Eagle Day Festivities

Eagle Day Festivities 

For outdoor enthusiasts any opportunity to get out and enjoy nature, we take it.  Regardless if it's fishing, or hunting, we don't think twice.  This past weekend was Eagle Day at the Nature Conservancy's Emiquon and Raptor Awareness in Havana, Illinois.

With great weather and the opportunity, this is something that we normal don't take advantage off, and this year we did.

More Access and Spring Turkey Hunting Opportunities Added to Illinois Recreational Access Program

More Access and Spring Turkey Hunting Opportunities Added to Illinois Recreational Access Program

Youth Hunters Should Apply by Feb. 26 for Youth Turkey Season;
First-time adult and young hunters apply by March 10 for Seasons 3 and 4

Public hunters are always saying we need more land.  Well,  the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) might just be the answer to some of the land questions.  Granted there are some stipulations to be enrolled in this program as a landowner, but this is a great example of public private partnerships.  

This program has just added first time adult turkey hunters.  With them adding turkey hunting and all sorts of other hunting and recreational opportunities IRAP could be an acronym we say a lot more in the future.  

Read below for the full press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resouces

A League of Their Own - Archery Enthusiasts head Indoors

A League of Their Own - Archery Enthusiasts head Indoors

Heather shooting at some targets down range.

On these cold winter days, there is only so much hunting shows and Youtube that you can watch and after scrolling through a social media platform for the 100th time, you start to get the itch to go outside or just leave the house.   Old man winter has a grip on Illinois, this is when boredom and "cabin fever" get the best of us.  Especially those deer hunters.  Why them?

Eagle Day Gives Bird's Eye View of American Icon; Live Demo of Birds of Prey

The Nature Conservancy sent a press release and asked Capitol Outdoors to share this opportunity with all of you.  While we have never partaken in this event, ere's nothing quite like watching a Bald Eagle sore through the sky.  

Eagle Day Gives Bird's Eye View of American Icon; Live Demo of Birds of Prey

Communities, conservation, research and animal groups plan day-long festivities

LEWISTOWN, Ill. -- Family-friendly Eagle Day events will be held at The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve and other locations on February 6, 2016. Admission is free at all of the events.

Outdoor Black Friday Ads 2015

Outdoor Black Friday Ads 2015

While many stand in line for deals others are in the blind for teal.  Who doesn't like a good deal.  Regardless if you're actually attending a Black Friday Sale Event or hunting we've gathered a few of our favorite outdoor stores with a link to their Black Friday Ads.  However we're usually in the blind hunting some ducks but nevertheless we always love turning through the pages looking for a good deal.  Is there a store that you know offers some great deals for those that enjoy the outdoors.  Comment below and let us in on the deals.

While you are shopping this Christmas Season remember to stop by small business outdoor stores.  You'll find great deals and outstanding people.

Bass Pro

Scheels

Dicks Sporting Goods

Gander Mountain

Farm and Home 

Cabelas 

Presley's 

The Outdoors is for everyone: Taking Adapting the Outdoors on a Waterfowl Hunt

The Outdoors is for everyone: Taking Adapting the Outdoors on a Waterfowl Hunt

This past week we had the pleasure of taking Nate Lamberson of Adapting the Outdoors on a waterfowl hunt at the Nature Conservancy's Emiquon.  It was a morning full of laughs, education, and good memories.

Youth Participate in Illinois Hunting and Fishing

Youth Participate in Illinois Hunting and Fishing

This past weekend was full of hunting and fishing events.  Getting the youth outdoors is a necessary part of their childhood.  No kid grows up remembering their high score on a video game, they remember the time ducks were locked out and landed in the spread or that time a bass pulled some drag.

New IDNR Fishing Tournament Permitting System now Online

New IDNR Fishing Tournament Permitting System now Online

A new permitting system for the organizers of fishing tournaments is now live on the IFishIllinois.org

With the increase in the number of tournaments, the DNR needs to be able to review numbers to see if this is effecting state fisheries.  Information collected will help site managers maintain a balance between tournament anglers and the general public. 

Illinois Catfish Community has New Top Dog - James Klauzer

Illinois Catfish Community has New Top Dog - James Klauzer

Bass Fishing - Emiquon Nature Conservancy

Bass Fishing - Emiquon Nature Conservancy 

"Today there will be a high of 83 degrees", the weatherman said. We were so excited to get out and do some quality fishing together for the first time this year. Well, what we didn't hear in the weather report was that there were going to strong winds. We packed up a few sodas and some sandwiches; got all the gear into the boat and headed on our way to Emiquon.

"Emiquon once was the jewel of the Illinois River, nurturing diverse and abundant communities of native plants and animals in the complex system of backwater wetlands and lakes. From the hundreds of nearby archeological sites, including Native American villages and ceremonial and burial mounds, to the acres of modern fields of corn and soybeans, this land is a quiet testimony to the abundant natural resources that supported more than 600 generations of civilization in this area." The Nature Conservancy