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Color hotline now in operation Forecasting fall color in Illinois is often as difficult as forecasting the weather, but Illinois foresters believe the state's panoramic autumn show may begin about a week early based on variable temperatures and near-normal precipitation during the late summer and early autumn. "The temperature and precipitation trends would seem to indicate the leaves might turn a week or so ahead of the normal pattern of Oct. 1 in northern Illinois, mid-October in central Illinois and the end of October in southern Illinois," said Stewart Pequignot, chief of the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forest Resources. "Folks in the north will probably begin seeing colorful leaves the last week in September, with colors coming on during the second week of October in central Illinois and the last couple of weeks of October in the south." Foresters say the early summer drought, followed by above-normal to normal precipitation in July and August, should mean relatively good fall color this year. Leaves change color in the autumn as the hours of daylight become fewer and trees produce less chlorophyll. Trees producing deep orange, red and bronze shades on autumn leaves include the dogwood, hard maple, persimmon, red oak, sweet gum, sumac and tupelo. Trees with bright orange and yellow tints on leaves in the fall include ash, birch, black cherry, cottonwood, hickory, sassafras, sugar maple and yellow poplar. Deep red and purple shades are the fall colors of tree climbing vines including poison ivy and the non-poisonous five-leaf Virginia creeper. Popular destinations for viewing fall foliage in the state include Apple River Canyon State Park in Jo Daviess County, Mississippi Palisades State Park in Carroll County, Rock Cut State Park in Winnebago County, Lowden-Miller State Forest in Ogle County, Big River State Forest in Henderson County, Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County, Jubilee College State Park in Peoria County, Argyle Lake State Park in McDonough County, Hidden Springs State Forest in Shelby County, Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County, Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County, Giant City State Park in Jackson County, Ferne Clyffe State Park in Johnson County and Trail of Tears State Forest in Union County. Information is available on scenic drives in Illinois by phoning the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, 1-800-226-6632 (TTY 1-800-406-6418); Greater Alton/Twin Rivers Fall Color Caravan, 1-800-258-6645; Spoon River Scenic Drive, (309) 647-8980; Pike County Scenic Drive, (217) 285-2971; Southernmost Illinois Tourism Council, 1-800-248-4373. Information also is available at the Illinois Bureau of Tourism's web site at http://www.enjoyillinois.com. The state fair was extra special for some visitors There were a number of lucky winners at Conservation World during this year's Illinois State Fair. Garry and Cheryl Range, St. Clair County, were the winners of the OutdoorIllinois outdoor adventure package. Other winners: Larry Friend, Pekin, won the Illinois Conservation Foundation's raffle for the Bombardier "Traxter" ATV; Howard Beales, Springfield, won the Illinois Conservation Foundation's raffle for a Remington 870 shotgun; and Taylor Bergman, Shorewood, had his name drawn for the bicycle donated by R&M Cyclery at the Discovery Tent.
Catchable trout season resumes Oct. 21 The Department of Natural Resources' annual fall catchable trout program opens at 5 a.m. on Oct. 21, with trout stocked at 35 locations throughout the state. No trout may be taken at any of the sites from Oct. 1 until the program's legal opening. More than 70,000 trout will be stocked prior to the opening day of the season. Each of the stocked trout weighs about a half pound and is 10 to 12 inches long. To legally take trout, anglers must have a fishing license and an inland trout stamp, unless they are under 16 years of age, blind or disabled, or an Illinois resident on leave from the Armed Forces. The catch limit for each angler is five trout per day. Illinois fishing licenses and inland trout stamps are available at bait shops, sporting goods stores and other vendors, at DNR regional offices, Springfield and Chicago offices, or with a credit card on the Department of Natural Resources web site at http://dnr.state.il.us. For more information about the trout stocking, contact DNR's Division of Fisheries at (217) 782-6424. For more information about site regulations, anglers should contact individ-
ual sites that will be stocked with trout. The 35 locations are: Siloam Springs State Park - Adams County, (217) 894-6205; Greenville Old City Lake -Bond County, (618) 664-2330; Hennepin Canal - Bureau County, (815) 454-2328; Campus Pond at Eastern Illinois University - Coles County, (217) 345-2420; Axehead Lake - Cook County, (847) 294-4134; Bel-leau Lake - Cook County, (847) 294-4134; Crawford County Conservation Area Pond -Crawford County, (618) 563-4405; Villa Grove West Lake -Douglas County, (217) 443-0529; Boston Pond at Stephen A. Forbes Park - Marion County, (618) 547-3381; Mount Vernon Game Farm Pond -Jefferson County, (618) 547-3610; Ferne Clyffe State Park -Johnson County, (618) 995-2411; Bird Park Quarry in Kankakee - Kankakee County, (630)553-6680. Also: Big Lake at Silver Springs State Park - Kendall County, (630) 553-6297; Banana Lake - Lake County, (815) 675-2319; Sand Lake at Illinois Beach State Park - Lake County, (847) 662-4811; Faries Park Pond in Decatur - Macon County, (217) 345-2420; Beaver Dam Lake - Macoupin County, (217) 854-8020; Highland Old City Lake - Madison County, (618) 931-8901; Massac County Fairgrounds Pond in Metropolis - Massac County, (618) 524-4712; Argyle Lake at Argyle Lake State Park -McDonough County, (309) 776-3422; Randolph County State Fish and Wildlife Area Lake -Randolph County, (618) 826-2706; Prospect Pond in Moline - Rock Island County, (815) 454-2759; Frank Holten State Park lakes - St. Clair County, (618) 874-7920; Jones Park Lake in East St. Louis - St. Clair County, (618) 847-7920. And: Willow Lake at Peabody River King State Fish and Wildlife Area - St. Clair County, (618) 785-2555; Jones State Lake at Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area -Saline County, (618) 276-4405; DOT Lake in Springfield -Sangamon County, (217) 632-3841; Washington Park Pond in Springfield - Sangamon County, (217) 632-3841; Forest Park Lagoon in Shelbyville - Shelby County, (217) 345-2420; Mineral Springs Park Lagoon in Pekin - Tazewell County, (309) 347-5119; Clear Lake at Kickapoo State Park - Vermilion County, (217) 442-4915: Beall Woods Lake in Beall Woods State Park - Wabash County, (618) 298-2442; Citizen's Lake in Monmouth - Warren County, (309) 344-2617; Sam Dale Trout Pond at Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area - Wayne County, (618) 835-2292; Coleta Trout Pond, just west of Coleta - Whiteside County, (815) 454-2759.
Celebrity Quail Hunt set at Rend Lake Resort The Illinois Conservation Foundation's Seventh Annual Celebrity Quail Hunt will be held Nov. 5-7 at Rend Lake Resort. "The celebrity quail hunt has become one of the Foundation's most popular events in support of youth hunting and other important conservation programs," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "We appreciate the support of the hunters and celebrities who make it such a successful event." Among those planning to attend this year's quail hunt are a number of representatives of the St. Louis Cardinals, including broadcaster Mike Shannon, World Series championship managers Red Schoendienst and Whitey Herzog, retired pitcher Danny Cox and retired infielder Phil Gagliano. Also expected to attend are former Chicago Cub righthander and central Illinois native Mark Clark. National Football League Hall of Famer Jackie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys, and former Chicago Bears lineman Tim Norman. Individual hunt packages are $500 per person, with corporate packages for two hunters available for $1,200. Each package includes a reception, silent auction and raffle on Sunday, Nov. 5, quail and pheasant hunts on Monday, Nov. 6, along with all meals and lodging, hunting guides, dogs and ammunition. Hunters also receive a special gift, photo and blaze orange hunting cap. Corporate participants also will receive a framed quail lithograph. Hunters registering and paying in full by Oct. 6 will be eligible for an early-bird drawing for a Remington shotgun. Proceeds from the Celebrity Quail Hunt will benefit the Illinois Conservation Foundation, an IRS 501 (c)(3) approved organization. A portion of the cost of an individual hunt is deductible for federal income tax purposes. For more information contact DNR coordinator Bob Ruff at (217) 785-8955, or write: Department of Natural Resources, Public Events and Promotions, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Ill. 62701-1787.
Public invited to explore Illinois Beach State Park Scientists from DNR's State Geological Survey will lead a free field tour to explore the geology and natural resources of Illinois Beach State Park on Saturday, Oct. 28. The tour is a repeat of a similar tour held Sept. 23. The park contains the only part of Illinois' Lake Michigan shoreline that remains unprotected from the effects of wind and waves, and the last remaining concentration of coastal wetlands and dunes in Illinois. The land that is now Illinois Beach State Park was formed during the last 4,000 years from beach sand left by waves, wind and ice. Participants will be shown how the park's unique coastal landscape evolved, and how nearly 150 years of human activity have impacted the shoreline. To join the field trip, meet before 8:15 a.m. at the main parking lot of Illinois Beach State Park. The main park entrance is on Sheridan Road (Ill. Rte. 137) at the intersection with Wadsworth Road on the south side of the village of Zion. The main parking lot is near the Camp Store, at the end of the main entrance road, north of Illinois Beach Resort and Conference Center and the park office.
For more information, or to request a brochure about the field trip program, contact the Geolocal Survey (217) 333-ISGS, or isgs@isgs.uiuc.edu.
Deer hunters will control herd at Starved Rock/Matthiessen The Department of Natural Resources will hold antler-less-only archery and shotgun deer hunts, including a hunt designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, at the Starved Rock State Park/Matthiessen State Park complex this fall. "These hunts underscore the Department's continuing dedication to protect and preserve the natural resources of Illinois," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "They will allow us to manage a deer overpopulation problem by bringing the population to a level that is healthy for both the deer herd and the plant communities in the parks." The archery deer hunt will be held at Matthiessen State Park Oct. 1-Jan. 11. Archery hunting will be closed Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 27-29 during Starved Rock's special site firearm deer season. The site will be open to archery hunting during the regular statewide firearm deer season, Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30-Dec.3, and the muzzleloading season Dec. 8-10. All areas of Matthiessen State Park are open for hunting except for the Dells area and the maintenance buildings. Up to 40 hunters at a time can participate. Due to the anticipated demand, a daily drawing will be held at the Matthiessen State Park maintenance building, Oct. l-Oct.9 at 5 a.m. In addition to the statewide archery permit, participants need to sign in and out daily, at which time they will be issued a free site permit. A regular shotgun hunt will be held at Starved Rock and Matthiessen on Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 27-29. All areas of Matthiessen are open for hunting exclusive of buffer zones around buildings and residences. The hunt also will include Starved Rock Nature Preserve and portions of Starved Rock State Park east of French Canyon and south of Route 71. Starved Rock Campground and some of the trails will be closed during the special firearm seasons. Permits were issued through the statewide lottery and some permits still may be available. Hunters will be assigned a parking lot through a daily random drawing. Daily standby permits will be available for $5 through a daily drawing at the Matthiessen maintenance building. As part of the Department's continuing dedication to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities, the shotgun deer hunt Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 27-29, will include spaces for 15 disabled hunters for each session. Permits are $15 each. Each hunter with a disability may be accompanied by a partner. If the partner wishes to hunt, that individual will need to purchase a $5 daily permit fee for each day they hunt. Applications are available from Starved Rock
State Park and must be completed and returned before Oct. 20. Information about Starved Rock State Park's hunting program is available by contacting the park office at (815) 667-4726. Farm families honored at state fair Planting new trees for erosion control and enhanced forest management, installing wetland areas and planting native grasses and wildlife food plots earned statewide honors for two Illinois farm families at the Illinois State Fair. Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning announced during the fair that Floyd Pagel, Effingham, is Illinois' Outstanding Tree Farmer for 2000, while the father and son team of Forrest Schave, Chadwick, and Dennis Schave, Morrison, are Illinois' Wildlife Landowners of the Year for 2000. "These landowners are shining examples of how individuals committed to reforestation and wildlife habitat projects enhance the natural resources of the areas in which they live and farm, as well as enhance the long-term value of their land," Manning said. "This annual awards program is our way of thanking them for their efforts and encouraging other landowners to work with the foresters and biologists in their areas to make rural Illinois a better place to work, live and enjoy the great outdoors." Pagel won the tree farm honor in competition among more than 1,000 certified tree farmers in Illinois. The award program is sponsored by the DNR Division of Forest Resources and the American Tree Farm System. Pagel has seen many benefits of proper forest management, including increased income, healthy, high-value trees and abundant wildlife. He improved more than 300 acres of native forest by thinning inferior trees to enhance the growth of preferred trees. New seedlings from DNR nursery stock were planted on 55 acres of land enrolled in the USDA Conservation Reserve Program. In addition, Pagel gathered and planted more than 75,000 acorns and walnuts on a 15-acre parcel enrolled in the CRP. The father and son team of Forrest and Dennis Schave were named wildlife landowners of the year for implementing wildlife management and enhancement projects on their Carroll County farms. Forrest purchased his farm in 1940 and his interest in conservation practices increased when trends in farming resulted in many of the land's natural features being removed. Recognizing the need wildlife have for food and cover, he and his son began planting trees along fence lines and hillsides. The Schaves enrolled a total of 328 acres of cropland in CRP and developed a wildlife plan. On the two Schave farms, projects have included establishment of more than 260 acres of grassland habitat, reforestation of 125 acres with trees and shrubs, annual planting of more than 30 acres of wildlife food plots and creation of three acres of new wetland habitat, with goose nesting platforms and wood duck boxes installed along stream corridors and open water areas. Bluebird boxes have been placed along field borders and near grassland areas. Disabled hunt for deer and turkey set for Rock Cut Hunters with disabilities can hunt deer and turkey again this year at Rock Cut State Park Nov. 9-11 and Dec. 7-9. Forty hunters will be able to participate during each of the 3-day hunting periods. Applications and more details about the hunt can be obtained by contacting the park at (815) 885-3311. To participate, a completed application must be returned to the site by Oct. 20 to be eligible for the drawing. All applicants must have a class P2A disability card, a valid FOID card, a 2000 Habitat Stamp (if required) and proof of passing a hunter safety education course. Each disabled hunter may be accompanied by a non-disabled partner, or one can be provided upon request. Archery range dedicated in Cass County The Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation have dedicated a new archery practice range at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass County in memory of 20-year-old Chuck Farmer of Beardstown, an outdoor recreation and bow hunting enthusiast who died last year following an automobile accident. "Chuck Farmer's parents have told us of his love for this area and how he enjoyed watching the development of this site," said DNR Land Management and Education Director Jerry Beverlin. "The Chuck Farmer Memorial Archery Range will help other young people appreciate the beauty and challenges of nature the way Chuck did." The Farmer family established a memorial fund in their son's name last October. Donations were used to develop the new archery practice range, located on Cass County Highway 11, approximately one mile west of the Newmansville Road entrance to the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area. For more information, contact the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area site office, 10149 County Highway 11, Chandlerville, IL 62627, phone (217) 452-7741.
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