Cory Yarmuth is an experienced Illinois outdoorsman who has had a fishing rod in his hands for over 34 years. His father introduced him to the outdoors at an early age by taking him hunting for pheasants or chasing King salmon in rivers. These days Cory can often be found fishing the shorelines of Lake Michigan or out in my boat chasing a number of different species of fish. Along with being an outdoors writer, Cory is a local guide, seminar speaker and tournament fisherman.

As a fellow outdoorsman and a regular contributor to Illinois Outdoor News, I’m pleased to be part of the Outdoor News blog roll. Those of you who have seen my drivel in the pages of ION may be somewhat familiar with my background as a 17-year deer and turkey hunter who cut his teeth as a boy hunting small game in the fencerows and creek bottoms of Perry County. I’ve also been known to wet a line now and then, and in recent years I’ve started getting acquainted with waterfowl hunting.

Keri Butt is a lifetime resident of northern Illinois. She is a freelance writer, and enjoys speaking publicly about getting more women and kids involved in the outdoors. Keri also teaches hunting classes offered at various women’s workshops. When she began hunting ten years ago, she had no idea that it would grow into what has now become a passion that consumes her life. When she’s not hunting, Keri devotes most of her time to family, but appreciates most the moments she can combine the two.

Ralph Loos has been editor of Illinois Outdoor News since its launch in 2008. Previous to that, he was a newspaper reporter and editor in Springfield, Chicago, Denver and Nashville, Tennessee. Ralph grew up on a farm in southern Illinois (Perry County), where he fished local farm ponds and strip mine pits. An avid quail hunter, Ralph still spends a great deal of time on his family's farm, hunting deer, squirrels and birds. He now resides in Edwardsville, where his only hobby outside of the outdoors is running marathons.

 

Archive » Hunting News

  • Hunters anxious while ammo supply shrinks

    Hunters anxious while ammo supply shrinks

    Like many hunters in the state, Alan Decker’s annual spring ritual includes re-stocking his gun cabinet’s supply of .22 shells.

  • Deer presence could be altered by common shrub

    Deer presence could be altered by common shrub

    A new threat to the state’s deer herd has been highlighted, though fans of frogs and other amphibians certainly have more reason to be concerned about a fierce invader known as Rhamnus cathartica

  • Hunters to talk deer at forums

    Hunters to talk deer at forums

    As promised, hunters are going to get their say about the state’s deer herd

Archive »Hunting Tips

Deer and bowhunting: Treestand safety starts now

Leaving up your stands all year can lead to dangerous hunting situations.

Alaska Game and Fish shares bear safety tips

Although the heavy winter snow may have them wanting to hit the snooze button, it won't be long before local bears begin to rise and shine for the spring.

Turkey Hunting Safety Tips

Successful hunting trips require a combination of skill, patience and most importantly, preparation. As turkey season rapidly approaches, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) encourages preparation first, hoping that hunters will brush up on important turkey hunting safety tips before hitting the woods.

Archive » Fishing News

  • Flooding spawns hope for anglers

    Flooding spawns hope for anglers

    April’s statewide flooding is unlikely to produce detrimental long-term effects on the waters of Illinois, and may actually boost the vitality of some water ecosystems.

  • Water woes aside, captains focus on fishing

    Water woes aside, captains focus on fishing

    Low water and fish, not necessarily in that order, are at the top of the minds of the Lake Michigan charter boat fleet as the spring fishing season gets going.

  • Walleye Freshwater Game Fishing Gold

    Walleye Freshwater Game Fishing Gold

    The largest member of the perch family, Sander vitreus, has a dedicated angling following throughout most of the eastern United States and Canada

Archive »Fishing Tips

Old-reliable river walleye tricks: blade baits and crankbaits

Mix up your spring walleye presentations by deploying the classic blade baits and cranks

New Lures for 2013

What lies beneath and up top for this fishing season

Three-way swivel rigs: a deadly approach for river walleyes SUMMARY: Use three-way swiv

Use three-way swivel-rigs as a dead-stick approach for two-line spring walleye waters.

Walleye Freshwater Game Fishing Gold

The largest member of the perch family, Sander vitreus, has a dedicated angling following throughout most of the eastern United States and Canada