A proposal that would legalize the trapping of one specific species of turtle in Illinois has once again snapped back in the General Assembly. Senate Bill 1427, filed Jan. 31 by State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-47th, would allow for common snapping turtles to be taken by live trap – as long as certain conditions are met.
Illinois bill would allow trapping of common snapping turtles Read More »
Nobody knows that more than the guy sitting right here typing his thoughts out on this page. After reporting any kind of positive news about the state’s deer, I can count on my phone ringing and my email popping with opinions that run counter to news I shared.
I spent a few days in late January at my family’s farm in Perry County, Ill., where I once again found several 40-acre corn stubble fields filled with snow geese.
Flocks made up of thousands of birds were rotating in and out of stalks, occasionally taking flight over surrounding coal mine land and water-filled strip pits dotting the area. There was no reason for me to be surprised – light geese have been wintering on fields there for decades.
Ralph Loos: Illinois hunters have mixed opinions on timing of spring light goose season Read More »
An unusually poor collection of lake trout during the Illinois DNR’s sampling of Lake Michigan sites last May was followed by more promising results in October and November.
Nettings of the fish each year help biologists monitor progress in an ongoing effort to rebuild the lake’s population.
Illinois DNR’s fall lake trout sampling rebounds in Lake Michigan Read More »
A proposal to expand the seven-day firearms season and a separate one to allow rifle hunters to move on from single-shot weapons have been introduced in the 104th Illinois General Assembly.
Neither piece of legislation is expected to get much traction, but they serve as stern indications that 2025 may finally be the year of change for the state’s deer and deer hunters. Meanwhile, a DNR program manager, speaking at a public meeting called to discuss crop damage caused by deer, suggested steps to rework deer seasons and harvest quotas are in play.
Steps taken to expand deer harvest in Illinois Read More »
A 17.5-inch, 3.7-pound white crappie was brought to an Illinois DNR fisheries biologist for weighing and identifying. That followed a 16.5-inch, 3-pound black crappie being caught a few years ago, raising eyebrows and confirming what DNR biologists have been saying about Lake Sangchris: it’s an excellent crappie destination.
Crappies continue growth at Lake Sangchris in Christian County, Ill. Read More »
OK, that’s a lot of math. It doesn’t come from me, fortunately for you. These are numbers provided by the National Deer Association’s 2025 Deer Report, which was released earlier this month.
Ralph Loos: Harvest by Illinois bowhunters again ranks high in national report Read More »
Illinois isn’t alone in its decision to change up its approach to managing the deer herd in an era of CWD.
Indiana and Missouri recently announced new plans to fight the disease, with a national deer organization weighing in on a proposed new law in the Hoosier State. Here in Illinois, DNR begins 2025 with a 5-year pilot project to evaluate the state’s CWD plan.
New year, new CWD plan for Illinois, neighboring states Read More »
A 50-incher hooked by Richard Wren last May at Kinkaid Lake topped the list of fish on the 2024 Muskie Creel Survey results provided by DNR Fisheries Chief Mike McClelland.
Kinkaid dominated the list of muskies caught and reported last year, with a 48.5-incher and 47.5-incher also being caught at the southern Illinois lake. Lake Shelbyville and Mill Creek Lake were the only two lakes other than Kinkaid appearing in the Top 10 slots.
Kinkaid Lake’s 50-incher tops 2024 muskie creel survey in Illinois Read More »
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