Most bow hunting check stations were at Archery shops and manned by the shop owners. Some were at larger stores (Farm stores) Shotgun check stations were different and were mainly, in this area at least, manned by college students from a University's biology department. There was one that had official DNR there but not usually. Maybe in Southern Illinois it is different. And you were talking 2-3 check stations a county for Shotgun (I think one even has one and I am sure some have 4. It's been a while, I have to drive 20 minutes to mine in a cOunty that takes 35 minutes to drive across) . Archery, I think there were a Dozen+ in my county. So I think you might seem a decrease in sales tax revenues from the 1 out of 10 people checking a deer who realize they would like a dozen arrows made up too or hey, I'll try those broadheads. Impulse buys you see. Now, maybe 75% of those people will still buy instate at a latter date but many might just go the cabelas route. Just not smart IMO.

I will not deny that this might save some money in data entery time, automation you see, but I think the initial investment at a time the DNR is slashing jobs because of lack of funding and investing in an automation system might not be wise. You are looking at a state that barely has enough money to fund CPO's and is grossly understaffed in that department during hunting seasons. The DNR is so mismanaged that I just see this as another mistake Arthur.

Don't worry about jumping my case, legitimate question as every state does things differently.

Oh, as far as data collection of age, probably meaningless really, the information gathered (This was only done during Shotgun but realize that 2/3rds of the deer killed in Illinois a year are shotgun and Shotgun is what, 7 days with most of those deer being killed in the first weekend of the season). I do wonder how they are going to do CWD monitoring however. Maybe roadkill or maybe they will get samples at lockers, still someone has to be there to pick them up. I just see the potential for problems by eliminating them.