Illinois 2015 Duck Blind Drawing

Illinois 2015 Duck Blind Drawing

Heather's name was called... our party cheered & chanted with excitement as she yelled out Blind 5. After a morning chatting with old friends we ended up with a blind. That was last year, let's hope that this year we are just as lucky! Winning a blind is such a stress reliever. Just released IDNR Announces Schedule of 2015 Waterfowl Blind Drawing Sites

4 Illinois Hunting and Fishing Tips in Regards to Internet Scouting

4 Illinois Hunting and Fishing Tips in Regards to Internet Scouting

I got a phone call from my dad asking if I wanted to fish a bass tournament on Lake Shelbyville in May.  He could hardly get the words out of his  mouth before I answered yes.  Usually my dad and oldest brother go, but with some obligations, my brother couldn't make it and I'm the fill-in for the day.  I was on the phone with my brother, who's fished Lake Shelbyville numerous times, discussing strategy when he said -

Open House for Illinois Waterfowl Hunters

Open House for Illinois Waterfowl Hunters

Wow!!! Time flies.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released information regarding an Open House for Illinois Waterfowl Hunters.  Seems like yesterday that we read about the the changes for the 2011 season.  All you Illinois Waterfowl Hunters make sure to attend one of the three open houses to voice your concerns to an IDNR Representative.  This is your chance to voice concerns, ask questions about hunting zones, season dates being proposed for the next five years and learn new information,

The open houses will from 5 - 8 PM and located at:

Tuesday, May 12 Des Plaines SFWA Check Station/Site Office 24621 N. River Rd., Wilmington, IL 60481 (west off of I-55 at exit 241)

Thursday, May 14 John A. Logan College Main Building700 Logan College Drive, Carterville, IL 62918


Friday, May 15 National Great Rivers Research and Education Center NGRREC: 1 Confluence Way, East Alton, IL
(just off of Route 143/Great River Road between Route 3 and US 67, near Lock and Dam 26)

If you would like to read the full Press Release you can do so by IDNR to Host Information Open Houses for Waterfowl Hunters

However, life does get in the way. If you still want to have your voice heard and are unable to make it, waterfowl hunters are able to review information and submit comments to DNR.DUCKTALK@ILLINOIS.GOV

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -

Subscribe       Facebook      Twitter     YouTube        Pinterest

Six Essential Items Every Waterfowl Hunter should have in their blind bag.

This weekend is our Opening Day and before you head out you need to make sure you have these essentials in your blind bag. You do not want to have a moment where you are out in the field; realize that you forgot to check your blind bag and something is missing. A blind bag has some unique things to every hunter, however we feel that these few things should be in everyone’s.

Here are a few things that we always keep in our blind bag:

1. First Aid Kit - to mend those scrapes, cuts and bruises that we know will eventually happen 

2. Extra Hat & Gloves- just in case the pair you are wearing gets lost, wet,  and muddy.

3. Knife or Leatherman - Better to have one and not need it and need it and not have it. 

4. Flash Light - There are hat lights and the million watt lights. Any light is better than no light when its          4:30 A.M. 

5. Snacks/Water - When putting out decoys and chasing down birds you and your pup will get tired and dehydrated. Bring some snack and water along to keep your energy up. 

6. Binoculars - Waterfowl hunting is more than shooting birds. It’s a life style. I can’t count how many times we’ve used Binoculars to see hawks, minks, and waterfowl. Remember: First Identify and then Shoot. 

If we could only bring six items with us with the exception of ammo, gun and decoys these are our six. What do you find are the most essential items in your blind bag?

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -

Subscribe       Facebook      Twitter     YouTube        Pinterest

Weather Patterns for Waterfowl Migration

During hunting season my favorite tv station is the weather channel.  Regardless of what you hunt for, weather is crucial for any hunting trip.  This rule is most important with ducks.  

Weather has a serious impact on waterfowl and watching the weather religiously helps me prepare for what kind of hunt I might have.    Ducks and geese can withstand cold temperatures but when that barometer drops, they don’t know how serious the cold fronts going to be.  For all they know, it can be five inches of snow, an ice storm, or just rain showers.  

Bringing all that Gear to the Field // Getting Reading for the Season

Duck hunting is right around the corner in Illinois and we at Capitol Outdoors couldn't be happier. Below you will see some pictures about how and what we take to the blind. Many duck hunters brag about their trailer setup, but we’re bragging about how simple & universal our hunting kit is.


Capitol Outdoors has broken down our duck hunting into three different transportation arenas. Lite, Cart and Sled. Lite hunting is usually when we go with another group and don’t have to carry all of the usual gear. For example, If we were to go hunting with my brother and father we wouldn't need anything but our guns,and blind bag. That’s considered lite hunting. Capitol Outdoors will break down the contents of our blind bag for "lite hunting" and all of our setups with a later post.