ILLINO PRODUCTION NOTE. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Large-scale Digitization Project, 2007.

ILLIO UIVERSITY OF ILLIOIS AT URBAA-HAMPAIG S PRODUTIO OTE University of Illinois at Urbana-hampaign Library Large-scale Digitization Project, 27.

L EVALUATIO OF EXPERIMETAL ZOIG FOR DUK HUTIG I ILLIOIS I 198 William L. Anderson, Staff Biologist Abstract: The effects of experimentally dividing Illinois into a orthern Zone (2% of the state), entral Zone (55%), and Southern Zone (25%) for duck hunting was evaluated in 198. The statewide harvest decreased 2% according to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service surveys, and decreased 21-23% according to Illinois Department of onservation data, in 198 versus the average for 1974-1976. Total harvest increased 11-26% in the orthern Zone, decreased 2-27% in the entral Zone, and decreased 27-53% in the Southern Zone. The statewide harvest of key species reflect the following changes: mallard decreased 6-33%, black duck decreased 7-23%, wood duck increased 3-29%, redhead increased 33-198%, and canvasback increased 8-23%. The apparent increases in harvest of the latter 2 species are not applicable to this evaluation because (1) hunting of redhead was permitted on the upper Mississippi River in 198 for the first time in several years and (2) canvasback were protected statewide during 2 of the 3 control years. The traditional system of a single, statewide duck season in Illinois has inherent shortcomings as a consequence of the state's long north-south dimensions. Migrating waterfowl arrive in northern Illinois 2-3 weeks earlier than in central and southern portions of the state. Season dates selected for central Illinois are unsatisfactory to hunters in both northen and southern areas, which leads to hunter dissatisfaction. Utc 'i 2i981

In 1977, the Illinois Department of onservation (DO) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) entered into an agreement to experimentally zone Illinois for purposes of setting the duck and coot hunting season. The state was divided into a orthern Zone (75% of the state) and a Southern Zone (25%) for the 1977 through 1979 seasons. The results of this experiment were evaluated in an earlier report (Anderson 198). In 198, the DO and FWS agreed to another 3-year experiment, in which Illinois would be divided into a orthern Zone (2% of the state), entral Zone (55%), and Southern Zone (25%) (Fig. 1). The results of the first year (198) of this experiment are evaluated in the present report. In 198, hunting began on 14 October in the orthern Zone, 23 October in the entral Zone, and 3 October in the Southern Zone (Table 1). The season was 5 days long in each zone. For purposes of comparison, the seasons in 1974 through 1976 extended for 5 days in each year. The daily bag limit was determined by the point system in all years, which allowed a maximum of 3 or 4 mallards (Table 1). As stated in the Memorandum of Agreement between the DO and the FWS, "This project will evaluate zoning to determine its usefulness for managing waterfowl hunting in Illinois. Zoning is not intended to increase the statewide waterfowl harvest or change the species composition.. Harvest data from the 3 experimental seasons will be compared with similar data from previous seasons to determine whether the size or species composition of statewide harvests have been affected by zoning. If harvest increases exceeding 1% occur for either total ducks or for a key species (mallard, black duck, wood duck, canvasback, redhead), penalties in days of season length for any future zoned seasons will be imposed sufficient to restore harvests to historic levels."

METHODS Information used in making this evaluation separates into 3 categories: (1) waterfowl population data, (2) waterfowl harvest data, and (3) hunter activity data. In most instances, data collected in 198 were compared with data for 3 previous years (1974-1976), when zoning was not in effect. Waterfowl inventories (aerial censuses) were conducted by the Illinois atural History Survey under the supervision of Frank. Bellrose. As in past years, inventories were made at I or 2 week intervals during the fall of 198 in the orthern Zone (northeast Illinois and Mississippi River), entral Zone (Illinois River, Mississippi River, and arlyle Lake), and Southern Zone (Rend Lake) (Fig. 2). arlyle and Rend Lakes are large (26, and 18, acres) U.S. orps of Engineers reservoirs that are only 45 miles apart. Because of their size, close proximity to the line dividing the entral and Southern zones, similar topography, heavy waterfowl use, and popularity among hunters, these lakes are considered an "acid" test for evaluating the effects of zoning on waterfowl harvest and hunter activity. Harvest information was obtained from the FWS waterfowl harvest surveys and waterfowl parts collection surveys (arney et al. 1978 and unpublished dat, U.S. Forest Service harvest surveys (Tom eal, personal commun.), and DO harvest surveys (Kennedy et al. 1974, Hamer and Arthur 1976, Roetker and Anderson 1977, Thornburg 1981 and unpublished data, and Ellis 1979 and unpublished dat. The DO controls approximately 4 public waterfowl areas that are operated primarily for duck hunting; accurate data were obtained on hunter activity and waterfowl harvest at check stations or via daily surveys on 16 of the more important of these areas for the years 1974-1976 and 198. In addition, the DO estimates annual harvest of, and hunting effort directed toward, ducks and other game species via a mail-card questionnaire (Ellis 1979 and unpublished dat.

Hunter activity data were available for the 16 DO controlled areas for 1974-1976 and 198. Hunting pressure at arlyle Lake and at Rend Lake were examined relative to opening day, first 14 days, middle portion, and last 14 days of the hunting seasons. As previously indicated, arlyle and Rend lakes are close to, and on opposite sides of, the line that separates the entral and Southern zones. FIDIGS Waterfowl Populations Relatively large numbers of waterfowl move into northern Illinois during the 3rd week in October and remain there for at least 1 month (Table 2). The peak count recorded on the Mississippi River from East Dubuque to Moline was 119, birds, which occurred during the week of 13-19 ovember. Further south, from Moline to Keithsburg (still in the orthern Zone), large numbers of waterfowl do not show up until the 1st or 2nd week in ovember and peak counts do not take place until the 3rd or 4th week (Table 2). On the average, there were 12% fewer ducks present on the Mississippi River from Moline to Keithsburg in 198 than in 1974-1976. Mallard comprises between 29 and 59% of the population on the Mississippi River in October and 85-9% in ovember and December (Table 3). above Moline in October. Scaup and ring-necked duck make up 56% of the population During the same month, American wigeon, green-winged teal, and pintail are relatively abundant below Moline. In northeast Illinois, mallard comprises about half the population in October and 68-77% in ovember and December (Table 3). American wigeon and scaup are also common in October. In the entral Zone, fall build up of ducks on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers occurs during late October and early ovember (Table 4). Peak counts / range from 45, to 839,/on the Illinois River and from 539, to 92, on the Illinois River. When comparisons are made among years, populations were on the average 1% less on the Illinois River, and 57% greater on the

5 Mississippi River, in 198 than in 1974-1976. Mallard comprises 63% of the population on the Illinois River during October and 9-95% during ovember and December (Table 5). American wigeon, green-winged teal, and pintail are common in October, collectively making up 3% of the population in that month. Mallard is relatively less abundant, and scaup and other diving ducks are relatively more abundant, on the Mississippi River than on the Illinois River during the fall months (Table'5). Although the data are incomplete, ducks appear to reach peak populations at arlyle Lake (entral Zone) during mid or late ovember, and maintain good numbers well into December (Table 6). The maximum counts ranged from 31, to 13, birds in 1974-1976 and was 43, in 198. An average of 41% fewer birds was present in 198 than in 1974-1976. Except for having more diving ducks during ovember and December, the species composition among ducks at arlyle was similar to the species make-up along the Illinois River (Table 7). The duck population at Rend Lake, the only area censused in the Southern Zone, was only 47% as great as the population at arlyle (Table 6). Also, peak numbers apparently occurred relatively late, in December, at Rend. There were, on the average, 137% more ducks present in 198 than in 1974-1976. Ducks were relatively abundant in December 198, when zoning offered much new hunting opportunity in the Southern Zone. Fewer mallard are attracted to Rend Lake than to either arlyle Lake or the Illinois River Valley (Table 7). American wigeon, green-winged teal, and pintail are important in early fall and make up 41% of the population in October. Wigeon comprise more than 1% of the population in ovember, as do goldeneye in December. Lesser scaup and ring-necked duck make up 9% of the birds present in ovember.

Hunter Activity Hunting pressure in the entire state of Illinois, as determined by DO mail-card surveys, averaged 628,321 hunter-trips in 1975-1976 and was 559,8 in 198. This represents a 11% decrease between the two time periods. Hunting pressure increased 17% in the orthern Zone but decreased 2% in the entral Zone and decreased 7% in the Southern Zone, 198 versus the earlier years (Table 8). There were 56,13 hunter-trips recorded on the 16 DO areas located in the entral and Southern zones in 198. This represents a 1.3% decrease from the average number of hunter-trips made on these areas in 1974-1976 (Table 9). A decrease of.7% occurred on the areas in the entral Zone, and a decrease of 2.6% was noted for the areas in the Southern Zone. The number of huntertrips on the DO areas in the entral Zone increased on 6 areas and decreased on 7 areas (Table 1). Similarly, the number of hunter-trips on the DO areas in the Southern Zone increased on 1 area and decreased on 2 areas. The number of hunters at arlyle Lake, located 25 miles north of the line separating the entral and Southern zones (Fig. 1), was 24% greater on opening day in 198 than on opening day in 1974-1976 (Table 11). Pressure during the first 14 days--when the season was still closed in the Southern Zone--averaged 256 hunters per day in 1974-1976 and was 234 in 198, a decrease of 9%. Hunting pressure during the middle portion of the season--when hunting was also in progress in the Southern Zone--averaged 159 hunters per day in 1974-1976 and was 154 in 198. When the entire season is considered, hunting pressure at arlyle was virtually the same in 198 (166 hunters per day) as during the years without zoning (167 hunters per day). Rend Lake, located immediately south of the line separating the entral and Southern zones, had a heavy influx of hunters on opening day in 198 (Table 11). A total of 627 hunters was present, which is 212% greater than

the average for opening day in 1974-1976. Hunting pressure during the middle of the season was 257 hunters per day in 198 or 9% greater than during the comparable period in 1974-1976. Pressure during the last 14 days--when hunting had ended in the entral Zone--was 255 hunters per day in 198, which is 16% greater than the pressure the area received toward the end of the season in previous years. For the entire season, hunting pressure at Rend was 99% greater in 198 than during the earlier years without zoning. It should be noted that Rend Lake has become increasingly popular for anada goose hunting, and many (if not most) of the hunters there are more interested in geese than ducks. Waterfowl Harvest The FWS surveys indicate that the total harvest of ducks in Illinois was 324,98 birds in 198, when the state was divided into 3 zones. This is 2.4% less than the average for 1966-1975 and 2.3% less than the average for 1974-1976 (Table 12). Decreases >1% were clearly evident for gadwall, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal, greater scaup, common goldeneye, and ruddy duck. onversely, increases >1% occurred among American wigeon, wood duck, redhead, bufflehead, and hooded merganser. Key species reflected the following changes, 198 versus the earlier years: mallard decreased 5-6%, black duck decreased 7-16%, wood duck increased 29-42%, redhead increased 28-33%, and canvasback increased 8-139%. The increase in harvest of redhead was almost certainly caused by the discontinuation of protection of this species on the upper Mississippi River beginning in 198. In the orthern Zone, where the season began 9 days earlier than usual, the harvest was 87,636 ducks in 198, which is 18,12 birds greater (+26%) than the average for 1974-1976 (Table 13). Most of the increase occurred among mallard (by 6,316 birds), green-winged teal (by 2,97 birds), wood duck (by

5,52 birds), and bufflehead (by 2,995 birds). Among key species, mallard increased by 6,316 birds (+17%), black duck decreased by 462 birds (-24), wood duck increased by 5,52 birds (+53%), redhead increased by 15 birds (+2%), and canvasback increased by 581 birds (+231%). In the entral Zone, where season dates were similar to those used in past years, the harvest decreased from an average of 23,91 ducks in 1974-1976 to 199,515 ducks (-2%) in 198 (Table 14). The only species to register increases >1% were blue-winged teal, wood duck, redhead, canvasback, and hooded merganser. For key species, mallard decreased by 11,142 birds (-1%), black duck decreased by 28 birds (-1%), wood duck increased by 8,795 birds (+38%), redhead increased by 1,98 birds (+78%), and canvasback increased by 241 birds (+11%). In the Southern Zone, where the season dates were 7 days later than normal, the harvest was only 36,947 ducks in 198, or 23,454 birds fewer (-39%) than the average in 1974-1976 (Table 15). Decreases >1% occurred among all species except blue-winged teal, canvasback, and greater scaup. Among key species, mallard decreased by 13,16 birds (-51%), black duck decreased by 724 birds (-41%), wood duck decreased by 6,724 birds (-67%), redhead decreased by 526 birds (from 526 to ), and canvasback increased by 284 birds (+37%). anvasback was the only species in which the harvest increased (or decreased) >1% in all 3 zones in 198. The DO mail-card surveys indicate that the statewide harvest was 57,752 ducks in 198, which is 23% less than the average for 1975 and 1976 (Table 8). According to this survey, the harvest increased 11% in the orthern Zone, decreased 27% in the entral Zone, and decreased 37% in the Southern Zone, 198 versus the earlier years. With 3 zones in effect in 198, hunting success (number of ducks bagged per hunter-trip) decreased in the orthern Zone by 7%, decreased in the entral Zone by 9%, decreased in the Southern Zone by 32%, and decreased in the entire state by 14% (Table 8).

9 On 16 of the more important DO-controlled areas, located in the entral and Southern Zones, the annual harvest decreased from an average of 45,97 ducks in 1974-1976 to 36,62 ducks in 19 8 --a change of 21% (Table 9). The harvest decreased 5% on the 13 areas in the entral Zone and decreased 52% on the 3 areas in the Southern Zone. ine of the areas in the entral Zone exhibited a decrease in harvest and 4 areas recorded an increase (Table 16). In the Southern Zone, all 3 areas showed a decrease. Among key species, the harvest of mallard decreased 19% in the entral Zone and decreased 57% in the Southern Zone (Table 17). Black duck decreased 19% and 28%, respectively. Wood duck increased 45% in the entral Zone and decreased 58% in the Southern Zone. zones. The number of redhead in the bag increased at least 3-fold in both Whether the harvest of canvasback increased or decreased on the DO areas is uncertain because the "average" for 1974-1976 is based on data collected in only 1 year (1976). Hunting success on the DO areas decreased 5% in the entral Zone and decreased 51% in the Southern Zone (Table 9). According to DO data, the harvests at arlyle and Rend lakes--the sister impoundments located on opposite sides of the line separating the entral and Southern zones--were 22% less on both areas in 198 than the average for 1974-1976 (Tables 18 and 19). At Mermet Lake--a relatively small, high-quality area located in extreme southern Illinois--the duck harvest in 198 was only 45% as great as in the earlier years (Table 2). Oakwood Bottoms, a greentree reservoir located in the Mississippi River floodplain, had a greatly curtailed harvest in 198 (Table 21). The harvest, 95% of which is composed of mallard and wood duck, decreased from an average of 6,486 ducks in 1974-1976 to 815 birds in 198. Because this downward trend began in 1976, the decrease in harvest was not entirely a consequence of the zoning. However, because this area is prone to freezing (mature timber protects the water from wind action), the late hunting season probably did have a negative effect on the duck harvest in this greentree reservoir.

1 DISUSSIO The major points of interest to be discussed are (1) did the experimental zoning in 198 increase the statewide duck harvest and/or change the species composition of the harvest and (2) did the zoning enhance duck hunting in the orthern and/or Southern zones? With regard to the statewide harvest (all species combined), the FWS surveys indicate a 2% decrease and the DO surveys show a 21-23% decrease, 198 versus the average for 1974-1976 (Table 22). The 2 sources of data suggest that the total harvest increased in the orthern Zone (by 11-26%), decreased in the entral Zone (by 5-27%), and decreased in the Southern Zone (by 37-53%). The findings for the Southern Zone are similar to those reported for 1977-1979, when a 2-zone system was in effect (Anderson 198). The good agreement between the FWS surveys and the DO surveys (Table 22) reinforce the following conclusions as regards the 3-zone system for duck hunting in Illinois in 198: (1) the zoning did not significantly increase the total statewide harvest of ducks, (2) it did significantly increase the total harvest in the orthern Zone, and (3) it did significantly decrease the total harvest in the Southern Zone. It should be emphasized that the increase in harvest in the orthern Zone did not come at the expense of the harvest in the Southern Zone. The harvests in southern Illinois were also reduced in 1977-1979, when a orthern Zone did not exist (Anderson 198). Also, the indicated decrease in harvest in the entral Zone were caused, for the most part, by factors independent of the zoning because the season dates were essentially the same in 198 as in previous years (Table 1). With regards to key species, the harvest of mallard in 198 increased significantly in the orthern Zone (by 17%), decreased significantly in the entral Zone (by 1-19%), decreased significantly in the Southern Zone (by 51-53%), and apparently decreased statewide (by 6-33%) (Table 22). For black

1I duck, decreases of 24%, 1-19%, 29-41%, and 7-23%, respectively, were recorded. For wood duck, significant increases occurred in the orthern Zone (by 53%) and in the entral Zone (by 38-45%), whereas a significant decrease took place in the Southern Zone (by 58-67%). Statewide, the wood duck harvest apparently increased (by 3-29%). The indicated changes in harvest of redhead and canvasback may not be applicable to this evaluation because (1) hunting of redhead was permitted on the upper Mississippi River in 198 for the first time in several years and (2) the "average" harvest of canvasback during the control years (1974-1976) was based on data collected in only 1 year. The zoning in 198 apparently enhanced duck hunting in the orthern Zone to the extent that the number of hunter-trips increased 17% and the total harvest of ducks increased 11-26% (Tables 8 and 22). However, hunting success decreased 7% (Table 8). For the Southern Zone, both the quantity and quality of duck hunting appreciably decreased in 198: the number of hunter-trips decreased 3-7%, the total harvest decreased 37-52%, and hunting success decreased 32-51% (Tables 8, 9, and 22). The poor hunting in the Southern Zone (and to a lesser extent in the entral Zone) was, in part, a reflection of the unfavorable hunting conditions that prevailed over most of Illinois during much of the 198 season. In general, the season was regarded as one of the worst in modern times.

LITERATURE ITED Anderson, W.L. 198. Evaluation of experimental zoning for duck hunting in Illinois, 1977-1979. Illinois Department of onservation, Springfield. Xeroxed Report. 41pp. arney, S.M., M.F. Sorensen, and E.M. Martin. 1978. Average harvest of each duck species in states and counties during 1966-1975. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Migratory Bird Management, Administrative Report-- October 1978. 99pp. Ellis, J.A. 1979. Hunter harvest survey, 1978-1979. Illinois Department of onservation, Division of Wildlife Resources, Job ompletion Report, Federal Aid Project o. W-49-R-26, Job o. 1 (ovember 1979). 3pp. Hamer, V.H., and G.. Arthur. 1976. Hunter activity and harvest on public waterfowl areas during 1975. Illinois Department of onservation, Division of Wildlife Resources, Periodic Report o. 14. 8pp. Kennedy, D.D., G.. Arthur and V.H. Hamer. 1974. Hunter use and harvest on public waterfowl areas during 1974. Illinois Department of onservation, Division of Wildlife Resources, Periodic Report o. 11. 1pp. Roetker, F., and W.L. Anderson. 1977. Hunter use and harvest on public waterfowl areas during 1976. Illinois Department of onservation, Division of Wildlife Resources, Periodic Report o. 17. 8pp. Thornburg, D. 1981. Hunter use and harvest on public waterfowl areas during 198. Illinois Department of onservation, Division of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Periodic Report (In preparation).

Table 1. Dates and lengths of the duck hunting season (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 198). The point system for determining the daily bag limit was in effect in all years. Yea r Start End Days -- Mallards Allowed 1974 (entire state) Wed., Oct. 23 Dec. 11 5 3a 1975 (entire state) Wed., Oct. 22 Dec. 1 5 3 1976 (entire state) Sat., Oct. 2 3 Dec. 11 5 4 198 orthern Zone Tues., Oct. 14 Dec. 2 5 4 entral Zone Thurs., Oct. 23 Dec. 11 5 4 Southern Zone Thurs., Oct. 3 Dec. 18 5 4 1981 orthern Zone entral Zone Southern Zone 1982 orthern Zone entral Zone Southern Zone - -- -- -Maximum number of mallards permitted in the daily bag.

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Table 3. Mean species composition, expressed in percentages, of ducks counted during aerial inventories representing the months of October, ovember, and December, in northeast Illinois and along the Mississippi River in the orthern Zone (Illinois, 1974-198). Data from the Illinois atural History Survey. a b c ortheast Illinois- Mississippi River- Mississippi River- Species Oct. ov. Dec. Oct. ov. Dec. Oct. ov. Dec. Dabbling ducks Mallard 52.6 77.3 68.3 28.7 85. 89.6 58.9 89.7 92.2 Black duck 2.2 4.4 4.8.3 2.2 3.1 1.4 1.6 2. Gadwall 1.8.. 1.5.5. 1.3.3. American wigeon 3.9 2.2. 6.6 3.7. 15.9 3.6.4 Green-winged teal 2.8 1.1. 1.1.. 7.5.2. Blue-winged teal.3..... 1.5 <.1. orthern shoveler....1...5 <.1. Pintail 1.5.3..3.. 8.5 1.5 <.1 Total 92.1 85.3 73.1 38.6 91.4 92.7 95.5 96.9 94.6 Diving ducks Redhead... 1.6....1.3 anvasback.2 1.. 3.9.3..7.5.6 Scaup 5.6 6.9. 35.6 4.7. 2.9 1.6.6 Ring-necked duck 2.1 2.8. 19.9 1.2..6.5.2 ommon goldeneye. 4. 25.5. 1.2 7.3..3 3.7 Bufflehead...4.2.1..1 O.1 <.1 Ruddy duck.. 1..2.1..2 <.1 <.1 Total 7.9 14.7 26.9 61.4 7.6 7.3 4.5 3.1 5.4 -Lake and McHenry counties, data for 1976 through 198. b -East -:oline Dubuque to Keithsburg. to Moline, data for 198 only.

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Table 5. Mean species composition, expressed in percentages, of ducks counted during aerial inventories representing the months of October, ovember, and December, along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers in the entral Zone (Illinois, 1974-198). Data from the Illinois atural History Survey. a Illinois River- b Mississippi River- Species Oct. ov. Dec. Oct. ov. Dec. Dabbling ducks Mallard 63.3 89.5 94.7 31.3 47.2 76.4 Black duck 1.2 2. 2.1.7.8 1.4 Gadwall 1..3 <.1 1.3.3 <.1 American wigeon 15.2 3.9.6 1.8 3.1.7 Green-winged teal 5.9.6. 4.7.3 <.1 Blue-winged teal 1.7.1. 1.2.1. orthern shoveler.5 <.1..4 <.1 <.1 Pintail 8.5 1.5.1 28. 6..8 Total 97.3 97.9 97.5 78.4 57.8 79.3 Diving ducks Redhead <.1 <.1 <.1.4.7.4 anvasback.4.3.1 2. 12.6 8.2 Scaup 1.8 1.2.2 15.6 25.9 6.9 Ring-necked duck.5.4 <.1 2.4 2.3 1.2 ommon goldeneye..1 2.1..3 3.6 Bufflehead <.1.1.1.1.2.4 Ruddy duck.1 <.1 <.1 1.1.2.1 Total 2.7 2.1 2.5 21.6 42.2 21.7 -Spring Valley to Meredosia. -Keithsburg to Grafton.

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Table 7. Mean species composition, expressed in percentages, of ducks counted during aerial inventories conducted in October, ovember, and December, at arlyle Lake in the entral Zone and at Rend Lake in the Southern Zone (Illinois, 1974 through 198). Data from the Illinois atural History Survey. arlyle Lake Rend Lake Species Oct. ov. Dec. Oct. ov. Dec. Dabbling ducks Mallard 57.7 81. 9.1 44. 67.8 81.8 Black duck.5 1.6 2.2.6 1.3 1.8 Gadwall 1.4.5 <.1 3.2 1.2.2 American wigeon 16.2 5.9 1.3 18.7 11.3 1.8 Green-winged teal 7.1.9.1 13.1 2.8.1 Blue-winged teal 2.4.2. 4.9.3. orthern shoveler.4.1..8..2. Pintail 8.3 2.1.3 9.2 3.7 1.1 Total 94. 92.3 94. 94.5 88.6 86.8 Diving ducks Redhead.1.1 <.1.1.1.1 anvasback.4.4.3 1.8.9 1.1 Scaup 4. 3.6.2 2.2 4.6.5 Ring-necked duck 1.4 3..1 1.3 4.6.4 ommon goldeneye..4 5.3. 1. 1.6 Bufflehead <.1.1.1..1.3 Ruddy duck.1.1 <.1.1.1.2 Total 6. 7.7 6. 5.5 11.4 13.2

Table 8. umber of hunter-trips, number of ducks harvested, and ducks per huntertrip as determined by DO mail-card surveys (Illinois, 1975-1976 and 198). Data in this table are indicies only and should not be construed as actual numbers of ducks harvested. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones riteria 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982c Mean Hunter-trips orthern Zone 128,654 122,219 125,437 146,512 entral Zone 421,495 429,898 425,697 341,358 Southern Zone 6,496 93,879 77,188 71,93 Entire State 61,645 645,996 628,321 559,8 Ducks Harvested orthern Zone 92,11 125,452 18,732 12,631 entral Zone 533,735 56,473 52,14 381,844 Southern Zone 74,839 143,56 19,2 68,277 Entire State 7,585 775,485 738,35 57,752 Ducks per Hunter-trip orthern Zone.72 1.3.88.82 entral Zone 1.27 1.18 1.23 1.12 Southern Zone 1.24 1.53 1.39.95 Entire State 1.15 1.2 1.18 1.2 _

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Table 1. umber of hunter-trips on 13 public waterfowl hunting areas in the entral Zone and on 3 public areas in the Southern Zone (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 198). o data was available for public areas in the orthern Zone. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Area 1974 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982 Mean ETRAL ZOE (1) (2) (3) (Li) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (1) (11) (12) ('3) arlyle Lake Stump Lake Batchtown Godar/Di amond alhoun Point Sanganois Glades Sangchris Lake Marshall o. Woodford o. Rice Lake Spring Lake Anderson Lake Totals 7,76 1,38 7,511 8,298 8,282 3,715 3,757 4,261 3,911 2,874 5,682 8,277 5,346 6,435 6,862 3,434 3,42 2,75 3,195 3,277 1,62 1,68 1,865 1,698 1,487 1,814 2,31 2,67 2,64 2,469 1,965 2,393 1,636 1,998 2,68 2,115 2,926 2,77 2,583 1,674 2,332 2,41 1,518 2,87 2,77 1,789 1,787 1,571 1,716 2,431 967 1,962 1,839 1,589 1,9 1,428 1,76 1,153 1,447 1,18 871 969 829 89 1,413 34,88 43,869 35,53 37,911 37,652 SOUTHER ZOE (14) (15) (16) Rend Lake Oakwood Bottoms Mermet 8,485 8,3 2,293 6,428 11,463 2,615 6,555 8,412 2,568 7,156 9,293 2,492 13,4 2,973 2,78 Totals 18,781 2,56 17,535 18,941 18,451 ---- I

Table 11. Mean number of hunters per day at arlyle Lake and Rend Lake during the duck season (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 193). Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Area and Days 1974 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982 Mean arlyle Lake (entral Zone) Opening Day 486 a 365 a 6 9 b 514 636 a First 14 Days 239 292 236 256 234 Middle 22 Days 113 182 183 159 154 Last 14 Days 9 166 13 c 9 117 Entire Season 142 28 15 167 166 Rend Lake (Southern Zone) Opening Day 18 a 166 a 257 b 21 627a First 14 Days 163 13 151 148 298 Middle 22 Days 147 19 148 135 257 Last 14 Days 158 129 84 124 255 Entire Season 154 121 131 135 268 amidweek opening. saturday opening. Lake frozen last part of season.

Table 12. Harvest of ducks by species in the entire state (Illinois, 1966-1975, 1974-1976, and 198). Data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data for 198 are preliminary. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Mean for Mean for Percent Species 1966-1975 1974-1976 198 1981 1982 Mean hangea Dabbling Ducks Mallard 179,98 18,23 169,676-5/-6 Black duck 7,915 7,197 6,691-16/-7 Gadwall 8,862 11,339 7,852-11/-31 American wigeon 13,38 1,817 14,812 +1/+37 Green-winged teal 22,86 23,6 19,943-13/-13 Blue-winged teal 2,628 6,648 4,46-8/-39 orthern shoveler 2,942 2,452 2,96-1/+19 Pintail 7,175 4,78 5,91-18/+23 Wood duck 38,375 42,193 54,336 +42/+29 TOTAL 31,156 288,662 286,163-5/-1 Diving Ducks Redhead 2,317 2, 2 32 2,976 +28/+33 anvasback 1,934 4,254 4,69 +139/+8 Greater scaup 1,21 663 54-46/-19 Lesser scaup 11,564 19,42 1,86-7/-43 Ring-necked duck 8,448 14,177 11,866 +4/-I ommon goldeneye 1,18 922 71-4/-23 Bufflehead 1,493 1,494 3,279 +12/+119 Ruddy duck 543 568 342-37/-4 TOTAL 28,5 4,632 35,182 +23/-13 Hooded merganser 1,279 1,626 2,357 +84/+45 Other ducks 1,49 954 396-62/-58 ALL SPEIES 331,984 331,874 324,98-2/-2 a198 relative to mean for 1966-1975/mean for 1974-1976. 1976 only. anvasbacks were protected statewide in 1974 and 1975.

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Table 16. umber of ducks harvested on 13 public waterfowl hunting areas in the entral Zone and on 3 public areas in the Southern Zone (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 198). o data was available for areas in the orthern Zone. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Area 1974 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982 Mean ETRAL ZOE (1) arlyle Lake 4,418 11,223 5,781 7,141 5,582 (2) Stump Lake 1,871 3,867 4,442 3,393 2,724 (3) Batchtown 4,12 9,699 4,575 6,95 5,278 (4) Godar/Diamond 2,862 3,466 2,571 2,966 2,413 (5) alhoun Point 721 818 1,89 876 612 (6) Sanganois 1,27 2,52 2,775 2,188 2,639 (7) Glades 1,76 1,43 993 1,157 1,6 (8) Sangchris Lake 1,431 1,838 1,566 1,612 897 (9) Marshall o. 1,7 1,756 822 1,195 1,78 (1) Woodford o. 894 1,481 1,148 1,174 1,738 (11) Rice Lake 318 1,394 1,664 1,125 814 (12) Spring Lake 638 863 547 683 634 (13) Anderson Lake 43 7 566 565 1,112 Totals 2,948 41,28 28,539 3,17 27,121 SOUTHER ZOE (14) Rend Lake 7,331 6,878 7,414 7,28 5,651 (15) Oakwood Bottoms 7,35 8,436 3,662 6,483 815 (16) Mermet 1,394 2,721 2,19 2,45 1,67 Totals 16,75 18,35 13,95 15,536 7,533 ---

Table 17. Mean annual harvest of ducks by species on 13 public areas in the entral Zone and on 3 public areas in the Southern Zone (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 198). The individual areas are listed in Table. The values for total ducks harvested in this table may differ somewhat from the values listed in Table because harvest data was not available by species for all areas in all years. o data was available for areas in the orthern Zone. entral Zone Southern Zone Both Zones Species 1974-1976 198 1974-1976 198 1974-1976 TT198 Dabbling Ducks Mallard Black duck Gadwall American wigeon Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal orthern shoveler Pintail Wood. duck 19,25 342 823 83 2,68 583 255 887 3,312 15,382 277 748 814 1,991 33 167 683 4,789 11,6 23 371 179 752 133 33 92 2,261 4,753 3,85 165 572 312 1,194 14 1,9 47 2,82 47 716 95 288 11 979 96 5,573 2,135 442 1,6 954 2,461 377 262 793 5,749 TOTAL 28,125 25,181 15,111 7,74 43,236 32,255 Diving Ducks Redhead anvasback Scaup Ringneck ommon goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy duck 124 177 1,323 563 86 112 58 336 245 1,244 954 66 154 121 4 53 163 329 3 7 4 45 39 96 26 5 61 128 23 1,486 892 116 119 62 381 284 1,34 1,16 71 215 121 TOTAL 2,443 3,12 59 452 3,33 3,572 Hooded merganser 6 147 54 114 Other Ducks 81 81 336 417 81 All Species 3,79 28,529 16,91 7,533 46,8 36,62

Table 18. Harvest of ducks by species at arlyle Lake in the entral Zone (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 198). Data from bag checks conducted daily during the hunting seasons. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Species 1974 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982 Mean Dabbling Ducks Mallard Black duck Gadwall American wigeon Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal orthern shoveler Pintai l Wood duck 2,596 12 65 77 273 45 28 73 1,21 6,693 121 54 382 1,23 419 4 223 1,257 3,511 78 19 143 922 56 17 91 727 4,267 1 253 21 799 173 28 129 1,2 2,71 54 76 259 684 149 28 III 1,237 TOTAL 4,28 1,842 5,735 6,952 5,299 Diving Ducks Redhead anvasback Scaup Ring-necked duck ommon goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy duck 81 37 37 3 152 176 3 4 4 17 21 14 2 83 78 51 32 89 73 3 13 TOTAL 118 371 46 178 261 Hooded merganser 2 8 22 Other ducks All Species 4,418 11,223 5,781 7,14 5,582 ---

Table 19. Harvest of ducks by species at Rend Lake in the Southern Zone (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 198). Data from bag checks conducted daily during the hunting season. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Species 1974 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982 Mean Dabbling Ducks Mallard Black duck Gadwall American wigeon Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal orthern shoveler Pintail Wood duck 5,941 199 97 7 13 76 21 59 549 4,576 166 592 296 592 58 21 36 39 4,618 174 274 8 1,112 18 33 93 455 5,45 179 321 148 62 81 25 63 465 3,727 127 291 134 414 47 95 83 388 TOTAL 7,115 6,727 6,947 6,929 5,36 Diving Ducks Redhead anvasback Scaup Ring-necked duck ommon goldeneye Bufflehead Ruddy duck 5 119 65 11 5 7 58 14 14 53 274 2 73 2 19 151 33 28 6 44 39 94 114 54 TOTAL 25 93 42 239 345 Hooded merganser Other ducks All Species 11 58 47 39 7,331 6,878 7,414 7,27 5,651 -

Table 2. Harvest of ducks by species at Mermet Lake in the Southern Zone (Illinois, 1975-1976 and 198). Data from bag checks conducted daily during the hunting seasons. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Species 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982 Mean Dabbling ducks Mallard 1,113 1,3 1,27 633 Black duck 46 55 51 38 Gadwall 68 32 5 21 American wigeon 33 28 31 6 Green-winged teal 22 79 15 56 Blue-winged teal 87 16 52 orthern shoveler 14 2 8 Pintail 22 36 29 27 Wood duck 58 291 436 172 Total 2,182 1,839 2,14 952 Diving ducks Redhead 4 2 1 anvasback Lesser scaup 22 2 12 2 Ring-necked duck 468 123 296 92 ommon goldeneye 4 2 5 Bufflehead 2 1 7 Ruddy duck 5 2 4 Total 495 157 317 17 Hooded merganser 24 6 15 7 Other ducks 19 16 18 ALL SPEIES 2,721 2,19 2,364 1,67 - '' --

Table 21. Harvest of ducks by species of Oakwood Bottoms in the Southern Zone (Illinois, 1974-1976 and 198). Oakwood Bottoms is a greentree reservoir, where 96% of the ducks harvested are mallards or wood ducks. Data from the U.S. Forest Service. Zoning ot in Effect With Three Zones Species 1974 1975 1976 Mean 198 1981 1982 Mean Mallard 6,157 5,568 2,7 4,88 393 Wood duck 1,57 2,19 914 1,36 4 Other ducksa 136 759 58 318 22 Total 7,35 8,436 3,672 6,486 815 aincludes black duck, teal, pintail, gadwall, wigeon, and shoveler.

Table 22. Percent change in harvest of key species of ducks in Illinois during year of experimental zoning (198) relative to 3 years without zoning (1974-1976), as indicated by 3 different criteria. FWS DO DO Species Surveys Areas Surveys ORTHER ZOE Mallard +17 Black duck -24 Wood duck +53 Redhead +2 anvasback +231 a Other species +34 All Species +26 +11 ETRAL ZOE Mallard -1-19 Black duck -1-19 Wood duck +38 +45 Redhead +78 +171 anvasback +11 a +38 Other species -6-3 All Species -2-5 -27 SOUTHER ZOE Mallard -51-53 Black duck -41-29 Wood duck - 6 7-58 Redhead - +1, 2 5 c anvasback + 3 7 a -26 Other species -12-37 All Species -39-52 -37 ETIRE STATE Mallard -6-3 3 d Black duck -7-23 Wood duck +29 +3 Redhead +33 +198 anvasback + 8 +23 Other species -13-12 All Species -2-21 -23 ahanges relative to 1976 only. protected statewide in 1974 and 1975. anvasback were

Table 22. ontinued - page 2. b FWS surveys indicated that no redhead were harvested in the Southern Zone in 198. Based on an increase from 4 to 45 redhead. entral and Southern zones only.

ORTHER ZOE] In 198: In 1I ETRAL ZOE SOUTHER ZOE Fig, 1. Zones established W in Illinois for setting the duck hunting season in 198-1982. The circled numbers indicate locations of public waterfowl hunting areas, the names of which are listed in Table 1. (9935-fI-64)

ORTHER ZOE In 19 ETRAL ZOE East SOUTHER ZOE (9935--9-64)

Printed by authority of the State of Illinois 4-12-81 The Department of onservation is an equal opportunity employer.