2018–2019 Furbearer Forecast

Raccoon

There are likely as many raccoons on the Illinois landscape as there have ever been. Two annual surveys conducted by Illinois Department of Natural Resource (IDNR) wildlife biologists estimating trends in furbearers show very high numbers for raccoon. The number of raccoons observed during the Spring Spotlight Survey set a record high. The ‘road-kill index,’ calculated by IDNR staff as they drive during their normal day to day activities, showed the second highest index (road-kill raccoons per 1,000 miles) since 1976. Raccoon also led other species in the number of nuisance animals removed by Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators for 2017. Low fur prices and harvest, and a relatively mild winter during 2017-18, likely contributed to their abundance.

Coyote

Coyotes continue to thrive in the state. The number of coyotes observed by cooperating archery deer hunters during 2017 were slightly lower than 2016. Prices for quality coyote pelts improved during the 2017-18 hunting and trapping season and harvest was up last year compared to 2016-17. For hunters, good snow cover would be a welcome change from the past several seasons.

Mink, Muskrat and Beaver

Numbers should remain stable. Harvest during 2017-18 was lower than long-term averages. Prices for these species remained low as well.

River Otter

River otter should be plentiful and harvest in 2017-18 was comparable to previous years. Prices for otter remain relatively low.

Opossum and Striped Skunk

Numbers were lower for these species on the 2018 Spring Spotlight Survey compared to 2017. They were still the third and fourth most common species for nuisance complaints (behind raccoons and squirrels). Skunks were below the long-term average on the road-kill survey, but opossum were slightly above the average.

Bobcat

Bobcat continue to do well based on the number observed by cooperating archery deer hunters last season. The number of Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits issued was the same as last year (1,000). The application for this year’s lottery was from September 1 to 30. People who drew permits will have a good chance of taking bobcats in forested parts of the state.

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Stan McTaggart is the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Furbearer Program Manager and works in the Springfield office of the Division of Wildlife Resources.