Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever announce Leonard Sachs of Peoria, Illinois, as the newest member to the organization’s national board of directors. The 18-member board meets quarterly and oversees the operations of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, the nation’s largest upland conservation organization.

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Sachs grew up with an appreciation of the outdoors, but it wasn’t until he completed his studies at the University of Illinois College of Law and took a job in central Illinois that he was able to fully dedicate his free time to the outdoors and conservation. That dedication eventually led to his nomination and selection as a Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever national board member in fall of 2011.

“I am humbled to serve on the national board of directors for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever,” Sachs said, “Since attending my first Pheasants Forever banquet nearly 10 years ago, I have always been struck by the passion that Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members convey, as well as the organization’s grassroots model. The Pheasants Forever board and staff are the most gifted, talented, committed group of people in the conservation community, and I am looking forward to working with them and our partners to make an impact for future generations. Given this team’s enthusiasm and creativity, I remain confident that our best days are yet to come.”

“We are honored and thrilled to have Mr. Sachs as the newest member of the Pheasants Forever Board,” says Bruce Hertzke, Chairperson of Pheasants Forever’s National Board of Directors, “He brings a wealth of talent and passion to our midst that will make our organization an even greater presence in the conservation community.”

A true conservationist, Sachs, through his local conservation club, recently initiated a project in partnership with Pheasants Forever and the DNR to convert his farm in Knox County, Illinois, into a showcase example of what is possible through active conservation management and participation. When he is not practicing labor and employment law at Howard & Howard, Sachs can be found volunteering with a number of different nonprofit organizations, including serving on the board of the Heart of Illinois United Way and the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross, all in an effort to give back to his community.

Illinois is home to 44 Pheasants Forever chapters, 19 Quail Forever chapters and over 10,000 Pheasants Forever and/or Quail Forever members. For more information, please contact Rehan Nana, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Public Relation Specialist, at (651) 209-4973 / Email Rehan.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent – the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Illinois Native Named to Pheasants Forever’s National Board of Directors

Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 181,411 deer during all 2011-12 seasons.  Illinois deer seasons closed last weekend as hunters concluded the Archery Deer Season and the last segments of the Late-Winter and Special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) deer hunting seasons on Jan. 15.

The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons of 181,411 compares with a total harvest for all seasons of 182,270 in 2010-11.  During this year’s deer seasons, hunters took 49.2 percent does and 50.8 percent males.  Illinois’ record deer harvest occurred in the 2005-06 season, when 201,209 deer were taken.  For a historical perspective (in ten-year increments), the 2001-02 total Illinois deer harvest was 152,768; 1991-92 was 101,418; and, 1981-82 was 22,570.

“Hunters experienced harvests this year that were almost identical to last year,” said IDNR Forest Wildlife Program Manager Paul Shelton.  “Slight declines in the archery and firearm seasons were virtually offset by increases in the Youth, Muzzleloader, and Late Winter/Special CWD seasons.  Deer populations in many parts of the state have been brought down to levels that are more in keeping with population goals, and in the coming months biologists will be studying available data to determine changes to implement for the 2012-13 seasons.”

During the just-concluded 2011-12 Archery Deer Season, hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 61,852 deer (Oct. 1, 2011-Jan. 15, 2012), compared with the archery deer harvest of 63,570 in the 2010-11 season.

The combined preliminary harvest total for both the Late-Winter Antlerless-Only and the Special CWD deer seasons was 14,931, compared with a harvest of 14,884 deer taken during those seasons last year.  The seven-day split seasons for the Late-Winter and CWD hunts were Dec. 29, 2011-Jan.1, 2012 and Jan. 13-15, 2012.  Hunters in Boone, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, La Salle, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago Counties and Kane County west of Ill. Rt. 47 participated in the CWD season, while another 66 counties were open for the Late-Winter season.  The Special CWD season is used to assist in controlling the spread of chronic wasting disease in the Illinois deer herd, while the Late-Winter season provides additional harvest opportunities as a deer population management tool.

Hunters took a preliminary total of 97,886 deer during the 2011 Illinois Firearm Deer Season (Nov. 18-20 and Dec. 1-4, 2011), 4,886 deer during the 2011 Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season (Dec. 9-11, 2011), and 1,856 deer during the 2011 Illinois Youth Deer Season (Oct. 8-9, 2011).

Preliminary county harvest totals for all the 2011-12 Illinois deer seasons are detailed below, followed by a table of comparable figures for the 2010-11 seasons.

For a complete list of deer harvest results by county please visit http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Documents/deersummaryjan2012.pdf

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Illinois Deer Harvest Totals 181,411 During 2011-12 Seasons

November Studios, the production arm of Whitetail Properties and the award-winning Whitetail Properties TV show, announces Jeremy Putnam has joined the team as creative director.

Putnam, 33, of Minneapolis, Minn., holds a Multimedia Arts degree from The Art Institute of Minneapolis and is a known creative leader in the outdoor market plus an avid outdoorsman. He has spent the last 12 years developing and managing several highly successful programs in the industry.

Working for six years as producer, editor and camera operator with the team of Lee & Tiffany Lakosky and four years of full production of Whitetail Freaks, Putnam has introduced many new techniques to the art of outdoor television production. Putnam has used his expertise in graphic design to build the logo and branding of Whitetail Freaks TV since inception, as well as the Beyond the Hunt with Rick and Julie TV show. Credited with hundreds of brand identity creations, Putnam’s previous work has included the complete production and creative of many DVD projects.

While Putnam is extremely proficient at all aspects of design, animation, image manipulation and video production, he spends most of his time outdoors chasing whitetail deer, which is a natural fit to the November Studios’ team.

As Putnam takes over his new responsibilities, he states, “I am excited to join the November Studios’ team and look forward to lending a hand to enhance the Whitetail Properties brand and other collaborative productions.”

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - November Studios Welcomes New Creative Director

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced additional controlled pheasant hunting season extensions at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Franklin and Jefferson Counties.

Four days – Wednesday, January 18, 2012 through Saturday, January 21, 2012 – have been added at Eldon Hazlet, and five days – Wednesday, January 18, 2012 through Sunday, January 22, 2012 have been added at Wayne Fitzgerrell.  These season extensions are possible because the IDNR Wildlife Propagation Centers had a better than expected pheasant production season in 2011.

Hunters are encouraged to use the online Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation System at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov to secure permits for these additional hunting opportunities.  Reserved permits ensure hunters will have the opportunity to hunt.  Standby permits are also available at each site, although standby hunting opportunities may be limited.

To access the reservation system:

1. Click on the “Hunting/Trapping” button on the toolbar on the IDNR Home Page
2. Then click on the Pheasant Icon
3. Then click on “Controlled Pheasant Areas” under the “Quick Links” heading

Hunters are reminded that the daily permit fee for controlled pheasant hunting is $25 for resident hunters and $35 for nonresident hunters.  The daily permit fee applies to each hunter.  Reserved Permits are paid for via credit card during the application process.

Completing a permit reservation online can be accomplished as late as twenty-four hours before an available hunt date and takes less than five minutes.  Standby hunters pay daily permit fees at the site hunter check station on the hunt date.  Standby hunters need to be prepared to pay permit fees with cash.

Hunters without computers are encouraged to gain access to the controlled pheasant hunting online reservation system by checking with family or friends who have computers with internet access or by using a computer at their local public library.  Completing a permit reservation online takes less than five minutes. For complete details, check the controlled pheasant hunting website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Illinois DNR Extends Controlled Pheasant Hunting

Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced that the controlled pheasant hunting seasons have been extended at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Franklin and Jefferson counties.

Five days – Wednesday, January 11, 2012 through Sunday, January 15, 2012 – have been added at both Eldon Hazlet and Wayne Fitzgerrell. These season extensions are possible because the IDNR Wildlife Propagation Centers have had a better than expected pheasant production season in 2011.

Hunters are encouraged to use the online Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation System at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov to secure permits for these additional hunting opportunities. Reserved permits ensure hunters will have the opportunity to hunt. Standby permits are also available at each site, although standby hunting opportunities may be limited.

To access the reservation system:

1. Click on the “Hunting/Trapping” button on the toolbar on the IDNR Home Page
2. Then click on the Pheasant Icon
3. Then click on “Controlled Pheasant Areas” under the “Quick Links” heading

Hunters are reminded that the daily permit fee for controlled pheasant hunting is $25 for resident hunters and $35 for nonresident hunters. The daily permit fee applies to each hunter. Reserved Permits are paid for via credit card during the application process. Completing a permit reservation online can be accomplished as late as twenty-four hours before an available hunt date and takes less than five minutes. Standby hunters pay daily permit fees at the site hunter check station on the hunt date. Standby hunters need to be prepared to pay permit fees with cash.

Hunters without computers are encouraged to gain access to the controlled pheasant hunting online reservation system by checking with family or friends who have computers with internet access or by using a computer at their local public library. Completing a permit reservation online takes less than five minutes. For complete details, check the controlled pheasant hunting website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Illinois DNR Extends Controlled Pheasant Hunting at Eldon Hazlet and Wayne Fitzgerrell SRAs

Normal, IL – Undergraduate students from Illinois State University have formed the newest Pheasants Forever chapter in the nation, and the fourth-ever Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever collegiate chapter. Known as the Illinois State University Pheasants Forever chapter, the group will provide future land stewards with conservation experience through education, fundraising and hands-on youth work.

“Being a college chapter, one of our goals is conservation education,” says Ashley Bishop, the chapter’s first president and Illinois native who previously served as a Pheasants Forever youth ambassador, “We plan on using the university’s five-acre horticultural center to showcase native Illinois grasses with walk-through signs explaining the importance of the forbs to not only pheasants, quail and other wildlife, but to our environment and daily lives.” Bishop, who has been involved with her father’s Pheasant Forever chapter since she was six years old, notes the college chapter will also be partnering with the McLean County Pheasants Forever chapter, located in Bloomington, Ill., with their youth mentored hunt, “When being introduced to hunting and the outdoors, it helps to have someone closer to your own age that you can relate to, and all of our members are looking forward to helping foster another generation’s passion for the outdoors.”

As a Pheasants Forever chapter, Illinois State University Pheasants Forever will hold annual fundraising events, and then use those funds to accomplish wildlife habitat projects and public awareness for conservation. The Illinois State University chapter will function like all Pheasants Forever chapters. Pheasants Forever provides its local chapters the ability to decide how 100 percent of their fundraised dollars are spent. This local control gives chapters and members the ability to make things happen for wildlife in their communities, while belonging to a national organization advocating for wildlife and conservation in policy discussions in Washington, D.C.

“The Illinois State University chapter is a great example of the next generation’s willingness to grab the baton and lead the charge in conservation and outdoor education,” says Tim Caughran, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Regional Wildlife Biologist in Illinois, “Many of the members are from Pheasants Forever families, so they have hit the ground running, and we are anxious to see the great things this chapter will accomplish in the coming months and years.”

Illinois State University Pheasants Forever chapter

• The Illinois State University chapter has also elected Stacy Durbin as Treasurer, and Leslie Annis as Public Relations and Recruiting Officer. The chapter’s Faculty Advisor is Dr. Rick Whitacre.
• The chapter’s next meeting will be announced on the Illinois State Pheasants Forever chapter’s Facebook page.
• For more information about the chapter, including upcoming meetings and events, Email Ashley or (217) 313-107.

Illinois is home to 64 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters and more than 10,000 combined Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members. For information on “The Habitat Organization” in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran, Pheasants Forever’s Regional Wildlife Biologist, at (618) 467-2586  / Email Tim. For all other information, contact Rehan Nana, Public Relation Specialist for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, at (651) 209-4973 / Email Rehan.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever empower county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent – the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - New Pheasants Forever Chapter Enrolled at Illinois State University

Springfield, IL – Firearm deer hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 97,760 deer during the seven-day firearm deer season on Nov. 18-20 and Dec. 1-4, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today. This year’s preliminary firearm season harvest total compares with the 98,944 deer taken during the 2010 firearm season.

The preliminary second-season (Dec. 1-4) harvest total was 31,259, compared with the 30,907 deer taken by hunters during the second segment of the season in 2010. This year’s preliminary first-season (Nov. 18-20) deer harvest was 66,501, compared with a first-season harvest of 68,037 in 2010. The preliminary harvest totals include deer taken in all counties in which firearm deer hunting is permitted, as well as at Chain O’Lakes State Park in Lake County.

“The first two days of the second season provided excellent hunting conditions, and harvest totals on those days reflected that,” said IDNR Forest Wildlife Program Manager Paul Shelton. “Steady rain was the story of the day on Saturday in the north and west, and on Sunday in the south and east. This depressed harvest somewhat on those days, but there is still a lot of deer hunting opportunity to be had with the upcoming Muzzleloader, Late Winter, and Special CWD deer seasons.”

Preliminary harvest reports show the top five county totals for deer taken during the seven-day firearm season were Pike (2,958), Fulton (2,581), Adams (2,393), Jefferson (2,314), and JoDaviess (2,267).

Continuing and upcoming deer hunting opportunities in Illinois include:

• The Archery Deer Season, continuing through Jan. 15, 2012; 136711
• The three-day Illinois Muzzleloader-only Deer Season is this week on Dec. 9-11;
• The seven-day split Late-Winter Firearm Antlerless-only Deer Season and Special CWD Deer Season are Dec. 29, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012 and Jan. 13-15, 2012.

Permits for both the Late-Winter and Special CWD seasons will be available over the counter through DNR Direct license and permit vendors beginning Dec. 13. Archery and remaining muzzleloader-only permits are also available over the counter from DNR Direct vendors. Vendor locations by county are available on the IDNR website at this link: http://dnr.illinois.gov/DNRDirectMonitor/VendorListing.aspx

For detailed information on the Late-Winter and CWD deer seasons, including information sheets listing open counties and permit limits, check the IDNR website at this link: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer/Pages/ResidentHunting.aspx

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Illinois Firearm Deer Season Closes with Preliminary Harvest of 97,760

Springfield, IL – Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 66,501 deer during the opening weekend of the 2011 Illinois Firearm Deer season on Nov. 18-20, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today.  The seven-day firearm season will conclude on Dec. 1-4.

The preliminary total for the first three days of the 2011 firearm season compares with the first weekend harvest of 68,037 deer during the 2010 deer season and 66,126 deer during the opening weekend in 2009.  The top county harvest totals last weekend were reported in Pike (1917), Adams (1784), Fulton (1775), JoDaviess (1664), and Jefferson (1496) counties.

Hunters harvested 98,944 deer during the entire seven-day firearm deer season in 2010. The preliminary first-season harvest figures reported for each county include those deer taken on special hunt areas within that county as well as on private land.

”Corn harvest was pretty much complete throughout the state except for some parts of northern Illinois,” said IDNR Forest Wildlife Program Manager Paul Shelton.  “Although windy weather on opening day presented a little bit of a challenge to hunters, this was fairly typical fall weather.  Biologists working at northern Illinois check stations saw a number of very nice deer being registered, and we seem to be right on target as far as projected harvest.”

Along with the thousands of hunters in the field this weekend, IDNR Conservation Police were also out protecting the public and wildlife while conducting compliance checks throughout Illinois.  During the first weekend of firearm deer season, Conservation Police issued 547 citations for wildlife code violations and 630 written warnings throughout the state.

The IDNR has issued more than 330,000 firearm deer hunting permits to date for the 2011 season.  Remaining firearm season and other deer hunting permits are available from DNR Direct vendors.  Find a vendor through the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/LicensePermitVendors.aspx.

Most hunters register their deer harvest online through the IDNR web site or by phoning 1-866-ILCHECK (1-866-452-4325) by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest.  Hunters in Boone, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, LaSalle, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties take their deer to county check stations (by 8 p.m. on the day of harvest) where the IDNR registers the deer and conducts sampling for chronic wasting disease (CWD).

Approximately 61 percent of the deer taken during the first weekend of firearm hunting were bucks, compared with a first-season harvest sex ratio of 60% bucks:40% does in 2010.

The Illinois firearm deer season concludes Dec. 1-4.  The muzzleloader-only deer season is Dec. 9-11.  The split Late-Winter Antlerless-only Firearm Deer Season and the Special CWD Deer Season are Dec. 29, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012 and Jan. 13-15, 2012.  The 2011-2012 Illinois Archery Deer Season continues through Jan. 15, 2012 (except closed in firearm counties during the second firearm season Dec. 1-4).

The table below provides preliminary county harvest totals for the first weekend of the 2011 firearm deer season and comparable figures for the first season in 2010.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Hunters Take Preliminary Total of 66,501 Deer During First Weekend of Illinois Firearm Deer Season

New Berlin, WI – Sportsman Channel and Comcast are teaming up to host a Hunt.Fish.Feed event in Quincy, Ill. on Friday, December 2, serving a special venison and fish dinner at Horizon Social Services. Special guest Scott Leyseth of HuntFishCook will help prepare and serve venison tacos.  Hunt.Fish.Feed., created by Sportsman Channel, is a unique outreach program that taps an underutilized food source—game meat and fish donated by sportsmen—to feed those struggling with hunger across America.  Quincy’s event will utilize 75 lbs of venison donated by the local Whitetails Unlimited chapter.

“We look forward to working with our partners at Comcast and Horizon’s to make this a successful and impactful event,” said Todd Hansen, COO of Sportsman Channel. “Programs like Hunt.Fish.Feed provide unique avenues to help the needy, especially during an economic time that finds more and more people in need every day. We are proud to continue to help our citizens in our hometown.”

“We’re proud to partner with Sportsman Channel to bring the Hunt.Fish.Feed program to Quincy.  This program is so important, given the number of people who aren’t getting enough to eat these days ,” said LeAnn Talbot, senior vice president, Chicago Greater Chicago Region.

Friday, December 2

Horizon Social Services
701 Hampshire Street
Quincy, Ill, 62301
Prep: 10-12 pm
Serve: 12-1 pm

“We’re seeing a lot of families that we have never seen before,” said Sarah Stephens, Executive Director for Horizons Social Services. “A lot of them are embarrassed to ask for help feeding their families, but they have been laid off and have not been able to find another job or their hours have been cut, and they are struggling to put food on their table.

The demand is always high around this time of year, but it’s even higher this year.” Stephens continued. “Venison is a good, high-protein, low-fat meat that we could not provide without the help of the hunters. This donated meal is a real blessing to our Horizons Soup Kitchen.”

Join the conversation about Hunt.Fish.Feed. online at http://facebook.com/huntfishfeed

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Venison Tacos the Fare to Feed Quincy’s Homeless and Hungry on Dec. 2

Springfield, IL – Illinois’ most popular hunting season begins this Friday, November 18 through Sunday, November 20 as hunters head to the field for the opening weekend of the Illinois Firearm Deer Season.  The seven-day firearm hunt will conclude on December 1-4.

“Firearm deer season in Illinois is an anxiously awaited time of year for thousands of hunters,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller. “We encourage hunters to enjoy their outdoor heritage and time afield, but to always make ethics and safety top priorities, for the good of the sport.”

“Conservation Police Officers will be out in full force during the firearm deer season,” said IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. “We will be conducting airplane details in addition to our regular checks to prevent poaching and protect hunting opportunities for the thousands of legal sportsmen and women in the field.”

Hunters in Illinois harvested 98,944 deer during the seven-day firearm deer hunting season in 2010. So far this season, more than 327,000 permits have been issued. For information on remaining permits, check the IDNR website at this link:  http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/Deer.aspx

The legal hunting hours for the firearm deer season are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Hunters successful in taking a deer during the firearm season in most counties must register the deer they harvest online through the IDNR website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/HarvestReporting.aspx or by phoning 1-866-IL-CHECK (1-866-452-4325).  Hunters using the online or phone-in system must register their harvest by 10 p.m. on the day they take the deer.  It is recommended that hunters using cellular phones to register their harvest wait until they are out of the field and have a clear cell phone signal before attempting to make the harvest report phone call.

Firearm deer hunters in Boone, DeKalb, Grundy, JoDaviess, Kane, LaSalle, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago counties are reminded to bring their deer to mandatory check stations by 8 p.m. on the day they harvest a deer.  Biologists will be sampling adult deer for chronic wasting disease (CWD) to determine areas of infection and prevalence

rates.  The check station locations are listed below (Note: the check station locations are the same as last year, except for the addition of the JoDaviess County check station at Elizabeth):

• Boone:  Boone Co. Fairgrounds, located one-half mile north of Rt. 76 and Business Rt. 20, Belvidere
• DeKalb: Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd., Shabbona
• Grundy:  Gebhard Woods State Park; 401 Ottawa St., Morris
• JoDaviess:  Elizabeth Community Center, 111 E. Myrtle St., Elizabeth; ½ mile west of business district on Hwy 20, next to Highland Community College, Elizabeth campus.
• Kane:  Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area, 4201 Shabbona Grove Rd., Shabbona
• LaSalle: Buffalo Rock State Park, three miles west of Ottawa on Dee Bennett Rd.
• McHenry:  Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry Dam day use area, east of McHenry on River Road, 2.2 miles south of Rt. 120
• Ogle:  Castle Rock State Park, Rt. 2, three miles south of Oregon
• Stephenson:  Stephenson Co. Fairgrounds, one mile east of Rt. 26 and Fairgrounds Road, Freeport
• Winnebago:  Rock Cut State Park (hunters should utilize the Hwy 173 entrance and follow the signs)

Hunters who participate in the CWD sampling can check the status of their deer (listed by phone number) through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/cwd/. Hunters who provide samples from deer that test positive are notified by the IDNR.

While not believed to be contagious to humans or livestock, chronic wasting disease is known to spread from animal to animal among deer and elk. The disease affects the brain of infected animals, causing them to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose coordination and eventually die.  Illinois expanded its CWD surveillance effort in 2002 following the discovery of the disease in neighboring Wisconsin.

For more information on Illinois deer hunting regulations, check the IDNR web site at this link:

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/Deer.aspx

Hunting Safety Facts:

• Illinois law requires that anyone born on or after January 1, 1980, must successfully complete a hunter safety course before a regular Illinois hunting license is issued

• The number one cause of hunting accidents in Illinois is falling from a tree stand

• Last year in Illinois, there were 22 reported hunting accidents, 11 involving tree stands (two fatalities)

• When using a tree stand, remember the following:
  • Check ladder stands before climbing to make sure they are secure.
  • Wear a Fall Arrest System/Full Body Safety Harness when leaving the ground until returning to the ground from the tree stand
  • Use a haul line to raise and lower your equipment and unloaded firearm or bow into a tree stand

• Check ladder stands before climbing to make sure they are secure.
• Wear a Fall Arrest System/Full Body Safety Harness when leaving the ground until returning to the ground from the tree stand
• Use a haul line to raise and lower your equipment and unloaded firearm or bow into a tree stand
• Know your target and what is beyond your target
• Point the muzzle in a safe direction
• Treat every firearm as if it were loaded

• When hunting with a firearm, sportsmen should remember three primary rules of firearm safety:
  • Know your target and what is beyond your target
  • Point the muzzle in a safe direction
  • Treat every firearm as if it were loaded

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Hunters Heading to the Fields for Illinois Firearm Deer Season