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| This buck was shot last year here here in Illinois by our friend Jason. |
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Scheels
Monday, October 29, 2018
4th Round of Archery Deer Hunting Harvest Numbers above Last Year
The preliminary numbers for the 4th week of the archery deer harvest are out and the numbers are still ahead of last years numbers. Bucks are on the move, 47% of the deer shot in the last week were bucks. Also, 60% of the deer harvested this year have been by compound, 39% by crossbows and 1% by traditional bows. You can read the full report from the IDNR as well as the county by county comparison below.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Round 3 Archery Numbers Shows Increase for Illinois Deer Harvest
Harvest for archery deer hunters jumped this week and the highest daily harvest to date was on Sunday. With 2,156 more deer harvested than this time last year, hunters are optimistic about the rut and its offerings. As you can see more doe have been taken, but that's all about to change in the coming weeks. If you were out this weekend trout fishing, duck hunting, or out deer hunting you can understand. The cold definitely had the deer moving. Below you'll see the link to county by county comparison.
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| Check out this Illinois monster taken by follower and supporter Travis Brown. |
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Bobcat Hunters and Trappers Can Check Permit Application Status Online
Bobcat Hunters and Trappers Can Check Permit Application Status Online
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The results of the 2018-19 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permit lottery are now available online through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) website. Applicants can check the status of their application at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/furbearer/Pages/BobcatPermitLookup.aspx.
More than 5,000 hunters/trappers applied for bobcat permits, and 1,000 permits will be issued.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Gov. Rauner announces $1.5 million in Recreational Trails Program grants
Gov. Rauner announces $1.5 million in Recreational Trails Program grants
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner today announced nearly $1.6 million dollars has been awarded for recreational trail development projects in 11 Illinois communities, helping them meet the growing demand for improved trails and outdoor recreation facilities.“These projects will help provide safe places for children and families, hikers, bike riders and horseback riders to enjoy the outdoors,” Rauner said.
Funding for the grants is supported by the federal government’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which provides up to 80 percent reimbursement to local grant recipients for the cost of the trail projects. Grant recipients provide the balance of the funding for the projects.
The RTP grant program in Illinois is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
“We are pleased to partner with the local government sponsors of these trail construction, improvement, and maintenance projects that will benefit trail users in communities throughout the state,” said IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal.
“These projects are going to add to the state’s impressive collection of trails and strengthen multimodal connections in several of our great communities,” said IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “Not only will they improve transportation, but they will also enhance the quality of life for residents and families.”
Grants may be awarded for the acquisition of land from willing sellers, trail construction and rehabilitation, purchase of equipment for trail development and maintenance, restoration of areas damaged by unauthorized trail use, construction of trail-related support facilities (such as parking and restrooms), and educational programs.
The projects were recommended for funding by the Illinois Greenways and Trails Council, composed of representatives of statewide motorized and nonmotorized trail user organizations, statewide agency organizations, organizations involved in greenways and trails, and metro-area greenways and trails coalitions.
Recreational Trails Program grant recipients, grant amounts and project descriptions are listed below.
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants
City of Aurora (Kane County), $140,000 for replacement of a crumbling concrete staircase which connects the south end of the East Branch of the Fox River Trail with New York Street in downtown Aurora. The Fox River Trail extends nearly 60 miles from Oswego north to near the Wisconsin border. The city will install a metal stairway to replace the concrete steps.
City of Charleston (Coles County), $76,100 for trailhead improvements related to the existing 12-mile Lincoln Prairie Grass Trail. Includes the development of new concrete parking with an accessible parking area at Country Club Road, new concrete parking with accessible parking at Decker Springs Road, and new concrete parking with accessible space at the TGM elevator entrance.
Cook County Forest Preserve District, $200,000 for repairs to the underpass at 119th and LaGrange Road and repair of the adjacent trail in Palos Hills. The underpass is on an 8.1-mile trail loop and has a stone aggregate surface. This loop connects to the 20-mile Sag Valley Trail System, which also connects to the 40-mile Palos Trail.
DuPage County Forest Preserve District, $200,000 to construct .6 miles of equestrian/multi-use trail along the northern boundary of St. James Farm. The trail will expand the preserve’s equestrian recreational opportunities and provide links to an existing carriage walk along Winfield Road and to a future trail through Cantigny Park.
Macon County Conservation District, $180,800 to repair three bridges spanning the Sangamon River and Stevens Creek. Wood material used in bridge construction is reaching the end of its useful life and is in need of replacement, while embankment settling and scour erosion require regrading and riprap replacement. The project will replace deteriorated wood and fencing and reshape the bridge embankment.
Village of Mahomet (Champaign County), $98,000 for a concrete trail south from the parking lot through 120 yards of bottomland forest. The launch site will include a small overlook with a bench, interpretive signage, and a turnaround to accommodate visitors with disabilities. The launch will create a concrete ramp with an incline to water level for kayak and canoe launching.
Prairie State College District 515, (Cook County), $135,800 for a 1-mile walking trail. The trail loop will be located in a 30-acre nature preserve.
Rockford Park District, (Winnebago County), $104,000 to develop a 1.2-mile trail at Alpine Hills Adventure Park to provide a unique year-round “gateway” trail for beginner level mountain biking.
Shabbona Township, (DeKalb County), $72,000 for acquisition of approximately 5.7 acres of dedicated right-of-way through purchase, land donations or through intergovernmental agreements between the applicant and four other public bodies. This strip of land will be used to provide 2.5 miles of new paved path connecting the Village of Shabbona to other outdoor recreational opportunities.
Southern Illinois University – Touch of Nature Center, (Jackson/Williamson counties), $200,000 to construct a 5-mile multi-use mountain bike trail that will eventually be part of a 30-mile park. These trails will be natural surface and primarily built by removing the top layer of soil. They will be easily accessible to mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners, but built with mountain biking as the intended primary use.
Village of Tinley Park (Cook County), $192,000 to address the maintenance needs of the existing 2.5-mile multi-use trail which will include patching, resurfacing and restriping the path. Maintenance activities also include minor drainage improvements, small culvert replacement, ditch regrading and landscape restoration.
Application forms for the next round of grants are available by contacting the IDNR Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, or by calling 217-782-7481, TDD 217-782-9175, Ameritech Relay 800-526-0844, or on the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov. The annual deadline to submit an RTP application is March 1.
Waterfowl Hunters Wanted for Macoupin County IRAP Location
Capitol Outdoors received the information below from the IDNR and had to share it. Earlier this year we attended a press conference where we had the privilege of talking to participants of IRAP. This is a great program, with a great success rate, so if you are interested you better get your applications in!
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Looking for a place to duck hunt? Look no further than the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP). Through an agreement with a private landowner, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has secured a waterfowl hunting site through IRAP and is making it available to licensed hunters for the months of November and December.
IDNR Seeks Waterfowl Hunters for Macoupin County Public Access Site
Monday, October 15, 2018
2nd Round of Archery Harvest Numbers
Not much to say about this week's archery harvest numbers. Harvest is still down but, hunters definitely took advantage of the cool weather that came through Illinois. According to this week's numbers provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 62% of the harvest came from Thursday - Sunday. As temperatures level out this week we'll see what the third round looks like next Monday.
Dont' forget waterfowl season is starting this weekend in the North Zone.
Dont' forget waterfowl season is starting this weekend in the North Zone.
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| Rick shot this buck last year in McHenry County. Share your photos with Capitol Outdoors, harvest, sunrises we want to see it all! |
Through Sunday, October 14, 2018, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 7,352 deer, compared to 7,069 for the same period in 2017. Participation was relatively light until cooler weather arrived on Thursday (10/11); 62% of the harvest has occurred since that time.
Harvest to date has consisted of 68% does and 32% males (4971:2381).
Top five counties were Pike (245), Fulton (216), Jefferson (184), JoDaviess (165), and Adams (152).
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Fall Wrap-up of the Illinois High School Bass Fishing League
Earlier this summer Capitol Outdoors was informed about a bass tournament league that was formed to give high school anglers a true series to compete in. This isn't your average bass fishing league. In it's second year, it has seen some major sticks compete in the series. Below you'll see a wrap up by John Whelan on this fall season.
ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL BASS FISHING LEAGUE
Fall Wrap-up
The Illinois High School Bass Fishing League, closed out its fall series this past Sunday (September 30, 2018) on Clinton Lake, the fall series consisted of three tournaments, that teams fished accumulating points to determine a overall series Champion, the series brought together some of the very best High School teams in the state, several State Champion teams and anglers with National level experience battled it out.
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
1st Week of Archery Season Along with Youth Season Shows Reduction
Its that time of the year again. Deer numbers will be coming out each week and you can catch those here at Capitol Outdoors. Totals for the first week of the season are down by 2,367, but we feel that the majority of that is due to the warm weather and rains throughout the state during the first week of October. The harvest consisted of 70% does and 30% males and this will only level out as we get closer to the rut.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Wingshooting Clinic and Pheasant Hunt for Youth at Johnson-Sauk Trail SRA
Youth Wingshooting Clinic and Pheasant Hunt Nov. 10 at Johnson-Sauk Trail SRA
Free Event for Youth Ages 10-17 Hosted by IDNR and Local Chapters of Pheasants Forever
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Beaver Dam Trapping Permits Drawing Oct. 29
Beaver Dam Trapping Permits Drawing Oct. 29
Two trapping permits will be awarded at a public drawing to be held Monday, Oct. 29, 2018 at the site headquarters of Beaver Dam State Park, 14548 Beaver Dam Lane, Plainview, IL 62685. Registration for the drawing will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the site office, and the drawing will be held at 11:00 a.m. Trapping will be permitted in the designated areas from the statewide opening until Jan. 25, 2019 and include the extended spring season for mink and muskrat through Feb. 15, 2019, and beaver and otter trapping, which are allowed through March 31, 2019. A 2017 or 2018 trapping license or trapper education card will be required to register for the drawing. For more information about trapping opportunities, contact Beaver Dam State Park at 217-854-8020.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
October 2018 IDNR Newsbits and Happenings
As leaves begin to change and winter being right around the corner, October is the perfect month to get outside with the family. What is happening this month? Well, check out this month's Newsbits from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. While there are several reminders in regards to season dates, etc. there are some family fun filled adventures planned this month as well. One event that is not listed is the Fall Inland Trout Release on October 20th. This is a perfect adventure to introduce kids and adults to fishing. Also, make sure to read this month message form Director Rosenthal.
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| Waterfowl season starts this month learn more about it here. |
IDNR Newsbits – October 2018
Monday, October 1, 2018
Special Firearm Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area on Nov. 8 and 9
Special Firearm Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area on Nov. 8 and 9
Hunters can apply through October 19
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host a new firearm deer hunt for persons with disabilities on November 8 and 9 at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry Co.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Applications Available for Special Firearm Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities at Spoon River State Forest on Oct. 13-14
Applications Available for Special Firearm Deer Hunt for Persons with Disabilities at Spoon River State Forest on Oct. 13-14
Deadline to apply via email is October 6
VICTORIA, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host a firearm deer hunt for persons with disabilities on October 13 and 14 at Spoon River State Wildlife Area in Knox Co.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
U.S. Department of Commerce Report Shows the Outdoor Industry has a $731 Billion Impact on Economy
Hunters and anglers on Capitol Hill are welcoming the release of the first government statistics on the outdoor industry as a contributor to the U.S. Economy. This may sound familiar to you, we reported about the passing of Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act back in 2016.
A federally funded report by the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Commerce was released on September 20, 2018 by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). In this report the BEA published that the outdoor industry has a U.S. GDP contribution of 2.2 percent and a economic impact of $731 billion.
Capitol Outdoors has said it before along with countless other organizations, hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are a huge part of the economy in the United States. Shopping, hotels the list goes on and on. Outdoors people now have federal numbers to back up our statements.
"This economic contribution level is greater than other key economic sectors, including the mining, utilities and chemical products manufacturing industries. In addition, with 4.55 million jobs, the outdoor recreation sector generates similar employment as other major job creators in the United States, including hospitals, transportation and warehousing and educational services." ASA
According to the BEA report boating and fishing contribute over $36 million of gross output and is the largest of all the outdoor activities. Hunting, shooting and other activities contribute nearly $14 million.
The full report issued by BEA can be found here.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Archery Harvest Restrictions for Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt Counties for First 15 Days
Reported first on Capitol Outdoors back in January at the 1st Quarter NRAB meeting, the IDNR is prohibiting the archery harvesting of antlerless deer for the 2018 - 2019 season. "Antlered deer; are deer that have at least one antler that is three or more inches in length." During the first 15 days of the season archery hunters in Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties will not be allowed to harvest anterless deer. This regulation is being implemented to grow the deer herd in these counties since numbers have dropped below current adopted goals for those counties. Please see below for the official press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
IDNR Prohibiting Archery Harvest of Antlerless Deer Oct. 1-15 in Five East-Central Illinois Counties
Intended to Help Boost Deer Herd in Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt Counties
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