Sunday, November 8th, 2026
My Account

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Search
My Account
Sunday, November 8th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Main Menu
Menu
Subscribe to Outdoor News

Ralph Loos

Illinois ranks low in dove hunt success

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

Are Kentucky dove hunters much better shooters than Illinois dove hunters? By the same token, are Illinois dove hunters twice as good as those who do it up in Wisconsin?
If nothing else, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides dove hunters here a lot to ponder as the Sept. 1 season opener nears. A 2025 Mourning Dove Status Report by USFWS suggests that, among Illinois and five states that touch it, Kentucky stood out not only for its dove harvest but also for hunter success.

Illinois ranks low in dove hunt success Read More »

Ralph Loos: Camera project changes the way Michigan counts wolves

Featured, Home Page News, Michigan, Nature Page & Night Sky, Opinion /

A few ticks and tocks before my finger stretched out to push “send to press” on the most recent print issue of Michigan Outdoor News, a line written by DNR’s Andy Henion caught a side-eye and my brain slammed the brakes on my button pusher.
“For the first time, researchers from Michigan State University and the Michigan DNR have successfully estimated Michigan’s wolf population using remote cameras deployed throughout the Upper Peninsula,” Henion’s piece read.

Ralph Loos: Camera project changes the way Michigan counts wolves Read More »

Devils Kitchen, a Southern Illinois gem, offers more than trophy bass

Illinois, Lake Profile, Lake Profile /

Tucked into the rolling hills of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge near Marion, Devils Kitchen Lake has earned a statewide reputation as one of Illinois’ premier bass lakes. But anglers who focus only on largemouth bass may be overlooking one of the state’s most diverse fishing destinations.

Devils Kitchen, a Southern Illinois gem, offers more than trophy bass Read More »

Illinois deer permit sales spiked last year, but what about 2026?

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

Harvest gains were only moderate, but one thing about the 2025-26 Illinois deer season has statistically been proven as fact.
Illinois deer hunters were not sitting on the sideline. As the state hits the final stretch of preseason permit sales for the 2026-27 season, observers are curious if momentum gained by deer hunting will continue.

Illinois deer permit sales spiked last year, but what about 2026? Read More »

Ralph Loos: Illinois record largemouth turns 50, much to anglers’ chagrin

Featured, Fishing, Illinois, National Fishing, Opinion /

In our online pole on the Illinois Outdoor News website that asks readers to cast a vote, I annually type a simple question: Is this the year somebody finally hooks a new state record largemouth bass?
Without fail, at least 85% of you always vote “no.” And you are always 100% correct. It’s true – despite a half-century of advances in the way we manage fish and the evolution of catch-and-release, no Illinois angler has been able to match or surpass Ray Easley’s legendary catch.

Ralph Loos: Illinois record largemouth turns 50, much to anglers’ chagrin Read More »

Study: Illinois’ cooling lakes have blue cat formula

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

Nobody has to study anything to convince Brock Keayes that Powerton Lake contains monster blue catfish. A few years ago, Keayes turned heads in bait shops and on social media by pulling a 60-pounder out of the central Illinois lake.
Since then, research by an Eastern Illinois University grad student confirmed what many have suspected: Anglers looking for trophy-sized blue catfish may want to focus on the state’s power plant cooling lakes.

Study: Illinois’ cooling lakes have blue cat formula Read More »

Now a drained lake, southern Illinois’ Little Grassy begins comeback

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, Illinois, National Fishing, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News /

More than a few southern Illinois anglers shed a tear last summer when DNR issued a fish salvage order on Little Grassy Lake.
It meant the popular fishing hole would be drawn down so low that the state wanted anglers to take as many fish as possible before it was completely dried out. It also meant Little Grassy was a long way from returning to its glory. But in 2026, the effort to restore the lake has reached an important milestone.

Now a drained lake, southern Illinois’ Little Grassy begins comeback Read More »

Walleyes, channel cats tops at Tippy Dam Pond in Michigan’s Manistee County

Lake Profile, Lake Profile, Michigan /

Tucked along the scenic Manistee River a few miles northeast of Wellston, Tippy Dam Pond has earned a reputation as one of northern Michigan’s premier destinations for anglers seeking everything from trophy walleyes and hefty channel catfish to hard-fighting smallmouth bass and abundant panfish.
Tippy Dam Pond also holds a special place in Michigan fishing history.

Walleyes, channel cats tops at Tippy Dam Pond in Michigan’s Manistee County Read More »

GET THE OUTDOOR NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Sign up for the Outdoor News Weekly Newsletter and get 2 months of FREE access to OutdoorNews.com – packed with hunting, fishing, and conservation news. No Catch.

This offer includes digital access only (not the printed edition)

Email Address(Required)
Password(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?(Required)

PLEASE READ

Accessing Your Full Subscription Just Got Easier. Introducing Single Sign On.

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Click Continue below.
  2. You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
  3. Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
  4. After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue.
  5. You’ll either:
    1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
    2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

One login. Every edition. Easy.

Let’s get you reading!

Continue...

PLEASE READ

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

• Click Continue below.

• You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.

• Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!

• After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue. You’ll either:

  1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
  2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

Continue...

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!

Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.

Take the Survey

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

Donate Today

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Sign Up Now

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.