Gov. Rauner announces over $1 Million in Recreational Trail Grants

Gov. Rauner announces over $1 Million in Recreational Trail Grants

Funding to improve trails in six Illinois counties

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor Bruce Rauner today announced $1,019,200 in grant funding for multi-purpose recreational trail projects that will create or improve trails in six Illinois counties. Funding for the projects is supported by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Recreational Trails Program. 

“Our trails showcase all the beauty Illinois has to offer,” Governor Rauner said. “Whether you’re enjoying them with family and friends or your pets it’s a great opportunity to explore our state. These grants will improve access to our trails across Illinois.”

CWD Test Results are in for Two Missouri Counties

CWD Test Results are in for Two Missouri Counties

When you hear of chronic wasting disease (CWD) you might think of Northern Illinois or Wisconsin.  However this disease continues to spread not only in Illinois but in other states as well.  Not sure how many of our readers hunt Missouri but when it comes to CWD every hunter, angler and outdoor person should be aware of the impacts and spread of this disease.

Budget Uncertainty Affects Sparta World Shooting Complex

Budget Uncertainty Affects Sparta World Shooting Complex

 The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) decided to move the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships to Ohio.  Time will tell how the departure of the SCTP and the SASP will affect the local economy in Sparta.

Preliminary Numbers for Illinois Muzzleloader Deer Season

Preliminary Numbers for Illinois Muzzleloader Deer Season

Below you'll find the preliminary numbers for the Illinois muzzleloader deer season.  The table contains county preliminary harvest totals from the 2016 Illinois Muzzleloader-only Deer Season (12/9-12/11).

Illinois Conservation Foundation Scholarship Now Available for High School Seniors

Do you know of a good standing high school senior that loves the outdoors?  The IDNR just released the application for the Illinois Conservation Foundation Scholarship.  Check below and share with family and friends who maybe interested.  Best of luck to all those that apply. 

Apply Now for Illinois Conservation Foundation Scholarship

Illinois Seven Day Firearm Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Illinois Seven Day Firearm Preliminary Harvest Numbers

Wow... big drop in harvest numbers for the seven day firearm season.   With a difference of about 6,400 and deer numbers are down in archery as well.  Makes you wonder what the strategy will be for the IDNR biologist.

Hunters in Illinois Harvest Preliminary Total of 79,429 Deer During Seven-Day Firearm Season 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters harvested a preliminary total of 79,429 deer during the seven-day Illinois Firearm Deer Season that closed on Sunday, Dec. 4. That figure compares to the final total of 86,847 deer harvested during the seven days of the firearm season in 2015.

The preliminary harvest for the second segment of the firearm season on Dec. 1-4 totaled 24,977, compared with 28,977 during the second season in 2015. The preliminary harvest total for the first segment of firearm season on Nov. 18-20 was 54,452 deer, compared with the 57,870 deer taken by hunters during the first season in 2015.

Deer hunting opportunities remain available in Illinois this late fall/early winter:

• The Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season is this weekend, Dec. 9-11. 
• The Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Season and CWD Deer Season first segments (in designated counties only) will be Dec. 29, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017. 
• The second segments of the Late-Winter Antlerless-Only and CWD Deer Seasons (in designated counties only) will be Jan. 13-15, 2017. 
• Archery Deer Season continues through Jan. 15, 2017. Details on the Late-Winter and CWD seasons are available on the IDNR website at:http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/Late-WinterSHAHuntingPermitInformation.pdf

For more deer hunting information, visit: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspxA table of preliminary Firearm Deer Season harvest numbers for 2016, broken down by county and compared with 2015, is below.