Illinois Mixed Bag: Outdoor Hall of Fame Nominations Due July 15

Springfield — The Illinois Conservation Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2026 Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame. Nominations must be submitted online by July 15. 

Since 2002, the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame has recognized individuals whose dedication, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on conservation and outdoor recreation across Illinois. Inductees include mentors who introduced new generations to hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions; conservation leaders who protected wildlife habitat and natural resources; and advocates whose efforts strengthened Illinois’ outdoor heritage for future generations.

“The Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame celebrates people whose passion and commitment have helped shape the future of conservation in our state,” said Jenny Vaughn, executive director of the ICF. “These individuals have inspired others, protected our natural resources, and ensured that future generations can enjoy the outdoors. We encourage everyone to help us recognize those deserving of this honor.”

Individuals selected for the 2026 class will be inducted during the Illinois Conservation Foundation’s annual Outdoor Hall of Fame Gala in spring 2027. For additional information email jenny@ilconservation.org or call 217-785-2003.

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New Farm Bill Draft Would ‘Modernize’ CRP

Washington, D.C. — Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), chairman of the Senate committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, released a federal farm bill draft with language in it that conservation officials say would modernize and improve the Conservation Reserve Program.  This spring, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the federal farm bill though that bill only reauthorized CRP at its current national allotment of 27 million acres. The differences on CRP would have to be worked out in conference committee, conservation officials say. That assumes the Senate passes their version of the bill. A vote has not been scheduled by Sen. Boozman. However, conservation officials say the release of the Senate’s draft is a positive step in potentially passing a bill this year.

“Rural American needs a farm bill, and we urge Congress to come together to pass a bipartisan bill that strengthens CRP and other voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs,” said Andrew Schmidt, director of government affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.

A new Farm Bill has not been passed since 2018. That bill expired in September 2023. One-year extensions have been passed ever since. The current extension runs through the end of September.

State Pheasant Fund Application Period to Open

Springfield — DNR is accepting applications for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds and the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant programs July 1 through Aug. 1.

The pheasant habitat and wildlife habitat programs enhance the natural environment for pheasant and wildlife through projects developed by not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities for conservation. Funding for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds and the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Wildlife Funds grants comes from the sale of habitat stamps to sportsmen and sportswomen.

Applicants must register and be current in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act portal. Applications must be submitted online. For additional information, email susan.duke@illinois.gov.

DNR Accepting OSLAD Grant Applications

Springfield. — DNR is accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31. A total of $37.5 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. DNR will again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects in economically distressed communities. In the most recent round of OSLAD awards announced in January, 20 underserved locations received grants for local park projects.

OSLAD is a matching grant program that offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for the acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Aug. 31 through the Amplifund portal website. Before applying for a grant, entities must be registered and current in the state’s Grant Accountability and Transparency Act grantee portal.

For more information, visit the OSLAD website or call 217-782-7481.

Nonresident Deer Hunters Have New Rules in Missouri

Jefferson City, Mo. — Hunters coming into Missouri from Illinois and other states to hunt deer will face significant rule changes in the coming months. The Missouri Department of Conservation Commission approved the regulation change that reduces the number of antlered bucks nonresident hunters can take from two to one. Nonresident hunters who own property in the state will maintain an antlered buck bag limit of two.

The commission also gave initial approval that would require out-of-state hunters to also purchase a “Nonresident Public Land Deer Hunting Permit” for $165 to hunt on public land. The department will be taking public comment on the permit proposal from July 16 to Aug. 14.

The changes are driven by a significant increase in nonresident participation during Missouri’s recent deer seasons, with Missouri hunters saying the spike has affected their own hunts.

“There were approximately 20,000 nonresident deer hunters who hunted in Missouri 20 years ago,” the department said on its website. “That number was about 4% of the state’s nearly 475,000 total deer hunters. By last year, that number had more than doubled to about 42,000 nonresident deer hunters in Missouri, accounting for about 9% of the state’s nearly 475,000 total deer hunters.”