More Opportunities for Turkey Hunting Through the Illinois Recreational Access Program

More Opportunities for Turkey Hunting Through the Illinois Recreational Access Program

Ninety percent of land in Illinois is privately owned which leaves it hard, at times, to find places to go hunting.  Could IRAP be the future of the majority of hunting in Illinois? Have you ever used this program to hunt?  Are you a landowner that takes advantage of this program? Comment below and share your opinion.   

See below for IDNR press release:

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) – a program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) – has added adult turkey hunting to its growing list of outdoor recreation activities on private land in Illinois.

 Adult turkey hunting for the 2017 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season’s third and fourth season segments is available in Christian, Clark, Fayette, Greene, Macoupin, McDonough, Sangamon and Schuyler counties to any registered hunter. First-time adult turkey hunters (individuals who have not hunted turkey in the past 5 years) can also apply for Brown and Fulton counties in addition to the counties listed above.

Illinois Trappers Association to Hold Annual Fur Auctions

Illinois Trappers Association to Hold Annual Fur Auctions

The Illinois Trappers Association (ITA) will hold two fur auctions in January. The first will be the Northern sale at the Odell Community Center, 408 North Morgan St., Odell, Illinois, on Saturday January 14th.  Doors open at 6:00 am and the action starts at 9:00 am.

Illinois Conservation Police Layoffs Averted

Illinois Conservation Police Layoffs Averted

Governor Rauner Administration has reached a collective bargaining agreement

Good news released today!

The Rauner Administration has reached an agreement with the Illinois Faternal Order of Police to forego layoffs, negotiations included a four year wage freeze. As you know CPOs are vital to the state's natural resources and parks and they provide enforcement to protect wildlife. 

We applaud the Rauner Administration and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police for coming to an agreement so that our state's natural resources can be protected.

 

This agreement also stated that work will be done to expand staffing levels. Currently, there are not enough conservation officers throughout the state and unfortunately this lack of officers affects our state parks, wildlife and the habitat that they live in.

With crumbling state parks and the DNR budget continuing to decrease this is a small victory for outdoors men and women throughout Illinois.

The following is a press release from the Governor's Office.

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today the Administration has reached a collective bargaining agreement with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council representing Illinois Conservation Police Officers.

"Through fair and good faith negotiations, we were able to reach a compromise that continues to protect our state parks and other natural resources," Rauner General Counsel Dennis Murashko said. "This new contract is fair to both state employees and taxpayers, and we look forward to continuing our partnership while working together to serve the citizens of Illinois."

The agreement includes a four-year wage freeze and ensures no conservation police officers will be laid off, while we work to expand staffing levels.

Elk Killed in Illinois by Hunter in Macoupin County...Seriously.

Elk Killed in Illinois by Hunter in Macoupin County...Seriously.

Let's pretend we're sitting around a campfire talking hunting and fishing, when someone says did you hear about the guy who shot an elk with a long bow here in Illinois?  It's OK if you laugh at first, but, it's true.

How often do you hear of a elk being shot in Illinois? Wisconsin or Michigan sure but, not Illinois.  It's my first time hearing about it so I want to share it with you.   Frank Link of Carlinville has harvested an elk.  Before anyone starts questioning the legality of it, it's OK to harvest an elk because there's no season or special protection like apex predators (wolves, bears, etc).  Just make sure there's no tag in its ear to identify it as a farm-raised animal.  That information came from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesperson.  

Talking with Jim Crowley from Hook & Hunt TV

Talking with Jim Crowley from Hook & Hunt TV

Several years ago I entered the Bass Pro Shops in East Peoria to do some shopping for the upcoming fishing season.  During the duration of our visit, they kept mentioning on the loud speaker about a seminar that was going to be taking place at the fish tank.   "Jim Crowley from Hook and Hunt TV will be doing a  seminar on..." the announcement said.   I love watching these seminars because there is so much knowledge jammed packed into about 10 minutes.

Apply Now for Pere Marquette Youth Wingshooting Clinic and Pheasant Hunt

What a great opportunity to get those youngsters outside and learn about wingshooting.  While never a student for one of these clinics, Capitol Outdoors has observed one of these classes and can say this is a great chance for anyone who loves to waterfowl or upland game hunt.  Read the press release below from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to find out more information and how to sign up.

Apply Now for Pere Marquette Youth Wingshooting Clinic and Pheasant Hunt

Event to be held March 4 at Pere Marquette State Park

GRAFTON, IL – Young hunters between the ages of 10-17 can apply now for the Pere Marquette Youth Wingshooting Clinic and Pheasant Hunt scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey Co.

Gov. Rauner announces over $1 Million in Recreational Trail Grants

Gov. Rauner announces over $1 Million in Recreational Trail Grants

Funding to improve trails in six Illinois counties

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor Bruce Rauner today announced $1,019,200 in grant funding for multi-purpose recreational trail projects that will create or improve trails in six Illinois counties. Funding for the projects is supported by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Recreational Trails Program. 

“Our trails showcase all the beauty Illinois has to offer,” Governor Rauner said. “Whether you’re enjoying them with family and friends or your pets it’s a great opportunity to explore our state. These grants will improve access to our trails across Illinois.”

CWD Test Results are in for Two Missouri Counties

CWD Test Results are in for Two Missouri Counties

When you hear of chronic wasting disease (CWD) you might think of Northern Illinois or Wisconsin.  However this disease continues to spread not only in Illinois but in other states as well.  Not sure how many of our readers hunt Missouri but when it comes to CWD every hunter, angler and outdoor person should be aware of the impacts and spread of this disease.

Budget Uncertainty Affects Sparta World Shooting Complex

Budget Uncertainty Affects Sparta World Shooting Complex

 The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) decided to move the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships to Ohio.  Time will tell how the departure of the SCTP and the SASP will affect the local economy in Sparta.

Preliminary Numbers for Illinois Muzzleloader Deer Season

Preliminary Numbers for Illinois Muzzleloader Deer Season

Below you'll find the preliminary numbers for the Illinois muzzleloader deer season.  The table contains county preliminary harvest totals from the 2016 Illinois Muzzleloader-only Deer Season (12/9-12/11).

Illinois Conservation Foundation Scholarship Now Available for High School Seniors

Do you know of a good standing high school senior that loves the outdoors?  The IDNR just released the application for the Illinois Conservation Foundation Scholarship.  Check below and share with family and friends who maybe interested.  Best of luck to all those that apply. 

Apply Now for Illinois Conservation Foundation Scholarship

Illinois Seven Day Firearm Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Illinois Seven Day Firearm Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Wow... big drop in harvest numbers for the seven day firearm season.   With a difference of about 6,400 and deer numbers are down in archery as well.  Makes you wonder what the strategy will be for the IDNR biologist.

Hunters in Illinois Harvest Preliminary Total of 79,429 Deer During Seven-Day Firearm Season 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters harvested a preliminary total of 79,429 deer during the seven-day Illinois Firearm Deer Season that closed on Sunday, Dec. 4. That figure compares to the final total of 86,847 deer harvested during the seven days of the firearm season in 2015.

The preliminary harvest for the second segment of the firearm season on Dec. 1-4 totaled 24,977, compared with 28,977 during the second season in 2015. The preliminary harvest total for the first segment of firearm season on Nov. 18-20 was 54,452 deer, compared with the 57,870 deer taken by hunters during the first season in 2015.

Deer hunting opportunities remain available in Illinois this late fall/early winter:

• The Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season is this weekend, Dec. 9-11. 
• The Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Season and CWD Deer Season first segments (in designated counties only) will be Dec. 29, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017. 
• The second segments of the Late-Winter Antlerless-Only and CWD Deer Seasons (in designated counties only) will be Jan. 13-15, 2017. 
• Archery Deer Season continues through Jan. 15, 2017. Details on the Late-Winter and CWD seasons are available on the IDNR website at:http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/Late-WinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf

For more deer hunting information, visit: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspxA table of preliminary Firearm Deer Season harvest numbers for 2016, broken down by county and compared with 2015, is below.

Controlled Pheasant Hunting Hunter Quota Increased at Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA

Sign me up... The Daily hunter quatas will be increased for the Controlled Pheasant Hunting areas.  Here is a map of Jim Edgar Panther Creek if this opportunity interests you.

Controlled Pheasant Hunting Hunter Quota Increased at Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Daily hunter quotas have been increased on the Controlled Pheasant Hunting Unit at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass Co. beginning Dec. 7 and extending to the close of the hunting season on Jan. 15.

Archery Deer Numbers To Date

Archery Deer Numbers To Date

Archery Deer Numbers are out and there are no big suprises. Numbers are still down from this time last year. It will be interesting to see the numbers for second shotgun season.

Shotgun Deer Harvest Numbers Down After First Season

Shotgun Deer Harvest Numbers Down After First Season

With the first real cold snap and that rut in full swing it's hard to believe that the 2016 Shotgun Deer Harvest Numbers are Down After the First Season. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources informed hunters that the November 18th - 20th shotgun season harvested a total of 54,452. Compare that to the 57,870 shot during the first season last year.  To make it easy on you that's a difference of 3,418.