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…
Spring is coming and so is some of the best fishing around. This means that Lake Michigan will be crazy with tasty coho and the tournaments for bass will be starting. This is an exciting time of year, but it also brings up a bit of a moral dilemma for anglers when it comes to fishing bedding bass. Targeting bedding…
Lake Michigan: The weather has not been very conducive to getting out on the lake, but there can be some great action. The browns and cohos are starting to get active on the lakefront from the boats. Fish the warm-water discharges with jigs and twisters tipped with a piece of squid or crankbaits like a J-9 in chart/white or orange/gold….
Northwest Zone – Captain Laura Petreikis In Ogle County, CPO Hoftender responded to a poaching complaint. The caller thought the deer had been shot. She determined that the yearling deer had been killed by coyotes. In Stephenson County, CPO Hoftender responded to a complaint involving the possible poisoning of a hawk. With the assistance of an DNR district biologist, the…
Season Dates April 1: Spring turkey hunting season opens in South Zone (tentative) April 8: Spring turkey hunting season opens in North Zone (tentative) Banquets/Fundraisers March 8: Northern Illinois WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Lincoln Inn Banquet Center, Batavia. For more info call Chris Manny, 630-774-4180. March 9: Illini WTU Banquet, 4 p.m., Wyndham Garden Urbana. For more info call Mark…
Season Dates April 1: Spring turkey hunting season opens in South Zone (tentative) April 8: Spring turkey hunting season opens in North Zone (tentative) Banquets/Fundraisers Feb. 23: River Bottom Stump Sitters WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Johnny & June’s, Flora. For more info call Tim Murphy, 618-335-9631. March 1: Rock Island, Henry County PF Banquet, 6 p.m., Camden Centre, Milan. For…
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Lake Michigan: The browns and cohos are starting to get active. Fish the warm-water discharges with jigs and twisters tipped with a piece of squid or crankbaits like a J-9 in chart/white or orange/gold. Small orange dodger and peanut flies log lining…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis In Carroll County, CPO Palumbo issued multiple citations to a Thomson man for unlawfully taking a trophy quality buck on property he did not have permission to hunt. In Whiteside County, CPO Palumbo issued a Morrison woman a citation and written warnings for unlawfully taking a young, five-point buck with a crossbow without possessing an…
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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.
Season Dates Feb. 15: Squirrel hunting season ends statewide. Feb. 15: Rabbit hunting season ends statewide. April 1: Spring turkey hunting season opens in South Zone (tentative) April 8: Spring turkey hunting season opens in North Zone (tentative) Banquets/Fundraisers Feb. 8: Mid-Illini WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Farmington Moose Lodge, Farmington. For more info call Darel Martin, 309-369-8265. Feb. 9: Shoal…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis In Carroll County, CPO Teas completed an investigation in Carroll and Whiteside counties. An archery hunter killed a buck in Whiteside County and failed to tag the deer. The next day, the hunter’s brother-in-law purchased tags in Carroll County and allowed the hunter to use his permit to tag the deer and check it in….
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Lake Michigan: Most fishermen have been fishing from the dock. There have been very few reports of trout being caught at this time. They are there; you just really need to work for them. Spawn sacks slowly jigged as well as the…
SB 201 provides that the “Department shall adopt by rule a public process to certify ammunition as nontoxic ammunition and shall define, by rule, nontoxic ammunition to include only ammunition in which there is no lead content, excluding the presence of trace elements of lead.”It’s early in the spring legislative session, but already an interesting – not to mention confusing – bill…
Season Dates Feb. 15: Squirrel hunting season ends statewide. Feb. 15: Rabbit hunting season ends statewide. April 1: Spring turkey hunting season opens in South Zone (tentative) April 8: Spring turkey hunting season opens in North Zone (tentative) Banquets/Fundraisers Feb. 2: Heart of Illinois WTU Banquet, 4 p.m., Embassy Suites, East Peoria. For more info call Bill David, 309-389-3021. Feb….
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Lake Michigan: Navy Pier and the downtown harbors are slow and cold but producing some good catches of perch. The fish are ranging in size and a lot of sorting is required, but crappie rigs with fathead minnows seem to be producing…
Northwest Zone – Captain Laura Petreikis In Henry County, CPO Posateri responded to a complaint of another hunter using the owner’s tree stand. She met with the hunters, and the man occupying the tree stand had permission from the landowner to hunt. The owner of the tree stand thought he was the only hunter allowed there. After some discussion, both…
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…
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Lake Michigan: The harbors have been good. Most fishermen have been fishing from the docks. There have been very few reports of trout being caught at this time. They are there; you just really need to work for them. Spawn sacks slowly…
Season Dates Feb. 15, 2019: Squirrel hunting season ends statewide. Feb. 15, 2019: Rabbit hunting season ends statewide. Banquets/Fundraisers Jan. 19, 2019: Illinois Wabash Valley WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Stoney Ridge Event Center, Robinson. For more info call Kyle Bailey, 618-562-0407. Jan. 19, 2019: Bureau Creek NWTF Banquet, 5 p.m., Cider Mill Banquet Rm, Princeton. For more info call Joe…
Northwest Zone – Captain Laura Petreikis In Henry County, CPO Posateri responded to a complaint of an unauthorized pop-up deer blind too close to a residence. A hunter from Kewanee was cited for the violation since he was less than 300 yards as required. In Henry County, while conducing deer enforcement during firearm deer season, CPOs Wagner and Finn found…
Season Dates Feb. 15, 2019: Squirrel hunting season ends statewide. Feb. 15, 2019: Rabbit hunting season ends statewide. Banquets/Fundraisers Jan. 19, 2019: Illinois Wabash Valley WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Stoney Ridge Event Center, Robinson. For more info call Kyle Bailey, 618-562-0407. Jan. 19, 2019: Bureau Creek NWTF Banquet, 5 p.m., Cider Mill Banquet Rm, Princeton. For more info call Joe…
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Crystal Lake: This is a private lake during the summer, but during the winter ice fishermen can access the lake from the beach areas. The bluegill bite is quite good in 7 to 9 feet of water, with keepers that can be…
Northwest Zone – Captain Laura Petreikis In Henry County, CPO Palumbo issued multiple citations and written warnings to two raccoon hunters. He observed their vehicle coming out of a field and conducted a stop. The violations included transporting a loaded/uncased .22 pistol, an open canister containing an alcoholic beverage, FOID card status, hunting license, habitat stamp, and hunting without permission….
I recently had a conversation with Dr. Gary Nesty about the importance of proper eye wear while fishing. Dr. Nesty is a practicing optometrist, as well as a tournament fisherman. I knew that I needed some first-hand knowledge to help me relay my point about the necessity of wearing proper eyewear. You are probably wondering why I would be bringing…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis In Stephenson County, CPO Beltran investigated a deer hunting violation at Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area. It was discovered that a local hunter failed to report his harvest for CWD testing. The hunter was issued citations and warnings for several violations. In Stephenson County, CPO Beltran investigated a Freeport man for hunting over bait. It…
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