Students to Compete in Illinois State Archery Tournament This Weekend

It's no secret, much of my time is devoted to high school bass fishing.  I love fishing in general and try to get out on the water as much as possible, but my passion for hunting runs deep as well.  Growing up, that passion was rooted in waterfowl hunting.  I also used to shoot archery as a kid, but, this is one area of the hunting industry I fell away from.

Archery is something all ages and experience levels can enjoy.  If you're an archery freak, just getting into the sport, or want to know more, then this weekend is your chance.  Hunters love archery tournaments because it keeps their shot sharp and clean.  

Students to Compete in Illinois State Archery Tournament April 5 and 6

Top finishers will advance to National Tournament

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Illinois State Tournament on Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6 at the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. Participation remains strong as nearly 1,000 archers from 36 schools have registered to compete.


The first shooting flight begins at 8 a.m. both days, and awards will be presented after the conclusion of the last flight on April 6. Top finishers qualify for the NASP U.S. Eastern Nationals to be held May 9-11 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Students participating in the Illinois state event in Springfield will compete in three divisions, including Elementary (Grades 4-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8) and High School (Grades 9-12). Members of the Illinois Archery Association provide volunteer support for the event. Last year’s state champions were Champaign Central High School (Grades 9-12), Champaign Jefferson Middle School (Grades 6-8), and Next Generation School of Champaign (Grades 4-5).

NASP is a nationally acclaimed youth archery program that implements a curriculum-based archery education program into local schools through the physical education department. The program started in Kentucky in 2002 and has expanded to include thousands of participating schools in five countries. Illinois was one of the first 10 states registered in the program.

2019 NASP Illinois State Tournament schools include:

Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire
Armstrong Ellis Grade School
Armstrong-Potomac Schools
Athens High School
Canton High School
Canton Ingersoll Middle School
Centennial High School, Champaign
Central High School, Champaign
Cuba High School
Danville High School
East Dubuque High School
Ewing Grade School
Gifford Grade School
Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School
Georgetown-Ridge Farm Middle School
Georgetown-Ridge Farm Elementary School
Herrin High School
Herrin Middle School
Hubbard High School, Chicago
Jefferson Middle School, Champaign
Judah Christian School, Champaign
Lewistown
Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Chicago
Metamora St. Mary’s
Metamora Township High School
Next Generation School, Champaign
Oswego High School
Phoenix Military Academy, Chicago
Pinckneyville High School
Pinckneyville Junior High School
Potomac
Roberto Clemente High School, Chicago
Schlarman Academy, Danville
St. Bruno, Pinckneyville
St. John’s Lutheran School, Mattoon
Tremont High School

Illinois Statewide Park Entrance Fees On The Horizon

This morning the Senate Environment Committee had a hearing on SB 1310. Senator Rezin introduced this piece of legislation to begin implementing a parking fee for Starved Rock State Park. This state park is ranked 11th in the nation and the local area has seen an increase in the number of visitors. LaSalle County residents are struggling with the over 3 million visitors they see each year and the state park maintenance is deteriorating.

Photo Credit EnjoyIllinois.com

Four New Locations Added to Spring Trout Release

Here at Capitol Outdoors, we always look forward to the Fall and Spring trout release.  It's a great way to get those who've never fished before or to get kids outside.  This is a great way to teach the basics and the action can be fast and furious. There are lots of ways to catch these slippy fish.  Casting a spoon, power bait, minnow, and even corn.  However if you're looking to increase your odds, read our prior articles.  "Capitol Outdoors' Tips and Tricks for Inland Trout Fishing" Looks like there will be four new fishing locations added to this year's season.  Baumann Lake in Cherry Valley, Weldon Springs Lake in DeWitt County, Casey Park Pond in Casey, and Belk Lake in Wood River.  Below you'll see a list of locations for this tradition.  

Check out Autumn catch a golden trout at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.  Also you can watch one of our first video we ever did.  Go ahead and laugh we sure did!   GOOD LUCK!

2019 Illinois Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 6

Press Release - Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Illinois DNR Newsbits - and First Message for Acting Director Callahan

Inside the IDNR March 2019

Governor JB Pritzker on February 19 appointed Colleen Callahan to serve as Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Prior to the appointment, Colleen managed her own communications consulting firm after serving for more than seven years as state director for USDA Rural Development in Illinois. During her tenure at USDA, she and her staff worked with local communities and businesses to generate a $1 billion increase in the Illinois rural development loan portfolio. Colleen also worked for 30 years in radio and television, serving as the agribusiness director for WMBD in Peoria. She was the first female president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Colleen grew up on a cattle and grain farm near Milford in Iroquois County. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. 

Information in this post was provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

FIRST CHICAGOLAND NATIONAL PHEASANT FEST & QUAIL CLASSIC DRAWS 22,387

Press Release from Pheasants & Quail Forever

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic presented by Federal Premium Ammunition drew 22,387 weekend attendees to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, the event’s inaugural run in Chicagoland. At the nation’s biggest gathering of upland wildlife conservationists, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced his department’s intention to hold upcoming signups for the federal Conservation Reserve Program, the country’s signature pheasant and quail habitat creator.

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2019 (photo courtesy: Capitol Outdoors)

Governor Pritzker's Proposed Budget for Department of Natural Resources

Today Governor Pritzker released his FY20 proposed operating budget for the DNR. You can find it on page 256 of the Proposed Operating Budget. An operating budget is where 'appropriations are for consumable goods and services such as salaries and benefits, commodities, utilities, and professional services that are purchased and used during any one fiscal year.

The Governor’s recommended FY20 budget supports a Conservation Police Officer trainee class of 20 to help with the reduction due to retirement.

The proposed budget fully funds historic sites and preservation operations at last year's levels and maintains operations of all state parks and campgrounds.