Second Firearm Season see Increase in Harvest Numbers

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released their second round of preliminary firearm deer season numbers. It seems as though the bowhunters took the rut this year since in most years it's the other way around. With the first round suffering from a day of intense rain throughout most of the state., the second season found themselves with great weather with some wind on Sunday. 

Combined the two seasons took a total of just over 80,000 deer this year and an increase of 462 over the 2016 season. As for the second firearm season it saw an increase of 3,679 deer.

As some of you may of heard, Michigan expects more cases of CWD this year and sampling this year was held throughout Illinois.   If you're interested in learning what the sample entails click here for a video.

If you are interested in the county by county ratio, they are listed below along with the DNR press release.

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Illinois Firearm Season Preliminary Harvest Totals 80,021 Deer

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters harvested a preliminary total of 80,021 deer during the seven-day Illinois Firearm Deer Season that concluded on Sunday, Dec. 3. The 2017 preliminary harvest total compares to the final total of 79,559 deer harvested during the firearm season in 2016.

The preliminary harvest for the second segment of the firearm season on Nov. 30 through Dec. 3 was 28,656, compared with 24,977 during the second season in 2016. The preliminary harvest for the first segment of firearm season on Nov. 17-19 was 51,365 deer.

Deer hunting opportunities remain available in Illinois during the remainder of the 2017-18 season:

• The Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season is this weekend, Dec. 8-10.
• The Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Season and CWD Deer Season first segments (in designated counties only) will be Dec. 28-31.
• The second segments of the Late-Winter Antlerless-Only and CWD Deer Seasons (in designated counties only) will be Jan. 12-14, 2018.
• Archery Deer Season continues through Jan. 14, 2018.

Details on the Late-Winter and CWD seasons are available on the IDNR website at: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/LateWinterDeerCWDHuntingPermitInformation2017-2018.pdf

A map showing the counties open to the Late-Winter and CWD seasons can be found at: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/conservation/wildlife/Documents/IllinoisLateWinterDeerSeasonsMap2017_2018.pdf

For more deer hunting information, visit: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspx

A table of preliminary Firearm Deer Season harvest totals for 2017 by county, and comparable totals for 2016, is below.

County	2017 1st Season	2017 2nd Season	2017 Total	2016 Total
ADAMS	1408	771	2179	2362
ALEXANDER	291	197	488	424
BOND	441	217	658	579
BOONE	82	47	129	121
BROWN	663	355	1018	967
BUREAU	632	373	1005	1001
CALHOUN	505	308	813	793
CARROLL	425	260	685	750
CASS	429	223	652	684
CHAMPAIGN	133	66	199	227
CHRISTIAN	360	191	551	608
CLARK	775	370	1145	998
CLAY	760	352	1112	1091
CLINTON	495	199	694	627
COLES	382	210	592	550
CRAWFORD	673	343	1016	949
CUMBERLAND	478	297	775	708
DEKALB	67	40	107	139
DEWITT	180	136	316	356
DOUGLAS	96	36	132	138
EDGAR	365	197	562	566
EDWARDS	273	142	415	412
EFFINGHAM	580	292	872	807
FAYETTE	1008	536	1544	1501
FORD	64	48	112	124
FRANKLIN	854	496	1350	1297
FULTON	1270	727	1997	2013
GALLATIN	282	166	448	470
GREENE	641	418	1059	1055
GRUNDY	157	124	281	296
HAMILTON	779	396	1175	1167
HANCOCK	1082	737	1819	1639
HARDIN	646	317	963	890
HENDERSON	319	175	494	522
HENRY	356	178	534	592
IROQUOIS	297	220	517	518
JACKSON	1487	816	2303	2247
JASPER	663	321	984	973
JEFFERSON	1328	755	2083	1878
JERSEY	410	231	641	674
JODAVIESS	1155	704	1859	1859
JOHNSON	1091	496	1587	1640
KANE	19	10	29	29
KANKAKEE	118	75	193	186
KENDALL	52	30	82	98
KNOX	697	448	1145	1200
LAKE	3	0	3	4
LASALLE	431	260	691	745
LAWRENCE	394	219	613

Illinois DNR Newsbits for December 2017

The Illinois DNR Newsbits is a great way to see what is up and coming for the IDNR Events.  

Illinois DNR Newsbits - December 2017

Archery Deer and Fall Turkey Permits:  Illinois Archery Deer and Illinois Archery Fall Turkey seasons are open through Jan. 14, 2018.  Permits are available over-the-counter at DNR Direct license and permit vendors. Find a vendor near you at this link:                  http://dnr.illinois.gov/DNRDirectMonitor/VendorListing.aspx
 

Increase in Hunter Quota for Jim Edgar Panther Creek Pheasant Program

Get your permit while you can!  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced that they will increase hunter quotas for the controlled pheasant program at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.  The IDNR has said that they'll release more pheasants to help make up for the increase in hunters.  Take advantage of this opportunity because permits sell out quickly.  We just got ours!

Watch our last Controlled Pheasant Hunt at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

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

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced that the daily hunter quotas will be increased on the Controlled Pheasant Hunting Unit at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass Co. beginning Wednesday, December 6 through the close of the hunting season on Sunday, January 14. Additional pheasants will be released at the site as a result of the hunter quota increase.

Bear the Cold for Eagle Days On Feb. 3, 2018

There's nothing quite like watching an eagle, thousands of snow geese and other waterfowl, through a lens at over 500 yards away.  Over the last few years we've had the opportunity to attend Eagle Days.  If you've got cabin fever, and let's be honest in February, it's cold, so who wouldn't want to get out of the house.  Well, you need to get in the car and head to Fulton Mason Eagle Day.  It's jammed packed and lots of fun for the entire family!  Read about our first Eagle Day

Observing some of nature's beautiful waterfowl at Emiquon on Eagle Days

Calling Youth Goose Hunters, Register for Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt

This is a great opportunity to get those youngsters out of the warm house and into the waterfowl blind.  Youth from ages 10 - 17 have the opportunity to register for this hunt.  It's easy enough, just call!!!

Register Now for Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt

Annual Hunt is January 14-15

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Youth interested in participating in the annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), may register now for the hunt scheduled for January 14-15, 2018.

To register for a drawing to participate in the hunt, youth hunters must phone in to the IDNR at 217-785-8060 by the registration deadline of Friday, December 29.

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 2, 2018, 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 youth ages 10-17 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.

Round 7 - Illinois Archery Harvest Numbers Continue Above 2016 Season

While many of us were eating turkey, some were out in the woods on this nice beautiful Thanksgiving weekend.  This weeks preliminary archery numbers show an increase of 4,243 from the 2016 season.  You may also note that the buck to doe ratio is down, which indicates to a lot in the deer hunting world that the rut has slowed down or it may be over.   With just a little under 60 days of deer hunting season over, what will the remainder of the season show?

This weekend is the second round of firearm season.  Please remember that those who hunt in Northern Illinois need to bring their deer to a checkin station. Please read about where in each county you can do that.

CWD Samplings

Carl with a nice buck during first firearm season.

Below you'll see the numbers sent out by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Through Sunday, November 26, 2017, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 50,742 deer, compared to 46,499 for the same period in 2016.

Harvest to date has consisted of 44% does and 56% males (19898:26601).

Top five counties were Pike (1786), Fulton (1431), Jefferson (1194), Adams (1124), and Williamson (980).

Interested in comparing harvest numbers from 2016 to 2017?  Check out the County by County Sheet -

Up-to-date archery harvest figures (for either deer or turkey) by county/state sites can be tracked on the web at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/IDNRHarvestQuery.aspx

Turkey Applications for IRAP Now Available

The sounds of a Tom gobbling into shooting distance are what turkey hunters wait all year for. At the turn of the century the number of the wild turkey were drastically low. Today, that number has turned around because of hunters and conservation groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation.  However, if you hunt turkey, finding a location to go can be difficult. Over the past few years Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) has been wildly successful.  In fact the program was so successful at the start with the youth that they opened it up to adults.  Well that time is back, IRAP applications are being accepted for the spring turkey season.  See below for all the information provided by the IDNR.

Let’s Go Turkey Hunting! IRAP Taking Applications Now for Spring

Youth Hunters Apply by February 23 for Youth Season; Hunters Apply by March 18 for Seasons 3 and 4

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) is encouraging youth and adult hunters to plan now to enjoy spring turkey hunting during the 2018 Illinois Spring Turkey Season, with access to excellent turkey habitat available through IRAP.  

Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor Show List for 2018

2018 Illinois Outdoor, Hunting and Fishing Expos

Expo season is right around the corner and we will once again be attending many of the expos around the State of Illinois.  Here at Capitol Outdoors this is a time where we see old friends, and meet some new ones as well.  It's also a time for local businesses that have come to light in the last year to promote their business.

Here is a list of some of the expos we know that are coming up. Send us information for your expo or other outdoor shows at capitoloutdoors@gmail.com.

Outdoor shows are the perfect opportunity to get ready for the upcoming season and find once a year deals

- Milwaukee Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

December 8 - 10th 2017

Illinois' Firearm Deer Season Shows Decrease During First Season

Each year thousands of Illinoisans head to the fields in hopes of capturing a whitetail in the cross-hairs of their shotguns.  This year, there were wide spread reports of success in the field but the first season firearm harvest numbers show otherwise.  Many factors played into the decline of 3,087 deer during first firearm season including high winds and rain on Saturday.  However, these numbers could have fooled some of the orange army.   Mark Stewart of Braidwood traveled to Southern Illinois for first firearm season.  "We heard over 230 shots by 8:30 opening day in Hardin County and the last I heard was mine at 10:00 AM"

Northern Illinois counties where chronic wasting disease (CWD) is prevalent hunters who harvest a deer are required to register them during firearm season by taking them to a check station between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Biologists will be present to take CWD samples for testing at the time of registration. Testing is voluntary, but all hunters with adult deer are encouraged to participate.   We have video from a CWD Check Station where they were taking samples provided by our pro staffer Rick.  Watch the video here.

Heather got herself a nice mature doe during firearm season.
Nice Going!

For some reason this weeks numbers do not have the breakdown of buck to doe ratio.  Below you'll see the numbers from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

IDNR Conservation Police Announce Results of Western Illinois Deer Hunting Enforcement Detail

A big round of applause to our Illinois Conservation Police.  From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources press office.

Conservation Police Announce Results of Western Illinois Deer Hunting Enforcement Detail

BARRY, IL – Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police have issued more than 50 citations and warnings for illegal deer hunting and related offenses this month. The illegal activity was discovered during enforcement details in Pike and Adams counties on Nov. 8-9.

Conservation Police officers focused on activities on deer hunting properties managed by Hadley Creek Outfitters, based in Barry, IL, including the unlawful feeding of white-tailed deer, and allowing clients to hunt deer over a baited area.


During the enforcement detail, Conservation Police officers confirmed approximately 6,400 acres were baited and unlawful to hunt in Pike and Adams counties.  Bait is defined as any material, whether liquid or solid, including food, salt, mineral, and other products that can be ingested, placed, or scattered in such a manner as to attract or lure white-tailed deer.  The illegal areas were baited with trophy rocks, mineral licks, piled corn, and corn scattered among food plots.

Hadley Creek managers, guides, and clients were cited for multiple violations of feeding deer and hunting over baited areas.  Officers working the detail also came across additional violations in the area which were committed by hunters who were not involved with hunting on Hadley Creek properties.

Violations discovered during the detail included:  Unlawful Feeding of White-tailed Deer, Unlawfully Hunting White-tailed Deer over a Baited Area, Transportation of an Uncased Bow and Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Untagged Deer, Unlawful Possession of Another Individual’s Deer Permit, Failure to Report Deer Harvest Same Day as Kill, and Falsification of Residency to Obtain Permits.  Illinois Conservation Police officers issued 46 citations and 7 written warnings during the detail.

Illinois has taken a proactive approach to prevent the further spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).  It is unlawful to make available food, salt, mineral blocks or other products for ingestion by wild deer or other wildlife in areas where wild deer are present at any time.  CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose.  The disease is always fatal in deer and there is no treatment or cure.  CWD is transmitted directly from one animal to another, and there is evidence that it also can be transmitted from contaminated places in the environment (for instance, a feeding area where saliva and excrement from an infected deer is present).  CWD was first found in Illinois during the fall of 2002.  The disease has been confirmed to be present in 17 northern Illinois counties.

Hunting and Fishing Black Friday Ads 2017

Hunting and Fishing Black Friday Ads 2017

Outdoor Black Friday Ads 2017

Who doesn't like a good deal, right? Whether you are out this Black Fridays 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.

IDNR Reminds Hunters of Safety, Shotgun, and CWD Samplings

Please pay special attention to this press release from the IDNR.

Illinois DNR Reminds Hunters to Make Safety a Priority

Most hunting incidents involve tree stands

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Firearm Deer Season opens with the first weekend of firearm hunting on Nov. 17-19, and hunters in Illinois are reminded to make safety their top priority throughout all of Illinois’ busiest hunting seasons.

“This is prime time for hunting in Illinois, and the best way to enjoy an autumn or winter day in the field, in a blind, or in a tree stand is to make sure you’re hunting safely,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Wayne Rosenthal.

Round 6 Archery Harvest Numbers Stay Above 2016 Numbers

Round 6 of Illinois archery harvest numbers are out and to no surprise the numbers stay above last years.  From this time last year harvest totals have an increase of 4,789.  This is the final round before the orange army (shotgun season) hits the field.

Our pro-staffer Rick shot his first buck in three years.  

In short words the rut was in high gear over the weekend around our neck of the woods with 66% of the harvest being bucks.  Last week it was 64% not much of an increase but an increase.  Below you'll see the actual text sent out by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 

Last week an article was published regarding the number of deer harvested by crossbow.  We reached out to the Illinois DNR last week to receive these numbers first hand and have yet to get them.  When we are provided with the numbers we will share them with all of you.

Through Sunday, November 12, 2017, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 41,376 deer, compared to 36,587 for the same period in 2016.

Cumulative harvest to date has consisted of 46% does and 54% males (18933:22443).  During the past week, harvest sex ratios were 34% does and 66% males.

Top five counties were Pike (1530), Fulton (1208), Adams (947), Jefferson (924), and JoDaviess (843).

Round 6 County by County Numbers

Up-to-date archery harvest figures (for either deer or turkey) by county/state sites can be tracked on the web at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/IDNRHarvestQuery.aspx