FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2009
Late Winter Deer Hunt: Permits for the 2009-2010 Illinois Late-Winter Antlerless Deer Hunting Season will be available from DNR Direct license and permit agents beginning Dec. 15. The Late-Winter season has been expanded to a seven-day season for 2009-2010, with the season dates Dec. 31-Jan. 3 and Jan. 15-17. For more information, check the IDNR web site at this link: http://www.dnr.state.il.us/admin/late.htm
IDNR Sites Open for Late-Winter Antlerless Deer Season: A number of IDNR sites will be open for hunting during the Late-Winter Antlerless Deer Season in Illinois. The 2009-2010 season dates are Dec. 31-Jan. 3 and Jan. 15-17. Only antlerless deer (doe or buck with antlers less than three inches) may be taken during this season.
The following sites are only open to hunters with a Site-Specific Late-Winter Deer Permit. Permits for these sites are limited and will be available over-the-counter through DNR Direct license and permit agents beginning Dec. 15. Unfilled 2009 site-specific firearm or muzzleloader permits for these sites are NOT valid during the Late Winter Deer season:
(Site - County in which site is located)
Apple River Canyon SP – Thompson/Salem Units – Jo Daviess
Castle Rock SP – Ogle
Goose Lake Prairie/Heidecke – Grundy
Hanover Bluff SNA – Jo Daviess
Jubilee College SP – Peoria
Lowden Miller SF - Ogle
Rall Woods (formerly Falling Down Prairie) – Jo Daviess
Sahara Woods SFWA – Saline
Sam Dale Lake SFWA - Wayne
Siloam Springs/Buckhorn Unit – Brown
Siloam Springs – Adams, Brown
Starved Rock/Matthiessen SP/Mitchells Grove/Sandy Ford – LaSalle
Tapley Woods SNA – Jo Daviess
Wards Grove SNA – Jo Daviess
White Pines SP - Ogle
The following sites are open to hunters with Late-Winter Deer permits issued for the county in which the site is located. Permits for the counties open for the Late-Winter season will be available over-the-counter through DNR Direct license and permit agents beginning Dec. 15. As in years past, unfilled firearm, muzzleloader, and youth firearm permits for the county the site is located in will be valid for this season at the site. Unfilled site-specific firearm or muzzleloader deer permits are also valid for the sites listed below. Where site boundaries extend over more than one county, only the portion of the site that lies within an open county is open to hunting.
(County – Site)
Adams – Mississippi River Pools 21 and 22
Brown – Weinberg-King SP – Spunky Bottoms
Bureau – Miller Anderson Woods (Bureau Co. portion only)
Calhoun – Mississippi River Pool 25 and 26
Clinton – Carlyle Lake – East Fork Unit, Eldon Hazlet SP (North side of Allen Branch)
Crawford – Crawford County SWA
Effingham – Wildcat Hollow SHA
Fayette – Carlyle Lake SFWA
Hamilton – Hamilton County SFWA
Hamilton and Jefferson – Ten Mile Creek SFWA
Henderson – Big River SF
Jefferson – Rend Lake SFWA and Rend Lake C.O.E. property
Jersey – Copperhead Hollow SFWA, Pere Marquette (Open Area)
Jersey – Mississippi River SFWA (Pools 25 and 26 in Jersey Co.)
Johnson – Deer Pond SNA, Ferne Clyffe SP, Skinner Farm, Cache River (Johnson Co. portion only)
Johnson and Union – Cypress Creek NWR, Cypress Pond SNA
Knox – Spoon River SF
LaSalle - Marseilles SFWA - (Open only on Dec. 31, Jan. 2-3; Hunting hours close early at 12:00 noon on Jan 2-3; must sign in at the site check station by 5 a.m. to get in the daily draw; standby hunting available after the draw as space allows)
Lawrence – Chauncey Marsh
Marshall and Peoria – Marshall SFWA
McDonough – Argyle Lake SP
Perry – Pyramid SP (Captain, Denmark and “Old Park” units only)
Pike – Mississippi River Pools 22 and 24, Ray Norbut SFWA
Putnam – George S. Park SNA, Miller Anderson Woods (Putnam Co. portion only)
Randolph –Turkey Bluffs SFWA, Fort de Chartres SHS
Randolph, St. Clair, Monroe – Kaskaskia River SFWA
Saline – Saline County SFWA
Schuyler – Weinberg-King SP, Weinberg-King SP/Scripps Unit
Tazewell – Mackinaw River SFWA
Union – Trail of Tears SF, Devil’s Island SFWA (Union Co. portion only), Giant City SP (Union Co. portion only)
Vermilion – Harry “Babe” Woodyard SNA, Kickapoo SP, Middle Fork SFWA
CWD Deer Season: Hunters in Boone, DeKalb, McHenry, and Winnebago counties and that portion of Kane County west of Ill. Rt. 47 can participate in the special seven-day Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Deer Season on Dec. 31, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010 and Jan. 15-17, 2010 to help control deer densities and the spread of chronic wasting disease. Special CWD season antlerless-only permits will be available beginning Dec. 15 over-the-counter for $5 each at participating DNR Direct license and permit vendors. In addition, hunters with unfilled 2009 firearm, muzzleloader, youth deer hunt, or archery deer permits valid for one of the open counties may use those permits to hunt during the CWD season. Hunters using unfilled permits from the 2009 firearm, muzzleloader, youth, or archery season may take deer appropriate for that permit (antlerless-only or either-sex). There will be no manned check stations during CWD season this year. Successful hunters should report their harvest by 10 p.m. on the same calendar day the deer was taken by calling the toll-free telephone check-in system at 1-866-452-4325 (1-866-ILCHECK) or by accessing the online check-in system at www.dnr.state.il.us/vcheck. Successful hunters are encouraged to have any adult deer tested for CWD by taking it to a cooperating meat processor.
Marseilles SFWA Hunting Hours: Hunting will close at noon on a number of days this fall and early winter at the Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area. Only the days listed below are affected. On all other days, the site will be operated as it has been in previous years. The days on which hunting will close at noon are as follows:
- December 10, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30; January 2, 3, 9 and 10
The site will be closed on Christmas and on New Year's Day, as it has been in the past. The site will be open as usual for the muzzleloader-only deer season, Dec. 11-13. The Late-Winter deer program will not be offered at Marseilles SFWA. However, the site will be open all day on Dec. 31 and until noon on Jan. 2 and 3 for archery deer hunting. The last day for hunting at Marseilles SFWA for this hunting season will be Jan. 14, 2010. For additional information, call 815/795-4509.
Youth Goose Hunt: Youngsters can register now through Dec. 11 for the 10th annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Dec. 27-28. The youth goose hunt will be held at private waterfowl hunting clubs in Peoria, Fulton and Knox counties. Young people interested in the hunt must phone 217/785-8060 to register for a lottery drawing since space for the hunt is limited. The deadline to register is Friday, Dec. 11. Youth hunters selected will be notified by mail. First-time applicants will be given a priority over previous participants in the drawing. The hunt is open to youngsters ages 10-15 at the time of the hunt. All applicants must have successfully completed a hunter safety education course, possess a valid Illinois hunting or sportsman's license, have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number, and have a 20 gauge or larger shotgun. Youth hunt participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must possess a valid firearm owner's identification (FOID) card. To register for the hunt or for more information, call 217/785-8060 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
Youth Hunt Raffle: Raffle tickets are available to support the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, as well as IDNR youth waterfowl hunts throughout the state. Only 500 tickets will be sold at $10 each to benefit the youth hunts. Prizes available include a shotgun and a Lifetime Hunting License (which is transferable). Raffle winners will be drawn at the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt banquet on Dec. 27. Raffle participants need not be present to win. For tickets or information, call 217/785-8060.
Spring Turkey: Permit applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Hunting season. The deadline to apply for the second lottery drawing is Jan. 11. For more information, go to the Hunting link on the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us. The spring turkey season dates for 2010 are listed below:
NORTH ZONE SPRING TURKEY SEASON DATES
1st Season Monday, April 12 - Friday, April 16
2nd Season Saturday, April 17 - Thursday, April 22
3rd Season Friday, April 23 - Wednesday, April 28
4th Season Thursday, April 29 - Wednesday, May 5
5th Season Thursday, May 6 - Thursday, May 13
SOUTH ZONE SPRING TURKEY SEASON DATES
1st Season Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 9
2nd Season Saturday, April 10 - Thursday, April 15
3rd Season Friday, April 16 - Wednesday, April 21
4th Season Thursday, April 22 - Wednesday, April 28
5th Season Thursday, April 29 - Thursday, May 6
APPLICATION DATES
2nd lottery deadline - Jan 11 - First time applicants, non-residents & rejected applicants
3rd lottery deadline - Feb. 9 - Anyone who does not have a permit or has one permit
Random daily drawings - March 9 - Anyone who does not have a permit or has one or two permits
Science Series: The Illinois State Museum’s Science Series this month features the program “Archaeo/Geological Investigations of the Emiquon Refuge Restoration Project, Fulton County, Illinois,” presented by Dickson Mounds Museum curator Alan Harn. In 2003, Dickson Mounds Museum and The Nature Conservancy began a comprehensive archaeological investigation of the newly developing Emiquon preserve. These studies indicate that today's Thompson Lake is only the most recent in a series of former Illinois River channels that occupied the bottomland. Nearly 70 new archaeological sites were found within the refuge over the last several years, and excavations and soil coring into the bottomland sediments are providing new insights into paleoclimates, bottomland geomorphology, and how early Native Americans adjusted to this constantly changing world. The program is free and open to the public on Wed., Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center, 1011 East Ash, Springfield. For more information, phone 217/782-0061.
Holiday Event: The Illinois State Museum invites youngsters and their families to celebrate the holidays on Sat., Dec. 12 during the ISM Super Saturdays’ “Auld Abe Syne: an 1800s Holiday” from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. December is a month full of holiday traditions, but what about those of Christmases past? Go back in time to learn of the different, old-fashioned traditions of the19th century holidays. The event is especially recommended for families with children ages 4-8. For more information, phone 217/782-6044. The Illinois State Museum is located in the State Capitol Complex at the corner of Spring and Edwards Streets in Springfield.
Ft. Massac Holiday Celebration: Celebrate the holidays during the annual Olde Tyme Christmas at Ft. Massac State Park in Metropolis on Sun., Dec. 13 from 1-4 p.m. The Olde Tyme Christmas is a celebration of holiday traditions, with fort reenactors representing the French, Early American and Civil War traditions of Christmas. Music and refreshments will be available in the visitor center. Admission is free. For more information, phone 618/524-9321.
Pere Marquette Bald Eagle Programs: Visit Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton this winter to enjoy an informative program on bald eagles. Eagles may be spotted in the tree tops along the Illinois River in the months of December, January, February and March. The site interpreter at Pere Marquette presents informative programs about bald eagles on select dates throughout the winter, beginning with programs on Monday, Dec. 28 and Tuesday, Dec. 29. January program dates are Jan. 9, 10, 11, 25, 26, and 27. All programs begin at the Pere Marquette Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 618/786-3323. For a complete list of dates through early March, check the IDNR web site at this link:
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R4/Bald_Eagle_Days.htm
OutdoorIllinois: The cover of the December 2009 issue of OutdoorIllinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ monthly magazine, features elongated shadows across an ice-coated Springbrook Creek in DuPage County. The ever-popular annual wild food recipe story includes three recipes—sausage-stuffed venison loin, squirrel ravioli and pan-seared crappie by Master Chef Lasse Sorensen. Other stories include features on Conservation Congress, Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area, duck feathers, gulls, Illinois River fisheries sampling and acorns. Also included in the December issue is the 2010 annual OutdoorIllinois wall calendar, popular with outdoor enthusiasts looking for information on natural and cultural resource programs, plus deadlines and activities taking place throughout the state over the upcoming year.
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 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.
Gifts: Need 12 gift ideas for that special outdoorsman or outdoorswoman? How about a one-year gift subscription to OutdoorIllinois magazine? For just $15, friends and family members will receive 12 full-color issues of OutdoorIllinois, packed with state park features, how-to outdoors tips, hunting and fishing tales, DNR news updates and plenty more. It’s so easy to subscribe: In Illinois, order toll-free at 1-800-720-3249 or online at http://dnr.state.il.us/oi.
Annual Wall Calendar: Looking for the perfect gift to keep sportsmen abreast of hunting, trapping and fishing season dates or keep families informed of programs and events in Illinois state parks? The newly released 2010 OutdoorIllinois wall calendar may be just what you need. Included as part of the December magazine, the calendar/December magazine may be purchased for $3, or a full year of the magazine for $15. To place an order in Illinois, call toll-free at 1-800-720-3249 or online at http://dnr.state.il/oi.
Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger: The 2009-2010 Illinois deer hunting seasons continue with the Muzzleloader-only Deer Season, Dec. 11-13 and the Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Season in select counties Dec. 31-Jan.3 and Jan. 15-17, 2010. The archery deer season also continues through Jan. 17, 2010. Deer hunters are encouraged to support the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program by donating whole deer they harvest for processing into ground venison that is provided to food banks in Illinois. A list of participating meat processors is available through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/legislation/isah/index.htm. Tax-deductible monetary donations to help pay for ISAH meat processing costs may be made through the Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271.
