humandimensions results of the 2011-2012 r e s e a r c h p r o g … · 2013. 8. 13. · federal...

Federal Aid ProjectNumber W-112-R-21Job Number 101.2Wildlife Restoration

Oct. 1, 2011-Sept. 30, 2012

Marc Miller, DirectorIllinois Department of Natural

Resources

Paul VehlowFederal Aid Coordinator

John E. BuhnerkempeChief, Division of Wildlife

Resources

Craig A. Miller, Ph.D.Program Leader and Principal InvestigatorHuman Dimensions Research ProgramIllinois Natural History Survey

Prepared byMark G. Alessi,Craig A. Miller, andLinda K. Campbell

Results of the 2011-2012 Illinois Trapper Survey

INHS Technical Report 2012 (32)September 30, 2012

HumanDimensionsR e s e a r c h P r o g r a m

Illinois Natural History SurveyPrairie Research InstituteUniversity of Illinois at

Urbana-Champaign

Suggested Citation:

Alessi, M.G., C.A. Miller, and L.K. Campbell. 2012. Results of the 2011-2012 Illinois Trapper Survey. Job Completion

Report, Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-21. Human Dimensions Research Program Report HR-12-02/INHS

Technical Report 2012 (32). Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL. 53pp.

LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND APPENDICES Page

Table 1 ...................... Participation and harvest by fur trappers in Illinois, 2011-2012 season .......................................................................... 8

Table 2 ...................... Distribution of reported furbearer harvest among successful trappers in Illinois .......................................................... 9

Table 3 ..................... Summary of statewide data from post-season mail survey of resident trappers in Illinois ............................................ 10

Table 4 ..................... Muskrat WMUa ................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Table 5 ..................... Mink WMU ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Table 6 ..................... Raccoon WMU .................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Table 7 ..................... Opossum WMU ................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Table 8 ...................... Red fox WMU ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Table 9 ...................... Gray fox WMU .................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Table 10 .................... Beaver WMU ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17

Table 11 .................... Skunk WMU ........................................................................................................................................................................ 18

Table 12 ................... Weasel WMU ....................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Table 13 .................... Coyote WMU ....................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Table 14 .................... Badger WMU ...................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Table 15 .................... Muskrat FMZb .................................................................................................................................................................... 22

Table 16 .................... Mink FMZ ........................................................................................................................................................................... 23

Table 17 .................... Raccoon FMZ ...................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Table 18 .................... Opossum FMZ ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Table 19 .................... Red fox FMZ ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Table 20 .................... Gray fox FMZ ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27

Table 21 .................... Beaver FMZ ......................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Table 22 .................... Skunk FMZ .......................................................................................................................................................................... 29

Table 23 .................... Weasel FMZ ........................................................................................................................................................................ 30

Table 24 .................... Coyote FMZ......................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Table 25 .................... Badger FMZ ........................................................................................................................................................................ 32

Table 26 .................... Number of pelts sold by successful trappers, 2011-2012 season ....................................................................................... 33

Table 27 .................... Estimated statewide harvest by resident Illinois trappers ................................................................................................ 34

Table 28 .................... Relative proportions of raccoons trapped in various types of traps ................................................................................. 35

Table 29 .................... Summary of fur hunting activities reported by trappers in Illinois ................................................................................. 36

Table 30 .................... Reported sightings and sign of bobcats during the 2011-2012 trapping seasons ............................................................ 37

Table 31 .................... Distribution of active trappers by county trapped most in Illinois .................................................................................. 38

Figure 1 .................... Trapping activity reported by respondents to the 2011-2012 Illinois Trapper Survey ................................................... 39

Figure 2 .................... Distribution of days of trapping by active trappers in Illinois ......................................................................................... 40

Figure 3 .................... Distribution of the number of muskrats trapped per successful muskrat trapper in Illinois ......................................... 41

Figure 4 .................... Distribution of the number of raccoons trapped per successful raccoon trapper in Illinois ........................................... 42

Figure 5 .................... Percent change in number of successful trappers and harvest by species ....................................................................... 43

Figure 6 .................... Illinois counties in which trappers reported observing bobcats or their sign ................................................................. 44

Appendix A .............. Illinois Trapper Survey: 2011 - 2012 Season ..................................................................................................................... 45

Appendix B .............. Cover letter sent with first mailing of the 2011-2012 Trapper Survey ............................................................................. 49

Appendix C .............. Thank you/reminder postcard sent as follow-up to the mailings ...................................................................................... 50

Appendix D .............. Cover letter sent with second mailing of the 2011-2012 Trapper Survey ........................................................................ 51

Appendix E .............. 2011-2012 Season dates and limits information ................................................................................................................. 52

Appendix F ............... Wildlife management units and furbearer management zones in Illinois ........................................................................ 53

a WMU = Wildlife Management Unit b FMZ = Furbearer Management Zones

RESULTS OF THE

2011-2012 ILLINOIS TRAPPER SURVEY

JOB COMPLETION REPORT

WILDLIFE HARVEST AND

HUMAN DIMENSIONS RESEARCH PROGRAM

STATE OF ILLINOIS

PROJECT NUMBER: W-112-R-21

STUDY 101

JOB NO. 101.2

Prepared by

Mark G. Alessi, Craig A. Miller, and Linda K. Campbell

Illinois Natural History Survey

Champaign, IL

September 30, 2012

Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration

W-112-R-21

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Marc Miller, Director John E. Buhnerkempe, 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.

2

ABSTRACT

A random sample of 1,200 persons who purchased a 2011 resident Illinois trapping

license was generated from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources licensing database.

Licensees were mailed a 4-page questionnaire, and we received 817 (69%) questionnaires.

Trapping license sales increased 18% from 2010 (4,202 licenses) to 2011 (4,944). Trappers set

an average of 21 traps for an average of 29.1 days or nights during the 2011-2012 season, and

they harvested an estimated 246,286 furbearers (up 24% from the 198,653 harvested in 2010-

2011). An estimated 149,449 raccoons (Procyon lotor) were trapped by trappers during the

2011-2012 Illinois trapping season, an increase of 69% from the estimated 88,233 trapped during

the 2010-2011 season. Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) harvest was the next highest at 37,068

muskrats trapped (41% decrease from previous year). A higher proportion of trappers indicated

capturing most and all of their raccoons in body gripping traps (Conibear™), followed by dog-

proof traps (Li’l Grizz™, Egg™, Duffer’s™). Sightings of bobcat (Lynx rufus) by trappers, and

harvest of furbearers by hunting, were also documented.

OBJECTIVE

To survey furbearer (11 species of mammals) trappers annually to determine their

activities, harvests, characteristics, and opinions in Illinois.

METHODS

A random sample of 1,200 resident Illinois trappers who purchased a trapper license

(2011-2012) was selected from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) license

sales database. Each trapper was mailed a 4-page questionnaire (Appendix A), cover letter

3

(Appendix B), and a postage-paid return envelope on 21 March 2012. Nonrespondents were

mailed a thank you/reminder postcard (Appendix C) on 9 April 2012. Remaining

nonrespondents were mailed a second questionnaire and cover letter (Appendix D) on 25 April

2012. Trappers who did not respond to the previous mailings were mailed a second thank

you/reminder postcard on 15 May 2012. The initial sample of 1,200 licenses was reduced to

1,184 due to undeliverable addresses. Season date information can be located in Appendix E.

RESULTS

A total of 817 (69%) license purchasers responded to the survey. Of these, 806 were

considered usable samples. Using procedures adopted by Anderson and Campbell (1992), we

calculated trapper participation and harvest for all furbearer species in Illinois (Tables 1-28).

The results were organized by wildlife management units (WMUs, Appendix F), furbearer

management zones, and statewide for presentation.

Trapper Participation

Of the 806 license purchasers in our sample, 609 (76%) set traps for furbearers in Illinois

during the 2011-2012 season. Active trappers set an average of 21 traps for an average of 29.1

days or nights (Fig. 1). The maximum number of days a trapper could have trapped was 147;

32% set traps for > 30 days and 17% of trappers set traps for > 45 days (Fig. 2)

Participation during the 2011-2012 season was highest among raccoon (Procyon lotor)

trappers, estimated at 3,226 trappers statewide (Table 3); an increase of 19% from the 2010-2011

trapping season (Alessi et al. 2011). Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) trapping was second in

participation with 1,957 trappers, followed by muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus; 1,736), beaver

4

(Castor canadensis; 1,448 trappers), and mink (Neovison vison; 1,276 trappers). Badger

(Taxidea taxus; 98 trappers), gray fox (Urocyon cineroargenteus; 74 trappers), and weasel

(Mustela frenata and nivalis; 43 trappers) were the least often targeted species by trappers.

Harvest

An estimated 149,449 raccoons were trapped by trappers during the 2011-2012 Illinois

trapping season, which was an increase of 69% from the estimated 88,233 trapped during the

2010-2011 season (Table 3). Muskrat harvest was the next highest at 37,068 muskrats trapped

(41% decrease from previous year), followed by opossum (27,983; 38% increase from previous

year), beaver (13,397; 19% increase from previous year), coyote (6,766; 9% increase from

previous year), striped skunk (6,214; 56% increase from previous year), and mink (3,828; 16%

decrease from previous year). The number of muskrats harvested averaged 21.4 per trapper and

ranged from 1-413 (Fig. 3), and the number of raccoons harvested averaged 46.3 per trapper and

ranged from 1-1,156 (Fig. 4). Confidence intervals (95%) for trapper participation and harvest

of each species are presented in Table 3.

The total trapper harvest increased from 198,653 in 2010-2011 to 246,286 (Fig. 5).

Harvest and trapping effort for each species are reported by wildlife management unit and

furbearer management zones in Tables 4-25. The estimated number of pelts sold in 2011-2012 is

presented by species in Table 26. The trends in statewide harvests of furbearers for the previous

10 years can be located in Table 27.

5

Type of Traps Used for Raccoons

Raccoon trappers were asked to determine what traps they caught raccoons in most often;

a higher proportion of trappers indicated capturing most and all of their raccoons in body

gripping traps (Conibear™), followed by dog-proof traps (Li’l Grizz™, Egg™, Duffer’s™)

(Table 28).

Changes in Trapper Participation and Harvest

The number of Illinois residents participating in trapping increased 18% from 2010

(4,202 licenses) to 2011 (4,944 licenses). Average harvest per trapper increased for all species

except muskrat, mink, coyote, and badger. There were large increases in season harvests for

gray fox (214%), badger (100%), and raccoon (53%) from the previous year. Total trapper

harvest for all species combined increased 24% 198,653 furbearers in 2010 to 246,286 furbearers

in 2011.

Fur Hunting by Trappers

A total of 235 trappers (29% of licensees sampled) reported hunting furbearers with a gun

and/or dogs in 2011-2012 (Table 29), which equals an estimated 1,441 trappers who hunted

furbearers in 2011-2012. Their total harvest was estimated to be 24,965 furbearers or an average

of 17.3 furbearers per hunter. More trappers hunted raccoon and coyotes than any other species.

Observation of Bobcats

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) or their sign were reported by 157 trappers in 58 counties and 198

trappers in 72 counties, respectively (Table 30, Fig. 6).

6

General Information

During the 2011-2012 season, Illinois trappers averaged 47 years of age and had been

trapping for an average of 19 years; 16% of the trappers indicated that the 2011 trapping season

was the first season they have ever trapped in Illinois. Excluding the first-time trappers, 38% of

the trappers trap every year, 23% trap most years, 29% trap occasionally, and 9% trap rarely.

The counties which reported the most active trappers were Whiteside, Stephenson, and Henry

(Table 31). The proportion of trappers who have visited the online trapper education course

(www.trappered.com) increased 6% from 13% last year to 19% during 2011-2012.

7

REFERENCES

Alessi, M.G., L.K. Campbell, and C.A. Miller. 2011. Results of the 2010-2011 Illinois Trapper

Survey. Job Completition Report. Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration W-112-R-20.

Human Dimensions Research Program Report HR-11-02/INHS Technical Report 2011

(33). Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL. 57pp.

Anderson, W.L., and L.K. Campbell. 1992. Fur hunter/trapper survey, 1990-91. Illinois

Department of Conservation, Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Projects W-99-R-3 and

W-112-R-1, Study 1, Job 2, Job Completion Report, 71 pp.

8

Table 1. Participation and harvest by fur trappers in Illinois, 2011-2012 season (n = 806).

Species

Number of

Reported

Successful Trappers

%

(total respondents)

Reported Harvest

by Successful

Trappers

Muskrat 283 35.1 6,043

Mink 208 25.8 624

Raccoon 526 65.3 24,364

Opossum 319 39.6 4,562

Red fox 79 9.8 211

Gray fox 12 1.5 22

Beaver 236 29.3 2,184

Striped skunk 191 23.7 1,013

Weasel 7 0.9 9

Coyote 156 19.4 1,103

Badger 16 2.0 16

Table 2. Distribution of reported furbearer harvest among successful trappers in Illinois based on responses to the 2011-2012 Illinois

Trapper Survey.

Percentage of Trappers

Total

Season

Catch Muskrat Mink Raccoon Opossum

Red

Fox

Gray

fox Beaver

Striped

Skunk Weasel Coyote Badger

n= 283 208 526 319 79 12 236 191 7 156 16

1-5 30.7% 89.9% 20.3% 45.1% 92.4%

100.0%

55.9% 73.3%

100.0% 69.2% 100.0%

6-10 19.5 5.3 15.4 23.2 2.5 0.0 22.1 15.2 0.0 14.8 0.0

11-15 12.3 2.9 12.4 7.9 1.4 0.0 8.0 3.6 0.0 8.9 0.0

16-20 6.4 0.9 7.2 7.2 2.5 0.0 1.7 2.7 0.0 0.6 0.0

21-25 5.7 0.0 6.5 2.2 0.0 0.0 3.0 3.1 0.0 1.2 0.0

>25 25.4 1.0 38.2 14.4 1.3 0.0 9.3 2.1 0.0 5.1 0.0

9

Table 3. Summary of statewide data from post-season mail survey of resident trappers in Illinois, 2011-2012 (n = 806), along with confidence

intervals (95%) for estimated number of trappers, average season harvest, and total trapper harvest.

Species

Estimated

Number of

Trappers

Percent of

Licensed

Trappers

Average

Season Catch

Estimated Total

Trapper Harvest

Estimated

Percent Sold

Estimated

Total Sold

Muskrat 1,736 ± 166 35.11 21.35 ± 4.01 37,068 ± 6,635 93.71 34,737

Mink 1,276 ± 152 25.81 3.00 ± 0.54 3,828 ± 697 91.67 3,509

Raccoon 3,226 ± 166 65.25 46.32 ± 7.96 149,449 ± 22,843 94.42 141,107

Opossum 1,957 ± 170 39.58 14.30 ± 2.73 27,983 ± 4,997 36.59 10,238

Red fox 485 ± 104 9.81 2.67 ± 0.90 1,294 ± 437 88.18 1,141

Gray fox 74 ± 42 1.50 1.83 ± 0.72 135 ± 78 77.04 104

Beaver 1,448 ± 158 29.29 9.25 ± 1.73 13,397 ± 2,459 88.78 11,894

Skunk 1,172 ± 148 23.71 5.30 ± 0.95 6,214 ± 1,153 29.51 1,834

Weasel 43 ± 32 0.87 1.29 ± 0.36 55 ± 37 0.00 0

Coyote 957 ± 138 19.36 7.07 ± 2.05 6,766 ± 1,859 75.07 5,079

Badger 98 ± 49 1.98 1.00 ± 0.00 98 ± 41 56.12 55

10

Table 4. Summary of 2011 MUSKRAT trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois (n = 283).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 282 16.2 3.0 32.9 9,268 98.6

Northeast Moraine 117 6.7 1.4 22.5 2,631 31.8

Mississippi Border-North 104 6.0 1.3 12.4 1,294 16.5

Mississippi Border-South 196 11.3 1.4 25.3 4,962 36.3

Western Prairie/Forest 227 13.1 1.6 25.7 5,827 40.4

Central Sand Prairie 61 3.5 1.5 10.6 650 15.7

Grand Prairie 362 20.9 0.7 17.5 6,336 12.0

Southern Plain 288 16.6 1.2 18.2 5,257 22.2

Wabash Border 49 2.8 0.7 10.3 503 7.5

Shawnee Hills 49 2.8 0.9 6.9 337 6.5

Statewide 1,736 100.0 1.2 21.4 37,068 25.4

11

Table 5. Summary of 2011 MINK trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois (n = 208).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 196 15.4 2.1 3.5 687 7.3

Northeast Moraine 74 5.8 0.9 2.4 178 2.2

Mississippi Border-North 55 4.3 0.7 1.8 98 1.3

Mississippi Border-South 172 13.5 1.3 3.1 534 3.9

Western Prairie/Forest 153 12.0 1.1 3.9 601 4.2


Grand Prairie 251 19.7 0.5 3.3 828 1.6

Southern Plain 270 21.2 1.1 2.8 754 3.2

Wabash Border 55 4.3 0.8 1.4 80 1.2

Shawnee Hills 12 0.9 0.2 2.0 25 0.5

Statewide 1,276 100.0 0.9 3.0 3,828 2.6

12

Table 6. Summary of 2011 RACCOON trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 526).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 509 15.8 5.4 38.8 19,745 210.1

Northeast Moraine 153 4.7 1.8 26.5 4,048 48.9




Central Sand Prairie 117 3.6 2.8 40.6 4,735 114.2

Grand Prairie 712 22.1 1.4 32.5 23,101 43.9

Southern Plain 595 18.4 2.5 67.9 40,423 170.4

Wabash Border 80 2.5 1.2 43.6 3,478 51.6

Shawnee Hills 117 3.6 2.2 28.9 3,368 64.6

Statewide 3,226 100.0 2.2 46.3 149,449 102.3

13

Table 7. Summary of 2011 OPOSSUM trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois (n = 319).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 301 15.4 3.2 10.7 3,214 34.2






Grand Prairie 436 22.3 0.8 9.1 3,944 7.5

Southern Plain 344 17.6 1.4 18.6 6,404 27.0

Wabash Border 37 1.9 0.5 6.7 245 3.6

Shawnee Hills 80 4.1 1.5 9.8 785 15.1

Statewide 1,957 100.0 1.3 14.3 27,983 19.2

14

Table 8. Summary of 2011 RED FOX trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 79).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 49 10.1 0.5 1.6 80 0.9





Central Sand Prairie - - - - - -

Grand Prairie 98 20.2 0.2 2.8 276 0.5

Southern Plain 104 21.4 0.4 2.6 270 1.1

Wabash Border 6 1.2 0.1 2.0 12 0.2

Shawnee Hills 25 5.2 0.5 1.3 31 0.6

Statewide 485 100.0 0.3 2.7 1,294 0.9

15

Table 9. Summary of 2011 GRAY FOX trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 12).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills - - - - - -

Northeast Moraine - - - - - -

Mississippi Border-North - - - - -


Western Prairie/Forest - - - - - -


Grand Prairie 6 8.1 0.0 1.0 6 0.0

Southern Plain 31 41.9 0.1 2.2 67 0.3

Wabash Border 6 8.1 0.1 1.0 6 0.1

Shawnee Hills 6 8.1 0.1 3.0 18 0.4

Statewide 74 100.0 0.1 1.8 135 0.1

16

Table 10. Summary of 2011 BEAVER trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 236).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 221 15.3 2.4 7.0 1,546 16.4






Grand Prairie 393 27.1 0.7 9.3 3,650 6.9

Southern Plain 202 14.0 0.9 8.5 1,711 7.2

Wabash Border 37 2.6 0.5 9.8 362 5.4

Shawnee Hills 61 4.2 1.2 15.3 939 18.0

Statewide 1,448 100.0 1.0 9.3 13,397 9.2

17

Table 11. Summary of 2011 SKUNK trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 191).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 215 18.3 2.3 5.6 1,208 12.9






Grand Prairie 258 22.0 0.5 5.8 1,484 2.8

Southern Plain 221 18.9 0.9 4.7 1,031 4.3

Wabash Border 6 0.5 0.1 1.0 6 0.1

Shawnee Hills 31 2.6 0.6 4.0 123 2.4

Statewide 1,172 100.0 0.8 5.3 6,214 4.3

18

Table 12. Summary of 2011 WEASEL trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 7).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 6 14.0 0.1 2.0 12 0.1






Grand Prairie 6 14.0 0.1 1.0 6 0.1

Southern Plain - - - - - -

Wabash Border - - - - - -

Shawnee Hills - - - - - -

Statewide 43 100.0 <0.1 1.3 55 <0.1

19

Table 13. Summary of 2011 COYOTE trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 156).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 110 11.5 1.2 4.0 436 4.6






Grand Prairie 258 27.0 0.5 5.1 1,319 2.5

Southern Plain 221 23.1 0.9 5.7 1,257 5.3

Wabash Border 18 1.9 0.3 6.3 117 1.7

Shawnee Hills 37 3.9 0.7 5.0 184 3.5

Statewide 957 100.0 0.7 7.1 6,766 4.6

20

Table 14. Summary of 2011 BADGER trapper and harvest data in Wildlife Management Units in Illinois

(n = 16).

Wildlife Management

Unit

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Total

Trapper

Harvest

Estimated

Trapper

Harvest/

100km2

Northwest Hills 49 50.0 0.5 1.0 49 0.5

Northeast Moraine - - - - - -


Mississippi Border-South - - - - - -



Grand Prairie 37 37.8 0.1 1.0 37 0.1

Southern Plain - - - - - -

Wabash Border - - - - - -

Shawnee Hills - - - - - -

Statewide 98 100.0 0.1 1.0 98 0.1

21

Table 15. Summary of 2011 MUSKRAT trapper and harvest data in Furbearer Management Zones in

Illinois (n = 283).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 1,024 59.0 1.3 23.2 23,782 64.1 29.1

South 712 41.0 1.1 18.7 13,305 35.9 20.7

Statewide 1,736 100.0 1.2 21.4 37,086 100.0 25.4

22

Table 16. Summary of 2011 MINK trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in Illinois

(n = 208).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 662 51.9 0.8 3.0 2,006 52.4 2.5

South 613 48.1 1.0 3.0 1,822 47.6 2.8

Statewide 1,276 100.0 0.9 3.0 3,828 100.0 2.6

23

Table 17. Summary of 2011 RACCOON trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in

Illinois (n = 526).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 1,834 56.8 2.2 38.9 71,437 47.8 87.3

South 1,392 43.2 2.2 56.0 78,012 52.2 121.4

Statewide 3,226 100.0 2.2 46.3 149,449 100.0 102.3

24

Table 18. Summary of 2011 OPOSSUM trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in

Illinois (n = 319).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 1,104 61.4 1.3 12.7 14,065 50.3 17.2

South 853 43.6 1.3 16.3 13,918 49.7 21.7

Statewide 1,957 100.0 1.3 14.3 27,983 100.0 19.2

25

Table 19. Summary of 2011 RED FOX trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in

Illinois (n = 79).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 215 44.3 0.3 3.4 730 56.4 0.9

South 270 55.7 0.4 2.1 564 43.6 0.9

Statewide 485 100.0 0.3 2.7 1,294 100.0 0.9

26

Table 20. Summary of 2011 GRAY FOX trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in

Illinois (n = 12).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North - - - - - - -

South 74 100.0 0.1 1.8 135 100.0 0.2

Statewide 74 100.0 0.1 1.8 135 100.0 0.1

27

Table 21. Summary of 2011 BEAVER trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in Illinois

(n = 236).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 902 62.3 1.1 10.0 9,048 67.5 11.1

South 546 37.7 0.8 8.0 4,349 32.5 6.8

Statewide 1,448 100.0 1.0 9.3 13,397 100.0 9.2

28

Table 22. Summary of 2011 SKUNK trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in Illinois

(n = 191).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 736 62.8 0.9 5.5 4,073 65.5 5.0

South 436 37.2 0.7 4.9 2,141 34.5 3.3

Statewide 1,172 100.0 0.8 5.3 6,214 100.0 4.3

29

Table 23. Summary of 2011 WEASEL trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in Illinois

(n = 7).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 37 85.7 0.0 1.3 49 88.9 0.1

South 6 14.3 0.0 1.0 6 11.1 0.0

Statewide 43 100.0 0.0 1.3 55 100.0 0.0

30

Table 24. Summary of 2011 COYOTE trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in Illinois

(n = 156).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 491 51.3 0.6 7.3 3,601 53.2 4.4

South 466 48.7 0.7 6.8 3,165 46.8 4.9

Statewide 957 100.0 0.7 7.1 6,766 100.0 4.6

31

Table 25. Summary of 2011 BADGER trapper and harvest data by Furbearer Management Zones in Illinois

(n = 16).

Trapping

Zone

Estimated

Trappers %

Estimated

Trappers/

100km2

Average

Season

Catch

Estimated

Harvest

% of

Harvest

Estimated

Harvest/

100km2

North 92 93.9 0.1 1.0 92 93.9 0.1

South 6 6.1 0.1 1.0 6 6.1 0.0

Statewide 98 100.0 0.1 1.0 98 100.0 0.1

32

33

Table 26. The number of pelts sold by successful trappers (i.e., caught ≥ 1 animal) for 11 species

of furbearers in Illinois, 2011-2012 season (n = 806).

Pelts Sold in Illinois Pelts Sold Outside Illinois

Species

Number of

Pelts Sold Number Percentage Number Percentage

Muskrat 34,737 25,867 74.5 8,870 25.5

Mink 3,509 2,313 65.9 1,196 34.1

Raccoon 141,107 91,127 64.6 49,980 35.4

Opossum 10,238 7,165 70.0 3,073 30.0

Red fox 1,141 754 66.1 386 33.9

Gray fox 104 74 70.6 31 29.4

Beaver 11,894 6,876 57.8 5,018 42.2

Striped

skunk 1,834 1,380 75.3 454 24.7

Weasel 25 - - 25 100.0

Coyote 5,079 2,981 58.7 2,098 41.3

Badger 55 49 88.9 6 11.1

Total 209,721 138,585 66.1 71,136 33.9

34

Table 27. Estimated statewide harvest by resident Illinois trappers, 2001-2011.

Season Muskrat Mink Raccoon Opossum Red Fox Gray Fox

2001 54,017 4,375 92,596 13,684 1,741 121

2002 50,895 5,189 90,909 23,140 1,641 206

2003 32,767 3,857 66,783 17,771 1,421 211

2004 41,790 3,737 79,616 24,441 913 84

2005 25,766 2,065 41,125 8,722 705 77

2006 66,297 3,784 93,819 22,617 1,219 102

2007 35,461 3,563 88,784 27,011 1,316 191

2008 32,480 2,764 77,310 22,839 783 86

2009 31,942 1,792 52,431 14,203 1,001 71

2010 63,257 4,574 88,233 20,213 848 39

2011 37,068 3,828 149,449 27,983 1,294 135

Season Beaver Skunk Weasel Coyote Badger All Species

2001 11,490 2,177 47 4,258 56 184,562

2002 9,983 3,281 61 7,678 89 193,072

2003 6,987 2,531 44 6,360 111 138,843

2004 9,415 3,821 96 4,388 66 168,367

2005 9,132 2,085 19 3,089 50 92,835

2006 11,104 4,768 47 6,553 85 210,395

2007 9,394 6,558 53 9,216 84 181,631

2008 9,997 4,745 22 4,405 65 155,496

2009 7,697 3,784 29 4,585 62 117,597

2010 11,238 3,981 33 6,193 44 198,653

2011 13,397 6,214 55 6,766 98 246,286

35

Table 28. Relative proportions of raccoons trapped in various types of traps.

n None Some Most All

Standard Foothold 344 17% 47% 21% 15%

Dog-proof 279 32% 27% 27% 15%

Body-gripping 364 17% 37% 23% 23%

Cage 303 31% 44% 10% 15%

36

Table 29. Summary of fur hunting activities reported by trappersa in Illinois, 2011-2012.

Species

Number of

Trappers

Hunting

Reported

Furbearers

Harvested

by Hunting

Average

Reported

Harvest Per

Hunter

% of

Trappers

Hunting Each

Species

Estimated Total

Harvest By

Hunting

Raccoon 159 3,433 132.4 19.7 21,058

Opossum 34 153 4.5 4.2 939

Red fox 8 11 1.4 1.0 67

Gray fox 2 3 1.5 0.2 18

Striped

skunk 15 53 3.5 1.9 325

Coyote 95 417 4.4 11.8 2,558

All species 235b,c

4,070 17.3 29.1 24,965 a Active and inactive trappers.

b Successful and unsuccessful hunters.

c Total for all species is less than the sum of the above values because some trappers hunted >1 species.

37

Table 30. Reported sightings and sign of bobcats during the 2011-2012 trapping seasons in

Illinois.

n %

Saw bobcat 157 19

Saw bobcat sign 198 25

38

Table 31. Distribution of active trappers by county trapped most in Illinois based on

responses to the 2011-2012 Illinois Trapper Survey (n = 609). County n County n County n Adams 10 Hardin 2 Morgan 8

Alexander 5 Henderson 4 Moultrie 3

Bond 9 Henry 16 Ogle 8

Boone 6 Iroquois 6 Peoria 8

Brown 4 Jackson 3 Perry 6

Bureau 11 Jasper 9 Piatt 1

Calhoun 2 Jefferson 7 Pike 11

Carroll 14 Jersey 7 Pope 0

Cass 5 JoDaviess 12 Pulaski 0

Champaign 5 Johnson 5 Putnam 2

Christian 5 Kane 6 Randolph 13

Clark 2 Kankakee 3 Richland 5

Clay 3 Kendall 4 Rock Island 8

Clinton 9 Knox 10 St. Clair 12

Coles 2 Lake 5 Saline 0

Cook 5 LaSalle 5 Sangamon 8

Crawford 3 Lawrence 3 Schuyler 2

Cumberland 7 Lee 7 Scott 5

DeKalb 4 Livingston 5 Shelby 5

DeWitt 4 Logan 2 Stark 1

Douglas 1 McDonough 8 Stephenson 17

DuPage 5 McHenry 9 Tazewell 11

Edgar 2 McLean 8 Union 7

Edwards 2 Macon 2 Vermilion 4

Effingham 7 Macoupin 6 Wabash 0

Fayette 8 Madison 5 Warren 2

Ford 2 Marion 6 Washington 6

Franklin 2 Marshall 3 Wayne 6

Fulton 15 Mason 3 White 4

Gallatin 3 Massac 4 Whiteside 24

Greene 8 Menard 6 Will 6

Grundy 2 Mercer 13 Williamson 9

Hamilton 0 Monroe 4 Winnebago 14

Hancock 11 Montgomery 7 Woodford 5

39

Figure 1. Trapping activity reported by respondents to the 2011-2012 Illinois Trapper Survey,

and a comparison to the previous year’s (2010-2011) estimates.

23

27.8

21.1

29.1

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Mean traps set Mean days trapped

2010-2011

2011-2012

40

Figure 2. Distribution of days of trapping by active trappers in Illinois, 2011-2012 season (n =

606)

11.4% 11.7% 11.9%

9.6% 8.9%

14.2%

4.0%

5.3% 5.9%

2.8%

14.4%

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 > 50

Pe

rce

nt

Number of Days

41

Figure 3. Distribution of the number of muskrats trapped per successful muskrat trapper in Illinois,

2011-2012 season (n = 283).

50.2%

18.7%

10.2%

6.4% 5.3% 2.5% 1.8% 1.4% 0.7% 1.4%

0.0% 0.4% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4%

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1-1

0

11

-20

21

-30

31

-40

41

-50

51

-60

61

-70

71

-80

81

-90

91

-10

0

10

1-1

10

11

1-1

20

12

1-1

30

13

1-1

40

14

1-1

50

15

1-1

60

16

1-1

70

17

1-1

80

18

1-1

90

19

1-2

00

>2

00

Pe

rce

nt

Number of Muskrats

42

Figure 4. Distribution of the number of raccoons trapped per successful raccoon trapper in Illinois,

2011-2012 (n = 526).

20.3%

15.4%

12.4%

7.2% 6.5%

3.8% 2.7% 3.2%

2.3% 2.9% 1.7%

0.8%

20.9%

0

5

10

15

20

25

1-5

6-1

0

11

-15

16

-20

21

-25

26

-30

31

-35

36

-40

41

-45

46

-50

51

-55

56

-60

> 6

0

Pe

rce

nt

Number of Raccoons

43

Figure 5. Percent change in number of successful trappers and harvest by species

between 2010-2011 license years.

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

250

Mu

skra

t

Min

k

Rac

coo

n

Op

oss

um

Re

d F

ox

Gra

y Fo

x

Be

ave

r

Sku

nk

We

ase

l

Co

yote

Bad

ger

Pe

rce

nt

Ch

ange

Species

Successful Trappers

Total Harvest

44

Figure 6. Illinois counties in which trappers reported observing bobcats or their sign during the

past year, 2011-2012 season. The number of reports (sign/observation) is listed for each county.

45

Appendix A

Illinois Trapper Survey:

2011 - 2012 Season

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Division of Wildlife Resources

and

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. This study is

funded by the federal Wildlife Restoration Fund through your purchase of hunting 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.

46

Section 1. Effort and Harvest. Please answer the following questions about your furbearer trapping and hunting

activities during the 2011-2012 trapping season in Illinois.

1. Did you set any traps for furbearers in Illinois during the 2011-12 trapping season? (Please check one.)

_____ Yes _____ No (Please skip to Question 8)

2. Complete each blank for all species trapped in Illinois during the 2011-12 season. Report only your personal

catch. If you trapped with a partner, list only your half of the catch. DO NOT include animals taken by

hunting.

Species

Number

Trapped

Number Sold

in

Illinois

Number Sold or

Shipped

Out of State

Number Not

Sold

Muskrat

Mink

Raccoon

Opossum

Red Fox

Gray Fox

Beaver

Skunk

Weasel

Coyote

Badger

3. In which county did you set traps most often during the 2011-12 trapping season? (Please indicate.)

_____________________ County

4. How many days (or nights) did you set traps during the 2011-12 trapping season? (Please indicate.)

______ days (or nights)

5. What was the average number of traps you set on your trapline during the 2011-12 trapping season? (Please

indicate.)

______ traps

6. Did you trap raccoons during the 2011-12 trapping season?


47

7. Please identify the amount of raccoons you captured in each type of trap by circling the number that matches your

response.

Type of Trap None Some Most All

Standard foothold (coilspring,

longspring) 1 2 3 4

Dog-proof (Li’l Grizz™, Egg™,

Duffer’s™) 1 2 3 4

Body-gripping (220 Conibear™) 1 2 3 4

Cage (Havahart™) 1 2 3 4

8. Have you ever visited the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ online trapper education course at

www.trappered.com? (Please check one.)

_____ Yes _____ No

9. Did you hunt furbearers with a gun and/or dogs in Illinois during the 2011-12 season? (Please check one.)

_____Yes _____ No (Please skip to Section 2)

10. If you did hunt furbearers in 2011-12, please give the number taken by hunting.

Species

Number Harvested

by Hunting

Raccoon

Red Fox

Gray Fox

Opossum

Coyote

Skunk

Section 2. Wildlife Sightings. The furbearer species addressed in the following questions are of special conservation

concern to Illinois wildlife biologists. Information you provide in the following questions will help us to manage

Illinois wildlife to ensure healthy populations.

1. Did you see any bobcats in Illinois during the 2011-12 trapping season? (Please check one.)


2. If you did see bobcats in Illinois during the 2011-12 trapping season, in which county(ies) were they seen? (Please

indicate.)

___________________ County(ies)

3. Did you see bobcat sign in Illinois during the 2011-12 trapping season? (Please check one.)

_____ Yes _____ No (Please skip to Section 3)

48

4. If you did see bobcat sign in Illinois during the 2011-12 trapping season, in which county(ies) was it seen? (Please

indicate.)

___________________ County(ies)

Section 3. Information about you. The following questions provide important information to help us understand

more about the people who trap in Illinois. Please tell us about yourself by completing the following questions. All

responses will be kept confidential.

1. Please give your age. _______ years

2. How many years have you been trapping in Illinois? _______ years

3. What is your county of residence? (Please indicate.)

____________________________ County

4. Was the 2011-12 trapping season your first time trapping in Illinois?

_____ Yes, I’m a new Illinois resident trapper

_____ No

5. Which of the following best describes how often you trap furbearers in Illinois?

_____ Every year _____ Most years _____ Occasional years _____ Rarely _____ Never

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.

49

Appendix B

March 21, 2012

Dear Illinois Trapper,

You are one of a select group of Illinois trappers asked to provide information about your

trapping activities during the 2011-2012 trapping season. Please complete and return the

enclosed questionnaire about your trapping harvest and activities in Illinois during the 2011-2012

trapping season.

The information you and other selected trappers furnish our biologists is vital for proper

furbearer management and allows us to safeguard furbearer populations while maximizing

trapping opportunities.

This survey is limited to those trappers selected. Please take 15 minutes to complete the

enclosed questionnaire. A stamped envelope is provided for returning the questionnaire to us.

You may access the results of this and other studies of hunters and hunting in Illinois at

http://www.inhs.illinois.edu/programs/hd/. You may also find information about Illinois

Department of Natural Resources wildlife management programs and wildlife in Illinois at

http://dnr.state.il.us/orc/wildliferesources/.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

50

Appendix C

51

Appendix D

April 24, 2012

Dear Illinois Trapper,

You recently received a survey questionnaire requesting information about your trapping

activities during the 2011-2012 trapping seasons. We have not received your completed survey

questionnaire at this time. If you recently returned your questionnaire, we thank you. If not, we

have enclosed a second one for you. Please take a few moments of your time to complete this

questionnaire and return it in the envelope provided even if you were not successful or did not

trap during the 2011-2012 trapping seasons.

The information you and other selected trappers furnish our biologists is vital for proper

furbearer management and allows us to safeguard furbearer populations while maximizing

trapping opportunities.

Please take 15 minutes to complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it in the envelope

provided.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

52

Appendix E

53

Appendix F

humandimensions results of the 2011-2012 r e s e a r c h p r o g … · 2013. 8. 13. · federal...

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