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Wheelin' Sportsmen to assist disabled recreationalists The Department of Natural Resources has signed an agreement with the Wheelin' Sportsmen of the National Wild Turkey Federation to provide enhanced recreational opportunities for Illinoisans with disabilities. The agreement will provide for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting and other hands-on outdoor activities as part of at least two Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF events each year in Illinois. "This agreement is a natural extension of our Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Program, which already features approximately 50 events each year for sportsmen, women and children," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "It is consistent with our goals to open doors and remove obstacles to make sure all Illinoisans have the opportunity to enjoy our state's natural resources, and specifically our state sites, whether hunting, fishing, hiking, camping or bird watching." For more information about the Wheelin' Sportsmen, contact Lynn Parrish, NWTP, at (803) 637-3106, or email: 1parrish@nwtf.net. For more information about DNR's Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Program and its events, contact Jay Williams, DNR, 503 E. Main St., Benton, IL 62812, email: jwilliams@dnrmail.state.il.us, or phone (618) 439-9111.
Woman's bow hunt set The Department of Natural Resources is sponsoring a special women's bow hunt in central Illinois. Women can sign up for a two-day hunt at Hunting Unlimited Trophy Hunting Area in Brown County. While this initial hunt is limited to eight archers, if enough interest is shown, women will be put on a list and additional hunts will be scheduled in the future. Hunting Unlimited is a privately owned, unfenced property that has been managed for trophy bucks for the past 10 years. There is a $150 fee. The package includes one evening guided hunt and one morning guided hunt, one night of lodging, four meals (two lunches, one dinner and one breakfast), pre-set stands in a tree or on the ground, plus a souvenir photograph. To register for the hunt or for more information, call Jeff Hopkins at (217) 785-8408, 1-800-832-2599, or email him at jhopkins@dnrmail.state.il.us. Report details status of Illinois ecosystems A new report based on scientific monitoring of trends in Illinois' natural ecosystems finds some positive indicators of environmental quality, but suggests much work remains to be done to restore and enhance the health of the state's waters, wetlands, forests, landscapes, wildlife, plants and aquatic life.
Critical Trends in Illinois Ecosystems, published by DNR's Critical Trends Assessment Program, details findings of scientific data collection and analysis conducted since 1994 on the status of Illinois ecosystems. "This report provides an overview of land cover mapping, a biological inventory of resource-rich areas of the state, assessments of natural and man-made conditions in 10 major watersheds, and the results of ecosystem monitoring conducted during the last six years by scientists and trained volunteers," said DNR Director Brent Manning.
Among the report's highlights: • Thirty areas notable for their quantity of forests, wetlands, natural areas and biologically significant streams were classified as Resource Rich Areas. They serve as the core of the state's ecosystem partnerships with local groups and individuals, working to improve ecological and economic conditions in those areas under the auspices of the Illinois Conservation 2000 program. • Stream habitat quality is generally fair to poor, due to lack of natural habitat features like wooded riparian corridors, winding channels and stable stream beds. Many streams show elevated levels of organic pollution and siltation, with a lack of diversity of aquatic insect and fish species. • Disturbance of Illinois' forests and woodlands continues, with native trees such as oak and hickory being crowded out by maples, a less-desirable food source for wildlife. Non-native species, such as multi-flora rose, honeysuckle and garlic mustard, are taking over the shrub layer and forest floor. • While prairie dominated 61 percent of the Illinois landscape prior to 1820, only 0.01 percent of original prairie remains in a high-quality condition. While almost 20 percent of the state is characterized as grassland, today's grassland is much less diverse than yesterday's prairie, with an average of only 20 plant species compared with 100-140 species in a high-quality prairie. • Few high-quality wetlands remain due to siltation, changes in water flows, drainage and the presence of invasive, non-native plant species. Typical Illinois wetlands host only one or two species of wetland-dependent birds instead of the six to 10 species found in a healthy wetland environment. Copies of the 112-page, soft-cover book Critical Trends in Illinois Ecosystems are available by writing: DNR Clearinghouse, 524 South Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787, phoning (217) 782-7498, or emailing: clearing ©dnrmail.
state.il.us. The report also can be read online by going to: http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/ctap2. Peoria park gets name change Gov. George H. Ryan has signed SB 12 renaming Wildlife Prairie Park the Bill and Hazel Rutherford Wildlife Prairie State Park, in honor of the couple who deeded the park and education facility to the state last fall. "This bill is a suitable way to acknowledge and honor Bill and Hazel Rutherford's contribution of Wildlife Prairie Park to the State of Illinois," Gov. Ryan said. "Their longtime commitment to conservation and the environment will be remembered for years to come." The state park is located in Peoria County and consists of 2,000 acres and more than 10 miles of trails. Established by the couple in the late 1960s, the park began as an endangered species breeding farm. Animals, including bison, deer, elk, black bears and cougars, still roam on the restored prairie. Goose hunters must obtain hunting permit
All Southern Illinois Quota
Zone Canada goose hunters
Commercial clubs still are required to report their harvest as they have in the past. Hunters on commercial clubs must still sign and complete the kill sheet at clubs, and mark their permit and phone in their individual harvest. These geese will not be double counted. The counting systems will give DNR two independent methods of estimating the state's goose harvest this fall and winter.
Conservation funding bill passes House
The bipartisan Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA, H.R. 701) passed a major milestone recently when the House Resources Committee voted 29-12 to report this historic conservation legislation to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. CARA proposes to reinvest $3.1 billion, a portion of the revenues from federal offshore oil and gas, into state-based wildlife conservation, coastal conservation and impact assistance, historic preservation, urban parks and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. CARA now has 237 cosponsors, evidence of both a groundswell of grassroots support and the dedication of CARA's supporters. An unprecedented coalition of more than 6000 organizations, businesses and elected officials including governors, mayors and county officials has generated tremendous support for CARA across the nation. CARA is especially important for non-game wildlife conservation efforts, which lack an adequate and reliable funding source in most states. CARA annually will provide $350 million dedicated to state wildlife programs through its Title III. States sorely need this funding to reverse alarming declines in wildlife species before they become endangered. These funds will save taxpayers money by avoiding the high costs of recovery efforts, as well as ensuring an economic future for nature-based tourism and the outdoor recreation industry.
Spillway work underway at Pierce Lake The spillway at Pierce Lake in Rock Cut State Park, near Rockford, currently is undergoing repairs. Work is underway to replace the under-drain system, which collects and discharges seep water, and an unstable cement wall section. Pierce and Olson lakes have been drawn down 3 to 5 feet during the work process. This has resulted in the closure of the Olson Lake beach for the remainder of the season. There are no facility closures at Pierce Lake. Recipients of Fink Memorial Award announced Kari Foster of Tamaroa and Tim Carter of Murphysboro are this year's recipients of the Todd Fink Memorial award, according to John Schmitt, Executive Director of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Foster and Carter are both graduate students at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and each will receive $250 from the Foundation for travel costs associated with research and registration costs. Foster will be researching the federally endangered running buffalo clover. The focus of her research will be to determine how these plants are dispersed since this may be a factor contributing to their endangered status. Carter is studying the roosting ecology of the federally endangered Indiana bat on several sites in southern Illinois. The Indiana bat is one of Illinois' rarest animals. The fund was established to honor Todd Fink, a highly regarded biologist and ornithologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, who died in 1995 at the age of 36. The award goes to recipients whose graduate research at SIUC focuses on threatened or endangered species of plants or animals. To contribute to the Todd Fink Memorial Fund or to learn more about the Foundation, contact the Illinois Conservation Foundation, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 4-300, Chicago, IL 60601, phone (312) 814-7237, or visit the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.
Museum grants being accepted Applications are now being accepted for the Illinois State Museum's Capital and Operating Grants. There is $10 million available for the capital grants and $5 million for operating grants. Application materials are available by writing: Museum Grants Program, Illinois State Museum, Spring & Edwards streets, Springfield, IL 62706-5000. Requests also may be made by calling (217) 782-5992, or emailing museumgrants@museum.state.il.us. The deadline to apply for capital grants is 5 p.m. on Oct. 1. The operating grant deadline is 5 p.m. on Oct. 15. Sixth annual Director's Muskie Tournament Eagle Creek State Park and the Illinois Conservation Foundation will be hosting the 6th annual Director's Muskie Tournament on Lake Shelbyville, Oct. 19-21. The entry fee is $80 per boat. The winning team will be awarded $1,000, with a $500 prize and $250 prize for second the third place. Other prizes also will be awarded. This unique catch and release tournament uses mobile judges in boats stationed throughout the lake. When an angler catches a muskie, the catch and location are radioed in and a judge travels to the boat to measure and record the catch. Fishing hours are Saturday, Oct. 20 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 21 from 7 a.m. until noon. For more information or registration forms, please contact Eagle Creek State Park at (217) 756-8260. OutdoorIllinois calendar wins national contest OutdoorIllinois' full-color wall calendar took first prize in the Association for Conservation Information awards program. ACI represents the information and education divisions of natural resource agencies throughout the nation. The calendar was developed as a 12-month visual excursion for subscribers, allowing them a daily glance at images of some of Illinois' most beautiful flora, fauna and state park sites, plus a listing of seasonal activities, dates for events taking place at DNR sites and deadlines for submitting applications and registration forms for various licenses, activities and programs. The calendar is developed entirely in-house by DNR staff. Only the printing is done outside the agency. The complimentary calendar is included in the December issue of the magazine each year, and is not sold independent of the publication.
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are reminded that they must
obtain a Canada Goose Hunting
Permit when they buy their state
duck stamp. Whenever they kill
a goose, hunters are required to
mark the date and zone and
phone them in the same calendar
day the bird is taken.
