State closes all sites due to coronavirus outbreak
On Sunday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office instructed DNR to close state parks and other sites.
Ralph Loos
DNR budget for FY 2021 mostly flat, includes $27.5 million for Asian carp fight
An interesting tidbit for the state’s sportsmen is the proposed budget’s forecast for participation in fishing, trapping and hunting. The new budget proposal projects the state will have 710,000 fishermen in FY 2021 – the same number in FY 2020 but a drastic increase over the 579,497 anglers projected back in the FY 2017 budget.
Wefer named Chief of DNR’s Division of Wildlife
The permanent position had been vacant since former chief Mark Alessi stepped over last year to assume a role as central region manager for DNR’s Division of Natural Heritage.
Bowhunters closing in on state record harvest
Credit crossbows. Credit the mild weather. Credit a resurgent deer herd.
Remaining shotgun season permits now on sale over-the counter
DNR has put firearm deer permits for the upcoming season on sale over-the-counter.
Illinois Conservation Foundation names new executive director (again)
Without mentioning Eric Schenck, who had been executive director if the Illinois Conservation Foundation for a little over two years, DNR announced Crystal Curfman as the new executive director. ICF is an arm of the DNR, though the relationship has always been somewhat cloudy. The DNR director automatically serves as chairman of the ICF Board of Directors. Former DNR Director Wayne Rosenthal had appointed Schenck….
Finally, public will hear suggestions for two DNR gems
After a year of study, Southern Illinois University will offer its suggestions on getting the most out of hunter and angler paradise that is the 19,700-acre Pyramid State Park and the trapshooter nirvana that is the World Shooting and Recreation Complex.
Illinois anglers on Asian carp plan: Just do it and get it over with
The survey came after news broke that Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers a letter last week indicating that he had authorized the state’s collaboration with preconstruction, design and engineering work in the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet.
Turkey hunt at full bore as north zone hunters enter the fray
Harvest totals as of this morning (April 16) stood at just over 4,900 – a solid start on the way toward the goal of 15,000 once the season wraps up in mid-May.
Leftover turkey permits to go on sale Tuesday
A technical problem of some sorts paused the sale of “leftover” turkey permits, which had been scheduled for over-the-counter sales on March 12. The Illinois DNR has announced that those permits will go on sale beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday. “In fairness to all turkey hunters, I decided to delay the start of over-the-counter sales for an additional week,” DNR…
Surprising choice for new DNR director
It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s choice to run DNR is Colleen Callahan, a 61-year-old Edwards resident who runs her own communications consulting firm, formerly worked as an agriculture broadcaster and has deep roots in Illinois politics. In his announcement, Pritzker did not point out any connections Callahan has with the state’s outdoors.
Proposed legislation calls for DNR to certify, develop distribution program for non-toxic ammunition
It’s early in the spring legislative session, but already an interesting – not to mention confusing – bill has been filed that could create headaches for the state’s hunters. Senate Bill 202, filed Jan. 30 by Sen. Iris Martinez, D-Chicago, calls for “nontoxic ammunition to be required when taking all wildlife, including game mammals, game birds, non-game birds, and non-game…
Is Costello the pick for top DNR job? No word yet, but he’s favored
Many expected an announcement today, but still no word from Gov. JB Pritzker’s office on the fate of DNR Director Wayne Rosenthal – or who his ultimate replacement will be. Pritzker, a Democrat, was sworn into office Jan. 14, replacing Republican Bruce Rauner. The strong bet for the DNR job so far is Jerry Costello, a Democrat from Smithton. An…
Muzzleloader harvest up slightly in 2018
Fifty-six percent of the deer taken in the muzzleloader-only season were does.Hunters harvested 3,863 deer during the 2018 muzzleloader-only season, which took place this past weekend. The harvest tally was up slightly from the 3,765 taken in 2017. According to the Illinois DNR, harvest sex ratios were 56 percent does and 44 percent bucks (2,172 to 1,691). The top five counties for muzzleloader…
Illinois hunter bags 51-point nontypical buck
And at least 30 of the points are scorable, the DNR says.
With help of a bountiful Sunday, archery harvest climbs well ahead of last year’s pace
Harvest at 13,068 deer. At the same point in 2017, the harvest stood at 10,912.
Hunters have strong weekend to eclipse 2017 deer mark
Archery harvest at 7,352 deer through Oct. 14. The number was 7,069 for the same period in 2017.
Legendary Illinois caller, call-maker dies in ATV accident
The founder of Tim Grounds Championship Calls, he won calling World Championships in 1988, 1992 and 1994.
DNR promotes McClelland to lead Division of Fisheries
It appears the Illinois DNR has a new chief of the department that manages the state’s fish. Dan Stephenson, who retired from the position this summer, announced via email Monday that Mike McClelland has accepted the role of leading the Division of Fisheries. McClelland spent 14 years with the Illinois Natural History Survey, mostly as the Long Term Illinois River Fish…
Dove season off to a flying start for some, not so much for others
DNR implements non-toxic shot policies.
ICF to induct five new members to Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame
Five Illinoisans who’ve helped shape and support the state’s wildlife, nature and outdoor recreation will be inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame this fall. The new class was recognized Saturday in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair. The Illinois Conservation Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame, selected Diane Banta, Jerry Beverlin, David F. Grohne, Sam Oliver,…
Another state record fish for Illinois?
Whitefish will be the fourth state record fish caught in 2018.
Illinois gets $2 million for parks, outdoor rec from offshore oil, gas leases
How Illinois will use the funds, made up of non-taxpayer dollars from Outer Continental Shelf lease revenues, is unclear. There will be limitations because the funds come through federal matching grants that leverage public and private investment.
2018 spring turkey harvest sees steep decline
Hunters took only 13,500 turkeys during the 2018 spring season, well behind the 2017 harvest of 15,720.
Illinois waterfowl hunters voice opinions on zones
Springfield — Five years after Illinois added a fourth waterfowl hunting zone, most hunters in the state remained indifferent to the change – though some in the south and south central zones are still uneasy. This according to the 2016-17 Waterfowl Hunter Report, which was released in March by the Illinois Natural History Survey. A fourth waterfowl zone – the…
Deer feeding bill gets massive makeover, passes Senate
The DNR has been opposed to supplemental feeding but appears to be neutral on a proposed University of Illinois deer study.
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