Hunting Prospects
2000

How well will you do hunting this year? DNR biologists
say things are looking up.

BY MEL HOYLE

As we head toward winter, Illinois hunters already have an idea of what they can expect during this year's hunting season. Wildlife experts with DNR have compiled data on hunting conditions, and according to their figures, hunters from throughout the state have cause to celebrate. Overall harvests are expected to meet or exceed last year's numbers for practically every species.

Here's what wildlife biologists say you should find when you go afield this year:

Deer

Two factors that influence deer harvests are weather and crops in the fields. Both corn and soybean harvests are ahead of the five-year average. Current weather patterns should result in an early harvest of the corn forest refuge, leading to good hunting.

Deer hunters can harvest no more than two antlered deer, regardless of the quantity or type of permits held.

A new regulation makes it unlawful to drive deer or participate in a deer drive on all DNR-owned or -managed property this year.

Turkey

The turkey hunting should be excellent. Brood survey data indicates there has been average to above-average reproduction this year throughout most of the state.

Reproduction numbers are especially good for the southern third of the state. Since reproduction was good in 1999 and above average in 1998, there will be a substantial number of adult birds.

Turkey season was expanded this fall, with archery hunting open for the first time in DeKalb, Edgar and Stark counties.

Squirrel

Squirrel numbers are better than last year, despite slightly erratic hunting success reports early in the season. The squirrel season began slowly on Aug. 1, but has increased considerably as the weather has cooled. Success rates should continue to climb as the season progresses.

Upland Wildlife

Numbers for upland wildlife have declined in recent years. Factors affecting reproduction include adverse weather and a reduction in nest cover and brood habitat.

Pheasant numbers will be comparable to the 1999 season, which was down slightly from the average of the last five years.

The most productive areas for pheasant hunting continue to be in east central and northern Illinois. Based on annual average harvests between 1994 and 1998, top counties for pheasants should be Ford, Henry, Livingston, McLean, Mercer and Will.

The quail population is poised for a comeback. After declining in recent years, quail call counts were 28 percent above 1999 counts. The increase in west-central Illinois was 17 percent above 1999. In south-central and far southern Illinois, increases of 35 percent and 10 percent were recorded, respectively.

The statewide rabbit index is 3 percent above 1999, but the numbers are still below long-term averages. However, a rebound is expected due to increased nesting areas and escape cover offered through the CRP acres.

Upland game hunters can expect a season comparable to or a little better than last year's hunt.

Waterfowl

Illinois waterfowl hunters will once again enjoy some the of most liberal hunting opportunities offered since the 1930s. The Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) of Canada geese is up slightly from last year, while duck populations are down slightly from last year's record fall flight.

The annual survey of key nesting areas indicated 41.8 million breeding ducks, down from last year's record number of 43.4 million .

The mid-continent mallard fall flight forecast is 11.3 million, compared to 13.6 million last year. Gad-wall, shoveler and redhead estimates were all above their long-term averages, while wigeon and canvasback counts were similar to last year and the long-term averages. Pintail and scaup populations are well below their extended average populations.

Teal populations have taken off this year, increasing to a record 7.4 million birds, which is 69 percent above the long-term average. Green-winged teal populations are a record 3.2 million, which is 80 percent above the long-term average and an astonishing 21 percent higher than last year.

Numbers are also up for the Canada goose population. The MVP spring estimate was a record 1,054,807, a 9-percent increase from 1999. The fall flight forecast for MVP geese estimates a 22,000 increase over last year. The statewide harvest allocation for Canada geese is 127,000, a 7,400 increase from last year.

Snow geese experienced poor nesting conditions throughout the breeding range that could reduce their numbers below last year's numbers. Still the population remains very large, with numbers more than twice as high as management objectives.

White-fronted geese populations are expected to be average to below average. White-fronted geese are more common throughout Illinois during the later part of the waterfowl season.

Furbearers

The 2000-2001 raccoon hunting seasons have been extended to allow for additional harvests due to high population of raccoons throughout the state. While the raccoon numbers are slightly lower than 1999, the numbers are still very high.

Coyote numbers continue to be high, based on DNR surveys. Populations are highest in the west-central and southeastern parts of the state. Hunters and trappers who focus their efforts on coyotes should experience a season similar to last year.

In comparison, the red fox population is down throughout the state, with the highest numbers found in northern Illinois. Gray fox numbers also are down statewide, with the best hunting and trapping found in west-central counties and the southern quarter of the state.

Trapping muskrat, mink and beaver should be comparable to last year, with possibilities of slightly better results. Above normal precipitation during 2000 could enhance muskrat and mink survival and reproduction, leading to slightly improved numbers in some parts of the state. Opossums and striped skunks should be comparable to last year.

For Your Information

• Motorized duck decoys are allowed this fall during the 2000-2001 hunting season.

• Baiting questions? Check the Digest of Waterfowl Hunting Regulations, pgs. 24-29 on Federal Waterfowl Baiting Regulations.

• The Harvest Information Program (HIP) is designed to maximize future hunting by providing more accurate federal estimates. Be sure to register with HIP at 1-800-WETLAND (938-5263) before hunting waterfowl.

Hunting season information can be found in the Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations—2000-2001, available from the DNR, either online at http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/ systems/digest.pdf, by emailing clearing@dnrmail.state.il.us, or by calling (217) 782-7498.

Mel Hoyle worked as a newspaper reporter and is currently a graduate student at the University of Illinois in Springfield while interning at DNR.

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