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Illinois takes steps to protect deer herd The Department of Natural Resources has filed an emergency rule to limit the importation of hunter-harvested deer and elk, to restrict the importation of live animals and to ban the feeding of wild deer in an attempt to prevent chronic wasting disease from reaching Illinois. "Animals with chronic wasting disease have been found within 40 miles of Illinois' northern border," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "CWD is a fatal neurological disease, which strikes deer and elk. There is no vaccine to prevent it, and it is incurable once an animal contracts it. We must continue to do all we can here in Illinois to keep it from infecting our herd." The disease affects the brains of infected animals, causing the animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose coordination and eventually die. It is not known to be contagious to livestock or humans. To date, no animals from Illinois have tested positive for CWD, but surveillance efforts for the disease have been expanded. The emergency rule (17 Ill. Adm. Code 635) takes effect immediately and will be in effect for 150 days while a permanent rule is being adopted. It bans the importation of hunter-harvested deer and elk carcases into Illinois, except for deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to skull caps, hides, upper canine teeth and finished taxidermist mounts. Skull caps must be cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue. "This step will prevent hunters from bringing potentially diseased animals into Illinois and discarding their parts in a manner that could result in contamination of Illinois' deer herd," Manning said. He noted that CWD is most concentrated in portions of the infected animals that typically are not consumed by humans, such as the brain and spinal cord. DNR also is banning the feeding of wild deer and other wildlife in areas where wild deer are present. The ban includes food, salt, mineral blocks and other food products, with some exceptions. For example, bird and squirrel feeders close to homes and incidental feeding of wildlife within active livestock operations are exempt from the ban. For a complete list of the exemptions, visit the Department's website at http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/ rule-status.htm. "We know that people enjoy feeding birds and squirrels, and we aren't trying to impact homeowners and their individual feeders. Nor are we trying to impact active livestock operations," Manning said. "However, the fact is that bait sites where deer congregate have the potential to contribute to the spread of various diseases that are transmitted by animal-to-animal contact, as CWD appears to be. Eliminating this practice will enhance our chances of controlling CWD in the event it enters Illinois and also will lessen the spread of other diseases among the deer herd." DNR also is implementing regulations to minimize the threat of chronic wasting disease entering the state through the interstate transportation of captive deer and elk and to monitor captive herds already in Illinois. DNR shares responsibility with the Department of Agriculture in regulating captive deer and elk on game farms. DNR's new rule complements new regulations being adopted by the agriculture department for diseased animals. Currently, an emergency rule banning the importation of captive deer and elk into Illinois is in place, but it expires Sept. 15, 2002. CWD has been diagnosed in wild, free-ranging deer and elk, as well as in captive animals in a number of western states, and recently was found in neighboring Wisconsin. Illinois has been testing suspect animals for the last five years, as well as taking samples during deer hunting season. "The consequences of a chronic wasting disease out break in Illinois are potentially great," said Manning, who noted deer hunting in Illinois contributes an estimated $400 million to the state's economy. "We will continue to work with the Illinois Department of Agriculture on this matter for the health of the deer herds, as well as its impact on the economy of this state," he said. Waterfowl hunting seasons recommended The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is recommending an 80-day Canada goose hunting season in the north and central zones, a 60-day season in the south zone and a statewide 60-day duck hunting season. At press time, hunting season dates and bag limits were being considered by the Natural Resources Advisory Board at its Aug. 15 meeting, which included an opportunity for public comment. A final recommendation was to be forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in consultation with the advisory board. "These recommendations are based on a variety of factors, including average date of freeze-up, aerial survey data and hunter preference," said Ray Marshalla, DNR's waterfowl biologist. "We've used the best science we have, along with historical data and the desires of our constituents, to make these recommendations."
Geese
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Central—Oct. 24-27 and Nov. 12-Jan. 26 (80 days); and South— Nov. 7-10 and Dec. 7-Jan. 31 (60 days). In each case, an entire zone would close early if the quota in the quota zone of that region is reached before the scheduled end of the season. The quotas proposed for the regular Canada goose season are: Statewide—64,100 (up from 54,800 last year); North Zone—14,700 (Northern Illinois Quota Zone-9,300 and nonquota counties-5,400); Central Zone—24,100 (Central Illinois Quota Zone-12,800 and nonquota counties-11,300); South Zone—25,300 (Southern Illinois Quota Zone-16,100 and non-quota counties-9,200). The Department is proposing to eliminate the Rend Lake Quota Zone, which covers Franklin and Jefferson counties. The zone, created in 1986 to improve Canada goose harvest control, is no longer necessary due to the decline in Canada goose numbers. With the change, hunters on private property in those counties will be able to hunt until sunset instead of 3 p.m., and the number of hunters allowed in pits in noncommercial private areas would be unlimited rather than five. All Canada goose hunters in the Southern Illinois Quota Zone must obtain a goose hunting permit when they buy their state waterfowl stamp, must mark the date and zone whenever they kill a goose and phone in the harvest information on the day the goose is taken. In addition, commercial hunting clubs will be required to report their harvest as they have in the past. Individuals hunting at commercial clubs still must sign out their harvest at the club and mark their permit and phone in their individual harvest. The call-in system remains in place in the Northern and Central Illinois Quota Zones, where it has been used since 1994. Illinois will offer a September Canada goose season in all zones Sept. 1-15. The daily bag limit is five for the Northeast Zone and two for the North, Central and South Zones. The possession limit is double the bag limit. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. White-fronted Goose Season (bag limit is two): North— Oct. 17-Jan. 4; Central—Oct. 24-27 and Nov. 12-Jan. 26; and South—Nov. 7-10 and Dec. 7-Jan.31. Snow Goose and Brant Season (bag limit 20 snow geese, one brant): North—Oct. 17-Jan. 4; Central—Oct. 24-Jan. 26; and South—Nov. 7-Jan.31. Conservation Order Snow Goose Season (no bag limit): North—Jan. 5-March 31; Central—Jan. 27-March 31; and South—Feb. 1-March 31. Hunters please note the following: Regular snow goose (includes snow, blue and Ross' geese), white-fronted goose and brant seasons will close with Canada goose season if the quota is reached earlier in the zone. The Conservation Order snow goose season will open the day after Canada goose season ends, if the Canada goose season closes early due to the quota being reached. Ducks The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a 60-day duck season with a daily bag limit of six ducks. However, the pintail season will be limited to 30 days with a bag limit of one, and there will be no season for canvasbacks this year. The proposed 60-day season dates are as follows: North— Oct. 17-Dec. 15, pintails—Oct. 17-Nov. 15; Central—Oct. 24-Dec. 22, pintails—Oct. 24-Nov. 22; and South—Nov. 7-Jan. 5, pintails—Nov. 7-Dec. 6. The daily limit for ducks is six, which may include no more than four mallards (two hens), three scaup, two wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck and one pintail (during the 30-day season). The statewide teal season is Sept. 7-15 from sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is four teal with a possession limit of eight.
Youth hunt (bag limits the same as for regular seasons, including one pintail): North— Oct. 12-13; Central—Oct. 19-20; and South—Oct. 26-27.
ICF grants awarded The Illinois Conservation Foundation has awarded 32 grants totaling more than $75,000 for environmental enhancement, natural resources preservation and education programs.
"Organizations receiving these grants are involved in a wide array of efforts to enhance wildlife habitat, natural areas and environmental education for Illinoisans," said Brent Manning, chairman of the ICF and Director of the DNR.
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"From butterfly gardens on urban school grounds, to outdoor programs for children with disabilities, to research on improving fish populations, the Foundation is delighted to support these worthwhile projects," he said. A full listing of funded projects can be found at http:// www.ilcf.org/PressReleases.htm. Grant information and applications are available from the Illinois Conservation Foundation, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 4-300, Chicago, IL 60601, phone (312) 814-7237, or visit the ICF website at www.ilcf.org. The Foundation, an IRS 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation established in 1995, has raised more than $14.2 million to support the programs of the DNR. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Fink Memorial Fund award announced Charles Walker of Carbondale is the 2002 recipient of the Todd Fink Memorial award, according to John Schmitt, executive director of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Walker, a graduate student in the Department of Plant Biology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, will receive a $500 stipend from the Foundation for travel costs associated with research and registration costs. Walker is working on a study to examine the attributes of endangered plants of southern Illinois and to determine factors that cause them to be so rare. 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 SIU-C focuses on threatened or endangered species of plants or animals. Workshop set for quail management Illinois landowners, sportsmen, and others, who want to see bobwhite quail numbers improve, are invited to attend a free Landowner's Quail Management Workshop, on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Ulrich family's Sugar Creek Farm near McLean in Logan County. Follow the signs south from the intersection of Highway 136 and Road 1600Ave. The workshop will include a morning program at 9 a.m., followed by a habitat tour and a free lunch provided by Quail Unlimited. The ninth annual event is sponsored jointly by Illinois and Logan County Quail Unlimited, Illinois State Habitat Stamp Fund, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Southern Illinois University, Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District, University of Illinois Extension and the Department of Natural Resources. The workshop will focus on improving quail habitat and accessing state, federal and private programs to implement various wildlife management practices. Resource agency speakers will discuss improving CRP cover types and other land for the benefit of quail and other wildlife through the use of native grass and forb planting, cool-season grass planting, tree and shrub planting, prescribed burning, food plots and strip discing. Please register in advance for this free workshop by calling or sending your name and the number attending to Quail Workshop, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1650 5th St., Lincoln, IL 62656 or telephone (217) 732-2010, extension 3. All are welcome, but those who preregister will have their names entered in a drawing for a shotgun donated by Quail Unlimited. For more information, call the DNR at (217) 784-4730. Prevention tips for West Nile Virus If you enjoy the outdoors, be alert to the possibility of West Nile Virus. While not a common occurrence, individuals can become infected with the virus by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people infected have no symptoms, but some may become ill, usually three to 15 days after being bitten. Symptoms can be mild, such as a fever and headache, but some individuals, particularly the elderly, may experience muscle weakness, brain inflammation, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, coma or death. WNV is carried from infected birds through mosquitoes to humans. It is not spread by person-to-person contact or directly from birds or mammals. To reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, a number of precautions are recommended: • Wear shoes and socks and loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. • Use mosquito repellent containing 25 percent to 35 percent DEFT. (Consult a physician before using repellents on young children.) • Check and repair window screens. • Eliminate stagnant water in receptacles where mosquitoes might breed. Newsbriefs • The Illinois Department of Natural Resources in Springfield has moved to its new facility at the northwest corner of the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Mail should be addressed to: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. The main telephone number (217) 782-6302 remains unchanged, as do all other telephone numbers. • The number of furbearing animal pelts sold by Illinois hunters and trappers during the 2001-2002 season increased 85 percent to 217,088. The total value of pelts sold increased 115 percent to more than $ 1.4 million. Raccoon and muskrat pelts accounted for 91 percent of the harvest and its value. Spurred by increased demand in Russia and elsewhere in eastern Europe, the average value of raccoon pelts increased to $7.55 in 2001-2002 from $6.30 in 2000-2001 and $4.90 in 1999-2000. Illinois trappers and hunters harvested 165,375 22 OutdoorIllinois raccoons in 2001-2002 compared with 86,673 raccoons in 2000-2001. Illinois law requires licensed fur buyers to maintain records and report fur purchases to the DNR. • Results of DNR's 2002 spring spotlight survey conducted along designated 25-mile routes indicate a 10.5 percent decline in the number of raccoons. While raccoons comprise an important part of the Illinois fur harvest, they also are a common nuisance wildlife species in the state, carrying diseases and parasites that affect people, pets and other wildlife. Biologists also counted white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbit, striped skunk and opossum, all of which increased from the previous survey. • DNR recently stocked channel catfish in 13 lakes and ponds in Moultrie and Shelby counties. The average catfish weighed one pound and was 14 inches in length. The stockings occurred at Hidden Springs State Forest's Hickory Ridge Pond, Sassafras Pond and White Oak Pond (Shelby County); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project ponds and lakes, including Beaver Pond, McClure Pond, Sand Pond, Stone Pond and Wood Lake (Shelby and Moultrie counties); Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Management Area's Elder Pond, Ringneck Pond and Wood Duck Pond (Moultrie County); and at Wyman Park Pond in Sullivan (Shelby County). For more information, contact, Mike Mounce, DNR Division of Fisheries, (217) 345-2420. • Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park and Rock Island/Henry Pheasants Forever will hold their annual Wingshooting Clinic on Sept. 28 and 29. Young shooters, age 10-15, will participate on Saturday, Sept. 28 and women of all ages on Sunday, Sept. 29. The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. clinics are free, and lunch is provided. Register by calling Johnson-Sauk Trail at (309) 853-5589. • Road work has been completed at Mermet Lake Fish & Wildlife Area, and the site is reopened to vehicular traffic. For more information about the park, call (618) 524-5577. • The Fort Massac State Park boat ramp will be closed periodically while the ramp, boat dock and parking facility are upgraded. To check the status of the boat ramp, call (618) 524-4712 or (618) 524-9321. • The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Biennial Report (1999-2000) has recently been completed and is available to the public. During that two-year period, 42 areas—16 nature preserves and 26 registered land and water reserves— were added to the nature preserve system. This brings the number of dedicated nature preserves to 296, totaling more than 39,000 acres, and the registered land and water reserves to 52, totaling more than 19,800 acres. For more information about the nature preserves of Illinois, contact the commission at (217)785-8686. • An updated Landowners Guide to Natural Resources Management Incentives is now on the web and can be found at: http://dnr.state.il.us/OREP/C2000/Incentives.htm. There is a link to the document on both C2000 and Conservation Congress web pages on the DNR website:http://dnr.state.il.us. • The 2002 Endangered and Threatened Species of Illinois: Status and Distribution Book, Volume 1 - Plants is available from DNR's Clearinghouse (clearing@dnrmail.state.il.us). For additional information, contact the Endangered Species Protection Board at One Natur al Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, or phone (217) 785-8687.
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