Newsbits
Highlighting IDNR Programs and Upcoming Events for the Month of January

Late-Winter Deer Season: Deer hunters with unfilled deer permits from the 2007 firearm season, muzzleloader season or youth season may use those permits during the Late Winter Firearm Antlerless-only Deer Season, Jan. 18-20, if the permits are for one of the counties open for the late winter season. Permits specific to the Late Winter season were issued last fall. Counties that will be open for the Late Winter season are: Adams, Bond, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Edgar, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Logan, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Massac, McDonough, McLean, Menard, Mercer, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Peoria, Perry, Pike, Putnam, Randolph, Richland, Rock Island, Saline, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, St. Clair, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Union, Vermilion, Wabash, Warren, Washington, Wayne, White, Whiteside, Williamson, and Woodford.

CWD Deer Season: Permits are available for the special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) deer season in Boone, DeKalb, Grundy, LaSalle, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago counties Jan. 18-20 to help control deer densities and the spread of chronic wasting disease. Special CWD season antlerless-only permits are $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:
Boone Co. - Boone County Fairgrounds, Rt. 76 and Business Rt. 20, Belvidere
DeKalb Co. - Shabbona Lake State Park, 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd., Shabbona
Grundy - Gebhard Woods State Park, 401 Ottawa St., Morris
LaSalle - Buffalo Rock State Park, 3 mi. E. of Ottawa on Dee Bennett Road
McHenry Co. - Sportsmans Choice, intersection of Rts. 14 and 47, Woodstock
Ogle Co. - Castle Rock State Park, Rt. 2, three miles south of Oregon
Winnebago Co. - Rock Cut State Park, 6425 Hart Road (one mile east of Perryville Rd. on Hart Rd.), Loves Park

Burning Star 5 Late Winter Season: The Burning Star 5 Wildlife Management Area located in Jackson Co. will be open to firearm deer hunting during the Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Season scheduled for Jan. 18-20. Hunters must have a valid late-winter deer season permit for Burning Star 5, a 2007 unfilled Burning Star 5 firearm, muzzleloader or youth permit, or a 2007 unfilled Jackson Co. firearm, muzzleloader or youth deer permit. Hunters unfamiliar with the Burning Star 5 Wildlife Management Area are encouraged to review the site hunting regulations and area map on the IDNR web site at the following link: www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/
hunter_fact_sheet/r5hfs/brs5.htm 
For further information, contact District Wildlife Biologist Richard Whitton at 618/993-7148.

2008 Licenses Available Jan. 21: Illinois fishing, hunting and sportsmen combination licenses for 2008 will be available starting Jan. 21 from DNR Direct license and permit vendors, online through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us, and by calling 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648). DNR Direct makes buying licenses, habitat stamps, and waterfowl stamps convenient and easy. By going online, license buyers can use American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa or E-Check and print the license or receipt - and the system is available 24 hours a day. The new IDNR license year begins April 1. The 2008 licenses purchased beginning Jan. 21 will be valid through Mar. 31, 2009.

Commercial Licenses on DNR Direct Starting Jan. 21: Select IDNR commercial licenses for 2008 will be available through DNR Direct - the IDNR automated license, permit and registration system - beginning Jan. 21. The commercial licenses will be available from DNR Direct license and permit vendors, online through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us, or by phone toll-free at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648).

Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet: Tickets are now available for the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 9 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The event opens with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 and are available by calling the Illinois Conservation Foundation at 217/785-2003. The Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees for 2008 are Don Dubin, the late George B. Fell, and John R. “Duke” O’Malley.

Pere Marquette Bald Eagle Programs: Have you ever seen our national bird, the bald eagle? Soaring on a 6 to 7-and-a-half foot wing span, eagles are magnificent. Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County is host to these seasonal visitors. Eagles may be spotted in the Pere Marquette region along the Illinois River throughout the winter. Join site staff at Pere Marquette for informative programs about bald eagles. All programs will begin at the park's visitor center at 8:30 a.m. with a short video presentation, followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Dress for the weather, have a full tank of gas, and bring binoculars. Dates for the free bald eagle programs at Pere Marquette State Park are: January 8, 9, 14, 27, 28, 29 and 30; February 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24, and 26, and March 1. Reservations are required – call 618/786-3323.

Archaeology Program: The Illinois State Museum will host “Igniting the Torch: Amateurs, Adventure, and the Advancement of American Archaeology,” the monthly ISM archaeology lecture. The free program will be held on Wed., Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at the ISM Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash, Springfield. Dr. Don Dickson’s 1927 excavation at Dickson Mounds was followed by excavations and displays at nearby Ogden Mounds and at a site near Maple Mills. Drawn by the excavations in the Spoon River area, the University of Chicago established the first school in archaeological field techniques in the eastern U.S. during the early 1930s, helping establish Fulton County as a prominent place in American archaeology. Learn more during the free lecture on Jan. 9. For more information, phone 217/782-0061.

Campground Hosts: The IDNR is looking for campground hosts for the 2008 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. More than 50 state parks utilize campground hosts. Applications are available by contacting the sites directly, by contacting coordinator Barb Foster at 217/785-8129, or by downloading an application though the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us.

Winter Walks: Giant City State Park in Makanda in southern Illinois hosts another “Wonders of Winter Walk” on Fri., Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. The event will include a guided one-mile hike to enjoy the park’s winter landscape. For more information on this and other free programs at Giant City, phone 618/457-4836.

Icy Illinois: Youngsters are invited to visit the Illinois State Museum in Springfield on Sat., Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to discover Illinois when the state was covered by ice. Was it always cold? What plants and animals lived here? Search for clues in the Changes exhibit at the ISM as part of this “Super Saturdays” free program.

Learn about this unique time through hands-on activities and games in the ISM “A Place for Discovery.” Parents and families are encouraged to participate. Registration is not required. For more information, phone 217/782-6044. The Illinois State Museum is located near the State Capitol at Spring and Edwards Streets in downtown Springfield.

OutdoorIllinois: Wintertime in Illinois often means snow-based activities, as evidenced by the cross-country skier on the cover of the January 2008 issue of the Department of Natural Resources’ monthly magazine, OutdoorIllinois. A feature story this month highlights a variety of outdoor activities for those looking to break the chains of cabin fever. Also covered in the current issue are stories on Marshall and Woodford County Conservation Areas, fishing for smallmouth bass on Kinkaid Lake, goose hunting, the Fell Arboretum on the campus of Illinois State University, and digital photography tips. 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. 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.

INPC Meeting: The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission will meet on Thurs., Jan. 31 at the IDNR Headquarters, One Natural Resources Way, on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield at 10 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, phone 217/785-8686.

NRAB Meeting: The IDNR Natural Resources Advisory Board meets at 1 p.m. on Thurs., Feb 7 at the Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St., Springfield. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, phone 217/785-0075.

Starved Rock Eagle Watch Weekend: Bald eagles are the attraction on the Illinois River in LaSalle County during Bald Eagle Watch Weekend, Jan. 26-27 at Starved Rock State Park, Utica. Enjoy eagle watching and birds of prey programs at the Starved Rock Lodge. For information, phone 815/667-4906.

Application Deadline Jan. 31 For Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program: The Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant program application deadline is Jan. 31. The application form can be downloaded through the IDNR web site at www.dnr.state.il.us.  The popular program offers funds for teachers to take students out of the classroom to study some aspect of Illinois biodiversity. The program makes available awards of up to $500 per teacher. For more information, contact the IDNR Division of Education at 217/524-4126. Funding for the program is administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

Registration Open for "Earth Day in the Parks" Program: The IDNR is now accepting applications for the 2008 "Earth Day in the Parks" – a program to promote stewardship of Illinois' natural resources by school children.

On April 17, students and their teachers from throughout Illinois will visit participating Illinois state parks to take part in natural resources stewardship activities such as planting native trees, grasses and wildflowers; building and installing nesting/roosting boxes; removing invasive exotic plant species; and, constructing woodland ponds for amphibians. The IDNR is accepting applications from teachers who would like the opportunity for their class to participate in the program. For more information, including the list of participating state parks, and to download an application form, visit http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/
education/CLASSRM/EDITPinstruct.htm.  The application must be received by Feb. 29. For more information, phone 217/524-4126 or e-mail to dnr.teachkids@Illinois.gov.

Trail Grants: Applications are accepted from Jan. 1-Mar. 1 for Illinois Bicycle Path Program, Off-Highway Vehicle Program, and federal Recreational Trails Program grants. For more information, check out the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/grants or contact the IDNR Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, phone 217/782-7481.

WPF Applications: Applications are now being accepted for the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund’s two grant programs administered through the IDNR Office of Resource Conservation Division of Natural Heritage. The programs are funded through a voluntary check-off designation to the Wildlife Preservation Fund on the state income tax form.
The Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Small Project Program proposals are open to all persons and may address many types of projects including management, site inventories, education or special equipment purchases. Examples of past projects include wildlife habitat improvement, species enhancement, education and research projects throughout the state focusing on species ranging from birds to turtles – and habitat ranging from forests to prairies. Individual proposals are eligible for up to $2,000 from the Wildlife Preservation Fund.

Proposals are also being accepted for the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Maintenance of Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities That Take Care of Threatened or Endangered Species Program. This program is designed to keep wildlife rehabilitation facilities that take care of threatened or endangered species in a state of good repair necessary to provide safe and sanitary conditions for threatened or endangered wildlife species being cared for in the facility and for facility staff. Only persons who possess a current wildlife rehabilitation license/permit issued by the IDNR and who have provided care for threatened or endangered wildlife species during the three-year period preceding the date of their application qualify for grant funds. Types of projects in this category include structural repair and maintenance of existing buildings, pens, cages and appurtenant facilities used to take care of threatened or endangered wildlife species; repair and maintenance of equipment used in the diagnosis and treatment of injury to or illness of threatened or endangered wildlife species, and payment of costs for utilities needed to assure the soundness of facilities that take care of threatened or endangered wildlife species. Individual proposals are eligible for up to $2,000 from the Wildlife Preservation Fund.

Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund Grant Program packets for Fiscal Year 2009 are available. They include a program explanation, instructions for completing the application form and an application form. The application packet is available through the IDNR website at http://dnr.state.il.us/grants/. The packet is also available by calling 217/782-2602 or by e-mail at DNR.SPECIALFUNDS@illinois.gov. The deadline for accepting applications is 5 p.m. on April 1.

Governor's Green Youth Award: Illinois students are encouraged to apply for the annual Governor's Green Youth Award. The award recognizes outstanding and inventive efforts of Illinois youth who are working on environmental protection and conservation projects. Students currently enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade at an Illinois public, private, or home school who have participated in an environmental project started no earlier than January 2006 are eligible to submit their project. Clubs and other organizations such as Scouts and 4-H are also encouraged to apply. Applications are due by Mar. 17. More information is available online at www.epa.state.il.us/green-youth/ or by calling 217/557-7826.

ENTICE Programs for Teachers: The IDNR is offering professional development workshops for teachers in the coming months through the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program. Continuing Professional Development Units are available for all workshops. For the first time, three are being offered in an online version. For details about each workshop and to register, visit http://www.ilcf.org/Workshop/Courses.asp. ENTICE workshops provide background information by resources professionals, hands-on activities that can be instantly implemented into the classroom, and many Illinois-specific supplemental materials to assist teachers. Those interested in graduate credit can find more information about online graduate-level courses in cooperation with the University of Illinois at Springfield by visiting http://www.dnr.state.il.us/
lands/education/graduatecourses.htm.

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