A decline in hunter participation could mean less conservation funding in Illinois.

The decline is part of a nationwide trend and has been occurring for nearly half a century. Jared Duquette, who manages the Wildlife and Hunter Heritage Program for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said that hunting plays an important role in the economy and the environment.

“Hunting gets people outside and connects them with nature, which we know through something like nature-deficit disorder, that is a big deal,” Duquette said. “Getting people back outside, it allows them to get natural food, which helps the environment.”

Duquette said that hunting provides rural communities a huge boost.

“Hunting supports local communities throughout Illinois and really throughout the world by getting people particularly into rural areas that rely on hunters to stay in their hotels, to pay for…