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4/11/2007 Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Newsbits Highlighting IDNR Programs and Upcoming Events for the Month of April 2007 License Year Is Underway: Hunters and anglers are reminded that the new license year for Illinois hunting, fishing and combination sportsman’s licenses began as of April 1. If you need to buy a 2007 license, visit one of the hundreds of DNR Direct license and permit vendor locations throughout the state, or go online through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us. Click on the link for online hunting and fishing licenses. It is an easy way to buy fishing, hunting, and sportsman’s combination licenses, habitat stamps, inland trout stamps and state waterfowl stamps using a credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) and printing the license or receipt. Licenses are also available by phone through DNR Direct by calling toll-free 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648). Resident Firearm Deer Applications Now Available: Resident Illinois deer hunters can now apply online for the first lottery drawing for 2007 Illinois firearm and muzzleloader-only deer season permits. Just go to the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us and click on the Hunting button on the home page to apply using a credit card. Application forms in PDF format for the first lottery drawing for firearm deer permits and muzzleloader-only season deer permits (Illinois residents only) will be available April 9 on the IDNR web site. Application forms have also been mailed to previous permit holders. The deadline to apply for the first lottery drawing for 2007 firearm deer permits and muzzleloader-only deer permits is April 30. Resident hunters can apply in both the firearm and muzzleloader-only lotteries. The 2007 firearm seasons are Nov. 16-18 (first season) and Nov. 29-Dec. 2 (second season). The 2007 muzzleloader-only season is Dec. 7-9. Trout Season: Anglers are reminded that the 2007 Illinois spring trout season opened on Sat., April 7. To legally take trout, anglers must have a valid fishing license and inland trout stamp. For a list of sites stocked for the spring trout season, go to the web site at www.ifishillinois.org and click on the catchable trout link. NRAB Meeting: The Natural Resources Advisory Board meets on April 10 at 1 p.m. at the IDNR Headquarters, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield. For more information, phone 217/785-0075. OutdoorIllinois: Throughout the nation, organizations such as the IDNR pause this month to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers. April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week, a time dedicated to thanking the more than 100 million people nationwide who annually help effect positive change. The April issue of OutdoorIllinois is dedicated to the selfless volunteers who help provide quality natural and cultural resources programs associated with the IDNR. OutdoorIllinois, a monthly magazine, 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. Call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. For information on advertising in OutdoorIllinois, call (217) 558-1222 or e-mail joe.bauer@illinois.gov. Sporting Clays Shoot at WSRC: Registration is open for the 7th annual Governor's Cup Shooting Challenge, Friday and Saturday April 27-29 at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta. Shooters will compete for the Illinois Governor's Cup title and cash prizes in this NSCA-registered classified shoot. There will also be a Hunters Class for non-registered shooters. The competition includes a 50-bird 5-stand event, a 100-bird preliminary event and a 200-bird main event. For more information and registration, call 217/785-7742. Proceeds benefit IDNR and Illinois Conservation Foundation youth shooting programs. Wingshooting Clinics: The IDNR and partnering
organizations will host a series of wingshooting clinics for beginning
shooters and for more experienced hunters this spring and summer. At the
free youth/women’s clinics, Saturday sessions generally provide instruction
for youngsters ages 10 - 15, while Sunday sessions are generally used to
provide instruction for girls and women ages 10 and older. Youth
participants must be at least 4 feet 6 inches tall and weigh at least 75
pounds. Instructors are certified by the National Sporting Clays
Association. Hunter clinics are designed to enhance the wingshooting skills
of women and men ages 16 and older. Hunters with wingshooting skill levels
from beginner to advanced are encouraged to attend. A small fee is assessed
each hunter clinic participant to cover the cost of clay targets and
refreshments. Upcoming Hunter’s clinics are: Mississippi Palisades/French Bluff Reminder: During the 2007 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season, the IDNR will close the hunting area, parking areas, and trail heads leading into the hunting area at Mississippi Palisades State Park and the French Bluff Natural Area in Carroll County to all non-hunters until 1 p.m. daily. The campground, boat launch and internal roads at Mississippi Palisades will remain open during all regular park hours. Permits were issued for spring turkey hunting at Mississippi Palisades for the first four segments of the season (April 16-May 9) and for five segments of the season at French Bluff Natural Area (April 16-May 17). Hunting hours are a half-hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. For more information, contact the Mississippi Palisades site office at 815/273-2731. Argyle Concession: The IDNR is seeking a concessionaire to operate the bait shop, restaurant and boat rental in the concession building at Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County. Anyone interested should contact Site Superintendent Robin Hinchee at 309/776-3422 or the IDNR Concession Leases and Services office at 217/785-0759. While the concession operation at Argyle Lake State Park is closed, all other park programs and facilities are open and available to the public as usual. Super Saturday at ISM: “Spring Fling” is the next Super Saturday in A Place for Discovery at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield on Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Youngsters can plant flowers, learn about tornados, and build a bird’s nest. Most activities can be completed in 30 to 45 minutes, although participants are welcome to stay for as long as they wish. Parents are invited to participate with their children. All Super Saturdays are designed especially for children 4-8 years old and are free and open to the public. The Super Saturday series is sponsored by the Bank of Springfield. For more information, call 217/82-6044. The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring St., Springfield, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Kinkaid Lake Cleanup: Users and supporters of Kinkaid Lake in Jackson County are encouraged to participate in the 4th annual Kinkaid Lake Cleanup on Sat., April 14 from 8 a.m.-noon at the Paul Ice Boat Launch. The cleanup is sponsored by the Shawnee Muskie Hunters, IDNR, Kinkaid Area Watershed Project, Beautify Southern Illinois Campaign, the Murphysboro American, Lowe’s of Carbondale, and Tom’s Mad Pricer in Murphysboro. ICF Golf Outing June 5: The 12th annual Illinois Conservation Foundation Golf Benefit is Tues., June 5 at the Rail Golf Club in Sherman, just north of Springfield. The golf outing is one of the most popular ICF events of the year. Proceeds benefit youth hunting, fishing and outdoor conservation programs. Registration and lunch begin at 11:45 a.m., with golf beginning at 1 p.m. Dinner and an awards program follow golf. The registration fee is $150 per golfer or $500 per foursome. To register or for sponsorship information, call 217/782-7181. Campground Hosts Needed: Campground hosts are needed at four IDNR sites for the 2007 camping season. Campground hosts assist campers, answer questions, collect camping fees, encourage compliance with park regulations, and report emergencies. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver's license and agree to work 35 hours per week (usually over a five-day period) for a minimum of four weeks. Weekend and holiday duty is mandatory. Compensation is $1 per day for the days worked. Campground hosts need to provide their own camping equipment. If interested in serving as a campground host at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, Nauvoo State Park, Sangchris Lake State Park, or Siloam Springs State Park, contact the Campground Host Program at 217/785-8129, or download an application though the IDNR web site by clicking on the Camping link on the home page. Archaeology Program: The monthly archaeology lecture for April at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center in Springfield will summarize recent research focusing on human land-use patterns during the close of the Ice Age involving the so-called Clovis and Dalton cultures. Late Pleistocene Clovis groups were mobile hunters that likely targeted caribou herds that ranged across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Early Holocene Dalton groups were more sedentary hunters and foragers that selected white-tailed deer and other woodland resources. The lecture is free and open to the public on Wed., April 11 at 7 p.m. at the ISM Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash, Springfield. For more information, phone 217/782-0061. Study of Ancient DNA: Dr. Anne C. Stone, Associate Professor at the School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, will present a lecture at the Dickson Mounds Museum on the study of ancient DNA and what it reveals about human interactions during prehistoric times in the Illinois River Valley. The lecture will be presented in conjunction with “Future Perfect: Conversations on the Meaning of the Genetics Revolution,” a program series of the Illinois Humanities Council. The lecture is free and open to the public on Sunday, April 15 at 2 p.m. at the Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown. For more information, phone 309/547-3721. Federal Adult Duck Stamp Art Exhibit: The Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, is hosting an exhibition of Federal Adult Duck Stamp Art. Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sponsors a stamp-design contest, with wildlife artists from across the nation submitting their work for judging by a panel of artists and wildlife experts. The winning art is featured on the next year’s stamp. Enjoy many of these works at the Dickson Mounds Museum daily from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. through April 30. Ft. Massac Programs: A number of programs on the history
of Ft. Massac State Park and the region will be presented this spring at the
park in Metropolis. Sat., May 5, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - The Southern Illinois
Spinners and Weavers Guild in the Visitors Center. Snowmobile Grant Deadline May 1: Applications are being accepted for two programs that provide grant assistance for snowmobiling facilities in Illinois. The Snowmobile Grant Program for local governments provides up to 100 percent reimbursement of facility development/rehabilitation costs. Examples of eligible project costs include trail construction and signs, trail grooming equipment, parking areas and warming shelters. The program can also provide up to 90 percent for approved land acquisition costs for public snowmobile trails and areas. The Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund Program provides financial assistance to incorporated, private snowmobile clubs. Funding assistance of up to 100 percent of eligible project costs is available from the program, which is funded from a portion of snowmobile registration fees collected by the state. Eligible project costs include trail construction, fencing, signs, trail grooming equipment, parking facilities and warming shelters. Trails and facilities must be open and available for general public use. Applications for assistance must be received by IDNR no later than May 1. For more information, call 217/782-7481 or e-mail dnrgrants@illinois.gov. Applications and manuals are also available on IDNR website at http://dnr.state.il.us/ocd/gaoutnew.htm. Register Now for Upcoming ENTICE Workshops: The IDNR
offers school teachers an opportunity to enhance their classroom instruction
by providing a series of ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute
for Conservation Education) workshops this spring and summer. Registration
continues for the workshops listed below. ENTICE workshops provide
background information, lessons, supplemental resources and Continuing
Professional Development Units. To see the complete workshop description or
to register, visit http://www.ilcf.org/Workshop/Courses.asp. New Online Project Learning Tree Workshop: Educators are invited to register now for the new online Project Learning Tree Workshop, sponsored cooperatively by the IDNR and the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). Teachers need not enroll at UIS to participate. All work is done online. Weekly assignments are completed at your convenience to meet the due dates. Teachers may receive 10 Continuing Professional Development Units. All registration must be completed at http://www.ilcf.org/Workshop/Courses.asp. There is a $50.00 registration fee for the workshop. Contact the IDNR Division of Education at 217/524-4126 for more information. Wandering Among the Woodland Wildflowers: Giant City State Park, Makanda, welcomes visitors to join in spring wildflower hikes at the park on April 14 and 21, 10 a.m. - noon. The wildflower walks are among Giant City’s most popular programs. Join the site interpreter for a rugged two-hour discovery tour on a woodland trail. The programs begin inside the Visitor Center. For more information, call 618/457-4836. INPC Meeting: The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission will meet on Tues., May 1 at 9 a.m. at the Giant City Lodge at Giant City State Park, 460 Giant City Lodge Road, Makanda. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, phone 217/785-8686. Beall Woods Photo Contest: “Photos in the Park,” the first annual photography contest at Beall Woods State Park in Wabash Co., will accept submissions of images taken at the park until Oct. 20. For more details on the photography contest rules and other information, contact Beall Woods State Park, 9285 Beall Woods Ave., Mt. Carmel, IL 62863, phone 618/298-2442. Celebrate Quilts: The Illinois State Museum in Springfield hosts a special program on gifted quilts in conjunction with the quilt art exhibition at the museum. The “Celebrate Quilts” event is on Sat., May 12 from 1-4 p.m. Visitors can learn about the art and history of quilt making through a variety of hands-on art projects, storytelling, and artisan demonstrations. Visitors can also create a quilt block to add to a large-scale community quilt, learn about commemorative quilts, and watch quilting demonstrations by interpreters from Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site. For more information, please call 217/782-5993. Grant Awarded: R.A.S. Industries has been awarded $13,550 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to stabilize the banks along the existing transient docks at Tall Timbers Marina on the Illinois River in Havana, Illinois. Completion of the project will prolong the time between maintenance dredging events. Funds for the program come from federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels through the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety program, and can provide up to 75 percent of an approved project’s cost. The applicant must provide the other 25 percent of project costs. The program is administered in Illinois by the IDNR and it is intended to enhance boating for transient, non-trailerable recreational boats - those 26 feet long or longer. Bird Walks at Volo Bog/McHenry Dam: McHenry County
Audubon members will be leading bird walks co-sponsored by the IDNR at Volo
Bog and McHenry Dam this spring. Reservations are required and may be made
through Volo Bog State Natural Area at 815/344-1294. Sun., April 15 at Volo Bog - 8 a.m.
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