Farm Bill Forums Being Held for Sportsmen and Women

Keeping you informed from the Legislative Floors to the Great Outdoors means taking advantage of opportunities like this in order to better educate oneself.  Sportsmen and women have been invited to attend a forum on the Farm Bill.  Many of you may know how the Farm Bill plays an important role in conservation here in Illinois.   These forums are being held by the Theodore Reosevelt Conservation Partners and the Illinois Conservation Foundation which they've entitled "Illinois Sportsmen's Guide to the 2018 Farm Bill".

Inside Illinois' DNR January 2018

Below is a message from Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Wayne Rosenthal.  As the Director states January 2018 is still a great time to enjoy the outdoors.  Unfortunately, he forgets to mention the remaining days of hunting season, ice fishing season and outdoor shows throughout Illinois which all contribute greatly to our economy and small businesses.

A Message from Director Wayne Rosenthal -

Deer Harvest Totals Continue into 2018

While many of us were thinking ice fishing, there were those that use the Late Winter and Special CWD Deer Season to harvest one more buck or doe, or in some cases maybe just get one for the season.

In the grand scheme of things total numbers are up for the season but the Late & CWD Season numbers are down.  Most likely due to the frigid temperatures. 

What die-hards put their thermal underwear to a test in the tree stand this past week?  Comment below. 

Below you'll see the updated 2017 - 2018 Illinois Archery Deer Season and 17/18 Illinois Late Winter Anterless-Only and Special CWD deer season.  

Making Memories- A Family Pheasant Hunt at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

The first hunt I ever went on was with my dad, brother and my first black lab, Bud.  It was a pheasant hunt I will never forget, Bud flushed his first bird and I was able to shoot it.  This was a huge moment for me, not just because I harvested my first pheasant, but because I trained my dog Bud all by myself.  Granted he was no grand champion, but he was my champion.

Three generations enjoying a pheasant hunt at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

This was such a memorable hunt to my dad that he wrote a story about it and sent it to Midwest Outdoors Magazine's Hunt Contest and won.  Today you'll find the prize knife and that story safe in my closet.  During that time and to this day, I've shared great moments and stories with both my dad and brother but as you grow older, life gets in the way and the idea of hunting and fishing together takes on a new meaning.  It's not just saying, let's go hunting, there's traveling involved and family obligations that seem to hinder us making more of these memories.

New Illinois Outdoor Legislation Regarding Hunting and Fishing effective January 1, 2018

During the first year of the 100th General Assembly talks were mostly about the budget, however there were some hunting and fishing related bills that passed.   Below you will find those that are effective January 1, 2018.  One of the major bills that passed this General Assembly was the Crossbow bill, however that became effective immediately, so we did not include that and others that had an immediate effective date.  If you would like to learn more about these, click here.

The second year of this General Assembly might be slow going until after the March primary then you may see things start picking up again.  However, as in every election year there may be hot button issues brought up to get that recorded vote or both chambers will be quiet and contend to only issues of less controversy, only time will tell.  Be sure and follow us as we keep you informed from the Legislative Floors to the Great Outdoors.