Is Illinois Headed for a Lead Ammunition Ban?

Is Illinois Headed for a Lead Ammunition Ban?  

Earlier this year the Department of the Interior Director issued an order pertaining to Lead Tackle.  You can read the full order here, but below is the exact words for the purpose of the order:

To establish procedures and a timeline for expanding the use of nontoxic ammunition and fishing tackle on Service lands, waters, and facilities and for certain types of hunting and fishing regulated by the Service outside of Service lands, waters, and facilities.

Waterfowl hunters have had to use steel instead of lead for some time now, but could Illinois be heading to an all out ban. We saw this coming several years ago and started using steel shot for all of our hunting.

On February 10, 2017 Senator Harmon filed SB 1985, which:

Provides that it shall be unlawful to use lead ammunition to take wildlife in State parks or natural areas. Defines "lead ammunition" as a projectile containing one or more percent lead by weight. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Sangchris State Park and Silver Springs State Park are just two examples of state facilities that have site specific rules regarding non-toxic shot for dove hunting. These small steps taken at each facility show that the State of Illinois has already started the process to ban lead ammunition.  While the impact of something like this is non-existent for waterfowl hunters.  It will be interesting to see what the impact for hunters across the state would be for deer and dove season.

What are other states doing?

For example California is on its way to a lead ammunition ban.  Currently, non-toxic ammunition is required in the eight-county historic range of the California condor. There will be a complete ban on the use of lead ammunition for any hunting purposes anywhere in the state by July 1, 2019. 

If you would like more information regarding regulations on lead ammunition in other states, click here. 

Are you in favor of a lead ammunition ban? 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Wildlife CD- Lead Ammunition-100th GA - SB 1985

Wildlife CD- Lead Ammunition-100th GA - SB 1985

Senator Don Harmon (D)

Filed: SB 1985 on 2/10/2017

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it shall be unlawful to use lead ammunition to take wildlife in State parks or natural areas. Defines "lead ammunition" as a projectile containing one or more percent lead by weight. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

• Date - Chamber -  Action
• 2/10/2017 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. Don Harmon
• 2/10/2017 Senate First Reading
• 2/10/2017 Senate Referred to Assignments
• 2/28/2017 Senate Assigned to Environment and Conservation
• 3/9/2017 Senate Postponed - Environment and Conservation
• 3/16/2017 Senate Do Pass Environment and Conservation; 005-003-000
• 3/16/2017 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 28, 2017
• 4/6/2017 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 25, 2017
• 4/6/2017 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino
• 4/6/2017 Senate Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Melinda Bush
• 4/6/2017 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
• 4/10/2017 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Heather A. Steans
• 4/13/2017 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Patricia Van Pelt
• 4/25/2017 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro
• 4/28/2017 Senate Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2017
• 5/8/2017 Senate Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Bobcat Trapping a Success in IDNR's Books

Bobcat Trapping a Success in IDNR's Books

Hearing the latest trapping numbers for bobcats probably took on a whole new meaning for IDNR Director Wayne Rosenthal.  If you recall Director Rosenthal used to be a member of the House of Representatives and introduced as Chief Sponsor in the 98th GA a bobcat hunting bill.  As one of Governor Pat Quinn's last acts, he vetoed this bill.  Reintroduced in the 99th GA, a new bill was proposed, passed both chambers, and was signed into law by Governor Rauner.  This went into effect January 2016.  With trappers and protesters alike, over 6,400 people applied for the 500 permits to trap bobcats.  Below you'll see the official press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  

Crim CD-Handgun Ammo-Serialize - 100th GA - HB0271

Crim CD-Handgun Ammo-Serialize -100th GA - HB0271

Representative Sonya M. Harper (D)

Filed: HB0271 on 12/28/2016

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that beginning January 1, 2019, all handgun ammunition that is manufactured, imported into the State for sale or personal use, kept for sale, offered or exposed for sale, sold, given, lent, or possessed shall be serialized. Provides that beginning January 1, 2019, any person who manufactures, causes to be manufactured, imports into the State for sale or personal use, keeps for sale, offers or exposes for sale, or who gives or lends any handgun ammunition that is not serialized is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that beginning January 1, 2019, any person who possesses in any public place any handgun ammunition that is not serialized is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

CRM-CD- Firearm Transport - 100th GA - HB 0308

CRM-CD- Firearm Transport - 100th GA - HB 0308

Representative: Thomas M. Bennett (R)

Filed: HB 0308 on 1-10-2017

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who has been issued a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card may transport in a vehicle an accessible rifle, shotgun, or other long gun without the weapon being broken down in a non-functioning state or without the weapon being enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or other container if the firearm is unloaded.

Hearings: 

Judiciary - Criminal Committee Hearing Feb 15 2017 3:00PM Capitol Building Room 114 Springfield, IL

Previous Actions:

• Date - Chamber - Action
• 1/10/2017 House Prefiled with Clerk by Rep. Thomas M. Bennett
• 1/11/2017 House First Reading
• 1/11/2017 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 1/25/2017 House Assigned to Judiciary - Criminal Committee
• 2/2/2017 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Brandon W. Phelps

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Illinois Spring Trout Season Announced

Illinois Spring Trout Season Announced

It's that time of the year again. The annual Illinois Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 1, 2017 at 18 various sites in Illinois.  If you've never taken your kid fishing or want to introduce someone to fishing this is the best way to do it.  Trout fishing is fast and fun.  Remember, Illinois also has a special fly fishing season, so get out there and try your luck.  If you would like to know more about what we use for trout fishing you can read one of our old articles all about it.  Capitol Outdoors' Tips and Tricks for Inland Trout Fishing.  Below you'll see the official press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Crossbow Hunting Archery Season - 100th GA - SB1467

CROSSBOW HUNTING-ARCHERY SEASON

Sen. Neil Anderson

Filed: SB 1467 on 2-9-2017

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Wildlife Code. Repeals provision providing that it is unlawful to use any crossbow for the purpose of taking any wild birds or mammals except as provided in the Code. Repeals Sections concerning the use of crossbows.

Latest Action: Do Pass as Amended Agriculture; 008-002-000

• Date Chamber Action
• 2/9/2017 Senate Filed with Secretary by Sen. Neil Anderson
• 2/9/2017 Senate First Reading
• 2/9/2017 Senate Referred to Assignments
• 2/22/2017 Senate Assigned to Agriculture
• 3/3/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Neil Anderson
• 3/3/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
• 3/7/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Agriculture
• 3/8/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Neil Anderson
• 3/8/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Referred to Assignments
• 3/8/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Neil Anderson
• 3/8/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Referred to Assignments
• 3/9/2017 Senate Postponed - Agriculture
• 3/9/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Agriculture
• 3/15/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Assignments Refers to Agriculture
• 3/15/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Assignments Refers to Agriculture
• 3/16/2017 Senate Postponed - Agriculture
• 3/16/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Postponed - Agriculture
• 3/16/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Postponed - Agriculture
• 3/16/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Postponed - Agriculture
• 3/17/2017 Senate Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 7, 2017
• 4/6/2017 Senate Senate Committee Amendment No. 3 Adopted
• 4/6/2017 Senate Do Pass as Amended Agriculture; 008-002-000
• 4/6/2017 Senate Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading April 25, 2017

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

DNR Convey Real Estate - 100th GA - HB0534

DNR Convey Real Estate

Representative Carol Sente (D)

Filed: HB0534 on 1-24-2017

Authorizes the Director of Natural Resources to exchange described parcels of real estate in Lake County for another parcel of described real estate in Lake County. Effective immediately.

Latest Action:
Do Pass  Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 015-000-000

Previous Action:

•  Date - Chamber -  Action
• 1/24/2017 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Carol Sente
• 1/24/2017 House First Reading
• 1/24/2017 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 2/2/2017 House Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee
• 2/8/2017 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Sam Yingling
• 2/9/2017 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nick Sauer
• 2/9/2017 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sheri Jesiel
• 2/9/2017 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield
• 2/10/2017 House Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Scott Drury
• 2/15/2017 House Do Pass / Short Debate Agriculture & Conservation Committee; 015-000-000

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Wildlife In-Law Farm Hunt - 100th GA - HB480

Wildlife In-Law Farm Hunt

Representative Avery Bourne (R)

Filed: HB0480 on 1-18-2017

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that a spouse of an owner's or tenant's child, parent, brother, or sister actually permanently residing on farm lands shall have the right to hunt any of the species protected by the Code upon the land and waters without procuring hunting licenses (rather than only the owner's or tenant's children, parents, brothers, and sisters); but the hunting shall be done only during periods of time and with devices and by methods as are permitted by the Code.

Hearing Scheduled: Hearing Scheduled for Feb 22, 2017

Previous Action:

• Date Chamber Action
• 1/19/2017 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Avery Bourne
• 1/20/2017 House First Reading
• 1/20/2017 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 2/2/2017 House Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Wildlife - Crossbow Draw Weight -100th GA-HB 427

WILDLIFE-CROSSBOW DRAW WEIGHT

Representative Avery Bourne (R)

Filed: HB0427 on 1-12-2017

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that all crossbows used to hunt in this State must have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds and a maximum draw weight of at least 300 pounds.

Hearing Scheduled: - Hearing Scheduled for Feb 22, 2017

Previous Actions:

• Date - Chamber - Action: 
• 1/12/2017 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Avery Bourne
• 1/17/2017 House First Reading 
• 1/17/2017 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 2/2/2017 House Assigned to Agriculture & Conservation Committee

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe