management
Research
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act
The U.S. Congress created the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 to provide financial and technical assistance to states for the benefit of wildlife.
Illinois’ annual allocation has been used on four major programs: habitat development, research studies, hunter education, and land acquisition. Studies funded with these resources are detailed below.
Deer Studies
A number of research projects related to the white-tailed deer in Illinois have been conducted. Each research project listed below includes methods, statistical analyses, graphs and tables, literature cited, management recommendations, published reports, and more.
Biology, Ecology, and Management of Deer in the Chicago Metropolitan Area: W-87-R-1. Summary: Life history and ecology in urban areas
Illinois Deer Investigations: W-87-R-14. Summary: Population dynamics, harvest analysis, natality rates, fawn recruitment, survival
Population Dynamics and Ecology of White-tailed Deer in Illinois: W-87-R-17. Summary: Habitat classification and analysis, Illinois Deer Harvest Analysis and Modeling Program, deer ecology in west-central and northern Illinois
Population Dynamics and Ecology of White-tailed Deer in Illinois: W-87-R-20. Summary: Habitat inventory, Deer–human non-hunting interactions, harvest efficiency, deer reproduction and recruitment
Illinois Deer Investigations: W-87-R-23 and W-87-R-27. Summary: Management, population modeling, and impacts of privatization on herd management
Illinois Deer Investigations: W-87-R-32. Summary: Spatial ecology, impacts of outfitters on deer and wild turkey harvest, deer contact rates, distribution and dispersal in east-central Illinois
Disease Studies
Since chronic wasting disease (CWD) was first discovered in Illinois in the fall of 2002, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has undertaken an aggressive program to monitor the disease, an always fatal and transmissible neurological disease found in cervids (deer and elk). The project Wildlife and Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance includes alerts from the general public after sighting a suspect animal, samples provided by hunters of harvested deer, and evaluations by research institutions of tissue samples and spatial distribution of diseased animals. Collectively, these efforts have helped Illinois keep CWD prevalence low over the infected area and reduced the rate of spread of the disease to new areas.
In addition to the research on CWD, the studies cited here address several other wildlife diseases. Included in each annual report are numerous charts, graphs, and associated professional publications that illustrate the scientific findings.
Segment 10: July 31, 2014–June 30, 2015
Study 2, Diagnostic Testing: page 15
Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 27
Segment 9: July 31, 2013–June 30, 2014
Study 2 Diagnostic Testing: page 19
Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 24
Segment 8: July 1, 2012–June 30, 2013
Study 2, Diagnostic Testing: page 9
Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 15
Segment 7: July 1, 2011–June 30, 2012
Study 2, Diagnostic Testing: page 36
Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 41
Segment 6: July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011
Study 2, Diagnostic Testing: page 17
Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 23
Segment 5: July 1, 2009–June 30, 2010
Study 2, Diagnostic Testing: page 8
Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 13
Segment 4: February 16, 2008–February 15, 2009
Study 2, Diagnostic Testing: page 11
Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 20
Segments 1–3: November 1, 2004–February 15, 2008
W-146-R-1: Study 2, Diagnostic Testing: page 15
W-146-R-1: Study 3, Risk Evaluation for CWD: page 25
Human Dimensions Studies
Human dimensions research involves understanding public perceptions, attitudes, and values as they relate to wildlife-related issues. These data help natural resource agencies recognize how policies and management activities are understood by the public.
The following detailed studies are available:
Illinois Natural History Survey: Human Dimensions: Chronic Wasting Disease Studies
Illinois Natural History Survey: Illinois Hunter Harvests Reports and Survey Results
Internet Use by Illinois Hunters: 10 Years After
Perceptions of Wildlife Crop Damage and Depredation Among Agricultural Producers in Illinois
Attitudes of Homeowners in the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Region Toward Nuisance Wildlife
Results of the Homeowners and Wildlife Survey: Champaign-Urbana 2001
Stakeholder Attitudes Toward Deer Management and Chronic Wasting Disease in Illinois
Illinois Hunter Survey Reports (Management and Ecology Section on Hunt Illinois website)
Hunter Perceptions of Chronic Wasting Disease in Illinois