You know that fishing season is on the horizon when you hear about the power plant lakes opening back up. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources released the following press release regarding the opening day for LaSalle Lake. For more information check out IFISHILLINOIS and FISHIDY.  |
| State Budget FY 2017 Pictures property of IDNR and IGOMB |
HB6008 COUNTY CD&WILDLIFE-FIREARMS
HB6187 WLF CD-DEER HUNTING-RIFLES
Amends the School Code. With respect to the suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that if a firearm generally used for hunting purposes is found to be in a student's vehicle and the student has not faced prior disciplinary action for bringing a weapon to school, then the school board may not expel the student (rather than requiring expulsion for a period of not less than one year). Provides that the school board may suspend the student for no more than 3 days instead. Provides that these provisions do not apply to a handgun as defined in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act or any firearm located outside of the student's vehicle on school property.
Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a rifle may be used in deer hunting if it has a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding 1.4 inches, or a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, both of which must be available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. There is no case length limit for straight-walled cartridges on rifles. Provides that non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets may not be used to harvest deer; only soft point or expanding bullets, including copper or copper-alloy rounds designed for hunting, are legal ammunition.
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.
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. The bill was filed on January 28, 2016.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.
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.
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.
