 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Volunteers recognized at Illinois State Fair The Illinois Department of Natural Resources honored 10 individuals and organizations for their exceptional volunteer service on behalf of the agency during ceremonies in Conservation World during the Illinois State Fair. "Each year, thousands of people interested in the natural resources of our state provide countless hours of volunteer service protecting our natural heritage, enhancing conservation and promoting outdoor recreation," said DNR Director Brent Manning, "This annual volunteer recognition program is one way in which we offer thanks to some of those who devote so much of their time and talent to making Illinois a better place to live." This year's honorees are: • Dr. Richard Bjorklund: A retired professor of biology living in Topeka, Bjorklund continues his research through avian surveys conducted along the Illinois River. He also volunteers with prescribed burns and leads community field trips. • Fox Ridge Foundation: This foundation was established in 1983 to support Fox Ridge State Park near Charleston. The group sponsors nature walks, conducts guided tours of spring wildflowers and conducts a 5K run on the park's road and trail system. It donated $14,000 this year for a new shelter, as well as $2,400 worth of playground equipment, and has helped fund the park's visitor center. • Illinois Army National Guard: Volunteers with the National Guard have assisted hunter safety education instructors in an annual two-day class for the past 30 years. In addition to coordinating classes, they provide equipment, meals and other necessities. • Robert Johnson: A seventh grade teacher at DuQuoin Middle School, Johnson has been a driving force in getting young people involved in the work of the DuQuoin Fairgrounds Wetland Education Project. His students learn the value of wetlands and gain valuable hands-on experience in wetlands creation and restoration. • Terry Lucas/Mike Ryiko: Lucas, Springfield, and Ryiko, Buffalo Grove, were honored for their long-time service on the DNR Office of Law Enforcement Merit Advisory Board. They participate in CPO applicant interviews to ensure the finest candidates possible. • Archibald "A.C." Mainer: Mainer has served as a volunteer hunter and boating safety instructor since 1991 and as a trapper education instructor since 1996. A resident of Hoffman, Mainer also has been actively involved in recruiting volunteer instructors in Clinton, Bond and Marion counties. • David Miller: A volunteer coordinator/steward at Moraine Hills State Park, Miller has created and organized flower walks, developed wildflower gardens and a wild bird guide. He also leads bird walks. • Shabbona Lake Sportsman's Club: Established in 1982. this club has constructed a fish rearing pond, purchased walleye fingerlings and assists with annual fishery surveys. It also has a reward program for turning in fish violations, assists with fishing clinics and helped fund a spillway fish barrier. • Don Swensson: This Moline resident was a longtime member of the Natural Resources Advisory Board, inspecting sites and overseeing DNR programs and making recommendations for trails, access areas and land acquisition. Last chance to enter photo contest Have you submitted your entry in this year's Outdoorlllinois photo contest yet? Time's running out. You
have until Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. to have your photo entered and to be eligible for the prizes. Photos will be judged by professional photographers in four categories—wildlife, backyard/urban wildlife, scenic/flora and recreational activities. The grand prize this year is weekend lodging at Illinois Beach Resort, Zion, and the Illinois Conservation Foundation's custom-framed, signed and numbered, limited edition print, "Jumping Mallards," by Maynard Reece. First-and second-place winners in other categories will receive three-year and two-year subscriptions, respectively, to OutdoorIllinois plus have their winning photos published in the February issue. There is no limit to the number of photos that may be entered. A complete set of rules is found in the May 2001 issue of OutdoorIllinois magazine, is available on DNR's web site or can be obtained by writing: OutdoorIllinois magazine, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701; telephoning (217) 782-7454, or emailing: editor@dnr-mail.state.il.us. Hunting Digest available The Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for 2001-02 now is available. The 40-page booklet lists season dates and limits, stamp information, shooting hours, plus regulations for hunting deer, turkey, migratory birds and furbearers. There also is trapping information, standard sunrise/sunset tables and information about special hunts and disabled outdoor opportunities. The free booklet is available at most license agents, at DNR offices, or by writing: DNR Clearinghouse. 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787; calling (217) 782-7498; or emailing: clearing@dnrmail. state.il.us. Life at Moscow Bay Having your own little slice of green space, whether it's a secluded corner of a garden away from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, a familiar shoreline where you always catch fish or a favorite spot under the shady limbs of an elm tree, is essential in maintaining one's physical, and more importantly, one's mental health. A long life has often been attributed to the ability to not only work hard, but to play with just as much vigor. For Bill Fay of Jacksonville, his family's personal refuge has been the Moscow Bay Hunting Club, a 265-acre parcel of land and water bordering Bath Chute along the Illinois river. Fay's grandfather, W. L. Fay, along with 13 charter members, founded the organization in 1902. While W.L. Fay never hunted or fished, he recognized the aesthetic and recreational value of the outdoors, and this legacy was passed on to five successive generations of the Fay family. Bill Fay has captured his family's history of one of the oldest duck hunting clubs on the Illinois River in his book. Life on Moscow Bay: One-Hundred Years Along the Illinois River. Fay describes the Golden Age of duck hunting during the Roaring 20s, a time when flocks of migratory ducks darkened the skies. This is a period in duck hunting history told with almost fairy tale overtones by modern waterfowl hunters because they likely will never see this sight in their lifetime. This was a time when live decoys, unplugged shotguns, lead shot and baited sites were the norm, and harvesting just 20 to 30 ducks in a morning was a disappointing hunt. Along the way. Fay talked extensively about the great times at Moscow Bay, where his family spent many years creating cherished memories. It was a far simpler time when children spent lazy summer days swimming, fishing, playing with bugs, gathering bait and fooling unsuspecting friends with snipe hunts. A kid could play with a knife or shoot a gun without the neighbors dialing 911 or the child being sent for a psychiatric evaluation. Insect repellent was nonexistent, bathrooms were called four-hole privies and refrigeration meant cutting out blocks of winter ice and packing them in sawdust for the summer. Adults escaped the pressures of the world at Moscow Bay, fell in love, raised their children and passionately followed the flight of the ducks as they returned to Moscow Bay year after year. Fay's experience chronicled the rise and fall of the lifeblood of Moscow Bay, the Illinois River, as it rose to prominence as one of the world's richest hunting and fishing grounds. And how it slowly deteriorated as the marshes and backwaters disappeared, and pollution and silt robbed the life-giving water of its vitality. As the river declined, so did many of the thriving communities that relied on the annual migrations of ducks and geese. The abuse and neglect of the river and the deadly effects of lead shot poisoning on ducks had finally taken their toll on those who cherished the river the most. Fay is hopeful for the future as he noted that there is a renewed interest in restoring the Illinois River. As a gift to the waterfowl community and for the future of waterfowl hunting, Fay is donating the proceeds from his book to raise funds for Frank C. Bellrose's Waterfowl Research Center. It was Bellrose's work that was instrumental in restoring the declining wood duck populations nationwide, and he was a leader in the banning of lead shot when his research discovered the toxic effects of lead on waterfowl.
At 87 years young, Bill Fay still travels to Moscow Bay to hear the whistling wings and distinct quacks of the ducks each fall. He now passes his love of duck hunting to his grandson Bobby. "I can still raise a shotgun and pull the trigger, but the boys need to help me in and out of the boat," said Fay. If Fay's life is any example of the life-enriching qualities of the outdoors, everyone should have a "Moscow Bay" in their lifetime. William Louis Fay's Book can be purchased on-line at www. moscowbay.homestead.com, at select book stores in central Illinois, or at DNR's Gift Shop by calling (217) 782-1687. —P.J. Perea
Fort Massac to get a 'make-over' Gov. George H. Ryan has announced a $4.45 million project to reconstruct Fort Massac, the frontier fort built by the French in 1757. The 1,500-acre park is a major Southern Illinois tourist attraction. Due to the overwhelming popularity of historical and cultural sites such as Fort Massac, Illinois is ranked 9th in the nation by the Travel Industry Association of America for the number of historical and cultural travelers it receives. "When this project is complete, we will be able to share with the public a fort that will reflect its early 1800s appearance, and one that will do justice to the importance of this site and its place in history," the Governor said. "In addition, an enhanced visitor center will provide quality exhibits and facilities for the 1.6 million individuals annually who visit Ft. Massac." Over the past 240 years. Fort Massac was rebuilt several times by the American military. The state reconstructed the fort in the early 1970s, but it is not historically accurate and currently is in urgent need of substantial repairs. The demolition is expected to begin following this year's Fort Massac Encampment on Oct. 20-21, which re-creates the lifestyles of British, French and colonial American military forces that occupied the historic fort between 1757 and 1814. The renovations to Fort Massac are expected to be completed in time for the Lewis and Clark National Expedition Celebration in November 2003. Commemorative knife available from ICF If you're looking for something a little different for the upcoming holiday season, the Illinois Conservation Foundation is selling this Winchester knife to commemorate the induction of the first members of the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame. The names of the first five inductees are engraved on the reverse side of the blade. Only 300 of the knives will be sold, with profits going to support Department of Natural Resources programs. The initial Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Feb. 1, 2002, at Oakbrook Terrace. For information about tickets to the banquet, write: Illinois Conservation Foundation, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701, call Ron Allen at (217) 785- 9371, or email: rallen@dnr-mail.state.il.us. Knives are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. To place an order, send a check or money order for $95 (includes tax, postage and handling) to: DNR Gift Shop, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701. You can also purchase the knife using a MasterCard or Visa by calling 1-800-720-3249. Allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery.
Trapshooters move national HQ to Illinois The Amateur Trapshooting Association is relocating its national headquarters, museum and sport-shooting complex to a 1,300-acre site in Randolph County, north of Sparta. Upon completion, the project will create 20 full-time and hundreds of part-time jobs related to the ATA's operations, training programs and events. "This world-class facility will showcase the storied history of sport shooting and provide the most advanced facility available for those who enjoy this exciting form of outdoor recreation," said Gov. George H. Ryan, in making the announcement. "The Amateur Trapshooting Association is the premier sport shooting organization in the country, and I am delighted we were able to work together to bring the new ATA complex to Illinois." Governor Ryan's Open Land Trust (OLT) program will fund 50 percent of the land acquisition for the new ATA complex. The land acquired through the OLT will be maintained as open space. Illinois FIRST grants, secured by Senator David Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) and Representative Dan Reitz (D-Steeleville), will provide additional funds to buy land and develop the site. Linked Development funds, available through the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), will
issue a $500,000 grant to Randolph County for public infrastructure needs related to the new Amateur Trapshooting Association facility. The ATA will invest approximately $8 million for construction of a corporate headquarters complex, trapshooting facilities, RV campground, vendor mall with food court, museum and support facilities. "The ATA is looking forward to our future in Illinois and is grateful for the support we have received from the entire state," said John Morris, ATA Executive Director. The 54,000-member Amateur Trapshooting Association, founded in 1900, is the largest clay target shooting organization in the world, governing the sport's rules and regulations and sanctioning shooting events throughout the country through more than 1,300 affiliated clubs. Events include the ATA's annual Grand American World Trapshooting Championships, a 10-day event that attracts thousands of participants and spectators each August. It will be held in Illinois beginning in 2004.
Muskie tourney slated at Lake Shelbyville The 6th annual Director's Muskie Tournament will be held Oct. 19-21 on Lake Shelbyville. Hosted by Eagle Creek State Park and the Illinois Conservation Foundation, the entry fee is $80 per boat. The event is sponsored by Midwest Marina from Rantoul and Bass Pro Shops from Gurnee. Ranger Boats also will present a cash award of $300 to the anglers catching the largest muskie during the event. The winning team will be awarded $1,000, with a $500 prize and $250 prize going to the second and third place teams, respectively. 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 responds—traveling to the boat to measure and record the catch. Scoring begins at 32 inches and length is rounded to the nearest 1/4 inch. Fishing hours are Saturday, Oct. 20 from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 21 from 7 a.m. until noon. The tournament kicks off on the evening of Friday, Oct. 19 with a hog roast. Proceeds from the tournament go to the Illinois Conservation Foundation and will be used to improve muskie fishing on Lake Shelbyville and for youth hunting and fishing programs and education. For more information or registration forms, please contact Eagle Creek State Park at (217) 756-8260. For more information about the Foundation, contact Executive Director John D.Schmitt at (312) 814-7237, or check the ICF website at www.ilcf.org.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
