February2024
Feb 29, 2024
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Recreation
Simplificando la Identificación de Patos con GISS
by Curtis Twellmann

Pocas cosas son tan impresionantes como grandes bandadas de patos o gansos aterrizando en la cercanía. Con la posibilidad de una diversidad de especies volando sobre la cabeza, la identificación debe ocurrir antes del disparo. Los libros son excelentes para saber qué marcas de campo corresponden a cada especie, pero la identificación puede hacerse más rápidamente usando GISS para describir rápidamente la impresión general de tamaño y forma de un ave.

More
Feb 29, 2024
  • Land
  • Wildlife
Mosca Linterna con Manchas Avistada en Illinois
by Ryan Pankau, Tricia Bethke

El 16 de septiembre de 2023, expertos confirmaron la llegada de una nueva especie invasora a Illinois con la primera ocurrencia documentada de la mosca linterna con manchas. Este insecto fue localizado en el condado de Cook. El invierno (enero-marzo) es el mejor momento para buscar masas de huevos de mosca linterna con manchas en los árboles, cuando las hojas han caído y las masas de huevos son fáciles de detectar y remover. Destruir los huevos de la mosca linterna con manchas antes de que eclosionen puede ayudar a reducir el número de adultos y controlar la propagación de esta plaga invasora.

More
Feb 29, 2024
  • Land
  • Research
  • Wildlife
Astucia en la Ciudad: Estrategias de coexistencia de coyotes y zorros rojos en la jungla urbana
by Max Allen

La próxima vez que pasees por Chicago, mantén los ojos abiertos para observar algo más que rascacielos: los coyotes y zorros comparten nuestra selva de concreto. Este estudio, liderado por Alyson Cervantes, aclara los secretos de la coexistencia de estos cánidos, añadiendo un toque de drama salvaje al escenario urbano. En la jungla de concreto de la Ciudad del Viento, estos depredadores no solo están sobreviviendo, sino prosperando.

More
Feb 29, 2024
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Recreation
Guía de Regulaciones de Pesca 2024 Disponible
by Kathy Andrews Wright

Uno de los peces deportivos más populares de Illinois, el saugeye (híbrido de sauger y walleye), adorna la portada de la Guía de Información de Pesca de Illinois 2024, ahora disponible en línea y en estaciones de gasolina y tiendas de pesca a lo largo del estado. Descarga o recoge una copia para mantenerte al día sobre las regulaciones estatales y específicas del sitio y para aprender sobre nuevos programas en Illinois, como el Proyecto de Recuperación del Esturión en el Lago de Illinois.

More
Feb 29, 2024
  • Wildlife
Paseo del Wapiti
by Laura Kammin

En otoño, los alces machos se enfocan en encontrar pareja. Los machos menos dominantes, sin esperanza de reproducirse con las hembras locales, a menudo viajan en su búsqueda para procrear. Algunos viajan más lejos que otros. De septiembre a diciembre del 2023, un joven alce macho del rebaño de Black River Falls en Wisconsin realizó un viaje histórico, viajando a través del sureste de Wisconsin y entrando al norte de Illinois. Este fue el primer alce salvaje documentado en Illinois en más de 150 años.

More

Welcome to the February 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.

More
November2023
Nov 29, 2023
“Carp-e diem”—Muestreo de Carpas Invasoras en el Río Chicago
by Claire Snyder

Trabajando dentro de un paisaje urbano, equipos de tripulaciones de botes inspeccionan las pesquerías del Río Chicago cada primavera y otoño. Estas inspecciones están diseñadas para asegurar que los carpas cabezones y plateados no hayan superado la barrera eléctrica río abajo y los esfuerzos de recolección para prevenir que estas especies invasoras se acerquen al Lago Michigan.

Nov 1, 2023
Trail Cameras – Turn a Fun Pastime into Useful Hunting Data
by Curtis Twellmann

Using trail cameras is an enjoyable activity—and will help teach you about deer and the environment in which they live. A simple spreadsheet nothing the time of day of the photos, and the age and sex of the deer, turns mountains of picture data into something really useful. Give this author’s method a try and see if maybe you can swing “luck” in your favor.

Nov 1, 2023
Top 5 Ways to Have a Wildlife-Friendly Yard This Fall
by Laura Kammin

Neighborhoods reverberating with the sounds of lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Streets lined with paper bags filled to the brim with leaf “litter” and yard “waste.” With increasing awareness about declining populations of pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, it is time to rethink fall yard “clean up.” Here are five things you can do this fall that will make your yard more wildlife-friendly this season and throughout the year.

Nov 1, 2023
Noc, którą zapamiętamy: IDNR na Dniu Dziedzictwa Hiszpańskiego Chicago White Sox
by Jose Burgos

„Everyone Belongs in Nature” okazało się zasadą ściśle zbieżną z tematem Dnia Dziedzictwa Hiszpańskiego, który promuje uczestnictwo wszystkich i świętowanie włączające.

Nov 1, 2023
La Historia de las Garzas Urbanas de Chicago: Una Maravilla Natural en el Corazón de la Ciudad; ¿Una Esperanza para el Futuro?
by Amy Lardner

Los visitantes curiosos que pasean por el Zoológico de Lincoln Park en Chicago se detienen y maravillan ante los grandes pájaros agrupados justo sobre la cerca. Las garzas nocturnas de corona negra, especie en peligro en Illinois, han anidado en el parque durante 17 años, brindando un encuentro salvaje y mágico para los transeúntes.

Nov 1, 2023
Coexistiendo con la Vida Silvestre Urbana
by Laura Kammin

¿Hasta dónde se extiende la comunidad? ¿Cuáles son nuestras expectativas y responsabilidades hacia quienes viven a nuestro alrededor? Parece que el punto conflictivo de coexistir con la vida silvestre se reduce a cuestiones de proximidad y abundancia.

Nov 1, 2023
El Arte Paga la Cuenta de los Patos
by Patty Gillespie, Sarah Marjanovic

La naturaleza beneficia al artista cuya creatividad es estimulada por ella. Nosotros, los espectadores del arte, nos involucramos y nos iluminamos. Así, a través del arte, nos beneficiamos más profundamente de la naturaleza. Mediante un acto del Congreso en 1934, la naturaleza se comenzaría a beneficiar del arte.

Nov 1, 2023
Una Noche para Recordar: IDNR en la Noche de la Herencia Hispana de los Chicago White Sox
by Jose Burgos

“Todos Pertenecen a la Naturaleza,” resultó ser un principio estrechamente alineado con el tema de celebración inclusiva de la Noche de la Herencia Hispana.

Nov 1, 2023
Chicago’s Urban Heron Story: A Natural Marvel in the Heart of the City; A Hope for the Future?
by Amy Lardner

Curious visitors strolling past Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo stop and marvel at the large birds clustered just over the fence. Illinois-endangered black-crowned night-herons have nested at the Park for 17 years, providing a wild and magical encounter for passersby.

Nov 1, 2023
When Hunting Season’s Over, Habitat Season Begins:
Part 3 – Bush Honeysuckle; A Hunter’s Foe
by Nathan Grider

When the hunting season is over and the season for habitat management begins, many people take to the woods to tackle an environmental disaster—the invasion of bush honeysuckle. Author Nathan Grider shares his experiences removing bush honeysuckle to improve wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • People
“Carp-e diem”—Sampling for Invasive Carp on the Chicago River
by Claire Snyder

Working within an urban landscape, teams of boat crews survey the fisheries of the Chicago River each spring and fall. These surveys are designed to assure that bighead, and silver have not breached the downstream electric barrier and harvest efforts in place to prevent these invasive species from approaching Lake Michigan.

Nov 1, 2023
  • People
  • Recreation
  • Wildlife
Meet the Staff: Doug McClain, Waterfowl Program Manager
by Kaleigh Gabriel

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ new Waterfowl Program Manager, Doug McClain, grew up in Ohio hunting geese with his father and grandfather, which he attributes to his desire to pursue a career in waterfowl management. After earning a Master’s degree researching nest site selection of wood ducks across the Cache River watershed, and working in a variety of positions in waterfowl management, he’s excited to work on improving waterfowl management across Illinois.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • People
  • Recreation
A Night to Remember: IDNR at Chicago White Sox’s Hispanic Heritage Night
by Jose Burgos

“Everyone Belongs in Nature,” the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ newest theme, came to life in late September at a Chicago White Sox game where a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Night occurred. Loyal baseball fans were reminded—or perhaps introduced—to another aspect of spending time outdoors, outdoor recreation.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Recreation
  • Wildlife
5 FAQs About Single-Shot, Centerfire Rifles for Deer Hunting
by Kaleigh Gabriel

Effective January 1, 2023, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law allowing hunters to utilize certain single-shot, centerfire rifles during firearm deer seasons, adhering to legal regulations on the size and caliber of ammunition and capabilities of the rifle in use. Here is a quick list of commonly asked questions regarding legal calibers for ammunition and logistics for where and when rifles are permitted for hunting.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Recreation
Lifelong Learning to Fish
by Kristopher Maxson

Author Kristopher Maxson credits his love of fishing to his father and grandfather. That love grew into a greater love and passion for aquatic ecosystems, and today he works as a fisheries biologist for the Illinois Natural History Survey at the Illinois River Biological Station in Havana. When an opportunity arose to learn something new, he found flyfishing provided a close connection to the wild outdoors.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Recreation
  • Wildlife
Do You Know the Sawbill?
by Kevin Wright

Do you know the sawbill, also known as a spikebill, sharpy, fuzzhead and frog duck? If we had included hooded merganser in that list your answer would undoubtedly have been different. Hooded mergansers are a common migrant in Illinois, and some stay to nest. Learn more about the courtship display of the showy male hooded merganser, and the nesting habits of one of Illinois’ cavity nesting duck species.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Recreation
  • Research
  • Wildlife
Ticks: The unwanted connection between people, pets and wildlife.
by Elliot Zieman

Tick-borne diseases have increased in the U.S. in the last few decades. Several ideas exist as to why these diseases have seen such a rapid growth but it boils down to more ticks, and therefore, more tick bites that could transmit pathogens. Ticks in Illinois can transmit several types of pathogens. Correct identification of the pathogen is important to ensure proper treatment.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Land
  • Research
  • Wildlife
Managing Private Lands for Grassland Birds
by Justin J. Shew

Grassland bird declines across North America have been a consistent theme in past decades. Thankfully, many Farm Bill conservation programs for private landowners have alleviated these declines. The author’s research suggests that disking might be a good, conservative, tractor-based management practice for CRP landowners that diversifies plant communities and improves brood-rearing habitat for popular game species such as pheasants, quail and wild turkey.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Research
  • Wildlife
Disease Dynamics in Birds at the Top of the Avian Food Chain
by Travis Wilcoxen

Bird pink eye, West Nile Virus and tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, are three diseases that impact wildlife populations at lethal and sub-lethal levels. Learn about some of the many disease surveillance techniques that are used in monitoring wildlife populations, with an emphasis here on populations of wild birds.

Nov 1, 2023
  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Land
  • Research
Understanding the Distribution and Ecology of Forested Ephemeral Wetlands
by Ethan Kessler

Forested ephemeral wetlands are small, temporary wet spots that roil with life. Although a common wetland type throughout the eastern deciduous forests of the United States, they largely escape notice. Modern technologies using lidar-based methods are now helping to identify ephemeral wetlands in southern Illinois.