2018 Illinois Youth Spring Turkey Season Recap Shows Decline

Not much else to say, the IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources sums it up! 

A brief summary of the 2018 Illinois Youth Spring Turkey Season from the IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources:

Youth turkey hunters harvested a preliminary total of 1,156 birds during the 2018 Illinois Youth Turkey Season. In 2017, a total of 1,531 turkeys were taken, marking a record harvest. Weather undoubtedly was a factor in this year’s decline in harvest as youth hunters experienced unseasonably cold temperatures throughout the four-day season.

Illinois General Assembly Back in Springfield After Spring Break

With the primary election in their rear view mirror and the general election around the bend, Illinois legislators are back in Session this week (April 9 - 13th).

Both the House and Senate are holding committee hearings where some outdoor related bills may be heard.  We will be following along and keeping you up to date as things happen, so be sure to "Like" our Facebook page to get the latest information.

Below you will find each committee broken down with links to more information related to each bill.  The following bills are listed to be heard on that day, but that is not always the case.  We will do a wrap-up at the end of the week to inform you of what happened. 

HOUSE

Agriculture Committee
April 9, 2018 1:00pm

• HB 4231 - Blaze Pink Clothing
• HB 5015 - DNR Volunteer Program Equipment 
• HB 5049 - Statewide Youth Deer Permits
• HB 5130 - DNR Worst Case Analysis
• HB 5293 - Endangered Species
• HB 5317 - Poached Deer Restitution Value 
• HB 5440 - Youth Hunting 
• HB 5692 - River Otter Limit
• HB 5693 - Trapping Tags 

Revenue Committee
April 11, 2018 3:00pm 

• HB 4487 - Lottery Game - State Parks 

On the House Floor to be voted on: 

• HB 4783 - Youth Hunt/Trap

SENATE

Agriculture Committee

April 12, 2018 8:00am

• SB 2295 - Electronic Fishing Licenses
• SB 2493 - Deer Feed
• SB 2962 - River Otter Limit
• SB 2963 - Trapping Tags

Judiciary Committee 

April 10, 2018 3:00pm 

• SB 3247 - IDOT/DNR Land Transfer

On the Senate Floor to be voted on: 

• SB 2824 - DNR Worst Case Analysis 
• SB 2663 - Youth Hunt/Trap

Illinois CPOs Asking for Public's Help in White Pelican Deaths

The Illinois Conservation Police Officers are asking for the public's help in regards to five white pelicans shot at Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Jasper County.  Please see below for the full details provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

White Pelicans Shot at Newton Lake in Jasper County

Illinois Conservation Police Ask for the Public’s Help in the Investigation

Picture provided by IDNR

First Youth Season Shows Decrease in Turkey Season

While Capitol Outdoors and countless other high school anglers were being knocked around by high winds on Saturday, the woods and fields had youth striving for that elusive turkey.  Below you'll see the numbers for the 2018 first youth turkey season and as you can see there was a decrease which we believe had a lot to do with the weather.

The calendar says Spring, but Winter holds on for First Youth Turkey Season

IDNR Newsbits and Dates March 2018

As hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts we always look forward to being outside and enjoying what natures has to offer.  However, there are two seasons that we look forward to more than any other, Spring and Fall.  Over the next few months weather will make it the prime time to be outside, whether you'll be enjoying a boat ride, fishing, hiking or looking for those elusive moral mushrooms. Below are some dates that you will want to pay attention to. 

IDNR Newsbits & Dates – March 2018

Spring Turkey Applications: 2018 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Season permits still available after the lottery drawings will be sold over the counter by DNR Direct license and permit vendors beginning on March 13. Go to the IDNR website for more information:
https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/TurkeyHunting.aspx