Registration Open for Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt

Have a youngster that loves to waterfowl hunt?  The IDNR has an opportunity for them then.  Below is a press released about an opportunity for an Illinois Youth Goose Hunt.  Best of luck for all those that participate.

Registration Open for Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt

Annual Hunt is January 15-16

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Youth interested in participating in the annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), can register now for the hunt, which is scheduled for January 15-16, 2017.

To register for a drawing to participate in the hunt, youth hunters must phone in to the IDNR at 217-785-8060 by theregistration deadline of Friday, December 30, 2018. The youth goose hunt will be held at private waterfowl hunting clubs in the Canton area in Fulton Co.

A lottery drawing involving all youth who phone in to register will be conducted on January 3, 2017, and youth hunters selected will be notified by mail. First-time applicants will be given a priority over previous participants in the drawing.

The hunt is open to youngsters ages 10-15 at the time of the hunt. All applicants must possess a valid Illinois hunting or sportsman's license, have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number, and have a 20 gauge or larger shotgun. Youth hunt participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must possess a valid firearm owner's identification (FOID) card.

To register for the hunt or for more information, call 217-785-8060.

Illinois Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expos 2017

Illinois Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expos 2017

Expo season is right around the corner and we will be attending many of the expos around the State of Illinois. 

If you know of an outdoor show in your area, let us know about it! Capitol Outdoors is available to speak at your event!

- Let’s Go Fishing Show
Collinsville, Illinois
Jan. 6-8th 2017


-Chicago Muskie Expo
Chicago, Illinois
Jan. 6-8th 2017

- Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show
Chicago, Illinois
Jan. 11-15th 2017

- All-Canada Show
St. Charles, Illinois
Jan. 12-15th 2017

- Chicago Outdoor Sports Show
Rosemont, Illinois
Jan. 19-22nd 2017

-Chicagoland Gunshow
Rosemont, Illinois
Jan, 19-22nd 2017

-Illinois Fish & Feather Expo
Bloomington, Illinois
Jan. 27-29th 2017

-Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo
Schaumburg, Illinois
Jan. 26-29th  2017

-Tinley Park Fishing Big Show 
Tinley Park,Illinois
Feb. 11-12th 2017

-Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show
Rockford, Illinois
Feb. 17-19th 2017

-Central Illinois Outdoor Expo
Arthur, Illinois
February 10-11th 2017

- The QCCA Expo Center Outdoor Show
Rock Island, Illinois

Feb. 16-19th 2017

-Pheasant Fest (National)
Minneapolis
Feb 17-19th 2017

-Indiana Deer, Turkey & Waterfowl Expo
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Feb. 23-26th 2017

-Elmwood All Outdoors Show
Elmwood High School
March 4-5th 2017

-Ducks Unlimited National Convention
May 31 - June 4th 2017
San Antonio, Texas

-Spring Valley Outdoors Expo
Spring Valley, IL
TBD

-Midwest Hunt Fest
Wichita, Kansas
TBD

-ICAST 2017
Orlando, Florida
July 11-14th 2017

-Illinois Deer & Turkey Expo
Peoria, Illinois
July 28 - 30th 2017

-Northern Illinois Hunting & Fishing Days 
Silver Springs State Park, Yorkville Illinois
TBD

-Southern Illinois Hunting & Fishing Days 
Carterville, Illinois
TBD

More shows and dates will be added as they become available. 

Email us if you would like something on this list. 

Hunting and Fishing Black Friday Ads 2016

Outdoor Black Friday Ads 2016

Who doesn't like a good deal, right? Whether you are out this Black Friday shopping for deals or in the blind hunting for ducks, we have gathered some ads for you to look at.

Many people shop on Black Friday for Christmas gifts, however a better idea is to look for deals to replenish your supplies.  Stock up on that hunting and fishing gear so that you don't feel it in the wallet when that time comes.

And as always when you are out shopping this Christmas Season remember those that are less fortunate.

Academy Sports

Bass Pro

Blain's Farm and Fleet

Cabelas 

Dicks Sporting Goods

Farm and Home 

Field and Stream

Gander Mountain

Presley's

Scheels

Sportsman Warehouse

Buck Percentage Increase with Latest Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Buck Percentage Increase with Latest Preliminary Harvest Numbers

The archery harvest numbers are out.  The preliminary data was collected through November 13, 2016.  It's easy to see that the rut is on with the increase in harvested bucks.  Plus this little cold snap we had this past weekend didn't hurt.  The below information was provided by Paul Shelton, Manager of Forest Wildlife Program.

Illinois Shotgun Deer Hunting Reminders and CWD Check-ins Locations

Illinois Shotgun Deer Hunting Reminders & CWD Check-in Locations

This cool weather has shotgun deer hunters licking their lips.  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources wanted to remind where and how to check in their harvested deer.  Pay attention to the counties below for CWD testing.  

Illinois’ most popular hunting season, the seven-day firearm deer season, begins on Friday through Sunday, Nov. 18-20, and will conclude on Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 1-4. 

IDNR Reminds Hunters to Make Safety a Priority

IDNR Reminds Hunters to Make Safety a Priority

Most hunting incidents involve tree stands

Staying safe in the field is something I think a lot of people take for granted, especially on those mornings you might be running late. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released the following and it's a must read. 10 accidents have already occurred in 2016.  Remember Safe Hunting is No Accident.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters in Illinois are being reminded to make safety a top priority, especially during the state’s busiest hunting seasons this fall. 

Increase in Fourth Round Preliminary Archery Deer Harvests

Increase in Fourth Round Preliminary Archery Deer Harvests

The fourth round of the Archery Deer Permit numbers are out.  Paul Shelton Forest Wildlife Program released preliminary totals through Sunday, November 6, 2016.  Could the slightly cooler temperatures play a roll in the jump?  Note this week the increase in buck to doe ration!!!

Life Lessons from the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs

 Life Lessons from the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs

Like millions of other Americans we were up late watching the 7th Game of the World Series last night.   We're not diehard baseball fans but we were rooting for the Cubs. Always great to cheer for a Chicago team!  Watching this game was gut-retching and intense, and it's hard not to take something away from a game like that!

There were plenty of times that I thought, they are out of it but the perseverance was intense.  It hard not to put things in perspective and learn from ever opportunity. There were three things that I saw that could be used while hunting and fishing.

• Do Your Homework:
• If you've ever played an organized sport in high school or college you know how important it is to do your homework on the other team.  The Cubs just didn't walk into the World Series.  They did their homework.  They studied their opponents and practiced.  This can be applied to fishing and hunting.  If you are going out and plan on catching a personal best or harvesting a record buck, your odds are slim.  You need to go out find trails, fish the lake, you need to do whatever it takes to put the odds in your favor.

• Shake it off:
• As hunters and anglers we have patience.  Some days are better than others.  When the Cubs were down two games the Indians had a chance to take the title.  However, their determination to bring home the World Series Title moved them through.  Yes, there were some plays the Cubs had that could have lost them the title, but you have to shake it off.  You have to be able to move on after you miss the record buck or that big bass. You have to learn from doing.

• Never Give Up:
• If you follow Mike Icanoelli you've heard him say it; Never Give Up.  Actors, professional athletes say it all the time to themselves as their striving to reach their own goals.  When Davis hit the 2 run bomb to tie the game, all I could think about was it's that damn goat.  :) Even at the top of the 9th when the Cubs left a runner on third, I'm sure there were people out there giving up on their team.  Then the Rain delay happened. Sometimes in the field you need that rain delay, you need to regroup, calm your nerves.   When you are on the water or chasing the record life time buck, Never Give Up.  You never know what will happen from inning to inning or from cast to cast.

All in all these two teams had a great game, one that will definitely go down in the history books.  Life lessons are all around us.  We just have to recognize them and learn from every opportunity. Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs and their fans. 

When out on the water, in the field, duck blind or tree stand act like a Cubby! Never Give Up!  

Third Round of Numbers Out, Deer Numbers Still Down

Third Round of Numbers Out, Deer Numbers Still Down

The third round of preliminary numbers for the archery deer season just arrived and the numbers are still off from last year.  Could this be because of the another October warm trend? What are you seeing?

Raising an Outdoor Child in an Indoor World

Raising an Outdoor Child in an Indoor World

On average a child today only spends about 30 minutes outside and about 7 hours indoors in front of a screen. The relationship between society and nature is disappearing. Since the birth of our 6-month old daughter Autumn I have constantly thought about how we want to raise her and the kind of person that we want her to become.

Being a parent is an incredibly hard and overwhelming responsibility. Raising a child to be brave, confident, creative and independent among other things has its challenges. Being able to watch Autumn learn and grow with nature is something that I look forward to, watching her explore various trails, learning how the world works and seeing the amazement in her eyes as she watches a butterfly for the first time, or catches a fish by herself.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Host Youth Hunts and Events

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Host Youth Hunts and Events

Each year, chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever host more than 2,500 youth events throughout the country connecting 147,000+ youth to the outdoors. The Pheasants Forever Youth Mentored Hunt Program stands out among these events as a first-time hunting experience for many youth and their families, originally designed by local chapters of Pheasants Forever.

Deer Numbers Still Down but Season is Far from Over

Deer Numbers Still Down but Season is Far from Over

Paul Shelton, Forest Wildlife Program Manger for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources released the second preliminary numbers regarding harvest numbers.  In short, numbers are down from this time last year.  You can read the first preliminary report  Deer Numbers Down at Beginning of 2016 Season.

Election Day 2016 could put Illinois DNR in the Crosshairs of a Budget Issue

Election Day 2016 could put Illinois DNR in the Crosshairs of a Budget Issue

The November 8th ballot will contain more than voting for President and other state and local officials. You will also have the opportunity to vote for a constitutional amendment. The Safe Roads Amendment would require that all transportation-related revenue (gas tax, license plate fees, registration fees etc) be used solely for roads, streets, highways, bridges and mass transit.

Bobcat Permit Lottery Drawing Completed

Bobcat Permit Lottery Drawing Completed

With trapping season right around the corner the IDNR press office releoffica statement on the permits.  You can see that below.  If you did not get one of the 500 permits best of luck next year.  However, keep your head up because with over 6,000 applicants, your odds were few and far in between.  If you're interested in trapping this year make sure you check the 2016 - 2017 Hunting Trapping Digest for Rules and Regulations.  Don't know much about trapping? Check out this video from Rick, one of our pro-staffers: Boiling Trap Tips

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Those hunters and trappers who applied for 2016-2017 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits can check online to see whether they will be receiving a permit. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has completed the lottery drawing for 500 available bobcat hunting and trapping permits. Those whose names were drawn will be receiving their permits in the mail. Permit applicants can check their status through the IDNR website at this link: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/furbearer/Pages/BobcatPermitLookup.aspx

IDNR Adds Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities in Central Illinois

IDNR Adds Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities in Central Illinois

Looking for a place to do some waterfowl hunting, well you're in luck.  The IDNR and the Illinois Recreational Access Program has added some areas.  IRAP has been known for deer and turkey hunting and now waterfowl hunting has been added to the mix.

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has secured several waterfowl hunting sites in Macoupin, Sangamon, and Schuyler counties through its Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP).