Season Dates Oct. 1: Archery deer season opens. Oct. 1: Archery turkey season opens. Nov. 3: Rabbit, pheasant & quail hunting seasons open. Nov. 16: First firearms deer season opens (tentative) Nov. 18: First firearms deer season closes (tentative). Nov. 29: Second firearms deer season opens (tentative) Banquets/Fundraisers Sept. 22: Loud Thunder WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Camden Centre, Milan. For…
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. Editor’s note: Heavy rains – as much as 6 or 7 inches – across Illinois the first week of September hit after many of these reports were filed. Anglers are cautioned to check conditions at lakes and rivers before launching fishing boats. Fishing…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis In Carroll County, while on a boat patrol on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River, CPO Palumbo issued a Downers Grove man a citation and multiple written warnings for not having a sufficient number of wearable PFDs of appropriate size, no type IV onboard, and for being in possession of several live threeridge mussels in…
So you’re sitting in the deer woods, or driving down the road, when you notice something completely out of the ordinary. It’s definitely a deer, but what in the world is all over its body? The deer appears to be covered with some sort of unsightly warts or tumors. You may not know exactly what is happening with the poor…
It appears the Illinois DNR has a new chief of the department that manages the state’s fish. Dan Stephenson, who retired from the position this summer, announced via email Monday that Mike McClelland has accepted the role of leading the Division of Fisheries. McClelland spent 14 years with the Illinois Natural History Survey, mostly as the Long Term Illinois River Fish…
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Chain: White and yellow bass are hitting Mepps spinners, pinkie jigs or live bait. Pike are being caught around creek mouths. Muskies and walleyes are fair. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers. Bluegills and crappies good, falling into deeper waters (8 to 15…
Season Dates Oct. 1: Archery deer season opens. Oct. 1: Archery turkey season opens. Banquets/Fundraisers Sept. 13: Bureau County PF Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Bureau County Metro Center, Princeton. For more info call Rick Rokosz, 815-646-4800. Sept. 15: Illinois River Bottom WTU Banquet, 4 p.m., The Forman Center, Manito. For more info call Matt Davis, 309-221-9935. Sept. 20: Rockford WTU Banquet,…
Northwest Zone – Captain Laura Petreikis In Stephenson County, CPO Beltran responded to a complaint that a Freeport resident had a raccoon taken from the wild and was keeping it as a pet. Upon arrival, the raccoon was found to be domesticated and begging for food. CPO Beltran transported the animal to a licensed animal rehabilitator, and the woman was…
DNR implements non-toxic shot policies.
Just like last year in the days leading up to the Oct. 1 bowhunting opener, the Illinois DNR has scheduled a series of public meetings to provide information about CWD, its effect on future deer populations, and the state’s efforts to control the disease.
As parents we often get caught up in school activities and any extra curricular activities for our children. This seems to take us over and we forget about what is important to us. We forget to make sure that we get our kids outdoors to enjoy what is around us. With hunting season just around the corner, we need to…
Season Dates Sept. 1: Dove hunting season opens statewide. Sept. 1: Early Canada goose season opens (tentative) Oct. 1: Archery deer season opens. Oct. 1: Archery turkey season opens. Banquets/Fundraisers Aug. 25: Little Wabash Longbeards Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Teutopolis Knights of Columbus. For more info call Sharon Davis, 217-821-6033. Sept. 13: Bureau County PF Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Bureau County Metro…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis Cn Henry County, While on patrol at the Hennepin Canal, CPO Posateri approached a fisherman who said, “Well you caught me.” The Colona man did not have a valid fishing license, and a further check showed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was placed in handcuffs and transported to the Henry County…
Gov. Bruce Rauner finally signed House Bill 4231 into law Saturday at Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The new law permits hunters to wear blaze-pink clothing as an alternative to blaze orange. But bowhunters need to take heed that the law doesn’t take affect until Jan. 1, so for the first half of the season, it remains strictly blaze-orange…
The process of smoking and preserving fish, or any other meats for that matter, is nothing new. It has been around for a very long time. However, many people find the process intimidating. The truth is just the opposite – smoking your catch is an easy and enjoyable process, and the results are absolutely delicious. I now prefer to smoke…
Five Illinoisans who’ve helped shape and support the state’s wildlife, nature and outdoor recreation will be inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame this fall. The new class was recognized Saturday in Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair. The Illinois Conservation Foundation, which oversees the Hall of Fame, selected Diane Banta, Jerry Beverlin, David F. Grohne, Sam Oliver,…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis In Putnam County, CPOs Finn and Wagner were launching a boat at the Hennepin Boat Launch when they observed another vehicle’s brakes give way while that person was unloading their boat. The truck and the trailer went into the water, submerging both. CPO Finn retrieved tow straps, and CPO Wagner backed his squad down the…
Season Dates Sept. 1: Dove hunting season opens statewide. Sept. 1: Early Canada goose season opens (tentative) Banquets/Fundraisers Aug. 25: Little Wabash Longbeards Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Teutopolis Knights of Columbus. For more info call Sharon Davis, 217-821-6033. Sept. 13: Bureau County PF Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Bureau County Metro Center, Princeton. For more info call Rick Rokosz, 815-646-4800. Sept. 20: Rockford…
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Chain: Some reports of walleyes biting well in the evening on jig/minnow combos and crawler harnesses. Bass are holding tight to cover and are hitting wacky rigged worms near boat docks and weedless frogs worked over the heavy mats of weeds and…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis In Winnebago County, CPO Alt inspected boats and fishermen on Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park. Violations documented included: unlawful operation of a motorboat without a fire extinguisher, unlawful operation of a motorboat without a sounding device, unlawful operation of a watercraft without a certificate of number in possession, and unlawful operation of a…
Season Dates Aug. 1: Squirrel hunting season opens statewide. Sept. 1: Dove hunting season opens statewide. Sept. 1: Early Canada goose season opens (tentative) Banquets/Fundraisers Sept. 20: Rockford WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Lino’s, Rockford. For more info call Pete Blassage, 618-289-4834. Sept. 22: Loud Thunder WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Camden Centre, Milan. For more info call Tony Petreikis, 309-644-0008. Sept….
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides and fishing guides. North Chain: Bluegills were good in shallow water. Crappies were good on minnows and light jigs around piers in channels. Northern pike were hitting spinnerbaits and spoons. Catfish are biting nightcrawlers or fatheads. Muskies were very good, hitting on spinners. White bass were…
Northwest Zone– Captain Laura Petreikis In Carroll County, while conducting recreational boat safety inspections, CPO Jones checked a Lanark man who was in possession of his limit of largemouth bass. The man had one bass that was not the legal length. CPO Jones took a photograph of the short bass and released it back into the Mississippi River. A citation…
Season Dates Aug. 1: Squirrel hunting season opens statewide. Banquets/Fundraisers Sept. 20: Rockford WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Lino’s, Rockford. For more info call Pete Blassage, 618-289-4834. Sept. 22: Loud Thunder WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Camden Centre, Milan. For more info call Tony Petreikis, 309-644-0008. Sept. 28: Central Illinois WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Knights of Columbus, Effingham. For more info call…
The fishing and hunting report is compiled using reports from conservation officers, hunting guides, and fishing guides. North Chain: The walleye action is really hot right now. Fishermen have been reporting good catches in Pistakee and Marie in the early morning or late evening. Jig and minnows or jig and leeches have done well as well as crawler harnesses drifted…
The DNR estimates the new restriction will reduce doe harvest by 25 to 30 percent.
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