Kevin, you have to understand why that regulation was put into place to start with. It had to do with the practice of denning, and people harvesting furbearers directly from their dens. You realize this was put into place before the surge in Deer hunting in Illinois, so a tree stand was not much thought to most sportsmen at the time. Yes a tree stand is a climbing device, so yes under the language that was in place at the time it would have been illegal. Kevin, the first language that was proposed for the change didn’t say specifically for coyotes, so that as well was a the real problem with it alone from trying to attach it with the bobcat language.
Kevin we will have a season upon these cats if all goes right, and if we do the bow hunters of Illinois will not be tossing arrows at them in October !! An October bobcat is worthless fur value wise, and will be much better in November. These cats will have a season, and if a person has a permit, then they will be able to harvest them during those set dates, and by any legal means. We gave the DNR a little more room on this than we have in the past dealing with furbearer issues due to the nature of the animal, and how many different sportsmen/women would like the chance to pursue this furbearer. This means bow hunters, gun hunters, hounds men will all have a chance to harvest this animal by the means they choose as long as they have a permit, and they are legal to be afield durning that season. This may save from having to go back, and adding the bobcat along with the coyote. I didn’t want this to become a pissing match between user groups, and it is a resource I feel that belongs to all sportsmen/women of our state, so we should all have an opportunity share the resource.
LOL….I know your doing good work Kevin, and we are so far off topic it is crazy, and I am to blame for that, and I apologize for that. You know we all mostly want the same things, but it is the process that some of us differ on sometimes. Yes your bow hunters should be able to harvest a bobcat out of a tree, just as long as it is within the season set forth, and they are not pulling it out of a den.. LOL.. I would pay good money to see that !! I know it seems far fetched to think that Kevin, but people do some funny things for money sometimes.
Kevin, one thing I have been hearing that concerns me is a change in the actual deer season. I have been hearing of pushing it into the first part of December, and for a longer period of time. I fear in how this may effect many of my fellow trappers, as most trappers avoid deer season like the plague. I fear more conflict afield if that was the case, because trappers have been waiting to trap after these deer season especially in the southern part of the state, and a season change now would toss everyone into the prime harvest season for fur. More chance for conflict afield is never a good thing, and should be avoided if possible.
Like I said I have been hearing a lot of things tossed out, and from a lot of different sources, and I guess we will see what happen soon in January. I still advise a legislative avenue at least for the larger pinpoint ideas you would like addressed, just a little advise from over the years is all. Keep it up, and if this oil continues to drop I may see you in Springfield this spring, but if not I will be stuck on this rig, and it will be up to you…LOL….............RTT