May 1, 2024
Blue-winged and green-winged are colorful native Illinois ducks with similar and differing behaviors
Teal are exciting ducks for bird watchers to observe, and they are among the top five duck species harvested by hunters in Illinois. Like other dabbling ducks, teals begin pair bonding in fall and winter, and their antics can be observed while they’re resting and feeding on shallow bodies of water during migration in Illinois.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Few outdoor sports activities evoke the raw thrill of bowfishing. It’s an unique blend of archery prowess and angler finesse, where enthusiasts aim not for trophies mounted on walls but for conservation and ecological balance.
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One of the best aspects about fishing, especially for new anglers, is that it is budget friendly. Despite what outfitters, tackle companies and hardcore anglers might have you believe, functional fishing gear can be purchased for the cost of an oil change or fancy haircut. With proper care, fishing gear including rods, reels and lures, can be used for decades.
MoreMay 1, 2024
The diverse and unique habitats of southwestern Illinois’ Lower Mississippi River Bottomlands Natural Division host rare reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals and fishes. Plan a trip to southwestern Illinois where you will find soggy landscapes reminiscent of swamps of the South that hold a gleam of promise as home to an amazing diversity of plants and animals.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Today, with our understanding of the diverse and distinctive natural resources present within the Lower Mississippi River Bottomlands Natural Division, our impressions far differ from those of Dickens. What he described as a “breeding place of death” we recognize as an expansive swamp, home to a diverse assemblage of plants, fishes, reptiles, amphibians and birds.
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Hunters born on or after January 1, 1980, and trappers born on or after January 1, 1998, are required by Illinois state law to complete an approved Illinois course to receive their hunt/trap license. Some people opt to enroll in an on-line course and follow up with a required field day of instruction. Others opt to take an in-person course offered by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources safety education volunteer. Check out this article to learn how you can enroll in an approved course.
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No matter where you reside in the state, there are adventures to be found on public land nearby. Whether you are a hunter, a wildlife watcher or just someone who appreciates healthy ecosystems, Illinois’ public lands are places you will want to check out. Join us here on a tour of five Illinois public hunting sites that the Illinois Learn to Hunt program visits for workshops or hunting.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Retired Illinois Conservation Police Officer Steve Beltran recounts one particularly notable case he had the privilege of working on. What began with an image depicting a white-tailed deer unlawfully taken during the closed season that was posted on a website required navigating the diverse maze of the internet to build a solid case for the prosecution. As the digital trails were unraveled and fragments of information were pieced together, a case was built against a poacher.
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Once in a blue moon, the fish at the end of the line of a long-fought battle is a personal best—and just may be a contender for a state record. Remarkably, from 2021 to 2022, 10 Illinois state records were broken, and already in 2024 one record-breaking fish has been certified. Read about some of these record-breaking fish and what it takes to have a fish certified.
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Chuck Martin isn’t your typical landowner. An avid upland bird hunter, his love of wildlife and time spent outdoors has made him an exceptional advocate of conservation practices. His dedication to conservation doesn’t stop there because as a participant in the Illinois Recreational Program he has implemented habitat management projects on his property and is providing opportunities to countless hunters and anglers in Illinois.
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A message from Chief Mike McClelland
Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the online magazine OutdoorIllinois Journal, featuring timely, seasonally based stories about the Prairie State’s wildlife resources, with an expansion of content to include a broader range of subjects—including endangered and threatened species and Illinois’ unique, high-quality habitats and the people working to preserve, protect and manage these resources.
