STAFF: James L. Fulgenzi, office director; Gary Thomas, editor; Liz Pensoneau, managing editor; John Alien, staff writer; P.J. Perea, staff writer; Adele Hodde, chief photographer; Chas. J. Dees, staff photographer; Charles J. Copley, design & layout; Cheryl Gwinn, production coordinator; Vera Lynn Smith, circulation.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Internet Address: http://dnr.state.il.us

Staff-written material appearing in this publication may be reprinted without permission, provided that OUTDOOR ILLINOIS, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is acknowledged as the source. OUTDOOR ILLINOIS assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or illustrations.

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source's civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, DNR, 524 S. Second, Springfield, IL 62701-1787; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175.

All public meetings conducted by the Department of Natural Resources will be accessible to handicapped individuals in compliance with Executive Order No. 5 and pertinent state and federal laws, upon notification of the anticipated attendance. Handicapped persons planning to attend and needing special accommodations should inform the Department of Natural Resources at least five days prior to the meeting by telephoning or writing the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Department of Natural Resources, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787, phone (217) 785-0067.

Department of Natural Resources information is available to the hearing impaired by calling DNR's Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (217) 782-9175.

Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois PRT3216173-28,395-7/01 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with soy-based ink.

Illinois Department of
Natural Resources

What'sInside

2 Lethal Creatures

Here are some critters you should probably avoid while in the Illinois outdoors.

5 Settling for Silt

Experts agree that silt may play a dual role in the restoration of the Illinois River.

8 A River Runs Through It

Kankakee River State Park has outstanding recreational opportunities and a colorful past.

12 By the Numbers

The holiday season is a good time to take stock of our wintering birds.

14 Straight Arrow

This Illinois archer brought home silver and bronze from Sydney this past summer.

16 Bringing 'em back

A short history of how Illinois biologists brought the white-tailed deer back to the Prairie State.

21 NewsFront

Cranes and ultralights, a new waterfowl rest area, an update on record trees, an award for a deputy director, an ice fishing derby, ICF grants announced and pheasant hunt drawings are included in this month's NewsFront.

On the cover...

DNR photographer Adele Hodde took this month's cover photo of a female cardinal that sought refuge in a pine tree during a mid-winter snow storm.

December 2000

UpFront

The holiday season is a time for gift-giving. You may already have purchased gifts for family and friends, but have you given any thought to gifting the Illinois outdoors?

Let me make some recommendations as to how you can help:

Purchase outdoor equipment—a suggestion that is sure to win approval from sportsmen. Every purchase of a new shotgun, fishing reel or related equipment helps the wildlife and fisheries in the state through the Pittman-Robertson or Dingell-Johnson federal aid programs. An excise tax on these products is collected and returned to the states for programs to enhance hunting and fishing. The dollars might be used for surveys, habitat or to build launching ramps and parking areas.

Similarly, money from the purchase of an Illinois fishing or hunting license and the purchase of habitat, waterfowl and trout stamps goes toward helping fish and wildlife. The dollars collected build levees, purchase land, make habitat improvements, pay biologists' salaries and fund other helpful measures.

Purchase an environmental or a sporting series license plate. The environmental plate features a cardinal perched on prairie grass, while the sporting series choices include a white-tailed deer, largemouth bass, or the brand new mallard, Canada geese, wild turkey and pheasant. Each year, $25 of the total cost of the license plate goes toward maintaining and preserving our state parks (environmental) or preserving, acquiring and managing wildlife or fisheries habitat (sporting series).

Shop the Department of Natural Resources' Gift Guide that is included in this magazine each October. Profits from the sale of items in the guide, as well as those items featured in the back of the magazine each month, go into the Illinois Wildlife and Fish Fund. In fact, the dollars you spend to renew your subscription to OutdoorIllnois also go into this fund to help Illinois' wildlife and fisheries.

Make a direct contribution to the Illinois Conservation Foundation and you can specify how you would like your dollars to be used. Funds raised by this organization are used to help numerous programs, including those involving youth hunting and fishing, outdoor opportunities for disabled individuals and habitat preservation. You can make a direct donation by sending a check to:

Illinois Conservation Foundation, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Ill. 62701. When you make your donation to the Foundation, ask for an application for a Conservation Foundation Visa Card and an explanation as to how the use of this credit card helps the Illinois outdoors year round.

Give your time—one of the greatest gifts. Consider volunteering at an Illinois state park, as a safety instructor or assisting at an outdoor event for youngsters or any number of other functions. It will give you a feeling of satisfaction that will last throughout the year.

Finally, thanks for your help and happy holidays from all of us at the Department of Natural Resources.