Family Adventure in February

Family Adventure in February 

Call it global warming, call it whatever you would like.  If you weren't outside this past weekend, let me tell you, you missed out on a record breaking weekend.  Not for fish, number of birds surveyed or whatever but for record temperatures. Like many of you we spent our weekend outside enjoying the beautiful crisp winter air. Even though it felt like spring, it's still winter. We were taking care of yard work, all the things that you would do on a normal spring weekend. However, those chores didn't stop us from enjoying our passion.

Like so many others that were out at Jim Edgar Panther Creek, whether in their boats, hiking or picnicing we enjoyed the sights, smells and sounds showing that spring is just around the corner. No trip out to a state park is complete unless you bring your fishing pole. From 38 to 42 degree water temps fishing was tough but that didn't matter because of just how beautiful the weather was.  Bouncing around from lake to lake and spot to spot, we kept ending up short. Finally, we hooked into one.  It wasn't a biggin' or a world record fish but it was a bass in open water in February in Illinois. 

What was also great about this weekend, was that the family was able to tag along to enjoy what they like about the outdoors. It was great to watch them walk along the shore as I fished and they were also there to cheer me on as I caught the only fish of the day. However, what really made this weekend was not the weather or the fish or the idea of open water fishing in February, it was sharing a memory that will last a lifetime.  They say to start people young in the outdoors so that they grow up loving it.

Autumn has been surrounded by the outdoors for the last 10 months of her short life.  As I landed my fish I called Heather  over so that I could get a picture with Autumn.  My little girl was so fascinated by the fish that I wanted her to hold it, not thinking that she would actually do it.  With little hesitation, she grabbed in awe of the texture of the teeth and slime of the fish. Could this be the start of something bigger? First Female Bassmaster Champion in Training?  Only time will tell. 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Local Volunteers Receive National Recognition for their dedication to getting youth outdoors

Local Volunteers Receive National Recognition for their dedication to getting youth outdoors

On February 18 Ron and Ted Gilles of Princeville, IL received the Pheasants Forever No Child Left Indoor Volunteer of Year award at Pheasant Fest in Minneapolis, MN. For over 28 years, the Gilles Brothers have helped to deliver the organization’s mission: creating and improving habitat at a local level along with creating future conservationists through outreach programs. In 2016 alone, the Gilles brothers hosted over 500 local school children to their farm to learn about conservation. The brothers also hosted over 150 kids at youth hunts on their farm. The Ron and Ted Gilles are also active in helping to organize local hunter safety classes, youth dog training seminars and habitat farm tours.

Well done gentlemen!  Thank you for your work for Illinois and conservation efforts.

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

DNR-CONVEY REAL ESTATE -100th GA - HB 770

DNR-CONVEY REAL ESTATE -100th GA - HB 770

Senator:  Barbara Wheeler (R)

Filed: HB 770 on 2-10-17

Synopsis As Introduced
Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to convey, in exchange for $1, certain real estate in McHenry County to the Fox Waterway Agency. Provides that the conveyance is subject to: (1) existing public utilities, existing public roads, and any and all reservations, easements, encumbrances, covenants, and restrictions of record; and (2) the express condition that any proceeds from the sale of the real property shall be utilized for the purchase and development of an alternate dredge material disposal site or sites. Authorizes the Director of Natural Resources to exchange described parcels of real estate in Lake County for another parcel of described real estate in Lake County. Effective immediately.

House Committee Amendment No. 1
Deletes language providing that the conveyance is subject to the express condition that any proceeds from the sale of the real property shall be utilized for the purchase and development of an alternate dredge material disposal site or sites. Provides instead that the property is subject to the express condition that within one year after conveyance, the Fox Waterway Agency shall: sell the real property for no less than fair market value; use any proceeds from the sale to purchase of an alternate dredge material disposal site or sites for no more than fair market value; and transfer any proceeds remaining after the purchase of an alternate dredge material disposal site or sites to the Department of Natural Resources for deposit into the General Revenue Fund. Provides that if, after one year following the conveyances of the real property, the Fox Waterway Agency has failed to comply with the express condition, the real property shall revert to the State of Illinois, Department of Natural Resources, or, if applicable, the proceeds from the sale of the conveyed property shall be immediately transferred to the Department of Natural Resources for deposit into the General Revenue Fund. Provides that if any property purchased with proceeds from the sale of the conveyed property is not used as a dredged material disposal site within 2 years following the conveyances or if at any time the property ceases to be used for public purposes, the Fox Waterway Agency shall convey by quitclaim deed the property to the Department of Natural Resources for $1. Provides that "fair market value" means the average of 3 appraisals plus the costs of obtaining the appraisals.

House Floor Amendment No. 2
Deletes language authorizing the Director of Natural Resources to exchange described parcels of real estate in Lake County for another parcel of described real estate in Lake County.

Governor Rauner Releases 2018 Illinois Department of Natural Resource Budget

Governor Rauner Releases 2018 Illinois Department of Natural Resource Budget

Images property of IDNR and
Office of Management and Budget

A majority of Illinois hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts would agree with the statement that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has seen better days.  Today Governor Rauner released his 2018 proposed budget for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  While the state and the IDNR have been without a budget for 20 months, the lack of financial resources for the IDNR goes back over a decade.

Illinois has 1.31 million hunters and anglers, about 1/12 th of the population of Illinois or over 100,000 people per county.  You're talking about billions of dollars and thousands of jobs hunters and anglers are responsible for each year. More focus needs to be put on our natural resources so that our kids and grandchildren can experience what Illinois has to offer.


The Governor's proposed budget is broken down by agency and line item.On page 280 of the Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Budget you'll see line items for the entire Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

The recommended fiscal year 2018 budget of $290.7 million will support DNR operations at all state parks, the Illinois state museums in Springfield, Lockport and Dickson Mounds, and the World Shooting Complex in Sparta (pg 286). Hunting and fishing license fees will remain at fiscal year 2017 levels and Illinois will continue multi-state efforts to conserve the monarch butterfly from its federally threatened or endangered species status. 

The fiscal year 2018 budget also recommends the Historic Preservation Agency (HPA) merge with DNR to consolidate the administration of state historic sites and monuments within one agency. By positioning HPA administration within DNR, core competencies will be centralized. The merger, which includes $9.2 million in new appropriation authority for DNR, is anticipated to result in $3.2 million in savings to ensure the continued collection and preservation of state historic resources. 

We are reviewing this further and will keep you up to date as more budget information comes through. Also, the most important thing to remember is that this just a proposal. Nothing has been approved by the legislature or enacted yet.

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe