Posts Tagged ‘Illinois Department of Natural Resources’
More than 54,000 deer harvested during first weekend of Illinois firearm deer season
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 54,661 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 22-24. Comparatively, hunters took 53,348 and 52,354 deer during the first firearm weekends in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Illinois seven-day firearm deer season will conclude Dec. 5-8. Remaining 2024-2025…
Read MoreIDNR reminds hunters to be mindful of use of technology in the field
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — As technological innovation continues to advance, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources cautions hunters to be mindful of rules and best practices surrounding the use of technology in the field. This includes the use of drones for recovering wildlife, artificial intelligence for reviewing hunting laws and e-bikes to access hunting sites. Drones…
Read MoreRed tag blind drawing for Quincy Bay set for Saturday at IDNR office in Pittsfield
QUINCY — The red tag blind drawing for Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Area will take place Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources district office in Pittsfield. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the drawing will take place at noon. The office is at 1252 W. Washington in Pittsfield. To participate, applicants…
Read MoreIllinois fall trout season opens Oct. 19 statewide, catch-and-release season begins Oct. 5
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The 2024 Illinois fall trout season will open October 19 at 60 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state. The early catch-and-release season is scheduled to open October 5. No trout may be taken from any of the stocked sites until the regular fall season opens at 5 a.m. October 19. The…
Read MoreSchuckman: Finding fishing holes is challenge for some anglers when Mississippi River rises
URSA, Ill. — The sun had already started its dive toward the horizon as Armando and Cindy Gonzalez settled in to their chairs, but the fading daylight didn’t bother them. “Fresh batteries and all,” Armando said as he held up the lantern he planned to use after dusk. His wife of 30 years reached into…
Read MoreIllinois youth turkey hunters enjoy record harvest of more than 2,000 birds
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois turkey hunters harvested a preliminary total of 2,006 birds during the 2024 youth season, breaking the previous harvest record of 1,733 set in 2020. The dates for this year’s season were March 30-31 and April 6-7. A total of 6,001 youth turkey permits were issued this year, compared to 5,283 in…
Read MoreRed tag waterfowl blind drawing for Quincy Bay set for Saturday in Pittsfield
QUINCY — The red tag blind drawing for Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Area will take place Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources district office in Pittsfield. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the drawing will take place at noon. The office is at 1252 W. Washington in Pittsfield. To participate, applicants…
Read MoreIDNR announces schedule of waterfowl blind site drawings
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to mark their calendars for the upcoming waterfowl hunting blind drawings that will take place at numerous public hunting areas throughout Illinois in July and August. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host traditional blind drawings at all sites scheduled for this hunting year. Participants are advised…
Read MoreFishing expo for youths set for April 22 at JWCC Ag Education Center in Baylis
BAYLIS, Ill. — Plans are underway for a fishing expo for youths ages 5-18 from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 22, at the John Wood Community College Agricultural Education Center, 37803 IL 104, in Baylis. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. The University of Illinois Extension, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and JWCC will…
Read MoreLooking for a Spring getaway? Try Beaver Dam State Park
Located in Macoupin County 7 miles southwest of Carlinville and situated in an oak/hickory woodland, Beaver Dam State Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities on its 750 acres. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, and tent and trailer camping are among the most popular activities. Although beaver are virtually gone from this area, the park is named for a beaver dam that created its lake.
Read MoreIllinois deer harvest numbers decline during 2021 season
QUINCY — With the deer hunting season in Illinois heading into its final weeks, harvest totals remain significantly lower than previous seasons. The archery deer season will run through January 16 and the late-winter antlerless-only and Chronic Wasting Disease seasons in designated counties will have three more days — January 14-16. The seven-day firearms season,…
Read MoreIllinois hunters prepare for opening of firearms season and excursion to deer camp
QUINCY — Charlie Rodgers ventured into a local retailer figuring there was nothing he really needed, but he wanted to make sure he didn’t overlook anything before heading to deer camp. “I walked the aisles,” Rodgers said. “And I filled my cart.” A harmless stroll turned into a $165 investment. “You never want to go…
Read MoreIllinois Department of Natural Resources to hold hunter safety courses in Adams County
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is sponsoring two hunter safety education courses in Adams County this fall. The first course takes place August 20-21 at the Paloma Community Building in Paloma, while the second course is scheduled for September 17-18 at the Twin Oaks Club on Bonansinga Drive in Quincy. These are 10-hour courses,…
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