Illinois Receives Money From Michigan To Help Combat Asian Carp Problem

The Asian Carp problem is not just an Illinois problem.   Our neighboring states, like Michigan, Minnesota and Kentucky all fear these invasive species and the problem that they cause.   It's great seeing other states step up and look at the bigger picture, seeing that this problem affects them too. Governor Rauner needs to appreciate the support and take any help we can get at this time.  Yes, the issue is real and the problem can potentially be combated, but it is going to take a lot of work and other states cooperation to get this done.

 Below you'll see a a press release from Governor Bruce Rauner.

Illinois to Michigan: Put your money where the carp is

Michigan’s $8 million offer welcome, but should be put toward immediate efforts, not 10 years from now

CHICAGO — Gov. Bruce Rauner said today that Illinois is happy to accept $8 million from the State of Michigan to put toward the fight to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes — provided the funds can be used now to advance the effort. Unfortunately, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s current offer of financial assistance isn’t applicable until 2028.

Pheasant Hunters Will See Quotas Increase at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

It was just last week that I was fortunate enough to take a friend out hunting for his first pheasant hunt.  The action was great and of course there were a lot of laughs.  

Below you'll see a press release that a Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Site will be increasing their quotas.  

Hurry spots will fill up fast.

Controlled Pheasant Hunting Hunter Quotas Increased at Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources today announced that the daily hunter quotas have been increased on the Controlled Pheasant Hunting Unit at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass Co. through the close of the hunting season on Sunday, January 13, 2019. Additional pheasants will be released at the site because of the hunter quota increase.

Linc on his last pheasant hunt spooked up all four of our birds.  

Hunters are encouraged to use the online Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation System at www.dnr.illinois.gov to secure permits. Reserved Permits ensure hunters will have the opportunity to hunt and further, ensure that the correct number of pheasants are released for each hunter trip. Standby Permits are also available for each hunt date, although standby hunting opportunities are limited.

To access the reservation system:

Click on "Hunt/Trap" on the IDNR Home Page
Then click on "Upland Game"
Then click on "Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permits, Hunting Areas, Regs, etc."

Hunters are reminded that the daily permit fee for the controlled pheasant program is $30 for resident hunters and $35 for nonresident hunters. The daily permit fee applies to each hunter. Daily permit fees are collected during the on-line application process for Reserved Permits or at the site hunter check station for Standby Permit hunters.

Completing a permit reservation online takes less than five minutes.

For complete details, check the controlled pheasant hunting website at www.dnr.illinois.gov.

Preliminary Deer Harvest Totals from Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season

Check out this weeks preliminary numbers of the Illinois Muzzleloader-only Season. 

MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASON

Illinois deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 3,863 deer during the 2018 muzzleloading rifle deer season (Dec. 7-9), compared to 3,765 in 2017.

Harvest sex ratios were 56% does and 44% males (2172:1691).

The top five counties for muzzleloader season harvest were Pike (164), Randolph (132), Adams (129), Hancock (109), and Fulton (99).

Check out County by County numbers.