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.

IDNR Conservation Police Announce Results of Western Illinois Deer Hunting Enforcement Detail

A big round of applause to our Illinois Conservation Police.  From the Illinois Department of Natural Resources press office.

Conservation Police Announce Results of Western Illinois Deer Hunting Enforcement Detail

BARRY, IL – Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police have issued more than 50 citations and warnings for illegal deer hunting and related offenses this month. The illegal activity was discovered during enforcement details in Pike and Adams counties on Nov. 8-9.

Conservation Police officers focused on activities on deer hunting properties managed by Hadley Creek Outfitters, based in Barry, IL, including the unlawful feeding of white-tailed deer, and allowing clients to hunt deer over a baited area.


During the enforcement detail, Conservation Police officers confirmed approximately 6,400 acres were baited and unlawful to hunt in Pike and Adams counties.  Bait is defined as any material, whether liquid or solid, including food, salt, mineral, and other products that can be ingested, placed, or scattered in such a manner as to attract or lure white-tailed deer.  The illegal areas were baited with trophy rocks, mineral licks, piled corn, and corn scattered among food plots.

Hadley Creek managers, guides, and clients were cited for multiple violations of feeding deer and hunting over baited areas.  Officers working the detail also came across additional violations in the area which were committed by hunters who were not involved with hunting on Hadley Creek properties.

Violations discovered during the detail included:  Unlawful Feeding of White-tailed Deer, Unlawfully Hunting White-tailed Deer over a Baited Area, Transportation of an Uncased Bow and Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Untagged Deer, Unlawful Possession of Another Individual’s Deer Permit, Failure to Report Deer Harvest Same Day as Kill, and Falsification of Residency to Obtain Permits.  Illinois Conservation Police officers issued 46 citations and 7 written warnings during the detail.

Illinois has taken a proactive approach to prevent the further spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).  It is unlawful to make available food, salt, mineral blocks or other products for ingestion by wild deer or other wildlife in areas where wild deer are present at any time.  CWD is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk, and moose.  The disease is always fatal in deer and there is no treatment or cure.  CWD is transmitted directly from one animal to another, and there is evidence that it also can be transmitted from contaminated places in the environment (for instance, a feeding area where saliva and excrement from an infected deer is present).  CWD was first found in Illinois during the fall of 2002.  The disease has been confirmed to be present in 17 northern Illinois counties.

Wingshooting Clinic for Youth and Women at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA on June 10-11

Capitol Outdoors covered this event last year.  Kids and adults had a great time learning about gun safety, hunting techniques and much more.  If you've been pondering taking this class. DON"T!  You'll learn a great deal and be ready for the upland game or waterfowl season.  Read about the Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wingshooting Clinic 2016.  If you're interested read the post below from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Press Office

Wingshooting Clinic for Youth and Women at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA on June 10-11

Opportunity to Learn Shotgun Shooting Safety and Skills

CHANDLERVILLE, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Illinois Conservation Foundation are sponsoring a wingshooting clinic for youth, young adults, and women on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (JEPC) near Chandlerville, IL in Cass County.

The JEPC Youth/Women’s Wingshooting Clinic is an introductory clinic designed for boys and girls ages 10-15, young adults ages 16-18 and women of all ages interested in learning to shoot or improving their ability to shoot a shotgun at moving targets. The youth/women’s clinic is provided at no cost to participants.

Youth/Women’s wingshooting clinics are about learning to safely shoot a shotgun at moving targets with reasonable reliability. The clinic starts with a shotgun safety presentation at 10:00 a.m., followed by a short small group hands-on shotgun orientation session with each group’s wingshooting instructor. The afternoon is spent in the field shooting clay targets. Shotguns and shotshells are provided. Not only do the participants learn to safely handle and shoot a shotgun, but they learn that being skilled at shooting clay targets is a lot of fun.

This clinic is taught by instructors certified by the IDNR and the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA). The participant-to-instructor ratio is four to one. Typically, participants are grouped with others of similar shooting skill ability.

Advanced registration is required. Registration forms for the JEPC Wingshooting Clinic can be accessed at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/wingshooting/Pages/default.aspx. Once the Wingshooting Website is accessed, click on the “Calendar” button; then click on the date to access the registration forms. Follow the instructions on the forms.

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Movement in House Committee Expected this Week

Movement in House Committee Expected this Week

There will be movement this week in the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee.  Chairman Costello will most likely be calling several bills and some of those will be hunting or fishing related.  Some may be a clarification of law while others may add new devices for deer hunting.  The only question that remains is which bill will be called upon.  Below you'll see a list of bills that may be called in committee on Tuesday.

HB 0427

Bourne, Avery WILDLIFE-CROSSBOW DRAW WEIGHT

HB 0480 

Bourne, Avery WILDLIFE-IN-LAW FARM HUNT 

HB 0770 

Wheeler, Barbara DNR-CONVEY REAL ESTATE 

HB 1771

 Costello II, Jerry CROSSBOW HUNTING-ARCHERY SEAS

HB 1788 

Bryant, Terri WILDLIFE-DUCK BLIND OR PIT 

HB 2410 

Phelps, Brandon W. DEER HUNTING-AIR GUNS 

HB 2685

 Costello II, Jerry WILDLIFE-TRAPPING-GREEN HIDES 

HB 3033 

Butler, Tim DNR-CONSULTATION FEES 

HB 3093 

Bourne, Avery WILDLIFE-HUNTING LICENSE 

HB 3204 

Swanson, Daniel WILDLIFE-DISABLED PERSON-HUNT 

HB 3272 

Jesiel, Sheri COMMERCIAL FISHING REGULATION 

HB 3273 

Jesiel, Sheri FISH-LAKE MICHIGAN COMMERC LIC 

HB 3373

 Beiser, Daniel V. 5 YR HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE 

HB 3399

 Sosnowski, Joe CROSSBOW HUNTING-COYOTES 

HB 3455

 Spain, Ryan DNR-VOLUNTEERS-TRAIL PROGRAM 

HB 3583

 Halbrook, Brad WILDLIFE-DEER BAIT 

HB 3750

 Stuart, Katie FISH & HUNT LICENSE-POLICE

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Multi-State License Fraud Investigation Results in Over $85,000 in Fines and Restitution

Multi-State License Fraud Investigation Results in Over $85,000 in Fines and Restitution

If there is ever a reason for more Illinois Conservation Police Officers within the Illinois Department of Natural Resources "Operation Double Dip" is a perfect example of why.  Sometimes as an outdoor enthusiast you may forget that their job goes farther then just driving around in a truck, checking hunting or fishing licenses.  In fact they do some creditable work and investigating to keep our natural resources safe.  Congratulations to all those Illinois CPO who help work and prevent more injustices against our natural resources.   

“Operation Double Dip” Prevents Would-Be Hunters from Claiming Residency in Two States

From the Press Office of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources:

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois Conservation Police and Indiana Conservation Officers investigated cases of hunting license/permit fraud beginning in early 2015 extending through 2016 that have resulted in over $85,000 in fines and restitution.

“Operation Double Dip was started to investigate individuals who claim residency in Illinois and Indiana in order to purchase hunting licenses/deer permits at the cheaper resident rate,” said Sgt. David Hyatt, Illinois Conservation Police. “This is a case that protects the privileges of our legitimate resident hunters and ensures that each state receives the funding needed for fish and wildlife projects.”