New rules for Hunting at Emiquon - Illinois Waterfowlers Beware

New rules for Hunting at Emiquon - Illinois Waterfowlers Beware

Earlier today Capitol Outdoors received an email from the Illinois Nature Conservancy's staff.  They asked us to share their press release with our followers about some of this year's changes. Their will no longer be a daily draw, but a permitting system.  A great idea! 

Emiquon is one of our favorite spots to hunt and fish.

If you have ever hunted Emiquon then you know that hunters from around the state put their name in for one of these limited, but special spots.  This new permitting system has our support because you now know prior to what stake you'll be hunting.  Getting a stake here is like the Hunger Games, "may the odds be forever in your favor." The problem is the odds are never in your favor. I heard over one hundred people end up showing up for these seven prime spots.  This permitting system will allow you to plan your hunting season better.   

National Hunting and Fishing Day - Enjoy Hunting and Fishing in Illinois

National Hunting and Fishing Day - Enjoy Hunting and Fishing in Illinois 

Illinoisans can celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day this weekend by either going to Northern or Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days or by attending their local state park.

What is National Hunting and Fishing Day? 

Does the date May 2, 1972 ring a bell for you?  No, well it should.   "I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations" wrote President Richard Nixon while signing the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Days.

IDNR to Hold Public Meetings on Chronic Wasting Disease - Deer hunters urge to go

IDNR to Hold Public Meetings on Chronic Wasting Disease - Deer Hunters Urge to Go

Capitol Outdoors urges Illinois deer hunters and outdoor enthusiast to attend a 40 minute presentation being held by the Illinois Department of Natural Resource staff. IDNR has scheduled a series of public meetings to provide information about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The CWD debate is widely known in Illinois and surrounding states.  As of July 1, 2015 Illinois has already seen 538 cases of CWD with 71 in 2015 alone.  

CWD is an always fatal neurological disease that is threatening the long-term health of white-tailed deer in Illinois. First documented in Illinois in 2002 near Roscoe, IL, CWD has spread across the northern edge and northeastern portions of Illinois as far south as the Illinois River Valley. CWD has become established in areas near the Fox and Illinois rivers, including portions of Kendall, LaSalle, Grundy, and Will counties. Last year, CWD-positive deer were detected for the first time in Kankakee and Livingston counties. CWD was also detected in new areas in Stephenson and western Ogle counties in northern Illinois.

Illinois Hunters and Landowners Encouraged by Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Report Suspected Cases of EHD

Illinois Hunters and Landowners Encouraged by Illinois Department of Natural Resources to Report Suspected Cases of EHD

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters, landowners and everyone else to report suspected cases of Epizotic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). While EHD is always present each year in Illinois it has become mainstream in the hunting community over the last few years. You'll probably remember cases back in 2012 where over 2,000 cases in 76 out of 102 counties were reported having EHD die offs.

According to the IDNR press release there havr been 47 suspected cases of EHD in white-tail in 2015 and has been most prevalent in western counties.