Outdoor Events During the Month of May 2018

A variety of outdoor and cultural experiences are listed in this months IDNR Newsbits.

IDNR Newbits – May 2018

Firearm Deer Permit Applications: Resident and non-resident deer hunters can apply for the second lottery drawing for 2018 Illinois Firearm Deer and Muzzleloader-only Deer permits. The deadline to apply for the second lottery is June 30. For more information, check the IDNR website at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspx

Mushroom Collecting: Reminder to mushroom collectors – no license is required, but mushroom collectors must have landowner permission and, on public sites, must adhere to approved collecting regulations and hours. Collection of mushrooms is allowed at many IDNR sites, but it is prohibited in any area designated as a dedicated nature preserve. Areas under the jurisdiction of the IDNR that offer spring turkey hunting are not open to mushroom collecting until after 1 p.m. daily during the spring turkey season to ensure the safety of all site visitors. Be sure to call ahead to the state site you intend to visit to learn of any site-specific regulations regarding mushroom collecting.

A Reminder to Leave Young Wildlife Alone

While the majority of you that are reading this article probably already know not to mess with young that look helpless.  However, there are still some that pick up and keep young wildlife.  Here is a reminder from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

Spring Breeding Season Reminder: Leave Young Wildlife Alone

It is Against the Law to Keep Wildlife as Pets

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding Illinois citizens to leave baby birds and wild animals alone.

Spring brings flowers and abundance of new wildlife.  

Illinois Bowfishing Comes Back to Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area for Festival and Conservation Shoot

What a great opportunity to get the family involved in the outdoors.  Take a look at the press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The Illinois Bowfishing Festival will be held on May 19 at Des Plaines SFWA.

Illinois Bowfishing Festival and Conservation Shoot Set for May 19 at Des Plaines SFWA

WILMINGTON, IL – Illinois’ Bowfishing Festival and Conservation Shoot at the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area boat access area is scheduled for Saturday, May 19.

Week of April 23, 2018 - Illinois 100th General Assembly Legislative Update

Both the House and Senate were busy in their respective chambers this week.  Below you will see the action taken on the outdoor related bills we are following. Click on each link to read more about each bill.

HOUSE

Agriculture Committee Action:

HB 5293 - Endangered Species FA #1 (Adopted 13-0-0)

• Amended to change to one member of the Endangered Species Board shall be a landowner representing the State's largest general farm organization.

HOUSE Floor:
HB 5440 - Youth Hunting (Passed 108-0-0)

• Provides the the fee for resident and non-resident youth archery deer permit shall be the same. 
• For example, out of state family under the age of 18 would be able to hunt for the same cost as a resident youth of the State of Illinois. 

SENATE

Agriculture Committee Action 

SB 2493 - Deer Feed FA#1 (Passed 8-0-0)

• Creates a two year study on supplemental feeding of deer. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in consultation with the DNR will conduct the study. 
• DNR is neutral on the bill as a pilot program. 

Senate Floor:

SB 2295- FISHING LICENSES (Passed Senate 52-0-0)

• Allows for electronic fishing and combo licenses. 

SB 2962 - RIVER OTTER LIMIT (Passed Senate 43-1-0)

• Allows the DNR to manage the River Otter population by allowing the department to set the limit based on research. 

SB 2963 - TRAPPING TAGS (Passed Senate 44-0-0)

• Currently trappers are required to put their name and address on their traps. This bill would allow trappers to use their DNR Customer # instead for privacy reasons.

Be sure to check back often so that you can stay informed from the Legislative Floors to the Great Outdoors! 

Attention Anglers: A Message from the IDNR Division of Fisheries

From the IDNR Division of Fisheries…

Attention Anglers: Mussels May Not Be Used as Bait in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois fishing regulations prohibit the use of mussels of any species from any waters of the state as fish bait.

An error regarding use of mussels appears in printed copies of the 2018 Illinois Fishing Information booklet (the online version of the booklet reflects the correct regulation).

Illinois fishing regulations now allow persons with a fishing license to possess up to 50 relic (dead) mussel shells by those who collect shells, or by those collecting relic mussel shells for educational purposes.

To review the 2018 Illinois Fishing Information booklet online, go to the I Fish Illinois website link at https://www.ifishillinois.org/regulations/2018FishingGuide.pdf.

Week of April 9th 2018 - Illinois 100th General Assembly Legislative Wrap-up

Both the House and Senate were busy with committees this week.  Below you will find a breakdown of some of the action taken on outdoor related bills.  Click on each link to read more about each bill.

HOUSE

Agriculture Committee Action on April 9, 2018:

• HB 4231 - Blaze Pink Clothing (Passed 17-0-0)
• Authorizes certain hunters to wear solid blaze pink colored clothing (in addition to blaze orange colored clothing).

• HB 5015 - DNR Volunteer Program Equipment  (Passed 17-0-0)
• Allows Adopt-APark & Adopt-A-Trail volunteers to use his or her own light equipment.

• HB 5293 - Endangered Species (Passed 11-1-2)
• States that 2 members of the Endangered Species Board shall be landowners representing the State's largest general farm organization.

• HB 5317 - Poached Deer Restitution Value  (Passed 17-0-0)
• Increases the restitution that the DNR will receive when someone illegally takes wildlife.  
• For example: 
• Whitetail Deer- increase from $250 to $1000
• Trumpeter Swan - increase from $250 to $1000
• Eagle - increase from $500 to $1000
• Wild Turkey - increase from $250 to $500

• HB 5440 - Youth Hunting (Passed 17-0-0)
• Provides the the fee for resident and non-resident youth archery deer permit shall be the same. 
• For example, out of state family under the age of 18 would be able to hunt for the same cost as a resident youth of the State of Illinois. 

• HB 5692 - River Otter Limit (Passed 17-0-0)
• By deleting the provision that states that the River Otter limit should not exceed five per season, the DNR is able to better manage the population and change the River Otter limit according to the biologists data. 

• HB 5693 - Trapping Tags  (Passed 17-0-0)
• Currently trappers are required to put their name and address on their traps.  This bill would allow trappers to use their DNR Customer # instead for privacy reasons. 

Revenue Committee Action from April 11, 2018:

• HB 4487 - Lottery Game - State Parks  - 
• This bill was moved to subcommittee and was not called for a vote in committee.

Passed the HOUSE

• HB 4783 - Youth Hunt/Trap (Passed 113-0-0)
• Amends the Wildlife Code to provide a universal definition of youth to be "under 18" for consistency when it comes to youth hunting programs.

SENATE

Agriculture Committee Action on April 12, 2018 

• SB 709 - Trapping Snapping Turtles (Failed 4-6-0)
• Adds snapping turtles to the species that one is able to trap. 

• SB 2295 - Electronic Fishing Licenses (Passed 9-0-0)
• Defines "fishing license" and "combination license" as an electronic or physical copy. 

• SB 2493 - Deer Feed (Passed 10-0-0)
• Provides that a person may supplementally feed deer with items otherwise prohibited by the Code when not in active deer hunting season
• This bill is being held on Second Reading so that Senator Rose can file an amendment 

• SB 2962 - River Otter Limit (Passed 8-1-0)
• By deleting the provision that states that the River Otter limit should not exceed five per season, the DNR is able to better manage the population and change the River Otter limit according to the biologists data.

• SB 2963 - Trapping Tags (Passed 9-0-0)
• Currently trappers are required to put their name and address on their traps.  This bill would allow trappers to use their DNR Customer # instead for privacy reasons. 

Both the House and Senate are back next week.  We will likely see some action on the floor regarding these bills that passed out of committee.  Be sure to check back often so that you can stay informed from the Legislative Floors to the Great Outdoors!