Illinois Department of Natural Resources Newsbits for September 2012

Waterfowl Baiting Alert: Due to summer-long drought conditions in Illinois, some farmers have been mowing or tilling their unharvested crop fields. The IDNR reminds hunters that the manipulation, including mowing or tilling, of unharvested crop fields is not a normal agricultural practice for waterfowl hunting purposes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports federal baiting laws still apply, even during times of drought. It is a violation of the baiting laws under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act if scattered grain is not totally removed 10 days prior to hunting. Hunters should familiarize themselves with baiting laws in Illinois. For more information on waterfowl baiting regulations, refer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website regarding baiting regulations at http://www.fws.gov/le/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.html.

Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest: Be alert to hunting and trapping regulations in Illinois by reviewing the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2012-2013. The digest is available at many IDNR offices and vendor locations, and is also available online in PDF format through the IDNR website at this link: www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/HuntTrapDigest.pdf

Resident Archery Deer and Fall Turkey Permits: Resident combination archery deer permits, resident antlerless-only archery deer permits, and resident archery fall turkey hunting permits are available over-the-counter from DNR Direct license and permit vendors. Find a vendor near you at this link: http://dnr.illinois.gov/DNRDirectMonitor/VendorListing.aspx

Non-Resident Deer and Turkey Permits: The remaining non-resident 2012 Illinois combination archery deer permits, as well as non-resident antlerless-only archery deer permits and non-resident archery fall turkey permits are available over-the-counter (OTC) from DNR Direct license and permit vendors. Find a vendor near you at this link: http://dnr.illinois.gov/DNRDirectMonitor/VendorListing.aspx

Youth Deer Permits: Resident and non-resident Illinois Youth Firearm Deer permits are available over-the-counter (OTC) from DNR Direct license and permit vendors. Find a vendor near you at this link: http://dnr.illinois.gov/DNRDirectMonitor/VendorListing.aspx

Controlled Pheasant Permits: Hunters can go online to apply for 2012-13 Illinois controlled pheasant hunting opportunities available at 19 IDNR sites. Fifteen of the sites are operated by the IDNR, while four other sites are managed by concessionaire T. Miller, Inc. For application information, check the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov or www.tmillerinc.com.

Wingshooting Clinics: The IDNR and participating partners are sponsoring wingshooting clinics at sites throughout Illinois to help improve the shooting skills of participants. Youth/Women's clinics are designed to teach participants basic firearm safety and the fundamentals of wingshooting. Hunter clinics are designed to enhance the wingshooting skills of hunters and provide sound wingshooting practice techniques. Upcoming clinics will be conducted on weekends through late October. For a complete schedule, check the webpage at this link: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/wingshooting/WingshootingDates.htm

Chad Morgenthaler Bass Tournament: The Illinois Conservation Foundation invites anglers to Rend Lake on Oct. 6 for the 7th annual Chad Morgenthaler Benefit Bass Tournament, benefitting ICF youth fishing and hunting programs.

The event is hosted annually by professional bass angler Chad Morgenthaler and title sponsor Jasper Engines at the popular and productive Rend Lake fishery. In addition to the fishing tournament on Oct. 6, there will be a dinner on Friday night, Oct. 5 at the Rend Lake Resort featuring a silent auction with prizes including boat accessories, fishing gear, firearms and archery equipment. Anglers can download an entry form at www.chadmorgenthaler.com or can register and pay the entry fee online through the ICF website at https://www.ilcf.org/events/MorgenthalerBenefit.aspx

Sportsman’s Raffle: Get your ticket now for the 2012 Illinois Conservation Foundation Sportsman’s Raffle and help expand youth conservation education and outdoor recreation programs in Illinois. Sportsman’s Raffle tickets are $100 each and prizes – including a grand prize of up to $100,000 – will be presented at a drawing in Sangamon County on December 6, 2012. The next “early bird” prizes will be awarded for tickets drawn in Sangamon County on October 4, 2012. Proceeds from the raffle will support programs at the ICF Torstenson Family Youth Conservation Education Center in Pecatonica, IL. The raffle is being conducted in accordance with the Raffles Act. All business operations of the raffle take place exclusively in Sangamon County. Raffle tickets are available online at www.ilcf.org and by mail at: Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271.

Trapping Permit – Sangchris Lake: A public drawing for the allocation of a Sangchris Lake State Park trapping permit will be held on Sat., Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. Registration will be at 12:30 p.m. at the site headquarters, located approximately six miles southeast of Rochester. One permit for one trapping zone will be allocated through the drawing procedure.

Two names will be allowed on the permit, and only those individuals listed will be allowed to trap. All persons entering the drawing must have a current 2012 trapping license in possession. Persons whose names are drawn must be in attendance. For more information, contact Sangchris Lake State Park, 9898 Cascade Road, Rochester, IL 62563 or phone 217-498-9208 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Follow the IDNR: Keep up to date with events and information on outdoor recreation and natural resources in Illinois through IDNR postings on Facebook and Twitter. Find us at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/about/Pages/SocialNetworking.aspx