2012 Illinois Licenses: 2012 Illinois hunting, fishing and sportsman’s combination licenses are required as of April 1. The 2012 licenses are available from DNR Direct license and permit vendors, online through the IDNR website www.dnr.illinois.gov/online/Pages/default.aspx or by calling 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648). The 2012 licenses are valid through Mar. 31, 2013 unless otherwise noted.
Apply Now for Resident Firearm/Muzzleloader Deer Permits: Resident Illinois deer hunters can apply online through April 30 for the first lottery drawings for 2012 Illinois firearm and muzzleloader-only deer season permits through DNR Direct. Just click on the Online Services tab on the IDNR website home page at www.dnr.illinois.gov. Application forms in PDF format are also available on the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/deer. The first lottery drawings for firearm and muzzleloader-only deer permits are for Illinois residents only. Resident hunters can apply in both the firearm and muzzleloader-only lotteries. The 2012 Illinois firearm deer seasons are Nov. 16-18 (first season) and Nov. 29-Dec. 2 (second season). The 2012 muzzleloader-only permits may be used Dec. 7-9 (and in the second firearm season, Nov. 29-Dec. 2).
Safety Reminder: Mushroom collectors and other visitors to Illinois state parks, fish and wildlife areas, and other IDNR-managed sites with spring turkey hunting programs in April and May are reminded that hunting areas are closed to activities other than turkey hunting from one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. daily during the spring turkey season. The turkey hunting area restrictions are in place for the safety of site visitors and hunters.
Mushrooms: No license is required for mushroom collecting in Illinois, although collectors always need landowner permission and, on public sites, must adhere to approved collecting regulations and hours. Collection of mushrooms is allowed in many IDNR state parks and recreation areas, but it is prohibited in any area designated as a dedicated nature preserve. Areas under the jurisdiction of the IDNR that offer spring turkey hunting will not be open to mushroom collecting until after 1 p.m. daily to ensure the safety of all hunters.
Turkey hunting restrictions will apply until the close of the wild turkey hunting seasons on May 10 in the Southern Zone and May 17 in the Northern Zone. Mushroom hunters are urged to call ahead to the state site they intend to visit to learn of any site-specific regulations regarding mushroom collecting.
Spring Trout Season Opens April 7: The 2012 spring trout fishing season in Illinois will begin at 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 7. No trout may be taken prior to the April 7 opener. To legally participate in the trout fishing program, anglers must have a valid Illinois fishing license and an inland trout stamp. Anglers may also purchase a 24-hour Illinois fishing license, which includes trout fishing privileges for the 24-hour period the license is valid. A license is required for fishing in Illinois unless the angler is otherwise exempt (under age 16, blind or disabled, or is an Illinois resident on active military service who is home on leave). For more details, including the list of locations stocked for the spring catchable trout program, check the IDNR website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Pages/Illinois2012SpringTroutFishingSeasonOpensApril7.aspx
IDNR to Host Public Meeting on Stratton Lock and Dam Life Extension Project: The IDNR will host a public meeting on Monday, April 16 to discuss the Life Extension Project alternative analysis and selection for the William G. Stratton Lock and Dam on the Fox River in McHenry. The public meeting will be held on April 16 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Conference Center of the McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14 in Crystal Lake. The lock, constructed in 1960 at Stratton Dam, does not have the capacity to meet the current peak demand. The sluice gates constructed in 1939 have reached the end of their useful life. Improvements to the lock and gates at Stratton Dam have been investigated. The IDNR Office of Water Resources will present the alternatives investigated for the lock and gate structure. Advantages, disadvantages and opinions on probable construction costs for the alternatives, as well as the alternative selection process will be presented. Public comments and questions will be accepted following the presentation.
Attention Boat Owners: All watercraft (other than sailboards) operated on the waters of Illinois must be registered and titled. Boat renewal notices reminding Illinois boat owners that their registration decals are due to expire on June 30, 2012 will be mailed in April. Any registration issued after January 1, 2012 with an expiration date of June 30, 2015 will be printed and mailed in late April. Boat owners are asked to carry their temporary permit (valid for 120 days) until they receive the registration decals. Boat titles are not affected by the delay and are being printed and mailed. For additional information on boat registration, check the IDNR website at this link: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/boating/Pages/Information.aspx
Hunter and Boating Safety Education: Check the schedule online and sign up now for 2012 Hunter Safety Education and Boating Safety Education courses from the IDNR. The website link for all IDNR Safety Education course information is www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety.
Mark Your Calendars: The 2012 Illinois Free Fishing Days will be June 8-11. For more information on fishing in Illinois, click on: www.dnr.illinois.gov or www.ifishillinois.org.
Becoming an Outdoors Woman: Registrations are still being accepted for the 2012 IDNR ‘Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop’ on June 8-10 at the Lorado Taft Field Campus in Oregon, Illinois. Classes are offered in more than 25 outdoor-related activities and skills. In addition to core classes on canoeing, archery, wild edibles, fishing, and firearm safety, there are several new classes offered at this workshop including advanced shotgun wingshooting, nature sketching, river kayaking, deer hunting and birding. Experienced and knowledgeable instructors provide a non-competitive and non-threatening environment for learning. The cost of $210 per person includes housing, meals, four classes, use of equipment, transportation during the event, and much more. Register online at www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/bow.
Science Series: The monthly science series program at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center on Wed., April 11 is ‘Canine Companions: A Natural History of the Domestic Dog.’ You’re invited to the free program at 7 p.m. Dr. Chris Widga, ISM Assistant Curator of Geology, presents the program. The talk will review recent genetic, morphological, and archaeological research in the study of dog domestication, highlighting the importance of the Midwestern dogs from the archaeological record. The ISM Research and Collections Center is located at 1011 East Ash, Springfield. For more information, check the website at www.museum.state.il.us/events.
Crazy for Collage: The ‘Super Saturdays’ program this month at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield is ‘Crazy for Collage’ on Saturday, April 14 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In celebration of the On & Of Paper exhibition at the museum, youngsters are invited to get creative and learn about different collage techniques and experiment with tissue paper, torn paper, scrapbook paper, and more. The program is free and is ideal for children ages 4-8. The Illinois State Museum is located in the State Capitol Complex in Springfield. For more information, phone 217-782-6044 or check online at www.museum.state.il.us/events.
Earth Day at the ISM: Celebrate Earth Day at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield on Sunday, April 22 from 12 noon until 5 p.m. During this free event, learn about 500 million years of environmental change in Illinois in the Changes: Dynamic Illinois Environments exhibition. Visitors are invited to pick up a Changes Checklist at the front desk. These child-friendly search activities are a perfect way to take a closer look at the exhibition and learn new facts about mammals, birds, fish, and more. In honor of Earth Day, all visitors will receive a commemorative bookmark. The Illinois State Museum is at 502 S. Spring St., Springfield.
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