Upland Game Fall Hunting Forecast 2017–2018

Upland game populations in Illinois have seen a slow, steady decline for most of the last 50 years. Changes in agriculture and land use have led to less upland habitat on the landscape. Modern farms are bigger, have fewer fencerows and idle areas, and consist of primarily two crops—corn and soybeans. Rabbits, quail and pheasant used to thrive alongside the agricultural practices of the 1950s and 1960s when farms had more livestock, small grains, pasture and fencerows. During the 1970s, the shift in agricultural practices and land use picked up steam and populations of upland game, and the number of hunters, began a noticeable decline that continues today.

Statewide, there is simply less suitable habitat available in Illinois. Areas of high-quality habitat can still be found across the state, but overall there are fewer areas that support good populations of upland game and thus less opportunity for hunters.

The winter of 2016-2017 was relatively mild and winter mortality due to weather was likely low for pheasant, quail or rabbit. Spring brought above-average rainfall that may have been problematic for early nesting attempts, and for rabbit litters in May and early June. From late June through most of August, weather conditions improved across much of the state (with parts of northern Illinois being the exception due to record flooding).

The key to a successful hunt this fall will be locating and accessing quality habitat. All three of these species require different habitats, but there is considerable overlap. All three need protected places to raise their young, escape from predators and shelter from severe weather. They also need to be able to find adequate food and water.

The most limiting factor for the birds seems to be quality brood cover. These areas have plenty of bare ground that chicks can move through while they hunt for insects as well as sturdy overhead forbs to conceal them from predators. Rabbits need brush piles or dense vegetation to escape predators and take shelter from the elements. Pheasant prefer larger grasslands with fewer trees, and quail are rarely found more than 75 yards from escape cover where they could hide from predators.

2017–2018 Hunting Season Outlook

Cottontail Rabbit—Outlook ‘Fair.’ Last season, 22,400 rabbit hunters shot just over 90,000 rabbits. This is the lowest number of rabbit hunters and harvest since the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has been keeping records. However, the number of rabbits per hunter was the sixth lowest. One index of rabbit abundance is the annual roadkill survey conducted by biologists across the state during the month of July. The number of road killed rabbits per 1,000 miles was 1.70, the third lowest on record.

Northern Bobwhite Quail —Outlook ‘Fair.’ In the 2016–2017 season, 7,350 wild quail hunters shot an estimated 35,900 quail. The number of wild quail hunters and the harvest were the lowest on record. IDNR also conducts annual bird surveys across the state to track trends for game birds and other grassland/shrubland birds. The results from this year’s surveys showed a slight increase in the number of quail along the routes.

Ring-necked Pheasant —Outlook ‘Fair.’ Last season, 10,200 hunters harvested an estimated 14,800 wild pheasants. This is the lowest number of pheasant hunters and the second lowest harvest on record. Results from the annual bird surveys showed a slight decrease in the number of pheasant along the routes.

White-fronted goose (specklebellies) numbers remain strong over the past few years and appear to be spreading into new areas throughout the state. Population estimates for the mid-continent come from surveys conducted during fall on staging areas in Canada. Last year’s estimate was slightly more than 1 million geese, similar to the previous year and 24 percent above the 10-year average.

Please keep in mind that the future of upland game hunting depends on the amount and quality of habitat. We encourage all landowners and hunters to take an active role in advocating for and managing upland habitat. Remember, even though these species are different, they all need four things to survive and reproduce: 1) ‘nesting’ habitat, 2) brood habitat to raise their young, 3) escape cover to hide from predators and inclement weather, and 4) available food and water.

It also is important to keep in mind that they need adequate escape cover and food 365 days a year. Please delay mowing during the nesting season (April through August) and leave some areas of habitat standing throughout the year. Good upland habitat looks “messy.”

More information on these species and some management tips for each, can be found in the most recent IDNR Annual Report. https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/uplandgame/Pages/PheasantQuailAndRabbitAnnualStatusReports.aspx