Hunting Effort Number of Percent Respondents Response Increased 133 8% Stayed the same 754 44% Decreased 818 48% 3. In your opinion, how have squirrel populations changed in the past 5 years? Squirrel Number of Percent Populations Respondents Response Lower 193 11% Same 598 33% Higher 568 32% Not sure 427 24% 4. In what part ofthe small game season did most of your squirrel hunting take place? Number of Percent Respondents Response· August 228 19% Between September 1 and October 31 799 66% After October 31 187 15% 5. Which of the following best describes those who usually accompany you squirrel hunting? Number of Respondents Family 491 I usually hunt alone 482 Friends 325 Co-workers 10 Neighbors 5 Two or more of the above choices 115 6. Do any ofthe hunters who accompany you squirrel hunting include youths? Number of Percent Respondents Response Yes 608 44% No 766 56% ·7. If there was no effect on the popUlation would you favor a season in May for squirrels? Number of Percent Respondents Response Yes 934 53% No 829 47% 8. Please give the reason you would favor a May season for squirrels. Reasons to Favor a May Squirrel Season Number of Respondents Extended hunting opportunities 622 Give me something to hunt during spring 550 Other' 98 'See AppendixH. 9. Please give the reason you would not favor a May season for squirrels. Reasons not to Favor a May Squirrel Season Number ofRespondents Present season is long enough 538 It's never been done before 41 It's not part ofour hunting tradition in illinois 178 Other' 248 'See Appendix H. 10. If a season for squirrels was offered in May, would you take part in it? Number of Percent Respondents Response Yes 674 37% No 666 36% Not sure 493 '27% , I 11. How do you rate the quality of squirrel hunting in Illinois? Quality ofSquirrel Hunting Number of Percent Respondents Response I I To harvest squirrels to eat 20% 18% 28% 21% 13% I To extend my hunting opportunities 21% 19% 33% 20% 7% earlier in the season To spend time outdoors in summer 9% 7% 25% 36% 23% and early fall To scout for deer hunting 21% 11% 23% 25% 20% To practice my shooting skills 24% 14% 25% 23% 14% To spend time with other hunters 28% 15% 25% 20% 12% To pass along skills to young 22% 11% 18% 24% 25% hunters Poor 34 2% Fair 264 15% Good 727 40% Excellent 517 28% Don't know 275 15% 12. How important are the followin~ as reasons why ~ou hunt squirrels? Reason Not Slightly Moderately Very Extremely Important Important Important Important Important I I 

Results of the 2000-2001 Illinois Squirrel Hunter Survey

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Results of the 2000-2001 Illinois Squirrel Hunter Survey

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