More Opportunities for Turkey Hunting Through the Illinois Recreational Access Program

More Opportunities for Turkey Hunting Through the Illinois Recreational Access Program

Ninety percent of land in Illinois is privately owned which leaves it hard, at times, to find places to go hunting.  Could IRAP be the future of the majority of hunting in Illinois? Have you ever used this program to hunt?  Are you a landowner that takes advantage of this program? Comment below and share your opinion.   

See below for IDNR press release:

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) – a program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) – has added adult turkey hunting to its growing list of outdoor recreation activities on private land in Illinois.

 Adult turkey hunting for the 2017 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season’s third and fourth season segments is available in Christian, Clark, Fayette, Greene, Macoupin, McDonough, Sangamon and Schuyler counties to any registered hunter. First-time adult turkey hunters (individuals who have not hunted turkey in the past 5 years) can also apply for Brown and Fulton counties in addition to the counties listed above.

Illinois Trappers Association to Hold Annual Fur Auctions

Illinois Trappers Association to Hold Annual Fur Auctions

The Illinois Trappers Association (ITA) will hold two fur auctions in January. The first will be the Northern sale at the Odell Community Center, 408 North Morgan St., Odell, Illinois, on Saturday January 14th.  Doors open at 6:00 am and the action starts at 9:00 am.

Illinois Conservation Police Layoffs Averted

Illinois Conservation Police Layoffs Averted

Governor Rauner Administration has reached a collective bargaining agreement

Good news released today!

The Rauner Administration has reached an agreement with the Illinois Faternal Order of Police to forego layoffs, negotiations included a four year wage freeze. As you know CPOs are vital to the state's natural resources and parks and they provide enforcement to protect wildlife. 

We applaud the Rauner Administration and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police for coming to an agreement so that our state's natural resources can be protected.

 

This agreement also stated that work will be done to expand staffing levels. Currently, there are not enough conservation officers throughout the state and unfortunately this lack of officers affects our state parks, wildlife and the habitat that they live in.

With crumbling state parks and the DNR budget continuing to decrease this is a small victory for outdoors men and women throughout Illinois.

The following is a press release from the Governor's Office.

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today the Administration has reached a collective bargaining agreement with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council representing Illinois Conservation Police Officers.

"Through fair and good faith negotiations, we were able to reach a compromise that continues to protect our state parks and other natural resources," Rauner General Counsel Dennis Murashko said. "This new contract is fair to both state employees and taxpayers, and we look forward to continuing our partnership while working together to serve the citizens of Illinois."

The agreement includes a four-year wage freeze and ensures no conservation police officers will be laid off, while we work to expand staffing levels.

Elk Killed in Illinois by Hunter in Macoupin County...Seriously.

Elk Killed in Illinois by Hunter in Macoupin County...Seriously.

Let's pretend we're sitting around a campfire talking hunting and fishing, when someone says did you hear about the guy who shot an elk with a long bow here in Illinois?  It's OK if you laugh at first, but, it's true.

How often do you hear of a elk being shot in Illinois? Wisconsin or Michigan sure but, not Illinois.  It's my first time hearing about it so I want to share it with you.   Frank Link of Carlinville has harvested an elk.  Before anyone starts questioning the legality of it, it's OK to harvest an elk because there's no season or special protection like apex predators (wolves, bears, etc).  Just make sure there's no tag in its ear to identify it as a farm-raised animal.  That information came from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesperson.