Governor Pritzker Announces $28.9 Million in Grants for 89 Local Park Projects Throughout Illinois

Governor Pritzker Announces $28.9 Million in Grants for 89 Local Park Projects Throughout Illinois

OSLAD Grants Will Support Park Development and Open Space Land Acquisition in 29 Counties

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker today announced $28.9 million in grants for 89 local projects that will help communities acquire open space and develop and improve recreational facilities throughout Illinois.

“Investments in Illinois’ local parks makes it easier for families and recreation enthusiasts to enjoy our state’s beauty and help their communities thrive,” Governor Pritzker said. “Parks projects will also create jobs, providing a boost to local economic development efforts in dozens of communities and spurring additional investment throughout the state.”

Fishers of Men Team Tournament Trail Comes to Central Illinois

Springfield, IL - By: Michael Rasmussen

Like other Tournament Directors, Carl Parks sent in his permit application and dates to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on November 1, 2018.  With a few denials and shuffling of locations,  Carl formed a new division of the well known national organization, Fishers of Men, right here in Central Illinois.  "The Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail is a nonprofit, nondenominational ministry whose mission is:  To introduce Jesus to fishermen and their families and to invite them into a relationship with Him, through bass fishing tournaments."

With tournaments located at Lake Springfield, this is sure to be a competitive series with some of the best sticks around.  Anglers from Chicago and the greater Springfield Area have already committed to fish this new series.  "I'm hoping for 20 or so boats in the first year" said Carl at his booth for the Fish and Feather show in Bloomington.

Director Carl Parks recruits anglers at the Fish and Feather Show in Bloomington

SB 201 - WILDLIFE-LEAD AMMUNITION

Sen. Iris Y. Martinez
Filed: SB0201 on 1/30/19

Synopsis As Introduced:
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that nontoxic ammunition, as certified by the Department of Natural Resources, shall be required when taking all wildlife, including game mammals, game birds, non-game birds, and non-game mammals with any firearm. Provides that the Department shall adopt by rule a public process to certify ammunition as nontoxic ammunition and shall define, by rule, nontoxic ammunition to include only ammunition in which there is no lead content, excluding the presence of trace elements of lead. Provides that to the extent that funding is available, the Department shall establish a process that provides hunters with nontoxic ammunition at no or reduced charge. Grants rulemaking authority to the Department. Provides for penalties. Makes other changes.

Last Actions:

• 1/30/2019 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. Iris Y. Martinez
• 1/30/2019 Senate First Reading
• 1/30/2019 Senate Referred to Assignments

Over 150,000 Harvested Deer during 2018-2019 Seasons

That's a wrap for the 2018 - 2019 deer season.  Below you'll see the preliminary harvest numbers and information provided by the IDNR.  I would like to thank all those that contributed their pictures of their harvest.  

Illinois 2018-19 Deer Hunting Seasons Result in Preliminary Harvest of 151,577 Deer

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 151,577 deer during all 2018-19 archery and firearm seasons, which concluded on Jan. 20. The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons compares with a total harvest for all seasons of 147,695 deer in 2017-18.

During the 2018-19 deer seasons, hunters took 45 percent does and 55 percent males.

Wildlife Photography Exhibit Opens Feb. 2 at Dickson Mounds

Don't forget about Fulton-Mason Eagle Day which is also on the 2nd of February

Wildlife Photography Exhibit Opens Feb. 2 at Dickson Mounds

LEWISTOWN, IL – Dickson Mounds Museum will welcome visitors to view a new exhibit on Saturday, February 2 with the opening of “The Wandering Flatlanders: A Photographic Journey for Illinois Wildlife, photography by Dwight Eddington and Kevin Wright” as part of the annual Fulton-Mason Eagle Day event. 

Photographers Dwight Eddington (L) and Kevin Wright (R)

The exhibit will feature a suite of Illinois wildlife photographs, many of which were taken at The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve, located near Dickson Mounds Museum. Photographers Dwight Eddington and Kevin Wright are Fulton County residents.