8/7/2007

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Newsbits

Highlighting IDNR programs and upcoming events for the month of August

Grand American: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is pleased to welcome shooting sports enthusiasts from around the world to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, home to the 108th Amateur Trapshooting Association Grand American, Aug. 6-18. For more information on this major shooting sports event, go to the web site at www.shootata.com.

Non-Resident Archery Deer Permits: Non-residents will have the opportunity to purchase remaining 2007 Illinois Non-Resident Archery Deer combination permits (one either sex and one antlerless-only) beginning at 8 a.m. CDT on Mon., Aug. 6. Approximately 1,450 permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through DNR Direct online through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us, or by calling toll-free 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648).

Youth Deer Hunt Update For 2007: Hunters may now apply online for permits for the 2007 Illinois Resident Youth Either-Sex Deer Hunt, scheduled for Oct. 6-7. The hunt is open only to Illinois resident hunters who have not reached their 16th birthday by the time of the hunt and have completed an IDNR-approved hunter safety education course. Permit applications are only available online through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us (paper applications are no longer available). The deadline to apply for the first lottery for the Youth Deer Hunt is Aug. 14. The fee for the Youth Deer Hunt permit is $10, plus a non-refundable handling fee for each online transaction. (Payment is by credit card or E-Check only). The permit allows the hunter to use either a shotgun or muzzleloader during the hunt. All counties will be open for the Youth Deer Hunt except Cook, DuPage, Lake and that portion of Kane County east of Illinois Rt. 47 (applicants may select one or two county choices). A list of IDNR owned and managed sites that will be open for the youth hunt will be announced at a later date.

Firearm Deer Permits: Aug. 14 is the deadline to apply for the second lottery for resident and non-resident firearm and muzzleloader deer permits for the 2007 season. For more information, check the “Hunting” link on the home page of the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.

Hunting and Trapping Digest Available: The 2007-08 edition of the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations is now available online through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/digest/. Copies of the free booklet will be available at IDNR offices in the coming weeks. You can also pick up a copy at Conservation World at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Aug. 10-19 and at the Du Quoin State Fair, Aug. 25-Sept. 3.

Free Upland Permits Available Online: All applications for the 2007 Illinois Free Upland Game Hunt Permit program must now be made online through the IDNR web site (paper applications are no longer available). The online application can be found at http://dnr.state.il.us/Uplandgame/index.html. An information sheet with complete details is available on the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/pdfs/422-9001.pdf.

Don’t Forget Your License: Remember to purchase Illinois hunting, fishing and combination sportsman’s licenses before you head out to enjoy the great outdoors in Illinois. 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. Licenses are also available by phone through DNR Direct by calling toll-free 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648).

Sahara Woods Archery Deer Special Permit: A portion of the Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area will be open to archery deer hunting again this fall by special permit. Specific regulations and a permit application can be obtained at the Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area, the IDNR Region 5 Office in Benton, or the IDNR District 33 Wildlife Office in Golconda. Applications and regulations are also available on the IDNR web site at: http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/
hunter_fact_sheet/r5hfs/shw.htm  All applications, on the official form, must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 at the IDNR Region 5 Office, SAHARA WOODS ARCHERY HUNT 2007, 11731 State Highway 37, Benton, IL 62812. For more information, phone 618/276-4405.

3D Archery Shoot Benefit for ISAH on August 12: Help the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program by participating in the annual 3D Archery Fun Shoot at Buck Stop Archery in Brownstown on Sunday, Aug. 12. Registration is from 8-11:30 a.m. Buck Stop Archery is located on U.S. Rt. 40 just west of Brownstown in Fayette County. The event is part of the Buck Stop Archery Customer Appreciation Days. Trophy categories include men, women, youth (ages 13-17); junior (ages 9-12) and pee wee (ages 8 and younger). For more information, call 618/427-5264. Proceeds benefit the ISAH program, which encourages deer hunters to donate deer they harvest for processing into venison, which is provided to food pantries and food banks throughout Illinois.

OutdoorIllinois: The cover of the August issue of OutdoorIllinois, the Department of Natural Resources' monthly magazine, features the caterpillar of the spotted datana moth, which is also one of the caterpillars examined in one of this month’s feature stories. Other stories include Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, dove hunting, fishing with a cane pole, the 100th anniversary of the Hennepin Canal, and an update on the emerald ash borer. OutdoorIllinois is an indispensable guide to Illinois' natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at $15 for a one-year subscription. Call 1-800-720-3249 or visit www.dnr.state.il.us/OI to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted.

Wingshooting Clinics: The IDNR and partnering organizations are hosting a series of wingshooting clinics for beginning shooters and for more experienced hunters this summer and fall. 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 Youth/Women’s clinics (and contact phone numbers) include:
August 18-19 - Shabonna Lake State Park (DeKalb Co.), 815/758-2773
August 25-26 - Capel Clinic at Camp Sender, Fisher (Champaign Co.),
217/935-6860
September 8-9 - Sam Dale Lake (Wayne Co.), 618/835-2292
September 22-23 - Johnson Sauk Trail (Henry Co.), 309/853-5589
Upcoming Hunter’s clinics are:
September 22-23 - Des Plaines Cons. Area (Will Co.), 217/785-8060
September 29-30 - Decatur Gun Club (Macon Co.), 217/877-4096
Check the IDNR web site for a complete list of this year’s Wingshooting Clinics.

Trapper Education Online Course Option: The IDNR is offering a new online course for those interested in learning to trap. Those required to complete a course before purchasing a trapping license now have two choices: a traditional full-day course, or completion of half of the requirement online and half in the classroom, where participants learn hands-on skills such as setting traps and preparing pelts for sale. The courses are free. IDNR encourages all trappers, regardless of age, to take a course. First-time trappers under 18 must complete a course and pass a written exam before they are allowed to purchase a trapping license. Those under 16 must also have written permission from a parent or guardian before purchasing a license. The Illinois Trapper Education Online at www.trappered.com covers topics such as trapping equipment, laws and ethics through online film clips, reading materials, quizzes, photos, and illustrations.

At the end of the online course, students must successfully complete the final exam online and download a printable document of completion. Students must present the document when attending the four-hour training session with instructors. To locate an instructor-taught course, visit http://dnr.state.il.us/safety or call 1-800-832-2599.

The Roots of Native American Music: The Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, is host to a day-long program on Native American music traditions on Sun., Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Members of the Seven Circles Heritage Center in Edwards, Illinois, an educational resource center dedicated to the preservation of Native American Culture, will present sessions including:
11 a.m. - A Look at Native American Christian Hymnod
Noon - An Introduction to Native American Music in Historical Context
1 p.m. - The Spirit of the Drum in Ritual Settings
2 p.m. - Native American Flute Music
3 p.m. - Crafting a Native American Flute
4 p.m. - Pow Wow Dancing
Advance registration is required only for the 3 p.m. session. For more information, phone 309/547-3721.

INPC Meeting: The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission will meet on Tues., Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. in the McCormick Room of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago. (There will be no charge for entering the Nature Museum for those attending the INPC meeting). For more information on the INPC meeting, phone 217/785-8686.

ESPB Meeting: The Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board will meet on Fri., Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Rochester Public Library, #1 Community Dr., Rochester. For more information, phone 217/785-8687.

Conservation World: The IDNR invites families and other visitors to stop by Conservation World during the 2007 Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Aug. 10-19. Conservation World is a 30-acre park on the state fairgrounds that features free family-oriented entertainment, informative programs, activities and displays focusing on outdoor recreation and natural resources conservation. Conservation World is open each day of the state fair from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. And be sure to stop by Conservation Village at the Du Quoin State Fair, Aug. 25-Sept. 3 in Du Quoin.

Living History at Ft. Massac: Join the staff at Ft. Massac State Park, Metropolis, for a series of summer programs on regional history. For more information on these and other programs, contact the site office at 618/524-4712

Sat. Aug. 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — The Southern Illinois Spinners and Weavers Guild in the Visitors Center. Spinners and weavers are welcome to participate.
Sat., Aug. 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Massiac Marines (French and Indian War Period) Living History Program.

Sat, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — The Southern Illinois Spinners and Weavers Guild in the Visitors Center. Spinners and weavers are welcome to participate.
Mon., Sept. 3 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., City of Metropolis Labor Day Celebration - a blend of music for the afternoon, no admission fee.
Sat., Sept. 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Massiac Marines (French and Indian War Period) Living History Program.

Bison Archaeology: “Buffaloes in Big Bone Country: Ancient Bison of the Ohio River Valley” is the topic of the monthly archaeology program at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center in Springfield on Wed., Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Animals from the Big Bone Lick area in northern Kentucky figured prominently in the development of North American vertebrate paleontology, including a large collection of late prehistoric bison. The program is free and open to the public. The ISM Research and Collections Center is located at 1011 East Ash in Springfield. For more information, phone 217/782-0061.

Make Music at the Museum: Youngsters are invited to “Make Music” at A Place for Discovery inside the Illinois State Museum in Springfield on Sat., Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The museum’s monthly Super Saturdays program is a musical celebration in which youngsters can make a mini-harp, play their own music, search the At Home in the Heartland exhibition for musical instruments, and be inspired by music from cultures all over the world. The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring St., Springfield. The program is free. For more information, phone 217/782-6044.

Ethnic Arts Bazaar: The Illinois Artisans Shop in Chicago hosts an Ethnic Arts Bazaar on Wed., Aug, 15 and Thurs., Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. both days. Featured will be artists from diverse cultural backgrounds demonstrating and displaying crafts inspired by ethnic traditions. The Illinois Artisans Shop and Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery are located on the second floor of the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Contact the Artisans Shop at 312/814-5321 and the ISM Chicago Gallery at 312/814-5322.

Habitat Poster: "Habitats are Homes" is the latest addition to the flora and fauna poster series from the IDNR Division of Education. The front of this 24" x 36" poster depicts animals found in the four main habitats in the state. The back side provides information about the value of wildlife habitat, how habitats change, what you can do to enhance, develop, or maintain wildlife habitat, resources to access and grant programs available. The poster was made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund. To order, visit the online order form at http://www.idnrteachkids.com.

Raptor Days at Moraine Hills State Park: Learn about raptor ecology and rehabilitation during the next Raptor Days program at Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry, on Aug. 11 from 1-3 p.m. No reservations are required for the free program, just stop by the park office. Seating is limited so please arrive early. For more information, phone Moraine Hills at 815/385-1624.

Bird Walks at McHenry Dam: On Sat., Aug. 4 and Sat., Aug. 18, see the many resident birds of Moraine Hills State Park’s McHenry Dam area. Sandhill cranes, wood ducks, yellow warblers, many woodpeckers, meadowlarks, bobolinks and a barred owl are among the birds that may be seen on these walks. Walk time varies from 1 - 3 hours. The hikes are for visitors ages 7 to adults. Meet at south end of the McHenry Dam parking lot for the hikes beginning at 8 a.m. The hikes are co-sponsored by the McHenry County Audubon. Please call for reservations at 815/344-1294.

Baldwin Lake Youth Deer Hunt: The IDNR will conduct a drawing on Sept. 12 for 26 youth to hunt during the Illinois Resident Youth Deer Hunt, Oct. 6-7, on part of the Baldwin Lake rest area at Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area between Baldwin Lake and the Doza Creek Waterfowl Management Area. To be eligible for the site drawing, send the applicant’s name, mailing address, and indicate in which county his or her youth deer hunt permit is valid (St. Clair or Randolph) printed on a standard postcard to the site office by Sept. 10. The site address is Kaskaskia River SFWA, 10981 Conservation Road, Baldwin, IL 62217. For more information on this drawing or other youth hunting opportunities at Kaskaskia River SFWA and Turkey Bluffs SFWA, call 618/295-2877.

Plum Island Reforestation: Volunteers are invited to assist in efforts to improve habitat for bald eagles and neo-tropical migrant birds at the Illinois Audubon Society's Plum Island Sanctuary near Starved Rock State Park on Sat., Sept. 29. Volunteers can help plant 500 hardwood trees to reforest 10 acres within the 50-acre Plum Island Sanctuary. The project is due in part to an IDNR Conservation 2000 grant and the assistance of conservation partners including the Starved Rock Audubon Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society, Chad Pregracke's Living Lands and Waters, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners in Flight Program, and Trees Forever. Volunteers should meet at the Starved Rock State Park Boat Ramp on Sept. 29 between 8:30-9 a.m. to register, and should bring work gloves and a bottle of water. Lunch will be provided to volunteers at noon, compliments of the Starved Rock Audubon Society. Volunteers able to continue working will head back to Plum Island to complete the project after lunch. (If heavy rain is forecast, the rain date would be, Sun., Sept. 30, same time and location). For more information, visit www.illinoisaudubon.org or contact Don Goerne at dgoerne@yahoo.com, phone 815/673-5544 (day) or 815/672-3569 (evening).

Tampico Fishing Derby: Kids ages 15 and younger are invited to the Fishing Derby in Tampico on Sat., Sept. 8, part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Hennepin Canal. The derby is from 10 a.m. until noon on the Hennepin Canal Feeder Canal Bridge 50 (Highway 172 - Star Road). For registration or more information, phone 815/438-7447. The derby is hosted by the Tampico Area Long Range Committee.

Giant City’s Stonefort: Take a hike on Sat., Sept. 8 beginning at 10 a.m. at Giant City State Park, Makanda, to explore Giant City’s Stonefort. Join the site interpreter to investigate why Late Woodland period Native Americans would build a nearly 300-foot wall on a cliff in the forest 1,000 years ago. This is a rugged 1/3-mile hike. For more information about at Giant City State Park programs, call the Visitor Center at 618/457-4836.

Reminder: The deadline to apply for Boat Area Access Development Program grants is Sept. 3. For more information on the program, contact the IDNR Division of Grant Administration at 217/782-7481 or dnr.grants@Illinois.gov.

Save the Dates - Quail Hunt: Hunters are reminded to mark their calendars for the 14th annual Illinois Conservation Foundation Celebrity Quail Hunt at Rend Lake Resort, Nov. 4-6. Proceeds benefit ICF youth hunting programs and activities. For details, phone 217/782-7181.