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Kent Weil

When is fur at its prime? Here’s a guide for Illinois, other Midwestern states

Featured, Features, Home Page News, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting /

I started the trapping season on Nov. 10 in a deer camp in western Illinois. I start every season there because I have to get out before the start of the deer gun season. I get to trap, fish, and hunt because the owners give me the run of the place if I control the raccoon, muskrat, beaver and otter populations on the six ponds the property holds.

When is fur at its prime? Here’s a guide for Illinois, other Midwestern states Read More »

Silver carp as bait for blue catfish? Trip to Kentucky Lake area offers new insight, tactics

Featured, Features, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing /

So there was a hitch to an impromptu outing to fish for blue catfish over in the Kentucky Lake area.
Did I mention we had to catch our own bait? Did I mention the bait we had to catch were silver carp? I’ll explain why I was on the Cumberland River below the dam at Lake Barkley in a minute, but the point is that the guy who led us to this fishing spot told us we needed about a half dozen silver carp – not bighead carp or any of the grass carp, only silvers would do.

Silver carp as bait for blue catfish? Trip to Kentucky Lake area offers new insight, tactics Read More »

Getting drawn for an Illinois bobcat permit remains ‘roll of the dice’ with interest at all-time high

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Illinois, News /

A self-inspecting question faces Illinois trappers and hunters each fall.
Are they in or are they out? Actually, the question is: Is it more frustrating to draw a bobcat permit nine years in a row and never harvest a bobcat, or is it more aggravating to apply for a bobcat permit nine years in a row and never have your name drawn for a permit?

Getting drawn for an Illinois bobcat permit remains ‘roll of the dice’ with interest at all-time high Read More »

A record 9,200 applied for Illinois bobcat permits this season

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, National News, News /

Illinois DNR’s decision to double the number of bobcat permits it distributes appears to have piqued interest among Illinois trappers and hunters.
Shortly after the Sept. 30 application deadline, DNR reported that there were over 9,200 applications submitted this year, which is a new record. Previously, DNR announced it would bump the number of permits allotted from 1,000 to 2,000.

A record 9,200 applied for Illinois bobcat permits this season Read More »

Illinois Trappers Association to host annual convention

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, News /

Other than a three-year trapping license becoming available and an increased number of bobcat permits being distributed, Illinois trappers won’t see any big changes to the 2024-25 season.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t busy getting prepared. One big event takes place later this month, as the Illinois Trappers Association (ITA) holds its annual convention at the Macon County Fairgrounds in Decatur.

Illinois Trappers Association to host annual convention Read More »

Illinois DNR will accept applications for bobcat permits through Sept. 30

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, National News, News /

Illinois DNR began accepting bobcat permit applications for the upcoming season on Sept. 1.
The odds of winning a permit greatly increased this year when DNR announced it is doubling the number of trappers and hunters allowed to participate. Instead of what had become a standard quota of 1,000 permits, DNR will distribute 2,000 for the 2024-2025 season, which opens Nov. 10.

Illinois DNR will accept applications for bobcat permits through Sept. 30 Read More »

Illinois DNR to double number of bobcat permits for upcoming season

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, National News, News /

Trappers and hunters hoping to secure a bobcat permit for the upcoming season in Illinois have had their chances doubled.
Following the release of a much-anticipated study by Southern Illinois University at Carbondale indicating the state’s bobcat population would support increased harvest, DNR has upped the number of bobcat permits it distributes via lottery each fall from 1,000 to 2,000.

Illinois DNR to double number of bobcat permits for upcoming season Read More »

Trapping update: global fur auctions a major price factor

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, National News, News /

Summer may seem like “down time” for Illinois trappers and fur hunters, but much is happening in the global fur market that will affect fur prices received by those here in the middle of the United States.
With the trapping season still roughly three months away, it’s interesting to look at what is happening at various international fur auctions – and it’s a good time to update local trappers on the status of the auctions.

Trapping update: global fur auctions a major price factor Read More »

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