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Ralph Loos

Illinois’ Terry Brown nominated for Bass Fishing Hall of Fame class

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

An Illinois man who has been a strong voice for fishing in the state – both inside and outside of the media – may finally have been hooked by the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
Terry Brown, an avid angler from Normal who has worked as an outdoors writer and played an important role in establishment of the Illinois High School Association’s bass fishing championship series, has been nominated to become a member of the Hall of Fame.

Illinois’ Terry Brown nominated for Bass Fishing Hall of Fame class Read More »

DNR tackles ‘slow growing’ male muskies in Lake McMaster from Knox County, Ill.

Illinois, Lake Profile, Lake Profile /

A muskie captured by the Illinois DNR during a spring trap net survey turned out to be a good history lesson for fisheries biologists and anglers alike.
The 2024 sampling – the last recorded by DNR – featured six muskies that ranged from 35½ to 39.4 inches long and was composed of five males and one female. One of the males had been tagged by DNR.

DNR tackles ‘slow growing’ male muskies in Lake McMaster from Knox County, Ill. Read More »

Ralph Loos: Deer hunting brothers from Illinois have a great day, editor does not

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

Ellen Litteken let out a good-natured chuckle when I called to explain how one of her two deer-hunting grandsons had accidentally assumed her name. Actually, 11-year-old Alex Litteken was assigned the name “Ellen” – he hadn’t assumed anything.
“I thought it might create some confusion,” Ellen offered, referring to the nomination of her grandsons for Outdoor News’ annual Best Buck Contest. “Both boys had a such a good day.”

Ralph Loos: Deer hunting brothers from Illinois have a great day, editor does not Read More »

Spring goose hunt running in high gear in Illinois

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

Large gaggles of snow geese kicked off 2026 by gathering in corn stubble fields across central and southern Illinois to dine – and honk.
They were headed north. But hard winter arrived, motivating many of them to reverse course and move south – something waterfowl  experts refer to as “remigration.” This just as hunters were settling into the light goose conservation order season.

Spring goose hunt running in high gear in Illinois Read More »

Officers, civilian recognized for rescue of Michigan ice fisherman

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Michigan, National Fishing, National News, News /

Nearly two years ago, a 63-year-old ice angler struggled for his life on Michigan’s Lake Gogebic, repeatedly falling into the icy surface.
A team from several Michigan agencies worked together to rescue Paul Boehm during the March 12, 2024 incident. Earlier this month, five individuals received awards at a Michigan DNR meeting during the Sagola Township Sportsmen’s Club in Dickinson County.

Officers, civilian recognized for rescue of Michigan ice fisherman Read More »

Ralph Loos: Deer report again verifies Illinois hunters can handle a bow

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, Opinion /

Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli – you might know him as “The Fonz” – could never have imagined his signature thumbs-up would play such a prominent role in what has become one of the most important gauges of deer hunting.
But “aaayyyy” . . . there it is, right on the fifth page of the National Deer Association’s 2026 Deer Report.

Ralph Loos: Deer report again verifies Illinois hunters can handle a bow Read More »

Illinois bills aim to reshape deer hunts

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

Efforts to thin the deer herd in sections of Illinois continue to evolve, with lawmakers using the new General Assembly to float plans designed to appease farmers, landowners, and hunters.
It’s a tricky task, of course. The newest effort includes a piece of legislation that would provide 10 landowner deer permits to those eligible for the free permit. Current state law allows for four free landowner permits.

Illinois bills aim to reshape deer hunts Read More »

Ralph Loos: Cranes aren’t a problem in Illinois – but they aren’t innocent, either

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, National Hunting, Opinion /

Talks I give throughout the year to hunting and fishing clubs around Illinois typically end with a round of questions that almost always includes, “How do you coach your writers to write what hunters and fishermen want to read?”
My standard reply: I tell my writers to make a list of things they don’t know. Then write something that teaches them what they don’t know. Actually, opportunities to teach myself things roll across this desk on a regular basis. I work to take my own advice.

Ralph Loos: Cranes aren’t a problem in Illinois – but they aren’t innocent, either Read More »

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