The Former “Goose Hunting Capital of the World”: Southern Illinois Hunting Club Owners' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Responses Associated with Shifts in Goose Migration

Abstract

Waterfowl management is inherently complex, given shifting population dynamics and intensifying social and economic interests. This qualitative case analysis provides an exploratory examination of the human dimensions of waterfowl management, specifically the beliefs, attitudes, and business responses of 15 representatives from 12 goose hunting clubs in southern Illinois. The region's waterfowl hunting industry is facing progressively northward shifts in goose migration and dramatically diminished harvests. We conducted in-depth personal interviews with hunting club owners and operators, transcribed and analyzed the interviews qualitatively, and interpreted participants' responses within the local and regional waterfowl management context. Case study findings reveal that although individual hunting clubs have implemented short-term coping mechanisms, the hunting club industry in southern Illinois looks to management for developing long-term adaptive response.

Keywords:

• adaptive response
• waterfowl management
• Canada geese
• hunting clubs
• migration shifts

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to extend gratitude to the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge for its assistance in study design and to the hunting club owners and operators for sharing their perspectives. The project was funded in part by the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program.

Notes

Bundren, M. D. (1996). A descriptive study of goose hunting clubs in the southern Illinois quota zone, 1995–1996. Unpublished Master's Thesis. Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Sertle, M. R. (2006). Nesting success, gosling growth, and adult body condition of giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) in southern Illinois. Unpublished Master's thesis. Southern Illinois University Carbondale.