Showing posts with label waterfowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label waterfowl. Show all posts

Friday, August 19, 2016

Waterfowl Permits Now Available

Waterfowl Permits Now Available

Did you try and get a waterfowl blind for the 2016 - 2017 season with no luck?  Well, your luck might change?  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has permits available for Duck and Goose hunting across the state.

The below information is directly from the IDNR Waterfowl Site

Good luck to those that choose to apply 

Monday, August 1, 2016

Duck Blind Drawing - A Family Affair

Duck Blind Drawing - A Family Affair

Ask my dad or brother and they both can tell you about my first duck.  Since the moment I got out of bed on opening day in 1998, I've been in love with waterfowl hunting.  Like so many other waterfowlers I enjoy every aspect of it.  From decoy preparations to the cold wet November mornings.

In order to go waterfowl hunting you have to have somewhere to go. Throughout Illinois there are Waterfowl Blind Drawings, where each blind is allocated a number and a drawing takes place for ownership of that blind for the season. My first waterfowl drawing was in 1999 at Wolf Lake in Cook County.  Hundreds of people were there, walking around sharing stories in hopes of winning a blind for the upcoming season.  At the time I wasn't old enough to participate but my dad and brother put their names in.  Even though we didn't win a blind that year we were still able to get out and enjoy this state park.    Wolf Lake was good to us, we harvested a lot of birds during our tenure hunting there.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

IDNR Announces 2016-2017 Waterfowl Season Dates

IDNR Announces 2016-2017 Waterfowl Season Dates

Are you ready for waterfowl season?  Dates and bag limits have just been released.  
See below for the IDNR's press release. 

Heather with her First Goose

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Illinois Bait Shop - Flyway Outdoors

Illinois Bait Shop - Flyway Outdoors

For awhile now we've been writing about bait shops across Illinois.  This series has been enjoyed by many of our readers because it focuses, not only on the small business of bait shops, but outdoor shops in general.  We came across Flyway Outdoors online and with incentive by a friend we decided to check them out.

Flyway Outdoors is an outdoor resale shop of sorts. We have all been there, you walk into a store to buy new decoys and are astounded by the price.  Maybe you can't afford it, or just refuse to pay that much, well Flyway Outdoors has your answer. 

"We sell gently used decoys" said Colton, owner of Flyway Outdoors.  "We have people from all the surrounding states that come and buy our decoys."  Its easy to see why.  As we looked around the shop there was an abundance of duck, GHG, Bigfoot and countless other species of waterfowl decoys for sale.

Open for less than a year in Hanna City, Illinois,  Flyway Outdoors doesn't just offer hunting decoys, they sell minnows, as well as other fishing & hunting accessories. Need to make those beat up decoys look like new? They have a flocking service that can help you with that.  If you would rather do it yourself they have the materials you'll need to help start your decoy project.

Flyway Outdoors is the perfect place to go if your on a budget, just starting off or have been waterfowl hunting for years.  They're always getting decoys in so, make sure to check them out often to make sure you're not missing anything.

If you can't make it to their shop check out their website: flywayoutdoors.org.  There you can shop and get things shipped directly to you. 





Tuesday, June 14, 2016

IDNR Announces Schedule of Waterfowl Blind Site Drawings

IDNR Announces Schedule of Waterfowl Blind Site Drawings

Drawings to be held for public hunting area waterfowl blind sites

From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Press Office


SPRINGFIELD, IL – Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to mark their calendars for upcoming waterfowl hunting blind site random drawings to be held at several public hunting areas in Illinois this summer. 

Duck and goose hunters must register in person for waterfowl blind site drawings and must be present at the drawing – held at each location designated below immediately after the registration period – to claim their blind sites. Mail-in registrations are not accepted. Unless otherwise stated, blind allocations for these sites are good for one year. To participate in a drawing, applicants must present a 2015 or 2016 regular Illinois hunting license (no apprentice or youth license) and a 2015 or 2016 Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp at the time they register, unless exempted by law. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the date of the drawing.

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Jim Edgar Panther Creek WIngshooting Clinic 2016

Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wingshooting Clinic 2016


The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) working with a variety of volunteers, partners, sponsors and organizations offer wingshooting clinics at different sites throughout Illinois.  This past weekend there was a Youth/Women's Clinic at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.

2016 Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wingshooting Clinic 

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Illinois Spring Snow Goose Hunting

My brother Rick with his first snow!

Illinois Spring Snow Goose Hunting

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago there wasn't much talk about hunting snow geese. Every now and then we would see a small flock while in the blind but, that's it.  It wasn't until I moved to Central Illinois that I began hearing, learning and seeing snow geese.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Illinois Ducks Unlimited Events/Banquets 2016

Illinois Ducks Unlimited Events/Banquets 2016

Take a night out to enjoy some food and talk waterfowl hunting.  DU Banquets are full of fun and action for the whole family.  Remember that the money raised at these banquets helps conservation efforts and programs in Illinois and across the country. 

Quincy, Illinois
Friday, January 22, 2016
Miller City, Illinois
Saturday, January 23, 2016

Beardstown Chili Night
Beardstown, Illinois
Saturday, January 30, 2016

Friday, December 18, 2015

2016 - 2020 Illinois Waterfowl Proposed Zones and Dates Finalized

2016 - 2020 Illinois Waterfowl Zones and Dates Finalized

Before 2015 waterfowl season began the Illinois Department of Natural Resources began preparing for the waterfowl season ahead.  2016 - 2020 Illinois Waterfowl Proposed Zones and Dates were first released back in October for the public input.  The proposed dates and zone are compiled by open houses, hunter surveys and constituents writing the IDNR with their opinion.  The IDNR released the finalized dates and zones for the the 2016 -2020 season.  Click the link above where you'll be able to compare the propose dates and zones with the final version.

Finalized Zones and Dates 

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

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.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

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.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Illinois Central Zone Waterfowl Opener: The Off-season Hardwork Pays Off

Illinois Central Zone Waterfowl Opener: The Off-season Hardwork Pays Off

This past weekend was the waterfowl opener for the central zone.  Hopefully you were able to get out and enjoy it and maybe even harvest a few birds.  While in the blind our phones kept going off with text messages from people across Illinois telling us how their hunts were going.  Many only saw a few birds, "by the time you saw the birds that were here and went to pick up your gun, they were already 70 yards away"  said Rick Rasmussen.  Meanwhile others were shocked at just how warm it was on Saturday. "I was literally hunting in jeans and a t-shirt" said Chris Cramer. There were scattered reports of hunters harvesting a few, others were going home with their goose egg.

This wasn't just another opener for Capitol Outdoors.  It was Linc's first!  As you may know, almost two years ago we won a dog through a twitter competition from Soggy Acres.  Linc was about 10 months old for his first hunt, but we were able to put him on some single retrieves and as a puppy he did great.  With how young Linc was our goal was to make sure he knew how to heel, retrieve to hand and have a successful hunt.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Illinois Waterfowl Season - Central Zone Opener Starts Tomorrow

Illinois Waterfowl Season - Central Zone Opener Starts Tomorrow

It's finally here, the central zone opener for waterfowl.  We are really excited to be getting this years season off to a start.  Yes, we went out teal hunting, but the hot weather in early September kept most of the teal away from us. Some places, like the walk-in units at Carlye, did well.  However, both our dove and teal season were slower then what we would have liked.

For many of us tomorrow is like Christmas morning.  Regardless, if you're in the field, a blind or in a boat, being out there is all we've been wanting for since last season. Remember to double check that you have everything, set that alarm and get ready. Our season never really ends at Capitol Outdoors because we're always buying, fixing and strategizing for next year regardless if its hunting or fishing.  At least now, we'll be able to do some of that in the blind. 

Sunday, October 18, 2015

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.


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

2016 - 2020 Illinois Waterfowl Proposed Zones and Dates

2016 - 2020 Illinois Waterfowl Proposed Zones and Dates

In April of 2015 we informed waterfowl hunters that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was going to hold several open house events across the state to get input from waterfowl hunters.  You can read Open House for Waterfowl Hunters, to get some background information.

This process is in the final stages where the proposal will be presented to the Director Rosenthal and to the Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB). In December it will be submitted to US Fish and Wildlife Service establishing waterfowl hunting zones for 2016-2020 seasons. And it implements waterfowl season dates for the next five waterfowl hunting seasons.

There are some changes for next season through 2020 especially when it comes to the map.  The dates look to be about the same.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

2015 - 2016 Waterfowl Digest Released - Rules and Regulations for Hunting Waterfowl in Illinois

2015 - 2016 Waterfowl Digest Released - Rules and Regulations for Hunting Waterfowl in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources just released the the 2015 - 2016 Waterfowl Digest.  This booklet contains information about the Rules and Regulations to hunt waterfowl in Illinois.  While most of the information hasn't changed from the years past this is no excuse not to read the this highly valuable resource.

Some of you may be asking didn't you already write about the 2015 -2016 Digest?  Yes, however that particular booklet is for all of hunting and trapping.  Waterfowl in itself has more specific rules.

Here's a great tip, you'll soon see these at your local sporting goods store.  Make sure to pick up two copies.  One for around the house or truck and the other for your blind bag.  There's has been so many times we've used this in the field.  From sunrise times to something to read in the blind on those slow days.

Rules and Regulations for hunting Waterfowl in ILlinois

Screenshot 2015-11-02 at 10.09.44 AM.png

Monday, September 21, 2015

7 Tips to Prepare for Waterfowl Season

7 Tips to Prepare for Waterfowl Season

With the growing population of waterfowl hunters, Capitol Outdoors wants to bring you our checklist for the upcoming season. Remember that its not about the kill, it's about enjoying the Great Outdoors. Many problems that hunters have in the field stem from the lack of preparation prior to the season.

Location
  • The new technology that hunters have today allows them to use many features prior to the hunt for location ie; Google Maps, Bing and FlashEarth. These are just some of the tools we use to select possible locations. Along with these map technologies there are hunting forums that are used to find tricks, tips and helpful suggestions in regards to location and other various hunting related topics. Regardless of these technologies, the best way to get to know your location is to get out and scout. You will gain the experience needed come hunting season.

New rules for Hunting at Emiquon - Illinois Waterfowlers Beware

New rules for Hunting at Emiquon - Illinois Waterfowlers Beware

Earlier today Capitol Outdoors received an email from the Illinois Nature Conservancy's staff.  They asked us to share their press release with our followers about some of this year's changes. Their will no longer be a daily draw, but a permitting system.  A great idea! 


Emiquon Hunting permit process
Emiquon is one of our favorite spots to hunt and fish.
If you have ever hunted Emiquon then you know that hunters from around the state put their name in for one of these limited, but special spots.  This new permitting system has our support because you now know prior to what stake you'll be hunting.  Getting a stake here is like the Hunger Games, "may the odds be forever in your favor." The problem is the odds are never in your favor. I heard over one hundred people end up showing up for these seven prime spots.  This permitting system will allow you to plan your hunting season better.   

Monday, September 7, 2015

Illinois' First Week of Hunting Brings Disappointments

Illinois' First Week of Hunting Brings Disappointments

Illinois' first week of hunting is over and with it comes great disappointments.  The state facilities saw lower numbers for dove harvested and Dale Bowman from the Chicago Sun-Times wrote an excellent article about these numbers.  We highly recommend you read Illinois hunting: Dove opener, updated, still down.  However, these disappointments are not what the hunting community is talking about.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Our 2015 Illinois Duck Blind Drawing

Our 2015 Illinois Duck Blind Drawing

Sanganois Duck
Passing hundreds of cars and people to drawing site
For duck and goose hunters across the State of Illinois, waterfowl  season started this weekend.  Thousands attended state park sites to enter  their name in a drawing in hopes to win a blind for the 2015-2016 hunting season.  For Capitol Outdoors and for countless others it's not so much about winning the blind, as it is about breaking the ice for the upcoming season. Tradition, that what it's really all about, food, stories, and reuniting with hunting buddies.
Sanganois Duck Blind Drawing