Outdoor Illinois Journal

November 2023 Issue

Fall is a season of abundance and preparation as well as a time to reflect on what we are grateful for and to celebrate the accomplishments of the year. In the November 2023 issue of OutdoorIllinois Journal we're celebrating several milestones. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission is celebrating its 60th Anniversary. It is the 50th Anniversary of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. And the Illinois Department of Natural Resources launched a new campaign, "Everyone Belongs in Nature" at Hispanic Heritage Night at a recent Chicago White Sox game, to continue their work to make nature accessible to all.

This issue is also packed to the gills with fish and feathers, covering stories about lake trout in Lake Michigan, sampling for invasive carp on the Chicago River, articles on flyfishing and a renowned hatchery program as well as stories about the decline of whip-poor-wills in the state, black-crowned night-herons in Chicago, eastern meadowlarks in central Illinois, tracking migrating rails, "sawbills," northern harriers, osprey and elusive snowy owls.

Or maybe you'd rather read up on ornate box turtles, ticks or river otters? Or maybe your interest lies in battling bush honesuckle, protecting native coralberry, improving wildlife habitat on your property, exploring the Shawnee Natural Division or a forested ephemeral wetland, coexisting with urban wildlife or learning how nature benefits from art?

For hunters and trappers we've got 5 FAQs about single-shot, centerfire rifles for deer hunting, a history of pheasant habitat areas, IDNR's wingshooting program, the upland game fall hunting forecast, dove identification, the role of ethical trapping and set-making tools of the trade.

OutdoorIllinois Journal is a collaborative effort led by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Divisions of Wildlife Resources and Natural Heritage and Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration and the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Funding for OutdoorIllinois Journal was made available through Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-147-T, the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund and the Fish Management Fund. Follow us on Facebook (/livingwithwildlifeIllinois) and Instagram (@livingwithwildlifeIllinois).

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Nov 1, 2023 | endangeredthreatenedspecies, regulations

Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act Celebrates 50th Anniversary in 2023

Jim Herkert

Created in June 1972, the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act predated the federal Endangered Species Act by nearly 18 months. Now in existence for 50 years, the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act has both directly and indirectly benefited species in the state.

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Nov 1, 2023 | fishing, urban-wildlife

A Night to Remember: IDNR at Chicago White Sox’s Hispanic Heritage Night

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.

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Nov 1, 2023 | deer, hunting, regulations

5 FAQs About Single-Shot, Centerfire Rifles for Deer Hunting

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.

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Nov 1, 2023 | fish, habitatmanagementenhancement, riversandlakes, urban-wildlife

“Carp-e diem”—Sampling for Invasive Carp on the Chicago River

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.

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Nov 1, 2023 | deer, hunting, wildlifehealth

SARS-CoV-2 in Illinois White-tailed Deer

Mitch Oswald

With the cooperation of deer hunters, U.S. wildlife agencies continue to learn about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 (SCV2), the virus that causes COVID-19, on white-tailed deer populations in Illinois.

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Nov 1, 2023 | bats, partnership

Communities Supporting Bat Communities

Kathy Andrews Wright

Enhancing maternity roost habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat and other imperiled bat species is a cooperative effort. The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are teaming up to install telephone poles designed to mimic typical roost trees along the edges of forests.

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OutdoorIllinois Journal is a collaborative effort led by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Divisions of Wildlife Resources, Natural Heritage, and Fisheries; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration; and the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. Funding for OutdoorIllinois Journal was made available through Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-147-T, the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund and Fish Management Fund.