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Illinois Department of Natural Resources Newsbits Highlighting IDNR Programs and Upcoming Events for the Month of December **PLEASE NOTE SOME INFORMATION IS TIME SENSITIVE** Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger: The 2007-08 Illinois deer hunting seasons continue with the Muzzleloader-only Deer Season, Dec. 7-9 - and the Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Season in select counties Jan. 18-20, 2008. Permits were issued previously for each of these seasons. The archery deer season also continues through Jan. 17, 2008. 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/. 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. CWD Deer Season : Hunters in Boone, DeKalb, Grundy, LaSalle, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago counties can participate in a special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Deer Season Jan. 18-20, 2008 to help control deer densities and the spread of chronic wasting disease. Special CWD season antlerless-only permits are scheduled to be available beginning December 11 for $5 each at participating DNR Direct license and permit vendors. In addition, hunters with unfilled 2007 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 2007 firearm, muzzleloader, youth or archery season may take deer appropriate for that permit (antlerless-only or either-sex). Check stations will be manned during the CWD season in the open counties. Successful hunters will be required to bring their deer to a check station prior to 8 p.m. on the day of harvest. Hunters who submit samples for CWD testing will be given an additional permit valid for the remainder of the season. Check station locations for the CWD Deer
Season, Jan. 18-20, 2008 are listed below: Youth Goose Hunt Application Deadline Dec. 7: The registration deadline is Dec. 7 for the 7th annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt. The hunt, sponsored by the IDNR, is Dec. 26-27 at private waterfowl hunting clubs in Peoria, Fulton and Knox Counties. Youth Goose Hunt participants will be selected by a lottery drawing from all interested youth who phone in to register by Dec. 7. First-time applicants will be given a priority over previous participants in the drawing. Youth hunters selected will be notified by mail. 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. by Dec. 7. Kaskaskia Late-Winter Deer Drawing: A drawing will be held on Fri., Dec. 7 to allow 26 hunters to participate in the Late Winter Antlerless-only Deer Hunting Season Jan. 18-20 on part of the Baldwin Lake Waterfowl Rest Area at Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area. To be eligible for the in-house drawing, applicants should send their name, mailing address, and in which county their previously issued Late Winter permit is valid (St. Clair or Randolph) on a standard USPS postcard to the site office by Dec. 6. The site address is Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area, 10981 Conservation Road, Baldwin, IL 62217. For more information on the site drawing, contact district wildlife biologist Brian Mahan at 618/295-2877. Deer Pins: Hunters successful in taking a deer during the 2007-08 deer seasons in Illinois may pick up a free deer pin at one of the hundreds of IDNR license and permit vendor locations throughout the state. Deer pins are also available during regular business hours at the IDNR Headquarters in Springfield, the IDNR Regional offices in Sterling, Bartlett, Clinton, Alton and Benton, and the IDNR Chicago office. For deer pin locations, check the IDNR web site at the following link: http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/. OutdoorIllinois: A flock of hundreds of snow geese erupt from the cover of the December 2007 issue of OutdoorIllinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ monthly magazine. The ever-popular annual wild game and fish recipe story includes four recipes – snow goose breast, venison tenderloin, bass fillet and duck breast – by Chef Lee Conway. Other stories include features on Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area, predator hunting, the state of ice fishing in Illinois, bryophytes and snow geese. Also included in the December issue is the 2008 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. Call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. Clean Vessel Grants: The IDNR is soliciting applications for grants to be awarded through the federal Clean Vessel Act grant program. Local governments and operators of private marinas, boat yards and yacht clubs may apply for the grants to build or upgrade marine sewage disposal systems and renovate pump-out stations used by recreational boaters. The funds help provide facilities for boaters to dispose of their waste in an environmentally safe manner. Applications must be sent to the IDNR by Dec. 31. The Department will forward proposals to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for consideration. Applicants whose projects are approved will be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of allowable expenses to construct or renovate stations and waste reception facilities. Grant funds are generated from excise taxes on fishing equipment, import duties on tackle and boats, and motorboat fuel taxes. Information about the program and application forms are available by calling 217/782-2602, or by writing the IDNR Federal Aid and Special Funds Section, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. Walk in Giant City: Join in a one-mile walk through Giant City State Park, Makanda, on Sat., Dec. 8 from 1-2:30 p.m. The Wonders of Winter Walk will be led by the site interpreter to detail how plants and wildlife in the park adjust to winter. For more information, phone 618/457-4836. Raffle Supporting Youth Hunt: Raffle tickets are available to support the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, as well as youth waterfowl hunts throughout the state. Only 500 tickets will be sold at $10 each to benefit the youth hunts. Prizes available include a Remington 870 Super Mag 3 ˝ in. shotgun, a Lifetime Hunting License (which is transferable) and a Remington 870 Combo. Winners will be drawn at the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt on Dec. 26. Raffle participants need not be present to win. For tickets or information, call 217/785-8060. Christmas Event: Enjoy the annual Olde Tyme Christmas event at Ft. Massac State Park, Metropolis, from 1-4 p.m. on Dec. 9. Fort reenactors will represent the French, Early American and Civil War traditions of Christmas. Call 618/524-9321 for information. Home Made In the Heartland: The Illinois State Museum in Springfield invites youngsters to explore At Home in the Heartland on Sat., Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to discover what their homes might have looked like 20, 50 or 100 years ago. Children will be able to make a holiday gift and festive decorations. The free event is part of the ISM “Super Saturdays” series. For more information, phone 217/782-6044. The Illinois State Museum is located at 502 S. Spring St., Springfield. Two Eras of Excavation at Kincaid: The December archaeology lecture at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center in Springfield focuses on the Kincaid site in southernmost Illinois, a large, multi-mound town occupied between AD 1000 and 1400. A generation of archaeologists was trained at Kincaid during the 1930s. Archaeologists resumed field work at Kincaid in 2003. Current research uses newly developed techniques, most notably geophysical surveys, to assess what is in the ground prior to excavations. The free program is on Wed., Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the ISM Research and Collections Center, 1011 East Ash, Springfield. For more information, phone 217/782-0061. Hickory Ridge Coffeehouse: The monthly Hickory Ridge Coffeehouse program at Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown, on Sat., Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. features the music of Ben Bedford of Springfield. Along with songs from his first release, “Lincoln’s Man,” he’ll be performing Christmas tunes. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, phone 309/547-3721. Spring Turkey: Applications are being accepted for the second lottery for 2008 Illinois spring turkey hunting permits. The deadline to apply for the second lottery is Jan. 11. For more information, go to the Hunting link on the IDNR web site home page. The 2008 Illinois Spring Turkey Season dates are outlined below: 2008 Northern Zone Spring Turkey Season
Dates 2008 Southern Zone Season Dates Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program: The deadline to apply for Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grants from the IDNR Division of Education is Jan. 31. An application form can be downloaded through the IDNR web site at www.dnr.state.il.us. This popular program offers funds for teachers to take students out of the classroom to study Illinois' biodiversity. The program makes awards of up to $500 per teacher available. For more information, contact the IDNR Division of Education at 217/524-4126. Funding for the program is administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Earth Day in the Parks: Earth Day in the Parks will be held in April 2008 at approximately 25 Illinois state parks. The program offers the opportunity for students to take part in hands-on natural resources stewardship activities, such as planting native wildflowers and trees, building and installing nesting boxes, and removing invasive exotic species. Students and teachers are encouraged to return to the park later to study the wildlife helped by their actions. Applications will be accepted for Earth Day in the Parks from Jan. 1 - Feb. 29, 2008. For more information, check the web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/. Earth Day in the Parks is made possible in part by a grant from and contributions to the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Arbor Day Poster Contest: Instruction packets for the national Arbor Day Poster Contest have been mailed to all Illinois schools with fifth grade classes. Entries are due by Feb. 20, 2008. Teachers who would like an Arbor Day Poster Contest instructional packet can request it from the order form at http://www.idnrteachkids.com. For more information, phone 217-785-8771 or e-mail reinee.hildebrandt@illinois.gov. Junior Duck Stamp Art: The application deadline for the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest is Mar. 15, 2008. This waterfowl and wetland conservation education program is open to all students of grades K- 12 in Illinois. The 2008 instruction brochures were mailed to all Illinois schools. Additional copies may be requested through the order form at http://www.idnrteachkids.com. Please read the instructions carefully as there have been some new rules implemented for the 2008 contest. ENTICE Workshops Offered Online: Registration is open for the first online ENTICE workshops from the IDNR Division of Education. These two-week workshops will be completed entirely online. Teachers can participate at the time of day they have available from the convenience of home or anywhere with access to the Internet. The workshops will be held in cooperation with the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) and other partners. Participants do not need to be enrolled at UIS to participate. Continuing Professional Development Units will be offered. Look for the offerings for spring semester. To register, visit http://www.ilcf.org/Workshop/Courses.asp. There is a $25 per person registration fee per online workshop. In-person ENTICE workshops are still being offered. Register for the spring schedule that is available at http://www.ilcf.org/Workshop/Courses.asp.
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