Showing posts with label deer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deer. Show all posts

Monday, November 7, 2016

Increase in Fourth Round Preliminary Archery Deer Harvests

Increase in Fourth Round Preliminary Archery Deer Harvests

The fourth round of the Archery Deer Permit numbers are out.  Paul Shelton Forest Wildlife Program released preliminary totals through Sunday, November 6, 2016.  Could the slightly cooler temperatures play a roll in the jump?  Note this week the increase in buck to doe ration!!!

Monday, October 31, 2016

Third Round of Numbers Out, Deer Numbers Still Down

Third Round of Numbers Out, Deer Numbers Still Down


The third round of preliminary numbers for the archery deer season just arrived and the numbers are still off from last year.  Could this be because of the another October warm trend? What are you seeing?

Monday, October 24, 2016

Deer Numbers Still Down but Season is Far from Over


Deer Numbers Still Down but Season is Far from Over


Paul Shelton, Forest Wildlife Program Manger for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources released the second preliminary numbers regarding harvest numbers.  In short, numbers are down from this time last year.  You can read the first preliminary report  Deer Numbers Down at Beginning of 2016 Season.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Deer Harvest Numbers Down at the Beginning of 2016 Season


Deer Harvest Numbers Down at the Beginning of 2016 Season 

Deer numbers are down compared to this time last year !


From October 1, 2016 to October 12, 2016 archery deer hunters in Illinois took 6,235 whitetail deer.  This is 2,633 fewer deer then this time last year.  Below you'll see a county by county break down comparing 2015 to 2016.  Top counties included Adams, Jefferson, JoDaviess and Pike.  71% of those deer harvested were does and 29% bucks.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Hunters, Landowners Encouraged to Report Suspected Cases of EHD

Hunters, Landowners Encouraged to Report Suspected Cases of EHD

IDNR has received EHD reports from 9 Counties so far in 2016


The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has received reports of 53 suspected cases of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) so far in 2016. EHD appears to be more prevalent in east-central and northeastern Illinois counties, including Cook, Lake and Vermilion counties where tests have confirmed the presence of the disease and 40 cases have been reported. In all, reports have come from nine counties (see map at the link below).

Friday, September 16, 2016

IDNR to Conduct Chronic Wasting Disease Public Information Meetings

IDNR to Conduct Chronic Wasting Disease Public Information Meetings


From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources press office.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has scheduled a series of public meetings to provide information about chronic wasting disease (CWD), its effect on future deer populations, and IDNR’s efforts to control the disease. IDNR staff will also be available to answer questions about the disease. Landowners, hunters, and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend. CWD is an important issue that will dominate deer management discussions in northern Illinois for many years.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

IRAP has Archery Deer Hunting Sites Available on Private Land

IRAP has Archery Deer Hunting Sites Available on Private Land

Apply by August 30 to hunt in October

Here is a great opportunity for archery deer hunters.  This is from the IDNR Press Office in Springfield.  

Don’t have a place to archery deer hunt but would like to go hunting this October? Look no further than the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP), the popular Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) program linking outdoors enthusiasts with landowners.

Monday, July 18, 2016

IWA President Kevin Chapman Talks Deer Changes in 2016

IWA President Kevin Chapman Talks Deer Changes in 2016

Deer Season Changes?
By : Kevin Chapman

Illinois Whitetail Alliance President Kevin Chapman wrote an article about 2016 season changes.  While this article was directed toward a different outdoor resources, Kevin has allowed Capitol Outdoors to post this to spread the IWA (Illinois Whitetail Alliance) message and challenges regarding the Illinois Deer herd. 

The legislative session was pretty quiet for a change. And honestly… I think a lot of people are simply tired of hearing about the same deer management issues over and over.

As the 2016 season gets closer, we still don’t have the deer-vehicle accident (DVA) statistics from last year. Last I heard from IDOT, it would be sometime in August before that data is finalized. This is the main source of data used to estimate deer densities at the county level, and determines county management plans.

With that being said… once again, I don’t anticipate any big changes in terms of managing towards these county-specific DVA goals. Firearm permit quotas have been set, we’ve been through several lotteries, and I’m sure the hunting digest is close to complete.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

(SB 2788) Bill Would Allow Youth to Transfer Deer Tags to Adults

Bill Would Allow Youth to Transfer Deer Tags to Adults

Senator Neil Anderson (Republican, Moline, Illinois) introduced SB 2788 on February 17, 2016.  

Illinois Deer Tags Legislation

SB 2788 WILDLIFE-DEER TAGS


Amends the Wildlife Code: Provides that anyone filling a deer tag who has a Youth Hunting License may transfer the tag to the accompanying adult hunter if the youth is present at the time the tag is filled by the adult. Removes the prohibition on transferring deer tags in compliance with the youth hunting provision.




Continue to check back with Capitol Outdoors as we monitor this and other bills for you.


Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Illinois Deer Hunters Harvest Preliminary Total of 155,131 Deer During 2015-2016 Seasons Deer Hunting Seasons Closed January 17

Illinois Deer Hunters Harvest Preliminary Total of 155,131 Deer During 2015-2016 Seasons

Deer Hunting Seasons Closed January 17


The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released their preliminary totals for the 2015 - 2016 season.  Those participating in deer harvest took a total of 155,131 compared to the 145,720 in 2014 -2015 season.  This is an increase of about 6.5%.  The Missouri Department of Conservation also released their totals. 

Thursday, January 14, 2016

A reminder for late-winter/CWD hunters that would like to have their deer tested:

Watching this deer at Banner Marsh in Fulton County. 

A reminder for late-winter/CWD hunters that would like to have their deer tested:

Capitol Outdoors received the information below from Chris Young, the Communicatigon Director at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

Late-Winter/CWD Deer Season Reminder: Hunters are reminded that the Late-Winter Antlerless-only and Special CWD deer hunting seasons conclude on Jan. 15-17. There will be 27 counties open for Late-Winter season and 14 counties open for the Special CWD season. Hunters should check the information page on the IDNR website to make sure the county they intend to hunt is open for the Late-Winter or Special CWD season: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/Late-WinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf

Late season deer hunters are encouraged to have adult animals sampled for Chronic Wasting Disease at the nearest available facility. Each hunter-killed animal sampled from CWD zones contributes to the removal goal established for each. A list of cooperating vendors and voluntary drop-off points can be found at this location on our website:

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/programs/CWD/Documents/CWDSamplingLocations.pdf




Tuesday, January 12, 2016

(HB 4428) Bow Hunting on Private Property during Shotgun Season for Deer in Illinois

Bow Hunting on Private Property during Shotgun Season for Deer in Illinois

That's right.  A new bill was introduced by Brandon Phelps, Chairman of the Illinois Sportsmen's Caucus.  The bill was filed with the clerk on January 11, 2016.  We'll continue to monitor this bill, check back frequently for more information.


 HB 4428 WILDLIFE-BOW HUNTING

BOW HUNTING ILLINOIS
"Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person may hunt with a bow and arrow on private property during a shotgun hunting season if he or she has the consent of the owner and any tenant of the premises."  
If passed by the senate and signed by the Governor this bill will become effective immediately.



Continue to check back with Capitol Outdoors as we monitor this and other bills for you.

Monday, January 4, 2016

LATE WINTER DEER SEASON/SPECIAL CWD DEER SEASON – PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

LATE WINTER DEER SEASON/SPECIAL CWD DEER SEASON – PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

 

For the first four-day period (December 31, 2015-January 3, 2016) of the Late Winter Antlerless Deer Season and the Special CWD Deer Season, Illinois deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 3,939 deer, compared to 2,981 for the same period in 2014-2015.  The number of counties open to the Late Winter Season was 27 (down from 35 in 2014-2015), while 14 northern Illinois counties were open to the Special CWD Season (compared to 12 in 2014-2015). 

Top five counties (including both Late Winter and CWD seasons) were JoDaviess (306), Fulton (294), Pike (233), Schuyler (188), and Brown (186).  A table of county results is attached.


ARCHERY DEER PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

Through Sunday, January 3, 2016, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 53,373deer, compared to 53,188 for the same period in 2014-2015

Harvest  to date has consisted of 47% does and 53% males (25,181:28,192), while 45% percent of the harvest has been antlered bucks (23,841).   Top five counties are currently Pike (1,995), Fulton (1,526), Jefferson (1,190),  Adams (1,135), and JoDaviess (1,051).   A table of county results is attached.

Up-to-date archery harvest figures (for either deer or turkey) by county/state sites can be tracked on the web at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/IDNRHarvestQuery.aspx


http://www.capitol-outdoors.com/p/blog-page_16.html

Information provided by Paul Shelton, Manager of Forest Wildlife Program and The Illinois Department of Natural Resources 

Friday, December 18, 2015

Illinois Muzzleloader Season Totals Show Decrease

llinois Muzzleloader Season Totals Show Decrease

Illinois' Muzzleloader Season showed a decrease in deer harvested compared to last year. This is the first time this year in which harvest reports showed a decrease from last year.  That includes the shotgun and bow seasons to date.  Its hard to tell if this weather has had something to do with this particular decrease or if shotgun season picked up the slack this year.  One thing is forsure there's a lot of people that are watching these numbers commenting and post their disbelief.

"The totals from the Muzzleloader Season held Dec. 11-13. Hunters took 2,375 deer, compared to 3,444 in 2014. Harvest sex ratios were 52% female to 48% male (1,239 female:1,136 male). "

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Illinois Second Shotgun Season has Success and Increase

Illinois Second Shotgun Season has Success and Increase

Hunters Harvest Preliminary Total of 86,771 Deer During Seven-Day Firearm Season

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Deer hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 86,771 deer during the seven-day Firearm Deer Season that closed on Sunday, Dec. 6. That figure compares to 76,575 deer harvested during the seven days of firearm season in 2014.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Hunters in Illinois Harvested 57,968 Deer During First Weekend of Firearm Season.


Hunters in Illinois Harvested 57,968 Deer During First Weekend of Firearm Season.

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 57,968 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois Firearm Deer Season, Nov. 20-22. Hunters took 51,830 deer during the first firearm weekend in 2014.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Bill Filed in Illinois to Include Blaze Pink Clothing during Hunting Season (HB 4337)

Bill Filed in Illinois to Include Blaze Pink Clothing during Hunting Season

Pink is the new orange.

In May of 2015 the hunting world was informed that legislators in Wisconsin introduced a new policy regarding blazed orange requirements.  You see, Wisconsin was the first state to be recognized and have a vote for blaze pink as a legal substitute for blaze orange. While this neighboring bill is sitting in  the Wisconsin State Senate, Illinois will take up this policy measure.

Jerry Costello Jr, Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee introduced HB 4337.  This bill allows blaze pink to be used along with blaze orange.

News from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

News from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released a lot of information today.  Information regarding Deer Harvest Number Updates, Firearm Deer Season Safety, Registration Open for Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt and information about the 2016 - 2020 waterfowl season dates and zones.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Illinois Archery Deer Hunters Continue to See Increase in Harvest Numbers

Illinois Archery Deer Hunters Continue to See Increase in Harvest Numbers


Almost a month into the Illinois archery deer season and hunters are seeing an increase compared to the 2014 season.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released deer harvest numbers through Monday, October 26, 2015.  Hunters harvested a preliminary total of 17,187 deer, compared to 15,610 for the same period in 2014.  That's a total increase of 1,577 deer.  

Monday, October 5, 2015

Illinois Beach State Park Offers Archery Deer Hunt

Illinois Beach State Park Offers Archery Deer Hunt

What a great opportunity for those of you in the Chicagoland area to help with a conservation effort.




Archery Deer Hunt Planned at Illinois Beach State Park

ZION, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will offer an archery deer hunting program this fall at Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) in Lake County. The archery deer hunt will assist the IDNR in managing the deer population at the site and help protect vegetation and habitat in the park and nature preserves.