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Make safe boating a part of summer fun Boat operators and passengers are reminded to be safe on the water this boating season by wearing life jackets, being alert to others on the water and by staying sober. Careless and reckless operation, as well as boat operator inattention and inexperience, were among the primary causes of boating accidents in Illinois last year. Wearing an approved life jacket while boating can save your life, and boaters who are sober, alert and paying attention to what they're doing can avoid mishaps on the water. Statistics compiled by DNR's Office of Law Enforcement include 14 fatalities and 76 injuries as a result of boating accidents in Illinois in 2000. Those compare with 13 deaths and 75 injuries in boating accidents in 1999, 19 fatalities and 107 injuries in 1998, 14 deaths and 81 injuries in 1997, and 27 fatalities and 90 injuries in 1996. There were a total of 155 boating accidents involving 231 vessels in Illinois last year, compared with 159 boating accidents involving 238 vessels in 1999. There were a total of 176 boating accidents in 1998, 146 in 1997 and 155 in 1996. "Eleven of the 14 people who died in boating accidents last year were not wearing life jackets," said DNR Law Enforcement Chief Tom Wakolbinger. "Accidents do happen on the water, but the chances of avoiding injury and surviving an accident are much greater if the boat operator and passengers are wearing life jackets." Illinois law requires that life jackets, also known as personal flotation devices or PFDs, be available for each person aboard a boat or other watercraft. State law also requires anyone operating a personal watercraft to wear a life jacket. Those under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket while aboard any watercraft under 26 feet in length at all times the boat is underway, unless they are below deck in an enclosed cabin. DNR offers free boating safety courses to review boating laws and provide instruction on safe and attentive operation of watercraft. Course schedules are available by contacting the DNR Safety Education Office at 1-800-832-2599, Ameritech Relay (800) 526-0844, TTY (217) 782-9175. or by checking the DNR web site at: www.dnr.state.il.us. "Last year, 83 of the 155 boating accidents on Illinois waters involved collisions with other vessels or objects in the water, resulting in 32 injuries and three deaths," Wakolbinger said. "Safety classes are open to anyone age 10 or older, and the course is required for 12- to 18-year olds who want to operate a boat or personal watercraft without adult supervision." Fishing programs now underway Children and families can experience the fun of fishing by participating in the Department of Natural Resources' free urban fishing clinics this summer, and anyone interested in fishing can borrow the needed equipment through the popular Access to Fishing equipment loan program. Young people will receive free hands-on instruction as they learn to fish at the urban fishing clinics in communities throughout the state. The free Urban Fishing Program clinics are geared toward children ages 16 and younger, but anyone interested in learning basic fishing techniques may attend. Clinics also can be arranged to accomodate those with special needs or senior groups. The clinics are presented weekdays at 29 locations throughout the state.
Instructors employed by DNR present information on fish and other aquatic life, fishing rules and regulations and fishing basics, including how to bait a hook, tie a knot, cast, catch, handle and return a fish to the water. Participants are then provided with rods, reels, bait and tackle for a half-hour of catch-and-release fishing. The Access to Fishing equipment loan program is a statewide initiative in which more than 130 local public libraries, park and forest preserve districts, recreation departments, bait shops and other sites make available to would-be anglers rods, reels and tackle packs. A schedule of urban clinic dates, locations and contact information, plus a listing of locations where fishing tackle is available from the loaner program can be obtained by writing DNR Division of Fisheries, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701, or by calling (217) 782-6424.
Turkey pins support youth hunts Turkey hunters and collectors have purchased more than 3,500 turkey pins already this spring. We just wanted to make a quick mention of this, and point out that proceeds from the sale of these pins go to the Illinois Conservation Foundation to be used to support the wild turkey and future youth hunting events (see page 17). Pins still are available and can be purchased for $5 each by calling the OutdoorIllinois gift shop at 1-800-720-3249. To date, the not-for-profit Illinois Conservation Foundation has raised more than $10 million to support Department of Natural Resources programs. For more information about how you can support the foundation, check out its web site at www.ilcf.org or contact Executive Director John Schmitt at (312) 814-7237. Campground hosts needed at state parks Individuals who enjoy camping are urged to serve as volunteer campground hosts this summer. It's an ideal situation for retired individuals, couples or graduate students who would like to "camp out" at a state park. Campground hosts assist campers, answer questions, collect camping fees and encourage compliance with park regulations. They also may be asked to greet visitors, distribute park literature, report emergencies to the site's permanent staff and perform minor maintenance tasks, such as picking up litter. A campground host is not required to enforce park rules or perform major maintenance repairs. Applicants for campground host positions must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver's license and agree to work 35 hours per week. usually during a five-day period, for a minimum of four weeks. Weekend and holiday duty is mandatory. Compensation is $1 per day for the days they work. In addition to the small monetary payment, volunteers will receive on-site training, limited medical and personal insurance coverage, and free camping privileges at their campground during their period of service. More than 40 sites offer the campground host program statewide, with applications accepted year-round and positions filled as they open. Sites needing hosts at press time include:
Northern Illinois: Apple River Canyon State Park, Apple River; Argyle Lake State Park, Colchester: Big River State Forest, Keithsburg; Delabar State Park, Oquawka; Illini State Park, Marseilles; Johnson Sauk Trail State Park, Kewanee: Jubilee College State Park. Brimfield; Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park, Lena; Lowden State Park, Oregon; Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, Lacon; Mississippi Palisades State Park, Savanna; Morrison Rockwood State Park, Morrison; Prophetstown State Park, Prophetstown: Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Canton; Rock Cut State Park, Loves Park; Shabbona Lake State Park, Shabbona; Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Manito; Starved Rock State Park, Utica; White Pines Forest State Park, Mt. Morris; Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, Lowpoint. West-Central Illinois: Beaver Dam State Park, Plainview; Eldon Hazlet State Park, Carlyle; Horseshoe Lake State Park, Granite City; Sand Ridge State Forest, Forest City; Sangchris Lake State Park, Rochester; Siloam Springs State Park, Clayton; Washington County Conservation Area, Nashville; Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Chandlerville; Nauvoo State Park, Nauvoo. East-Central Illinois: Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood; Moraine View State Park, LeRoy; Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, DeWitt. Southern Illinois: Dixon Springs State Park, Golconda; Sam Dale Lake Conservation Area, Johnsonville; Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, Whittington: Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area, Newton. DNR also needs volunteers to encourage greater appreciation and enjoyment of our state parks' natural, historical and cultural resources. Called host interpreters, these volunteers help park staff in providing campers and other park visitors with interesting recreational activities, such as leading nature hikes and using available natural materials in craft demonstrations. They are expected to have public speaking ability and a knowledge of outdoor recreation skills or natural sciences. By serving as host interpreters, college students majoring in recreation or park administration may be able to meet school internship requirements. Applications for campground hosts and host interpreters may be obtained by contacting the site directly or by calling Volunteer Network Manager Jay Johnson at (217) 782-4963, TDD (217) 782-9175, or writing: Department of Natural Resources, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787.
Lake Michigan tournament set for June 26 The Illinois Conservation Foundation's annual Sam Romano Lake Michigan Fishing Tournament, benefitting youth fishing and other programs, is scheduled for June 26 out of Chicago's Burnham Harbor. Groups of four are invited to participate in the tournament by chartering a boat for $2,000. Individuals may participate at a cost of $500 each. Individuals, companies and organizations are invited to charter a boat for underprivileged youngsters to participate in the fishing tournament for $1,500. Tournament sponsors include the City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Mayor Daley's Fishing Advisory Committee, Salmon Unlimited, Chicago Sportsfishing Association and Westrec Marinas. To charter a boat or for more information about the tournament, contact Ron Alien, Illinois Conservation Foundation event coordinator, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787, phone (217) 785-9371. A tournament registration form also is available on the Illinois Conservation Foundation web site at: www.ilcf.org. The Illinois Conservation Foundation is an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1995. For more information, contact Executive Director John Schmitt at (312) 814-7237. Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair The Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair will be held June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pere Marquette State Park. The annual fair, which is held in conjunction with National Fishing Week, is for beginning anglers and includes lots of fun activities for youngsters. Fair goers will learn knot tying, fish identification, fish cleaning, casting and many other skills. This year's fair will feature several new attractions, including a station where kids can cast for prizes and a display of antique fishing tackle. There also is a virtual reality fishing machine, a 5,000 gallon aquarium stocked with fish, and a pitching and flipping station. The most popular activity is always the trout pond. After attending the demonstration activities, youngsters are given the opportunity to catch a trout from the large, portable pond. Each child is given an assortment of educational material and a prize. Items to be given away include fishing tackle, cane poles, tackle boxes, Raging River water passes and an overnight stay at Pere Marquette State Park Lodge. There is no charge to attend the fair or catch a fish. No license or fishing gear is needed. Refreshments and food also will be available at the fair. The fair is co-sponsored by Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge and Pere Marquette State Park. The park is located five miles north of Grafton on Illinois Route 100. For more information, call the park at (618) 786-3323. Are you a shutterbug? Entries for the second annual OutdoorIllinois photo contest will be accepted until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. The four categories include wildlife, backyard/urban wildlife, scenic/flora and recreational activities. A grand prize package consisting of weekend lodging at Illinois Beach Resort, Zion, and the Illinois Conservation Foundation's framed limited edition print, "Jumping Mallards" by Maynard Reece, will go to the entry judged "Best of Show." First- and second-place winners in all categories will receive three-year and two-year subscriptions, respectively, to OutdoorIllinois and an opportunity to have their winning photos published in the February 2002 issue of the magazine. Details of contest guidelines were published in last month's issue of OutdoorIllinois and can also be obtained by contacting Liz Pensoneau at (217) 782-7454 or emailing editor@dnrmail.state.il.us. Sandhill crane update Those sandhill cranes that were led to Florida through Illinois by an ultralight aircraft on the longest human-led migration have returned to central Wisconsin. We wrote about the migration in OutdoorIllinois last
fall, and noted that it was hoped the birds would return to Wisconsin on their own this spring. They did. The birds left Florida in late February and arrived in Wisconsin in late April. The success of the program could pave the way for a similar experiment with endangered whooping cranes using the same migration route in the future. Such an action could lead to the establishment of an eastern flock of these rare birds. Langa has ducky day Sean Langa of Springfield High School has won "Best of Show" honors during Illinois' segment of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest. The 17-year-old won the top prize with his acrylic, oil and colored pencil drawing entitled "Still Before the Storm." depicting a male wood duck sitting on a log. His winning entry now advances to the national competition. There were more than 930 entries in this year's contest. The "Best of Show" design was chosen from a group of 12 first-place winners in four categories: grades 10-12; grades 7-9; grades 4-6; and grades K-3.
Three first, second and third-place winners were selected in each age group, along with 16 honorable mentions. Langa's work was judged a first-place winner in the competition among 10th-12th grade students. The two other 2001 first-place winners in this category are Amy Schmuckel of Naperville and Natalie Benik of Glen Ellyn. First-place winners in the grades 7-9 category are Andrea Bush of Westville, Katerina Pflederer of Tremont and Allison Jocson of Normal. In the category for grades 4-6, first-place winners are Christina Van Dellen of Lindenhurst, Ashley Aber of Buda and Nichole Ritter of Manlius. First-place winners in the K-3 category are Kaitlyn Doubet of Buda, Victoria Moreland of Buda and Ryan Haney of Tampico. Winning entries can be viewed online at: http://dnr.state.il. us/1ands/education/classrm/RIBBON/2001_jr_duck/index.htm. (Viewers should keep in mind that this site is case-sensitive.) For his effort, Langa will receive a variety of gifts and recognitions from Illinois waterfowl organizations. All students who place first, second, third or honorable mention receive ribbons. All participating students receive certificates. The annual contest is part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp and Conservation Program, administered by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and DNR. Educators interested in receiving the curriculum unit and details of the 2002 contest should contact the DNR Division of Education at (217) 785-5822.
Agencies join to promote boating and fishing The Department of Natural Resources has joined with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to launch the first ever-national campaign dedicated to creating awareness of the many benefits of recreational boating and fishing and the importance of environmental stewardship. "Water Works Wonders" is designed to increase angler and boater participation. The "Water Works Wonders" campaign includes a number of components, such as a series of television, radio and print advertisements; a state-of-the-art website at www.waterworkswonders.org; a hands-on national public awareness effort during National Fishing and Boating Week (June 1-10); and a corporate marketing kit.
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