Be a Voice for the Outdoors During Illinois' 100th General Assembly

Be a Voice for the Outdoors During Illinois' 100th General Assembly

There are over 7,000 bills introduced each year in the Illinois General Assembly.  At Capitol Outdoors we keep you the hunter, angler and outdoor enthusiasts informed about your passion.  With several bills already being filed, things will start to move quickly.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is underfunded and overworked and it's important that the hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts stay informed on policy in Springfield.  It's time to stand up and make sure that legislators hear our voice.  Now I'm not saying we protest,  I'm saying that we need to have better relationships with our elected officials.  It's not enough to just call but make it a point that they know who you are!  As a hunter, angler or outdoor enthusiast if you don't speak up for your state parks, CPOs, and all outdoor opportunities, who will?   It's time!

With the new General Assembly comes new politicians, new committee appointments and new egos.  While it's important to make sure you contact your legislator on issues, it's as important if not more important to contact the members of the committees as a bill is being introduced.  If a bill is going to see time on the floor of the house or senate it will first have to go through either House Agriculture & Conservation Committee, the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee or one of the several other committees.  Make sure to subscribe to the Capitol Happenings to stay informed during this General Assembly.

Here is the list of members of the House Ag and Conservation and the Senate Environment and Conservation committees.

Will you be a voice for the outdoors?

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

CWD Continues it's Destructive Path

CWD Continues it's Destructive Path 

The spread of the deer killing disease called Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD for short, has continued spreading and has been spotted in a new Iowa County.  As of February 1, 2017 we haven't heard anything from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding the spread of CWD into new counties or if there were positive deer cases.

However, we continue to receive reports from surrounding states. 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that the CWD has spread to another county.  While Iowa's total CWD rate is still low (compared to states like IL or Wisconsin) their holding public meetings to inform the public about the status of the disease.  If you're interested or hunt Iowa we urge you to attend.  Why?  Since Iowa's first positive result in 2013 the spreading of the disease has continued and 2016 has been the worse year ever for Iowa.

If you hunt deer or just enjoy the outdoors and support conservation then you need stay informed of this issue.  There's no room for opinions just facts.  That's why we all need to become educated on this issue.  Below you'll find the full release from the Iowa's DNR regarding the confirmed case of CWD and information about the public meetings.

2017 Recap of the Pantagraph's Fish and Feather Expo

2017 Recap of the Pantagraph's Fish and Feather Expo

 

During expo season there are always those shows that you don't make it to.  Whether it is because it is too far away, too expensive or in some cases the show is a waste of time. That was how we felt about this show last year.  We didn't attend because we didn't find it worth our time and money.

However, optimism took over this year when we found out that the Pantagraph bought the Fish and Feather Expo. Within social media circles people were very excited about this because last year's show was not up to par.  When you are competing with shows like the Quad Cities, Elmwood, Tinley Park and Collinsville it is easy to see how you would be let down.

The Decline in Illinois Deer Harvest Continues

The Decline in Illinois Deer Harvest Continues

Illinois continues to see a decline in harvest numbers in whitetail deer over the past several seasons.  The IDNR data reflects this, however they say that this decline is done on purpose and is within the margin of acceptance of a healthy deer herd.  Groups, such as The Illinois Whitetail Alliance would disagree with the DNR and feel that the decline over recent years is something to worry about especially with diseases like CWD and Blue Tongue.  Whether you agree with the IDNR or the IWA you need to voice your opinion and contact the IDNR to let that opinion known.  Below you'll find the the press release issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding the deer harvest. 

Hunters in Illinois Harvested a Preliminary Total of 144,150 Deer During 2016-17 Seasons

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 144,150 deer during all 2016-17 seasons, which concluded Jan. 15. The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons compares with a total harvest for all seasons of 155,229 in 2015-16. 

During this year’s deer seasons, hunters took 44 percent does and 56 percent males.

A breakdown of Illinois deer hunting seasons is as follows:

Archery: Archery deer hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 53,479 deer during the season which began on Oct. 1, 2016 and concluded on Jan. 15, 2017. That compares with the harvest of 56,767 during the 2015-16 archery season.

Youth: Young deer hunters harvested 3,259 deer during the 2016 Illinois Youth Deer Season conducted on Oct. 8-10, 2016, compared with 2,850 deer harvested during the 2015 youth hunt.

Traditional Firearm Season: Hunters took a preliminary total of 79,429 deer during the 2016 Illinois Firearm Deer Season on Nov. 18-20 and Dec. 1-4, 2016, compared with 86,847 deer taken during the 2015 firearm season.

Muzzleloader: Hunters using muzzleloading rifles harvested 3,297 deer during the 2016 Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season on Dec. 9-11, 2016, compared with 2,403 in 2015.

Late-Winter Seasons: The 2016-17 Late-Winter Antlerless Only and Special CWD deer seasons concluded on Jan. 15, with a combined preliminary harvest total for both seasons of 4,686 deer, compared with a harvest of 6,362 deer taken during those seasons in 2015-16. Season dates for the Late-Winter and CWD seasons were Dec. 29, 2016-Jan. 1, 2017 and Jan. 13-15, 2017.

There were 14 northern Illinois counties open to the Special CWD Season in 2016-17, the same counties that were open for the 2015-16 seasons. The Special CWD season is used to assist in slowing the spread of chronic wasting disease in the Illinois deer herd.

There were 24 counties open for the Late-Winter Antlerless Season in 2016-17. Four counties open previously for the late-winter season were closed for 2016-17 because they had reached deer population goals, while one county was added to the late-winter hunt. Counties that are at or below their individual goal for two consecutive years may be removed from the late-winter season.

Tables on the PDF link below will provide a county-by-county summary of preliminary deer harvest results for 2016-17 and harvest results for 2015-16.
https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Documents/IDNR-DeerPrelimHarvest-Jan2017.pdf

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe