Ice Fishing at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

Ice Fishing at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

There's nothing quite like going fishing on a crisp winter morning. We took to one of our favorite lakes at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Park. While it took a long time along with multiple holes we finally got onto the fish.  Watch our video and learn some of our tips that we use that allow us to catch more fish through the ice.

Eagle Day Festivities

Eagle Day Festivities 

For outdoor enthusiasts any opportunity to get out and enjoy nature, we take it.  Regardless if it's fishing, or hunting, we don't think twice.  This past weekend was Eagle Day at the Nature Conservancy's Emiquon and Raptor Awareness in Havana, Illinois.

With great weather and the opportunity, this is something that we normal don't take advantage off, and this year we did.

(SB 2143) Bill would make it Illegal to sell Bobcat Pelts

Bill would make it Illegal to sell Bobcat Pelts

Sponsored by Senator Don Harmon (Democrat of Oak Park, Illinois) Senate Bill 2143 (WILDLIFE CD-BOBCAT PELTS) was introduced back in May of 2015 and has been silent since.  That was until February 3, 2016 where SB 2143 has been assigned to Commerce and Economic Development.

Continue to check back with Capitol Outdoors as we monitor this and other bills for you.

SB2143 - WILDLIFE CD-BOBCAT PELTS

Amends the Wildlife Code. Prohibits the sale of bobcat pelts of bobcats taken in Illinois. Penalty for a violation of this provision is a petty offense, as provided in the general penalty section of the Code.

More Access and Spring Turkey Hunting Opportunities Added to Illinois Recreational Access Program

More Access and Spring Turkey Hunting Opportunities Added to Illinois Recreational Access Program

Youth Hunters Should Apply by Feb. 26 for Youth Turkey Season;
First-time adult and young hunters apply by March 10 for Seasons 3 and 4

Public hunters are always saying we need more land.  Well,  the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) might just be the answer to some of the land questions.  Granted there are some stipulations to be enrolled in this program as a landowner, but this is a great example of public private partnerships.  

This program has just added first time adult turkey hunters.  With them adding turkey hunting and all sorts of other hunting and recreational opportunities IRAP could be an acronym we say a lot more in the future.  

Read below for the full press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resouces

(HB 4604 & SB 2883) Additional Game Birds Possibly Coming to Illinois Public Hunting Grounds

Additional Game Birds Possibly Coming to Illinois Public Hunting Grounds

Bobwhite quail, chukar partridge, and gray partridge could be coming to Illinois public hunting grounds. Representative John Cavaletto (Republican - Salem, Illinois) introduced a bill that could bring additional game birds to Illinois public hunting grounds.

HB 4604 - WILDLIFE CD-HUNTING-GAME BIRDS

Amends the Wildlife Code. Changes the name of the fee from "Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants" to "Public Hunting Grounds for Game Birds". Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may permit hunters to take bobwhite quail, chukar partridge, and gray partridge on public hunting grounds. Authorizes the Department to set the hunting season for game birds by administrative rule between the dates of September 1st and March 31st, both inclusive.

The bill was filed on January 28, 2016.

(SB 2342)(HB 5788) Catfish May Soon Be Taken by Bow & Arrow and Other Devices in Illinois

Catfish May Soon Be Taken by Bow & Arrow and Other Devices in Illinois

If you bowfish, use an underwater spear gun or pitch fork to harvest fish, you soon could take catfish. Senator David S. Luechtefeld (Republican Okawville, Illinois) introduced legislation that would add catfish to the list of aquatic species taken by these devices.

SB2342 - FISHING AUTHORIZATION & LIMITS

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Adds catfish to the list of aquatic life that may be taken by pitchfork, underwater spear gun, bow and arrow or bow and arrow device, including a sling shot bow, spear, or gig. Provides that specified fish shall not be sold or bartered unless authorized by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that the daily take, harvest limits, or additional species are subject to and set forth in administrative rule.

This bill was introduced January 28, 2016.

(HB 4547 & SB 3170) Concealed Carry while Hunting Bill Introduced in Illinois

Concealed Carry while Hunting Bill Introduced in Illinois

Those that are valid concealed carry holders in Illinois may be able to carry their firearms while deer hunting.  Representative David Reis, (Republican - Olney, Illinois) introduced new legislation.  This has been an ongoing debate since concealed carry has come to Illinois.  If this sounds familiar a similar bill HB 346 was introduced and sat in the Judiciary Committee collecting dust.

HB 4547 -  HUNTING-CARRYING HANDGUNS 

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a person with a valid concealed carry license issued under the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, or an off-duty law enforcement official or officer, may carry a handgun on or about his or her person while hunting. Effective immediately.

The bill was filed on January 27, 2016 and if approved by the legislature and governor the bill would take effect immediately.

Illinois Spring Snow Goose Hunting

My brother Rick with his first snow!

Illinois Spring Snow Goose Hunting

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago there wasn't much talk about hunting snow geese. Every now and then we would see a small flock while in the blind but, that's it.  It wasn't until I moved to Central Illinois that I began hearing, learning and seeing snow geese.

IDNR Delivers Rules to Implement Regulated Harvest of Bobcats

IDNR Delivers Rules to Implement Regulated Harvest of Bobcats 

Below is a press releases from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding the harvesting of bobcats in Illinois.  The Bobcat Bill was approved by Governor Rauner on July 15, 2015. Read about the Illinois Bobcat Hunting Bill Clears House Hurdle history.

A League of Their Own - Archery Enthusiasts head Indoors

A League of Their Own - Archery Enthusiasts head Indoors

Heather shooting at some targets down range.

On these cold winter days, there is only so much hunting shows and Youtube that you can watch and after scrolling through a social media platform for the 100th time, you start to get the itch to go outside or just leave the house.   Old man winter has a grip on Illinois, this is when boredom and "cabin fever" get the best of us.  Especially those deer hunters.  Why them?

Eagle Day Gives Bird's Eye View of American Icon; Live Demo of Birds of Prey

The Nature Conservancy sent a press release and asked Capitol Outdoors to share this opportunity with all of you.  While we have never partaken in this event, ere's nothing quite like watching a Bald Eagle sore through the sky.  

Eagle Day Gives Bird's Eye View of American Icon; Live Demo of Birds of Prey

Communities, conservation, research and animal groups plan day-long festivities

LEWISTOWN, Ill. -- Family-friendly Eagle Day events will be held at The Nature Conservancy's Emiquon Preserve and other locations on February 6, 2016. Admission is free at all of the events.

Illinois Deer Hunters Harvest Preliminary Total of 155,131 Deer During 2015-2016 Seasons Deer Hunting Seasons Closed January 17

Illinois Deer Hunters Harvest Preliminary Total of 155,131 Deer During 2015-2016 Seasons

Deer Hunting Seasons Closed January 17

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released their preliminary totals for the 2015 - 2016 season.  Those participating in deer harvest took a total of 155,131 compared to the 145,720 in 2014 -2015 season.  This is an increase of about 6.5%.  The Missouri Department of Conservation also released their totals. 

ATA Grand American will Stay in Illinois

ATA Grand American will Stay in Illinois

From Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Wayne Rosenthal

STATEMENT: “Today’s announcement ensures the 2016 ATA Grand American will take place at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex despite the Democratic Legislature’s failure to pass a balanced budget. The Rauner Administration is protecting this significant economic engine for Southern Illinois by ensuring this premier event will take place at the WSRC.”

BACKGROUND: IDNR is signed a MOU with ATA to ensure the largest trap shooting event in the country remains in Southern Illinois, and to give members of the ATA confidence they will have a location for their shoot. The MOU allows IDNR to negotiate with the ATA allowing them to operate the complex should the state not be able to open the facility by April 15. Governor Rauner’s proposed budget included full funding for the WSRC. We are only in this position because the legislature failed to pass a balanced budget.

A reminder for late-winter/CWD hunters that would like to have their deer tested:

Watching this deer at Banner Marsh in Fulton County. 

A reminder for late-winter/CWD hunters that would like to have their deer tested:

Capitol Outdoors received the information below from Chris Young, the Communicatigon Director at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

Late-Winter/CWD Deer Season Reminder: Hunters are reminded that the Late-Winter Antlerless-only and Special CWD deer hunting seasons conclude on Jan. 15-17. There will be 27 counties open for Late-Winter season and 14 counties open for the Special CWD season. Hunters should check the information page on the IDNR website to make sure the county they intend to hunt is open for the Late-Winter or Special CWD season: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/Late-WinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf

Late season deer hunters are encouraged to have adult animals sampled for Chronic Wasting Disease at the nearest available facility. Each hunter-killed animal sampled from CWD zones contributes to the removal goal established for each. A list of cooperating vendors and voluntary drop-off points can be found at this location on our website:

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/programs/CWD/Documents/CWDSamplingLocations.pdf

Illinois National Wild Turkey Federation Banquets 2016

Illinois National Wild Turkey Federation Banquets 2016

Gobble, Gobble,  Turkey season is always around the corner.  Fall or Spring there's nothing like a turkey strutting into range.  The NWTF has a great program called "Save the Habitat Save the Hunt".  Go to a banquet and support conservation efforts here in Illinois and other parts of the country.  

Make sure to check out the Illinois National Wild Turkey Federation website.

Gobblers At Mcgraw 

1-14-2014

Contact: Brent & Cathy Manning
brent1722@yahoo.com
(217) 720-3683

Location: Max Mcgraw Wildlife Foundation
14 N 322 Route 25, 60118

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Bureau Creek Gobblers
1-22-2016

Contact: Kurt Freeberg
kurt.freeberg@yahoo.com
(815) 875-4089

Location: Bureau County Metro Center
837 Park Avenue West
Princeton, IL 61356

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