Illinois Pheasant News
(PF)
2010 Illinois Pheasant Hunting Forecast
Sep. 13, 2010Forecast: The winter in Illinois was the 19th coldest on record with snows 10" above normal. Follow that up with a wet the second wettest May and June in history, and pheasant production appears to have been down this year, especially in northern Illinois according to Michael Wefer, ag and grassland program manager with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois changed to a new spring audio count protocol that should lead to better population density and habitat data in the future. This year's data suggests numbers were up in central Illinois, but down throughout the rest of the state's pheasant range. One bright note for hunters is the corn harvest appears to be ahead of schedule this year. If this trend continues, hunters could still have a better season than last year, when 22,244 hunters entered 64,262 roosters into their game bags. As always, Wefer says, hunters that have access to quality habitat should still enjoy a successful season. Season Dates: November 6 through January 8, 2011 (North) November 6 through January 15, 2011 (South) Daily Bag Limit: 2 Possession Limit: 6 Field Notes: Illinois Pheasants Forever's Build a Wildlife Area campaign helped add more than 100 acres open to public hunting and outdoor recreation in the state this year, the initial results of this unique fundraising effort.
Pheasants Forever is urging all Illinois members to contact their state legislators and ask them to support legislation restoring funding to dedicated conservation accounts. The Illinois General Assembly must act this month to restore $9.25 million in restricted funds diverted to pay state bills, or the state risks losing $16 million in federal dollars for fish and wildlife management. Pheasants Forever and other conservation organizations are working with legislators to ensure legislation is introduced and passed, but we need your help! Please contact your elected official today to let them know you want these monies back where they belong - Find House and Senate Contact Info Here.
Illinois Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation Information now Available Online - Jul. 23, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Controlled pheasant hunting opportunities will be available at 18 Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) sites this fall, and the 2008-09 season dates and permit reservation information are now available online.
Proposed $14 million Budget Cut for Illinois DNR Threatens Conservation Efforts - Jul. 18, 2008
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich recently unveiled a proposal to cut the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) budget by $14 million. Illinois Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) fear the cuts could severely hamper the IDNR's conservation efforts and their ability to partner with conservation organizations.
Illinois SAFE Program Aims to Protect 24,600 Acres of Critical Habitat - Jun. 24, 2008
Eligible Illinois landowners now have the opportunity to conserve valuable wildlife habitat by enrolling their property into the Illinois State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program. As part of the continuous enrollment portion of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the SAFE program seeks to enroll 24,600 acres of wildlife habitat in Illinois.
Pheasants Forever Reaches Historic Milestone in Illinois - May. 29, 2008
Pheasants Forever (PF) has announced that chapters in Illinois have spent more than $10.5 million dollars on local wildlife habitat and education programs since the first chapter was formed in the state in 1985. The funds have produced more than 261,000 acres of habitat benefits as a result.
PF and QF Launch Build a Wildlife Area Campaign in Illinois - May. 12, 2008
Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) recently announced the launch of the first annual Illinois Build a Wildlife Area campaign.
Kane County Conservationists Form Pheasants Forever Chapter - Mar. 31, 2008
Hunters and conservationists in Kane County, Illinois, have formed the state's newest Pheasants Forever (PF) chapter.
Pheasants Forever Names New Conservation Director in Illinois - Feb. 20, 2008
Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever announce Aaron Kuehl as the organization's new Conservation Director in Illinois. Kuehl has served as Pheasants Forever's Regional Wildlife Biologist in southern Minnesota since 2001.
