Illinois Mixed Bag: CWD check stations, drop-off sites ready

Springfield — DNR is reminding deer hunters about locations where deer can be tested for CWD free of charge. Hunters can visit participating vendors, including taxidermists and meat processors, or leave deer heads at self-serve drop-off sites. Search for locations on the DNR website or on the Hunt Illinois app.

“Hunters in CWD counties are strongly encouraged to have their deer tested,” DNR emphasized in a news release. “Hunters who plan to have their deer mounted can have a cooperating taxidermist collect the sample; testing procedures will not damage the deer skull. Hunters not using a cooperating taxidermist can take the caped-out head to an DNR sample drop-off site.”

Firearm deer hunters in CWD counties can get a voluntary sample taken by a biologist when they bring harvested deer to mandatory physical check stations during the 2024 firearm seasons Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 5-8. Check stations can be found on the DNR website.

Hunters in non-CWD counties can use sample drop-off barrels or sampling vendors to have samples submitted for testing.

MORE COVERAGE FROM ILLINOIS OUTDOOR NEWS:

Sharpshooters provided 127 of 308 CWD-positive deer in Illinois

Ralph Loos: How many deer are there in Illinois? It’d be nice to know

Illinois upland bird hunters remain scarce, but more quail, roosters await

Michigan Tribe to Restore River’s Fish Passages

Lansing, Mich. — With funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) will remove 12 fish passage barriers at road-stream crossings on their traditional lands in Michigan. They will also investigate fish passage options for lake sturgeon at two hydroelectric dams.

GTB hired Naomi Louchouarn as a river restoration project manager to increase its ability to participate in coordinated restoration planning and implementation. Louchouarn is helping GTB engage in relicensing effort for the Tower and Kleber dams on the Black River. Hydropower dams have blocked upstream access for lake sturgeon for a century or more. Lake sturgeon can live 100 years.

‘Hunters Feeding Illinois’ Resumes Program

Springfield — The Illinois Deer Donation Program returns for its third donation season as “Hunters Feeding Illinois.” The name change is a reflection of an expanded partnership among Feeding Illinois, Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network, and University of Illinois Extension. The expanded partnership covers 16 counties in east-central Illinois and 16 counties in southern Illinois.

Like previous years, hunters can donate whole harvested deer at no cost. Partnering meat processors are prepared to accept donated deer with the start of deer hunting season. Because processing volume increases throughout the season, hunters are encouraged to call processors in advance to confirm they have slots to accept deer. Processors have a select number of slots for donated deer, which becomes more limited as the season continues.

To donate, or learn about partnering meat processors, follow the program on Facebook.

Spring Turkey Permit Applications Accepted

Springfield — Permit applications for the Illinois 2025 spring turkey hunting season are now being accepted, with three separate lotteries scheduled to determine hunter seasons and dates. Lottery 1 is open to Illinois resident hunters and has an application deadline of Dec. 1. Lottery 2 opens to all hunters on Dec. 12 and runs through Jan. 13. Lottery 3 is open to all hunters beginning Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 10. The deadline for landowner permit applications is Feb. 9. Permits remaining after the Lottery 3 drawing will be available over the counter from license vendors throughout the state on a first-come, first-served basis beginning March 11.

B.A.S.S. Enhances 2025 Bassmaster Opens Season

Springfield — B.A.S.S. officials announced the schedule for the revamped 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, and the schedule features eight events – including some vintage tournament stops for the organization – across two divisions. For 2025, Open anglers placing in the Top 50 in each division’s Angler of the Year race will advance to the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series. This stand-alone series will feature three events, spanning from September through November, where anglers will compete to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series.

The schedule begins Jan. 23-25 at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Evans, Ga. This event marks the first time an Open event has visited the fishery, which is the third-largest artificial lake east of the Mississippi River. After a break of more than two months, Division 1 will pick up competition again April 16-18 at Tombigbee River in Columbus, Miss., a stop that hasn’t appeared on a Bassmaster schedule since 2004. Division 2 kicks off its season Feb. 13-15 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas.

Missouri’s Fourth Bear Season Had Quota of 40

Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri held a black bear season Oct. 21-30, issuing 400 permits and setting the harvest quota at 40. This is the fourth bear season in the neighboring state – the most bears harvested in a season was 12. The Missouri Department of Conservation has reported the bear population has been expanding for a number of years, and estimates the state’s black bear population to be between 950 and 990. The population has reportedly moved northward, causing bear sightings in the St. Louis area, including here in Illinois.

“We’ll probably review the results of the 2024 season, and we might look at making shifts in the hunting season itself,” Nate Bowersock, MDC’s black bear and furbearer biologist said. Restrictions in place for Missouri’s bear season including the size of firearm that can be used. It is illegal for hunters to use ATVs, unless they are a landowner.