Illinois Outdoors

This just came in from the IL DNR...

"Illinois Department of Natural Resources Newsbits

Highlighting IDNR programs and events for the month of September

Archery Deer Permits:  Illinois resident deer hunters can now purchase 2010 Illinois archery deer hunting permits (combination archery and antlerless-only archery permits) over-the-counter from DNR Direct permit sale locations throughout Illinois.  Non-resident deer hunters can also purchase remaining non-resident archery deer combination permits (one either-sex and one antlerless only) while supplies last over-the-counter from DNR license and permit agents.  Non-resident hunters can also purchase antlerless-only archery permits throughout the season.  The archery deer season opens Oct. 1.

Firearm Deer Permits:  Deer hunters are reminded that they may apply for resident and non-resident Illinois firearm and muzzleloader deer permits for the 2010 season through random daily drawings conducted from Sept. 14-Oct. 4.  To apply online, go to www.dnr.illinois.gov and click on the "Online Services" button.  Permits remaining after the random daily drawings will be available over-the-counter from DNR license vendors beginning Oct. 19 on a first-come, first-served basis.  Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted or until the close of the firearm deer season, whichever occurs first (hunters may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability).

Youth Firearm Deer Hunt:  The Illinois youth either-sex firearm deer hunt is Oct. 9-10.  Permits for this season are available over-the-counter from DNR Direct license and permit vendors.  For a list of DNR and public land sites open for hunting during the youth firearm deer hunt in 2010, visit www.dnr.state.il.us/admin/pdf/YouthDeer2010SitesOpen.pdf.

Hunting and Trapping Digest Available:  The Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2010-2011 edition is now available to view at www.dnr.illinois.gov/PDF/HuntTrapDigest.pdf.

Online Free Site Hunting Permits - East Central Illinois Sites Only:  Hunters are reminded that free site hunting permits (windshield cards) to hunt upland, forest game and waterfowl at east central Illinois sites are now available online through the DNR home page at www.dnr.illinois.gov.  Navigate to "Hunting/Trapping" and then to "Public Hunting Areas" to print the permits.  A link to hunter fact sheets is also available at this site.  Hunters with questions should contact the east central Illinois site office where they intend to hunt.

INPC Meeting:  The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission will conduct its 206th meeting on Tues., Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 North Main St., Rockford.  The meeting is open to the public.  For more information, call (217) 785-8686.

BOW Workshop Sept. 24-26:  There is a still an opportunity to attend the next "Becoming an Outdoors Woman" workshop, which will be held Sept. 24-26 at Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton.  The cost is $145, which includes four classes, meals, lodging, use of equipment, giveaways and lots of fun.  Further information and registration packets can be found at www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/bow.

ISM Science Series:  The Illinois State Museum in Springfield presents two science series archaeology lectures in September, both free and open to the public.  On Wed., Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., the program is "Hopewell in Michigan: What's Up North?"  With smaller mounds, no earthworks and a slimmed-down artifact assemblage, Hopewellian mound sites are found at a number of locations in west Michigan. This presentation traces the results of Hopewellian research from the mid-19th century to present day.  On Wed., Sept. 15 at 7 p.m., the program is "New Discoveries of Illinois' Ancient Past: Archaeological Highlights of the Rockies Express-East Pipeline Project." Construction of a pipeline across central Illinois necessitated an archaeological survey of the project corridor, followed by excavations at several prehistoric sites that would be impacted by pipeline construction.  An overview of the project will be presented along with highlights of full-scale excavations at several Middle Archaic and Late Woodland sites in central and west-central Illinois.  For more information, call (217) 782-0061.  The ISM Research and Collections Center is located at 1011 E. Ash St. in Springfield.

Fall into Biodiversity:  Don't miss the Illinois State Museum's "Fall into Biodiversity" festival on Sat., Sept. 25 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the ISM in downtown Springfield.  Families will learn about the preparations plants and animals make for winter, participate in hands-on activities, play games and see live-animal presentations.  For more information on the free program, call (217) 782-5993. 

OutdoorIllinois:  The cover of the September 2010 issue of OutdoorIllinois magazine, the official publication of the IDNR, features a trio of horseback riders enjoying the fall foliage at Red Hills State Park, the featured site for the month.  Other stories this month include a youth fishing event which celebrates Patriot's Day and demonstrates how to find peace and process life through nature and a story on how anglers can sharpen their skills and catch more fish by joining a fishing club.  Additional topics include mallards, tree stand safety, chronic wasting disease and a humorous piece on using modern technology when hiking.  For a summary of feature magazine articles, listen in on monthly podcasts at www.dnr.state.il.us/OI.  OutdoorIllinois is a great tool for learning about Illinois' natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at only $15 for a one-year, 12-issue magazine subscription that includes an information-packed annual calendar in the December issue. Visit www.dnr.state.il.us/OI or call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe.  VISA and MasterCard are accepted.  For information on advertising in OutdoorIllinois, call (217) 785-8610 or e-mail michelle.silver@illinois.gov.

HOF Nominations Due Sept. 17:  There is still time to submit nominations for induction into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame.  Nominations should be submitted no later than Sept. 17.  Nominees should be women or men "who have made significant contributions or exhibited unparalleled dedication in preserving, promoting, enhancing or supporting natural resources or outdoor recreational opportunities in Illinois."  All nominations must be submitted on the official nomination form available on the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.  For a copy of the nomination form and for assistance in submitting a nomination, contact Ron Allen, Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone (217) 785-2003.  The inductees selected for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame will be announced this fall and will be honored at the annual Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet, scheduled for March 26, 2011 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Wingshooting Clinics:  The IDNR and participating partners sponsor wingshooting clinics at sites throughout Illinois to help improve the shooting skills of participants. Youth/Women's clinics are designed to teach participants basic firearm and hunter safety and the fundamentals of wingshooting.  Hunter clinics are designed to enhance the wingshooting skills of hunters and provide sound wingshooting practice techniques. The clinics are conducted on weekends through the early fall.  For a complete schedule, check the IDNR web site at www.dnr.state.il.us.  Upcoming clinics include: 

 - September 11-12 - Youth/Women Clinic - Stephen A. Forbes State Park, Kinmundy (618/547-3381)
- September 11 - Youth/Women Clinic - Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Kewanee (309/853-5589)
- September 18-19 - Hunter Clinic - Des Plaines Conservation Area, Wilmington (815/785-8129)
- September 26 - Youth Clinic - Decatur Gun Club, Decatur (217/521-9469)
- Oct. 2-3 - Hunter Clinic - World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta (866/850-2564)
- Oct. 2-3 - Youth/Women Clinic, South Fork Dirt Riders Park, Kincaid (217/496-3113)
- Oct. 16-17 - Hunter Clinic - St. Charles Sportsmen's Club, Elburn (630/363-6180)
- Oct. 23 - Youth Clinic - World Shooting and Recreational Complex, Sparta (866/850-2564
- Oct. 23-24 - Youth/Women Clinic - Ten Mile Creek SFWA, McLeansboro (618/643-2862)
- Oct. 30 - Youth Clinic - Wild Rural Park, Waggoner (217/785-8129)

Coffeen Youth Deer Hunt:  IDNR will conduct a drawing on Sun., Sept. 19 for three youth to hunt deer during the Illinois youth firearm deer season scheduled for Oct 9-10.  The special youth hunt will take place at the Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area-Upland Management Area.  Participating youth must have a valid Montgomery County youth firearm deer permit.  To be eligible for the Sept. 19 drawing, the youth's name, mailing address and contact number must be printed on a 3" x 5" postcard and received at the Coffeen Lake SFWA site office by close of business on Sept. 18.  Late entries will not be accepted.  Successful applicants will have until Sept. 30 to apply for and report their Montgomery County youth firearm deer permit number to the Coffeen Lake site office (failure to do so will result in losing the spot for the special youth hunt and an alternate selection will take their place).  The mailing address to apply is:  Coffeen Lake FWA, P.O. Box 517, Coffeen, IL  62017.  For more information, contact the site office at (217) 537-3351.

Youth Firearm Deer Hunt at JEPC:  Youth hunters interested in participating in the youth firearm deer hunt (Oct. 9-10) at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area must submit a postcard to the site office by Sept. 14 to enter a drawing to be among the 75 hunters that will be allowed to hunt at two open units.  The drawing will be held Sept. 15.  Youth hunters should provide their name, age, address and phone number on the postcard mailed to:  Youth Deer Hunt, Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA, 10149 County Highway 11, Chandlerville, IL 62627.  Successful applicants will be notified and they can purchase a Cass County youth firearm deer permit.  Those permits are available over-the-counter from DNR Direct license vendors, through the DNR Direct online services link at www.dnr.illinois.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-6PERMIT (allow 7 - 10 business days for online and phones sales).  The youth firearm deer season is only open to hunters who have not reached their 16th birthday prior to the opening date of the season.  For other regulations, check the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations at www.dnr.illinois.gov/PDF/HuntTrapDigest.pdf.  For more information on the youth hunt at Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA, call (217) 452-7741 or (309) 543-3288.

Sahara Woods Archery Hunt:  The Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area west of Harrisburg will again offer archery hunting for the 2010-11 season via a site permit which can be picked up at the Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area, 85 Glen Jones Road, Equality, IL 62934.  Permits can be picked up in person only (and hunters may pick up only their own permit) beginning Sept. 1 and through the archery deer season. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.  For more information, call (618) 276-4405.  Access to the Sahara site for archery deer hunting will begin Oct. 1. "