Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

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Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Lisa Sheppard

New study says pollinator seed mixes may fall short when it comes to early-flowering plants

A new Prairie Research Institute study found that many commercial seed mixes used to conserve and restore prairies may not have enough diversity or spring flowering plants to fully support pollinators.
“Imagine being an insect and waking up in the spring. You’re metabolically stressed and you go to a habitat made just for you, but there’s no food available for two months,” said Jack Zinnen, a wetland plant ecologist and lead author on the study.

New study says pollinator seed mixes may fall short when it comes to early-flowering plants Read More »

Timing of Illinois’ timber rattlesnake emergence studied

Scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey have found clues to determine when the state’s timber rattlesnakes emerge from their cold-weather underground dens.
Just in case anyone wants to spy them sunning themselves in forest foliage as spring warms.
Timber rattlesnakes are considered threatened and are found in most of Illinois, particularly in southern Illinois and along the Mississippi and Illinois river border counties in remote areas with sloped terrain. Once temperatures reach the low 50s, they congregate in groups of 20 or 30 in dens to hibernate through the winter.

Timing of Illinois’ timber rattlesnake emergence studied Read More »

Survey: Many Illinois farmers in CRP would still employ conservation without payments

A recent Illinois Natural History Survey study of attitudes about land conservation found that Illinois farmers view themselves as stewards of their land, balancing conservation with earning a profit.
Nearly half of farmers surveyed said they would use conservation practices even without compensation from federal programs.

Survey: Many Illinois farmers in CRP would still employ conservation without payments Read More »

More than 80% of dove hunters in Illinois don’t favor a lead shot ban

A large majority of Illinois dove hunters would oppose a state ban on lead shot when hunting doves, according to an Illinois Natural History Survey survey focused on beliefs about lead vs. non-lead ammunition. 
Hunters who already use steel shot for hunting waterfowl because of federal restrictions are the group most likely to oppose these same restrictions when hunting doves. A federal ban for lead shot in waterfowl hunting was initiated in 1992, partly because of INHS studies showing ducks ingested lead ammunition when feeding on the bottom of lakes and rivers or in fields.

More than 80% of dove hunters in Illinois don’t favor a lead shot ban Read More »

Legacy of Pinto Bean, a piebald squirrel that lived and died on Illinois college campus, lives on

Pinto Bean, the beloved piebald squirrel that lived and died on the University of Illinois campus, is back. The squirrel’s taxidermied remains are now on display at the Forbes Natural History Building lobby, where visitors can see its rare gray and white coloration that attracted fans and followers at the university.
The male squirrel, nicknamed Pinto Bean, was popular among students on campus and became a social media star with its own Wiki page.

Legacy of Pinto Bean, a piebald squirrel that lived and died on Illinois college campus, lives on Read More »

Return of fish to streams points to central Illinois improvements

Using data spanning 120 years, scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey now have a unique view of long-term changes in stream fish populations and their habitats in a central part of the state.
The best news: several fish species that were last seen here in the 1960s have returned to the county, suggesting some streams are improving.

Return of fish to streams points to central Illinois improvements Read More »

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