In the fall, bull elk are focused on finding mates. Less dominant males, without hope of breeding with local females, often travel in their quest to procreate. Some travel farther than others. From September to December 2023, a young bull elk from the Wisconsin Black River Falls herd made a historic journey, traveling through southeastern Wisconsin and into northern Illinois. This was the first documented wild elk in Illinois in more than 150 years.

The National Wild Turkey Federation is, and has been, considered a national leader in the nongovernmental conservation organization arena, especially as it relates to work with upland habitats, and, more specifically, the forested habitats that wild turkeys rely upon. Since their inception 50 years ago, Illinois chapters have been at the head of the pack in fund raising and putting dollars raised to work on the ground.

Human modification of the natural landscape has been significant in the past century, with wild landscapes transformed into landscapes better fit for people. Transitional areas between agriculture and natural landscapes often create challenges for wildlife but not all species are negatively affected. Mesopredators, such as Virginia opossums, striped skunks and northern raccoons, have learned to navigate these complex environments safely.

Next time you’re strolling through Chicago, keep an eye out for more than just skyscrapers—coyotes and foxes are sharing our concrete wilderness. This study led by Alyson Cervantes sheds light on the secrets of the coexistence of these canids, adding a touch of wild drama to the urban scene. In the concrete jungle of the Windy City, these predators are not just surviving, they are thriving.

The continental population and range of “light geese,” a group of medium to small geese that breed in the Arctic and winter from central Illinois south to the Gulf of Mexico, shifted substantially in the last 40 years. Learn why the population jumped from historical populations around 750,000 to 1 million individuals to 10 million in the mid-1990s, and what that means for the Arctic ecosystem and goose hunters.

A love of waterfowl hunting helped to ignite a passion for wildlife conservation in Lux. As a District Wildlife Biologist for Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Lux uses his lifelong passion and extensive background in natural resources conservation to serve his assigned counties: Adams, Fulton, Hancock, McDonough and Schuyler.

For the author, little is as awe-inspiring as large flocks of ducks or geese landing within range. With a potential for a diversity of species flying overhead, identification needs to happen before the shot. Books are great for knowing which field marks go with each species, but identification can be made faster using GISS to quickly describe a bird’s general impression of size and shape.

Working in concert with a variety of partners, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is on track to reduce the agency’s carbon emissions to zero by 2050. In conjunction with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center at the University of Illinois, more than 70 people from all facets of the agency developed a Climate Action Plan. Pilot projects will be undertaken to test new ideas before they are rolled out to the whole agency. The actions will create a brighter, greener future for IDNR and the people of Illinois.

The large whitish, heart-shaped face of a barn owl, and light body color, separates it from the eight other species of owls occurring in Illinois. In addition to natural cavities, the once-endangered barn owl nests in farm buildings such as barns, cribs, and silos, as well as commercial grain elevators. Read here to learn more about the life history of the barn owl and what you might do to attract nesting owls to your property.

On September 16, 2023, experts confirmed the arrival of a new invasive species in Illinois with the first documented occurrence of the spotted lanternfly. That insect was located in Cook County. Winter (January-March) is the best time to hunt for spotted lanternfly egg masses on trees, when the leaves are off and egg masses are easy to spot and remove. Destroying spotted lanternfly eggs before they hatch can help to reduce the number of adults and control the spread of this invasive pest.

The 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation produced by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, reports that wildlife watching is immensely popular, with more than half of the U.S. population 16 years of age and older enjoying watching wildlife in 2022. That equates to 57 percent of the U.S. population viewing wildlife and a large majority of the wildlife watchers—91.1 million—observing birds around their homes. Are you one of those wildlife watchers, or interested in joining the crowd? Either way, read on to learn about this popular activity.

Winter’s frigid temperatures and pelting precipitation have we humans throwing another log on the fire, bumping up the thermostat and donning another layer of clothing before heading outdoors. In the natural world, some organisms will move south where warmer weather ensures the availability of food and water resources. For others, some interesting strategies are required for finding food and water when temperatures plummet and snow or ice cover their habitat.

Kirtland’s snake is a fossorial species inhabiting wet prairies, wet meadows, prairie fens and associated wetlands throughout its range; its range is primarily restricted to Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Researchers at the Illinois Natural History Survey and National Great Rivers Research and Education Center have been conducting studies for the conservation and management of this snake in Illinois, and have discovered a handful of previously unknown populations.

Learning to differentiate white-tailed deer diseases can be challenging. The signs observed by people and symptoms presented by animals can be identical. Surveillance is vital for recognizing new or re-emerging bacterial diseases, which helps to improve management strategies that can protect wildlife, livestock and human health.

Through his role as a District Wildlife Biologist for Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Albert’s devotion to a career in conservation will continue. Within his assigned counties of Brown, Morgan, Pike and Scott, Albert will also oversee the improvement of many public land sites.

Goldfinches fly away to escape the cold. Woodchucks hibernate in underground burrows, safe from the snow. But most butterflies, bees and other insects must find ways to survive the winter with the cover that is available nearby. Leaf litter, standing flower stalks, and peeling bark can all be literal life savers—if they are allowed to remain on the landscape.

One of Illinois’ popular Illinois sportfish, the saugeye (sauger x walleye hybrid), graces the cover of the 2024 Illinois Fishing Information guide, now available online and gas stations and bait shops throughout the state. Download or pick up a copy to stay up-to-date on statewide and site-specific regulations and to learn about new programs in Illinois, such as the Lake Sturgeon Recovery Project.

Where does the information come from for developing an effective fisheries management plan? Fortunately, much of the information can be derived from clues contained within the heads of the fish themselves. Within each fish’s head are ear stones called otoliths, and some of these otoliths can provide a record of that fish’s life experiences in terms of its growth history, number of days or years lived, and sometimes even which waterbodies or habitats that fish lived in during its lifetime.

The Urban Fishing Program is gearing up for another season of fun-filled fishing with schools across the state. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is thrilled to announce that grant money is now available to cover the cost of transportation to fishing locations.

Fish are the most biodiverse vertebrates on planet Earth, so it is no surprise that they come in a variety of different colors and patterns. The color scheme that a fish expresses is far more than just eye candy to the devout angler, but an integral component of a fish’s ability to navigate life in a harsh aquatic ecosystem.