Illinois CPOs Hard at Work Issuing Over 1,800 Citations and Warnings

While we're out in the field waterfowl hunting, deer hunting or just doing a little fishing, Illinois CPOs are hard at work enforcing Illinois wildlife laws.  It's easy to forget about law enforcement officers when you obey the law.  However, just because you and I are responsible doesn't mean accidents or negligence in the field doesn't happen.  Below you'll read about how our CPOs issued over 1,800 citations and warnings in less than a month.  While reading this don't forget about the last big bust in regards to fishing, CPOs cited a father and son who were in possession of over 115 perch!  

Our CPOs are doing the best job the can, especially being understaffed. (IDNR is Seeking Applicants for Conservation Police Officer Training).  But, they can't do it by themselves.  Poaching and those in violations of the law need to be reported and that's where you can help.  Make sure to take out your cell phones and add this number.  Call 1-877-2DNRLAW (236-7529) to report anyone you see who is doing something they shouldn't be!

IDNR Conservation Police Issue More Than 1,800 Citations and Warnings to Violators During Illinois’ Busiest Hunting Season

SPRINGFIELD, IL – While firearm deer hunters in Illinois took more than 80,000 deer during the state’s busiest hunting season, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation Police report just four hunting-related accidents were reported, three of them involving injuries resulting from tree stand falls.

At the same time, Conservation Police officers were busy enforcing wildlife laws and hunting regulations in and around the 2017 Firearm Deer Season, issuing more than 1,800 citations and written warnings for hunting-related violations statewide from November 13 through December 4.

“Our Conservation Police officers want hunters to be safe, and we remind them to make sure their elevated tree stands are secure and in good working order, and that they always use a Fall Arrest System harness to be as safe as possible when hunting,” said Rafael Gutierrez, chief of the IDNR Conservation Police.  “We also want poachers and other violators to know that our CPOs are in the field with them, and violators will face charges if they are hunting illegally.”

As part of the three-week hunting enforcement effort, Conservation Police officers issued 831 citations and 971 written warnings.  CPOs seized 16 firearms from violators, along with more than 430 pounds of deer meat, eight deer antlers/skulls, five deer heads, one truck, one utility vehicle, as well as archery equipment, tree stands, trail cameras, bait samples, permits, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

The 2017 Illinois Firearm Deer Season was conducted on Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30-Dec. 3.  Other Illinois hunting seasons remain open, including waterfowl and upland game seasons, and archery deer and additional firearm deer seasons, and details on all hunting seasons can be found the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov.