Illinois Bowfishing Comes Back to Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area for Festival and Conservation Shoot

What a great opportunity to get the family involved in the outdoors.  Take a look at the press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  The Illinois Bowfishing Festival will be held on May 19 at Des Plaines SFWA.

Illinois Bowfishing Festival and Conservation Shoot Set for May 19 at Des Plaines SFWA

WILMINGTON, IL – Illinois’ Bowfishing Festival and Conservation Shoot at the Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area boat access area is scheduled for Saturday, May 19.

Week of April 23, 2018 - Illinois 100th General Assembly Legislative Update

Both the House and Senate were busy in their respective chambers this week.  Below you will see the action taken on the outdoor related bills we are following. Click on each link to read more about each bill.

HOUSE

Agriculture Committee Action:

HB 5293 - Endangered Species FA #1 (Adopted 13-0-0)

• Amended to change to one member of the Endangered Species Board shall be a landowner representing the State's largest general farm organization.

HOUSE Floor:
HB 5440 - Youth Hunting (Passed 108-0-0)

• Provides the the fee for resident and non-resident youth archery deer permit shall be the same. 
• For example, out of state family under the age of 18 would be able to hunt for the same cost as a resident youth of the State of Illinois. 

SENATE

Agriculture Committee Action 

SB 2493 - Deer Feed FA#1 (Passed 8-0-0)

• Creates a two year study on supplemental feeding of deer. University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in consultation with the DNR will conduct the study. 
• DNR is neutral on the bill as a pilot program. 

Senate Floor:

SB 2295- FISHING LICENSES (Passed Senate 52-0-0)

• Allows for electronic fishing and combo licenses. 

SB 2962 - RIVER OTTER LIMIT (Passed Senate 43-1-0)

• Allows the DNR to manage the River Otter population by allowing the department to set the limit based on research. 

SB 2963 - TRAPPING TAGS (Passed Senate 44-0-0)

• Currently trappers are required to put their name and address on their traps. This bill would allow trappers to use their DNR Customer # instead for privacy reasons.

Be sure to check back often so that you can stay informed from the Legislative Floors to the Great Outdoors! 

Attention Anglers: A Message from the IDNR Division of Fisheries

From the IDNR Division of Fisheries…

Attention Anglers: Mussels May Not Be Used as Bait in Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois fishing regulations prohibit the use of mussels of any species from any waters of the state as fish bait.

An error regarding use of mussels appears in printed copies of the 2018 Illinois Fishing Information booklet (the online version of the booklet reflects the correct regulation).

Illinois fishing regulations now allow persons with a fishing license to possess up to 50 relic (dead) mussel shells by those who collect shells, or by those collecting relic mussel shells for educational purposes.

To review the 2018 Illinois Fishing Information booklet online, go to the I Fish Illinois website link at https://www.ifishillinois.org/regulations/2018FishingGuide.pdf.