Governor Rauner Signs Two Youth Hunting Bills

Governor Rauner Signs Two Youth Hunting Bills 

Today Governor Rauner signed HB 3234 and HB 3674 into law.  These two bills address youth involvement in hunting here in Illinois. 

House Bill 3234 (Costello/Rose) changes the age for a Youth Hunting License. 

• Any resident youth age 18 and under may apply to the Department for a Youth Hunting License, which extends limited hunting privileges. 

• This changes the maximum age from 16 to 18 years of age.  

• According to the Illinois Hunting Digest the Youth Hunting License price is $7.00. 

Legislators stated that there has been a decline in hunting age for youth ranging from 16 - 18 years old.  This bill is supposed to get more youth involved in hunting.  What do you think?

House Bill 3674 (Smiddy/Rose) establishes Crossbow Use for Youth. 

• Any individual with a youth hunting license may use a crossbow during the first half of the regular deer archery

• Annually Determined by the Director 

• The individual must remain under the direct supervision of an adult of 21 years of age who possesses a valid archery deer permit

• Youth must first obtain a "Deer Hunting Permit"

How do you feel about a Youth Crossbow Season?  Comment below or send us an email at capitoloutdoors@gmail.com. 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors Good Luck and Stay Safe -

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Illinois DNR Layoff Notices go out to 33 Officers

Illinois DNR Layoff Notices go out to 33 Officers

As of August 4, 2015 there is still no budget for the State of Illinois and because of that layoff notices have gone out.  Notifications went out to 33 Conservation Police Officers (CPO) across the state.  The letter stated that this was due to lack of funds effective September 30, 2015.  This could leave about 34 counties in Illinois without a Conservation Officer.  See the layoff notice here.

New Conservation Class of 13 Officers that finished training on July 24, 2015
These are more than likely the 13 newly trained officers that received the layoff notices.
Photo Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources FB Page

Illinois Bait Shops - Neelys Bait Shop

Illinois Bait Shops - Neelys Bait Shop

On our way home from the Sanganois duck blind drawing, we swung by a local bait shop to do our first segment on Illinois Bait Shops.  As we walked in we were greeted with a friendly hello and smile.

Our 2015 Illinois Duck Blind Drawing

Our 2015 Illinois Duck Blind Drawing

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.