Vol. 18, No. 2 
Page 2 
A comparison of average squirrel harvests for a representative sample 
of other public hunting areas in Illinois shows considerable variation among 
them in yield per year. Yields are generally higher in northern Illinois, 
probably due to higher hunting pressures. Both Argyle Lake (McDonough 
County) and the McLean County area have produced particularly high yields in 
recent years. 
We recommend that efforts be made to monitor mast crops, squirrel harvests 
and hunting pressures and to collect samples of sex and age groups from public 
hunting areas throughout the state. We are now working with the Inventory 
Biologist, Mr. Jack Ellis, to help select areas for this study and to set up 
procedures to collect the necessary information. 
These public areas must be managed under a concept of sustained harvest 
on a per acre rather than on a per hunter basis. This concept requires that 
squirrel harvests be carefully monitored each year, including the sex and 
age structure of the harvests. 
Additional efforts should also be directed towards improving 
habitat for squirrels on these public areas, including the use of 
where needed. 
the forest 
timber sales 
Our research work is designed to provide squirrel management guidelines 
for these public forests. We are studying the effects of nest boxes on fox 
squirrels, the effects of clear-cutting and selection cutting on both gray 
and fox squirrels, the effects of supplemental feeding in winter on both 
species, and methods for increasing hickory, the most important native 
squirrel food in Illinois. 
The opportunity to hunt on private lands is lessening, thus placinq 
more hunting pressures on public lands. This trend means that game managers 
“ ”" a f publ !<; areas more intensively, with active management programs 
designed to provide the hunter, whether hunting with gun, camera, or 
binoculars, a reasonable chance to find his quarry. The information needed 
tor these programs can only be acquired through research, which can often 
provide methods for improving wildlife habitats at costs below those re¬ 
quired by current programs. 
B£sponse_s of Prai rie Chickens to Habitat Manipulation 
R. L. Westemeier, 
D. R. Vance 
oralrle ,h 9 rf !°" S 1973 / and l971( were the Poorest on record for the 
El™ f™ °- at 809013 (MWRL l7(9)) - Pre < la ti°n Of nests was much 
more frequent than in previous years (MWRL 18(1), 17(7 and 9)). The popu¬ 
lation of at least one species of predator has increased noticeably in recent 
years. * 
