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Ralph Loos

Ralph Loos: AI is going to raise important questions for hunters regarding fair chase

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

Columnist Jack Ammerman takes a stab at something each of us who hunt and fish should do at least once each year – he comes clean with a long list of things he “can’t figure out” or “doesn’t understand” or simply “does not know.”
Many of the things on Jack’s list would also be on our list, too, though it’s clear we’re entering an age that is guaranteed to make the list twice as long. I’m talking about Artificial Intelligence, which is supposed to answer questions, not create more.

Ralph Loos: AI is going to raise important questions for hunters regarding fair chase Read More »

Lake Sara’s bass continue to exceed expectations for south-central Illinois anglers

Illinois, Lake Profile, Lake Profile /

Lake Sara has long been considered one of south-central Illinois’ hidden fishing gems, and recent fisheries surveys suggest the 640-acre reservoir continues to reward anglers seeking quality largemouth bass while offering consistent action for crappies, white bass, channel catfish and bluegills.

Lake Sara’s bass continue to exceed expectations for south-central Illinois anglers Read More »

Illinois bill updating trapping language awaits a signature

Featured, Hunting, Illinois, News /

Illinois lawmakers have approved legislation that would modernize portions of the state’s trapping regulations, bringing Illinois more in line with current national trapping standards.
Senate Bill 3152, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Joyce and approved by both chambers of the General Assembly on May 21, was sent to Gov. JB Pritzker on June 18. As of July 15, the governor had not yet signed the measure into law.

Illinois bill updating trapping language awaits a signature Read More »

Ralph Loos: Illinois has gradually shifted toward an older buck population

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

As you probably realize, I typically refuse to let numbers tell a story, because that’s why William Shakespeare and Dr. Seuss – and before them cavemen, though more likely cavewomen – invented words.
So it’s with admitted contradiction that I share the story of the most recent Illinois deer season by becoming a numerical nerd. In other words, data provided in DNR’s Deer Report formed the facts and figures into painful and head-splitting charts and scales. I broke them down to build a narrative – and ease my headaches.

Ralph Loos: Illinois has gradually shifted toward an older buck population Read More »

New hunting season in Illinois opens at tree level on Aug. 1

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

Illinois lost an estimated 20,000 squirrel hunters between 2012 and 2022 – part of an ongoing decline in overall hunter participation that had begun three decades prior.
But something – no one is quite sure what – happened to cause lines on charts that had been drifting downward to suddenly reverse course. The state regained nearly 10,000 squirrel hunters by the time the 2025 season came around. Was it a data glitch? Or had interest in one of Illinois’ most traditional hunting seasons been sparked in a new generation or sportsmen and women?

New hunting season in Illinois opens at tree level on Aug. 1 Read More »

Bill expanding deer rifle capacity in Illinois needs signature

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

Illinois deer hunters are one step away from seeing another significant firearms regulation change, as Senate Bill 2756 awaits action by Gov. JB Pritzker.
Meanwhile, the coming deer season will include a potential caveat: Hunters could see effects of a new law allowing more nuisance deer permits to be issued up and down the state. Questions remain about how boosting those permits will affect the deer population.

Bill expanding deer rifle capacity in Illinois needs signature Read More »

Five Channels Lake remains a solid walleye option in Michigan’s Iosco County

Lake Profile, Lake Profile, Michigan /

It’s been four years since DNR wrapped up its walleye “experiment” at Five Channels Lake, which is officially named Five Channels Impoundment.
Lake or impoundment, the 237-acre body of water appears to have benefited from the regular walleye stockings that were conducted between 2017 and 2022. And so have anglers.

Five Channels Lake remains a solid walleye option in Michigan’s Iosco County Read More »

Ralph Loos: Michigan DNR asks for public’s help finding the state’s elusive gray fox

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

Some take issue with the state asking folks who see a turkey or a bat while out on adventure to set aside time to report the sighting in their uncompensated role as a “community scientist.”
Others relish the chance to see wildlife and report the sighting, as well as the benefit their donated 10 minutes brings. With that in mind, those against the effort to use Michigan’s hunters, anglers, and an assortment of outdoors people to help monitor wildlife likely will read the three stories on our front page and conclude there is some sort of conspiracy afoot.

Ralph Loos: Michigan DNR asks for public’s help finding the state’s elusive gray fox Read More »

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