(HB 4428) Bow Hunting on Private Property during Shotgun Season for Deer in Illinois

Bow Hunting on Private Property during Shotgun Season for Deer in Illinois

That's right.  A new bill was introduced by Brandon Phelps, Chairman of the Illinois Sportsmen's Caucus.  The bill was filed with the clerk on January 11, 2016.  We'll continue to monitor this bill, check back frequently for more information.

 HB 4428 WILDLIFE-BOW HUNTING

"Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person may hunt with a bow and arrow on private property during a shotgun hunting season if he or she has the consent of the owner and any tenant of the premises."  

If passed by the senate and signed by the Governor this bill will become effective immediately.

Continue to check back with Capitol Outdoors as we monitor this and other bills for you.

The One Thing Every Hunter and Angler Needs!

The One Thing Every Hunter and Angler Needs! 

Every hunter and angler has one, regardless if they are a novice or have been at it for 50 years.  It has become such a part of our successes, we often forget how instrumental it is for our successful days.  It takes hours to prepare but it never seems to add up.  We're talking about "the system."

Hunting and Fishing Expos Starts this Weekend

Hunting and Fishing Shows Start this Weekend

By this point in January some of us are experiencing some degree of cabin fever.  This restlessness drives hunters, anglers and those who just enjoy the outdoors to attend  hunting and fishing shows across Illinois.  This weekend starts that show season.

LATE WINTER DEER SEASON/SPECIAL CWD DEER SEASON – PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

LATE WINTER DEER SEASON/SPECIAL CWD DEER SEASON – PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

 

For the first four-day period (December 31, 2015-January 3, 2016) of the Late Winter Antlerless Deer Season and the Special CWD Deer Season, Illinois deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 3,939 deer, compared to 2,981 for the same period in 2014-2015.  The number of counties open to the Late Winter Season was 27 (down from 35 in 2014-2015), while 14 northern Illinois counties were open to the Special CWD Season (compared to 12 in 2014-2015). 

Top five counties (including both Late Winter and CWD seasons) were JoDaviess (306), Fulton (294), Pike (233), Schuyler (188), and Brown (186).  A table of county results is attached.

ARCHERY DEER PRELIMINARY HARVEST RESULTS

Through Sunday, January 3, 2016, Illinois archery deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 53,373deer, compared to 53,188 for the same period in 2014-2015. 

Harvest  to date has consisted of 47% does and 53% males (25,181:28,192), while 45% percent of the harvest has been antlered bucks (23,841).   Top five counties are currently Pike (1,995), Fulton (1,526), Jefferson (1,190),  Adams (1,135), and JoDaviess (1,051).   A table of county results is attached.

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

Information provided by Paul Shelton, Manager of Forest Wildlife Program and The Illinois Department of Natural Resources