HB 5962 and SB 2410 Youth Trapping License would Extend Limited Trapping Privileges

  (HB 5962 & SB 2410) Youth Trapping License would Extends limited trapping privileges

On February 11, 2016 Representative Avery Bourne (Republican, Litchfield, Illinois) introduced HB 5962.

HB 5962 WILDLIFE-YOUTH TRAPPING LIC

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a resident youth 18 and under may apply to the Department of Natural Resources for a Youth Trapping License, which extends limited trapping privileges. Provides that the Youth Trapping License shall be renewable and expire on the March 31 following the date of issuance. Provides that possession of a Youth Trapping License shall serve in lieu of a valid trapping license, but does not exempt the licensee from compliance with the requirements of the Code. Provides that a youth with a Youth Trapping License shall not trap or carry a hunting device, including, but not limited to, a firearm, bow and arrow, or crossbow unless the youth is accompanied by and under the close supervision of a parent, grandparent, or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and has a valid Illinois trapping license.

HB 5796 Fishing Limits for Landowners on Private Property Could be a thing of the Past

HB 5796 Fishing Limits for Landowners on Private Property Could be a Thing of the Past

On February 11, 2016 Representative Charles Meier (Republican, Highland, Illinois) introduced HB 5796.  

HB 5796 FISHING LIMITS-PRIV PROPERTY

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that the limits on the number and size of fish a person may take in a day do not apply to a person fishing in waters wholly within his or her private property. Effective immediately.

IDNR Releases Preliminary Results of Youth Turkey Season

IDNR Releases Preliminary Results of Youth Turkey Season

Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Paul Shelton released the following information of the preliminary results of the youth turkey season in both zones. South Zone harvest was 450 (354 last year), while North Zone harvest was 599 (547 last year).  Below is a county by county breakdown and the numbers from last year.

County	2015	2016
Alexander	6	7
Bond	8	18
Clay	14	15
Clinton	4	6
Crawford	3	6
Edwards	8	5
Effingham	6	6
Fayette	17	28
Franklin	11	12
Gallatin	12	12
Hamilton	20	22
Hardin	7	4
Jackson	11	21
Jasper	6	8
Jefferson	20	31
Johnson	13	13
Lawrence	2	5
Madison	3	21
Marion	19	27
Massac	2	9
Monroe	15	10
Perry	13	10
Pope	7	6
Pulaski	4	7
Randolph	21	23
Richland	7	10
Saline	9	12
St. Clair	6	11
Union	25	23
Wabash	3	1
Washington	6	8
Wayne	9	16
White	10	11
Williamson	27	26
Total	354	450

Did you take youth out for turkey season this year?  Comment below and share your story if you did. 

IDNR Announces 2016 Schedule for Wingshooting Clinics

IDNR Announces 2016 Schedule for Wingshooting Clinics

On April 1, 2016 the Illinois Department of Natural Resources released a statement regarding their dates for the 2016 Wingshooting Clinics.  This is a great way to introduce youngsters, women and first time shooters to the thrill and fun of wingshooting.  In the press release, you'll find information regarding those who are eligible along with the different types of wingshooting classes that are being offered.

"Clinics are taught by instructors certified by the IDNR. Many clinic instructors also have a National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) instructor certification."

Click the IDNR link to find out where and when these fun and informative clinics are going on -

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/wingshooting/WingshootingDates.html

IDNR Announces 2016 Schedule for Wingshooting Clinics

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), in cooperation with a number of partners and cosponsors, will conduct wingshooting clinics at sites throughout Illinois from spring through mid-November, intended to provide instruction and improve the shooting skills of beginners and experienced hunters. Most clinics are conducted on weekends at IDNR sites, cooperating gun clubs and shooting ranges, hunting preserves, and farms.

Youth/Women’s Wingshooting Clinics are designed to provide instruction on safely shooting a shotgun at a moving target with reasonable reliability. Girls and boys ages 10-15, young adults ages 16-18, and women of all ages are eligible to participate. Each clinic starts with a morning shotgun safety presentation, followed by a short small group hands-on shotgun orientation session with each group’s wingshooting instructor. After a lunch break, students spend the afternoon in the field shooting flying clay targets on presentations designed for beginning and novice shooters. Students learn to safely handle and shoot a shotgun, and they learn that being skilled at shooting clay targets is a lot of fun. Most youth/women’s clinics are provided at no cost to participants, or have a nominal registration fee. Shotguns, shotshells, and clay targets are provided.

Hunter Wingshooting Clinics are hands-on, and include extensive live fire at a variety of clay target presentations on sporting clays courses specifically designed for teaching typical hunting situations. From ducks and doves to pheasants, quail and rabbits, hunters will find clay target presentations that resemble their favorite and most troublesome shots. Hunter Wingshooting Clinics consist of two wingshooting sessions each day. A short briefing about shotgun safety and handling and on-range safety occurs during the first 15 minutes of each 4-hour shooting session. The clinics are designed primarily to improve the wingshooting skills of hunters, but are not limited to just hunters. The clinics are designed for shotgun shooters with reasonable experience. Young shooters ages 12 to 15 must be in at least the "Intermediate" skill level category to enroll in these clinics. Young shooters 12 to 15 must also be accompanied by and shooting with an adult who is participating in the hunter clinic. Shotgun shooters 16 and older with beginning to advanced wingshooting skills who want to improve their shotgun shooting skills are encouraged to attend. The fee to participate ranges from $30 or $35 per participant.

Clinics are taught by instructors certified by the IDNR. Many clinic instructors also have a National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) instructor certification. The participant-to-instructor ratio is usually four-to-one. Participants are typically grouped with others of similar shooting ability.

The 2016 clinic schedule includes several special events. The IDNR Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program offers shotgun shooting classes as part of an extensive outdoor skills program. (Registration for the BOW workshop in June is already full). During the National Hunting and Fishing Day activities at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area in September, the opportunity to shoot clay targets is available under the supervision of IDNR Hunter Safety instructors. The Healing Outside of a Hospital (HOOAH) Program provides sporting clays shooting opportunities under the supervision of IDNR wingshooting instructors to active duty military personnel recovering from injuries, and to veterans with disabilities.

For the 2016 IDNR Wingshooting Clinics schedule and information on registering for clinics, check the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov. The wingshooting schedule is at this link: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/wingshooting/WingshootingDates.html

Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois: Heidecke Lake

Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois: Heidecke Lake

By: Jon Giacalone

Located in Grundy County, Heidecke Lake was a power plant cooling lake considered to be one of the best of its kind in the nation for hybrid striped bass. Heidecke Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area is maintained and operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  The IDNR  provides a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking, hunting and picnicking. Fishing is allowed from April 1 through the second Sunday in October. The only water sport permitted is fishing - swimming, wading, water skiing and other water activities are prohibited.

Possible Changes Could be Coming to Pittsman-Roberston Act

Possible Changes Could be Coming to Pittsman-Roberston Act

On March 21, 2016 Congressman Jeff Duncan (Republican of South Carolina's 3rd district) member and Vice-Chair of the Congressional Sportsmen Caucus introduced H.R. 4818.

H.R.4818 - Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2016

To amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act to modernize the funding of wildlife conservation, and for other purposes.

Illinois Bait Shop - Illinois Valley Outdoors

Illinois Valley Outdoors

Illinois Bait Shop - Illinois Valley Outdoors

As we pulled into the parking lot we saw some gentlemen leaving with a minnow bucket to go hit up the local watering hole.  Inside Illinois Valley Outdoors, located close to the Illinois River, we were greeted with a big 'how you doing' from the owner Joe Troha.

Locals Win Cabela's Master Walleye Circuit on Illinois River

Locals Win Cabela's Master Walleye Circuit on Illinois River

When you hear of walleye fishing your first thought is probably Wisconsin or Minnesota, not Illinois.  However, walleye fishing on the Illinois River near Spring Valley and Starved Rock has always been a hot spot.  This fishery has been so productive that the Cabela's Master Walleyes Circuit has decided to launch their 2016 season yet again in Spring Valley, Illinois.

Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois: Lake Shelbyville

Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois: Lake Shelbyville

By: Jon Giacalone

At 11,000 acres, Lake Shelbyville is one of Illinois' premier fishing destinations, offering a variety of shore fishing access points and opportunities for camping. It's most recognized for its largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, muskie and walleye opportunities. Anglers should be aware of special length limits for walleye, largemouth bass, muskie and crappie. Consult visitor centers for the special creel restrictions, which are also posted at most public access sites. Boaters should watch for buoys placed near beaches, bridges, marinas and in some coves. The buoys indicate no boats, no wakes or other navigational information. In addition, green and red navigation buoys have been placed from the Highway 32 bridge to the "Bo" Wood Access to aid deep-draft sailboats.

Walleye and white bass make spring spawning runs up the Kaskaskia River, and have been documented 25 miles north to the Highway 36 bridge. It is believed a white bass run occurs up the West Okaw River, but the extent of the movement has not been studied.

Interestingly, biologists have stocked Shelbyville with walleye from many states to try to obtain genetic qualities suitable for this water. The effort has included river and lake strains from hatcheries in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, South Dakota, Kansas, Kentucky and New York. Fingerling and fry stocking typically occurs annually. A rearing pond was constructed and another is planned to raise walleye to a larger size before stocking.

The Classic Tale of Two Fish

The Classic Tale of Two Fish

Uncovering the boat, reorganizing and creating yet another system took a little longer than expected.  I finally just threw the rods in the boat, strapped them down and took off to Jim Edgar Panther Creek.  My goal today wasn't really to fish but was to get out to start the bigger motor and enjoy the fresh air.

Michael explaining how big his fish was and Heather didn't believe him

With a Jeep full of baby stuff, backing down the ramp added an extra challenge.  The boat hit the water and I was ready to test out the boat for the first time this year.  The boat started without incident and soon it was idling around the lake.  I felt comfortable with the way the boat sounded so naturally I was going to get some fishing in. Who wouldn't, right? 

I grabbed a rattle trap and started hitting the shoreline.  Nothing!  I decided to switch to a chatter bait with a swim bait as a trailer.  On the backside of a secondary point I casted about 10 feet from shore, when all of a sudden I felt something, a hit or a snag.

You've been there right?  That moment you lift up on your line and you think you snagged a pile of weeds. That's about when you realize you got one on.  That's how this fish was. Once I realized it was a fish, I noticed right away that this was a bigger fish.  I leaned over the side of the boat, grabbed this 'biggin bass' by the lips, pulled it up, thanked God and let out a big Whooaa!

I can only describe this fish easily as the biggest bass I've ever caught.  Ya, it was that big! I grabbed my rod thew my lure back in and caught another great fish, a nice 14 incher.  I released him and tried a few other spots with no success.

After, I put the boat on the trailer and got home I couldn't wait to tell Heather and my mother-in-law about these fish.  As I was telling them I knew they wouldn't believe me.  WHY?  No picture.  I forgot my cell phone in the car, of course! Remember this was only supposed to be a boat ride, I wasn't planning on catching the biggest bass of my life.

After bragging about it to my brother and anyone else that would listen, the thought of not having a picture does bring up a little disappointment.  The thing is I'll always have that memory and the feeling of catching the greatest fish of my life. 

Have you ever caught a great fish and go to tell the tale, only to have people asking for the photos?  Share your story with us!

Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois: Shabbona Lake

Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois: Shabbona Lake

By: Jon Giacalone

Shabbona Lake, located in DeKalb County, was created in 1975 when the Shabbona Dam was constructed across Indian Creek. The 1,550-acre Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area surrounds the lake. There is no entrance fee, and summer hours are 6:00AM to 10:00PM (May 1 - October 31), while winter hours are 8:00AM to sunset (November 1 - April 30). The Upper Fishing Area and Lower Refuge Area at the west end of the lake are designated no-wake areas, and the use of gas engines is prohibited. Gas motors over 10 horsepower are not permitted on Shabbona Lake. Bank fishing and boat access are prohibited in the Lower Refuge Area from October 1 to freeze-up. During periods of severe weather, condition warning flags are displayed at the access sites. For those looking to fish from shore, five earthen fishing piers have been built along the west shore. Each pier is surrounded by six to eight fish cribs placed in approximately 10 feet of water.

A series of Illinois Top Fishing Destentation

Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois Series 

Presented by Fishidy

Our time is valuable, even while we're on the lake we're probably thinking about eronds we need to run or some chore around the house that we've been putting off.  That's why Capitol Outdoors has teamed up with Fishidy to bring you a series of post on Top Fishing Destinations in Illinois.  

Illinois is full of fantastic fishing opportunities from our power plant lakes that are across the state, the Mississippi River, which is literally our western boarder, the Army Corp of Engineer lakes, and to the beautiful shore lines of Lake Michigan.  The abundance of species have anglers of all sorts in search of great adventure.  

OK. great you have a list of top fishing locations in Illinois but your time is still valuable and you want to make every moment count while you're on the water.  If your a tournament fisherman you know how important it is to do your homework.  Especially if you're fishing a new lake. That's were Fishidy comes in!

Fishidy was founded by hardcore anglers who love fishing, maps and technology. We came together with a common vision to create a one-of-a-kind fishing resource to give anglers of all kinds the chance to catch more fish through the use of interactive fishing maps, social connections and tons of proven, valuable information on thousands of waterways across the country.

That's right, no more old maps, you can research that lake all week before you head out.  Download the app on your smartphone and take it with you.  Now if you're worried about the secret spot being stolen there privacy settings to keep it secret.  :)

This is just one of the many lakes and rivers where you can find information to make you a better and more successful angler. 

From weekend warriors to professional anglers like Mike Iaconelli use Fishidy to give them the edge they need to land more fish in their boat.  Take five minutes and sign-up its free to join!

(SB 3264) Bill Would Require IDNR to Submit Report to General Assembly

Bill Would Require IDNR to Submit Report to General Assembly

On February 19, 2016 Senator Sam McCann (Republican of Carlinville, Illinois) and member of the Illinois Sportsmen's Caucus introduced SB 3264.  

SB3264 DEPT LAND-RECREATIONAL HUNTING

Amends the Illinois Hunting Heritage Protection Act. Provides that by October 1 of each year, the Director of Natural Resources shall submit to the General Assembly a written report describing the Department of Natural Resource's plan to maximize the opportunities for recreational hunting on Department-managed lands.

(SB 3265) Bill Would Allow IDNR to have Fish/Aquatic Life Prosecutions

Bill Would Allow IDNR to have Fish/Aquatic Life Prosecutions

On February 19, 2016 Senator Sam McCann (Republican of Carlinville, Illinois) and member of the Illinois Sportsmen's Caucus introduced SB 3265.  

SB3265 - FISH/AQUATIC LIFE-PROSECUTIONS

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that all State's Attorneys shall enforce the provisions of the Code, including administrative rules adopted under Section 1-125, in their respective counties and shall prosecute all persons charged with violating its provisions when so requested by the Department of Natural Resources.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Appropriation Bills Filed

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Appropriation Bills Filed

State Budget FY 2017

Pictures property of IDNR and IGOMB

On February 17, 2016 Governor Rauner laid out his proposed budget for FY 2017. Now that the Governor has proposed his budget, the legislators are able to introduce their budget bills.

On February 19, 2016 Republican Leaders Radogno (Lemont, Illinois) & Durkin (Burr Ridge, Illinois) filed SB3190 & HB6355.

SB3190 & HB6355 -$DNR FY17 OCE

Makes appropriations for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the Department of Natural Resources for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016, as follows: General Revenue Fund $44,000,000; Other State Funds $193,827,275; Federal Funds $26,407,407; Total $264,234,682.

Of course the budget is going to be a topic with much heated debate.