Heartland Outdoors

Wild whooping crane hatches

Tue, May 01, 2012

By THE USFWS

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) is celebrating another success in its efforts to reintroduce a wild migratory whooping crane population in eastern North America. A whooping crane chick hatched yesterday in Wood County, Wis. 

The chick, #W1-12 (W = wild hatched), is the offspring of whooping crane pair #12-02 and #19-04 from the ultralight-led crane Classes of 2002 and 2004. 

The pair has laid eggs every year since 2008, but until this year, their eggs have always been infertile.  The pair proved to be good parents in 2010, when their infertile egg was replaced with a captive-produced whooping crane egg, and the pair hatched and raised the chick to fledging.

“This is an unexpected surprise, and we are happy this pair is now producing on their own.  They are experienced parents and hopefully they will raise their chick to fledging age again this year,” said Dr. Barry Hartup, co-chair of the WCEP Guidance Team and International Crane Foundation veterinarian.  “This also shows the great conservation value of private lands in central Wisconsin and the wonderful cooperation and interest shown by landowners in the recovery of the whooping crane.”

Thanks to the efforts of WCEP, there are now 106 whooping cranes in the eastern migratory population.  In addition to #12-02 and #19-04, fourteen other pairs are currently incubating, and we are optimistic that more chicks will hatch in the weeks ahead.  Including #W1-12, sixteen chicks have hatched in this population since 2006.  Three of them have fledged and joined the wild population. 

Whooping cranes were on the verge of extinction in the 1940s. Today, there are only about 600 birds in existence, approximately 445 of them in the wild. Aside from the 106 WCEP birds, the only other migratory population of whooping cranes nests at Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta, Canada and winters at Aransas NWR on the Texas Gulf Coast.  A non-migratory flock of approximately 20 birds lives year-round in the central Florida Kissimmee region, and an additional 17 non-migratory cranes live in southern Louisiana.

WCEP asks anyone who encounters a whooping crane in the wild to please give them the respect and distance they need. Do not approach birds on foot within 200 yards; remain in your vehicle; do not approach in a vehicle any closer than 100 yards.  Also, please remain concealed and do not speak loudly enough that the birds can hear you.  Finally, do not trespass on private property in an attempt to view or photograph whooping cranes.

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership founding members are the International Crane Foundation, Operation Migration, Inc., Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and National Wildlife Health Center, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and the International Whooping Crane Recovery Team.

Many other flyway states, provinces, private individuals and conservation groups have joined forces with and support WCEP by donating resources, funding and personnel. More than 60 percent of the project’s budget comes from private sources in the form of grants, public donations and corporate sponsors.

To report whooping crane sightings, visit the WCEP whooping crane observation webpage at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/whoopingcrane/sightings/sightingform.cfm.

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Powerton Lake closing for repairs

Tue, May 01, 2012

The Powerton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Tazewell County, will be closed on May 14, 15 and 16 for levee maintenance and repairs.  No public access will be allowed during this time.  Powerton Lake will reopen on May 17 at 6 a.m.

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NSSF praises Illinois representative

Sat, April 28, 2012

By THE NSSF

NEWTOWN, Conn.—The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, thanks Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.-8th) for agreeing to co-sponsor the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (H.R. 3065).

This bi-partisan legislation addresses the urgent need to create more access to safe public shooting facilities. Without increasing taxes or growing the size of the budget this legislation simply provides state fish and game agencies more flexibility and discretion to use funds they already receive from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) through the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, more commonly known as the Pittman Robertson Trust Fund. The trust fund is funded through an excise tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition products to support wildlife conservation, hunter education and to provide for public shooting facilities. The bill simply modifies the formula for how the Pittman Robertson Trust Funds may be used to create, enhance and maintain public shooting ranges.

“It is well known that hunters and sportsmen financially support wildlife conservation through the more than $7 billion in Pittman-Robertson excise tax dollars raised since 1937 from the sale of firearms and ammunition products,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “Less well known, however, is the fact that target shooters also significantly contribute to wildlife conservation and habitat protection through the excise taxes raised from the firearms and ammunition products they purchase.”

NSSF estimates that 70 percent of all ammunition sold is used for non-hunting related purposes, primarily target shooting. With the passage of H.R. 3065, target shooters will receive a “return on their investment” in conservation from the states using the Pittman Robertson funds to build and improve public shooting facilities. Providing more access to public shooting facilities, recreational shooting sports will continue to grow. As a result, the Pittman Robertson Trust Fund will grow, resulting in more revenues flowing to the states for wildlife conservation. Building shooting facilities would be a sound investment by the state fish and game agencies.

“Importantly, the bill does not increase the size of the federal budget. It just changes the formula for how the existing funds can be used for one of the purposes for which the excise tax is paid,” said Keane. “We sincerely appreciate Rep. Walsh’s leadership and support for sportsmen and their firearms freedoms.”

Members of the firearms and ammunition industry spoke to members of Congress about this bill just last week at NSSF’s annual Congressional Fly-In. The legislation is supported by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), which represents the 50 state fish and game agencies, and over 25 national conservation and sportsmen organizations.

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Palatine offering fishing derby

Sat, April 28, 2012

The Palatine Park District presents the annual Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 12 from 8:00am to 12:00pm at Plum Grove Reservoir located on Algonquin Road near Harper College. This day of catch and release fishing for all ages includes largest fish competitions, a kids casting competition, and raffle prizes throughout the event.

This family-friendly event has been offered annually in the fall by the Palatine Park District since 1991. This year, on the recommendation of members of the fishing community, the event has been moved to the spring, a period of the year when the fish are more apt to be biting. Fish in the Plum Grove Reservoir include Hybrid Sunfish, Bass, Channel Catfish, Perch, Carp, Bullhead and Northern. Prizes will be awarded for the largest Bass, largest Catfish, largest Northern, and the largest fish in the “other” category. The West Suburban Bass Anglers will be on hand to conduct a kids casting contest complete with prizes donated by the club. Raffles will also be held throughout the day, made possible through the donations received from a variety of community sponsors including the Salmon Shop of Palatine, Lucky Dog Charters, Cabela’s, Daily Herald Media Group, Angler’s International Resources, and Ram Restaurant.

The $3 entry fee is payable at event check-in on May 12. All participants 16 years and over must have a fishing license. Licenses can be purchased online through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at www.dnr.illinois.gov or locally at the Salmon Shop, 111 South Northwest Highway, Palatine.

For more information, please contact Todd Ranum, Palatine Park District Athletic Coordinator, at 847-496-6238 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

The Palatine Park District is a separate municipal governing agency established for the purpose of providing parks, facilities and recreational programs for the community. The Park District is responsible for the maintenance, operation and administration of parks and parks facilities under its jurisdiction. Our mission is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks and recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors of the Palatine Park District.

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Kids fishing derby in Northbrook

Fri, April 27, 2012

The annual Kids’ Fishing Derby from the Northbrook Park District returns to Wood Oaks Green Park on Saturday, May 19. From 11am to 1pm, children ages 4-12 can try to catch fish at Lake Shermerville.

“We offer the program to expose kids to the lifetime sport of fishing,” says Tiffany Greene, Leisure Services Supervisor for the Northbrook Park District. “Each year, we get many children who are fishing for the first time, and it’s exciting to see the looks on their faces when they catch a real fish. It’s also a great opportunity for families to be outside and active in our park.”

As in previous years, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Izaak Walton League are helping with the derby. The IDNR will fill the lake with fish and provide poles. The League, a nonprofit group devoted to nature and conservation, will send volunteers to help children bait the hooks and remove their catch. “So, children only have to show up and have fun!” Greene adds.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the event. No dogs are allowed in the park during the fishing derby. Call 847-291-2985 on the day of the event for weather updates.

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Wolf Creek needs horse concessionaire

Thu, April 26, 2012

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking an individual to invest in and operate the horse riding stable concession located in Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor, Illinois.  Interested parties should contact Lisa Wright, IDNR Concession and Lease Management, at 217-785-0759 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

  for further details.

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Crappie club meets May 3

Wed, April 25, 2012

The HOI Crappie Club meets May 3 from 7-8 p.m. at Presleys Outdoors in Bartonville.

No doubt a discussion of the April 14 tournament will be atop the list of meeting items.

Here’s a tournament report from Tim Hanauer:

“Despite the weather we had a decent turn out for the April 14th tournament. The day before the tournament the wind was blowing a constant 20-30mph and brought in a cold front full of rain. Saturday morning we launched under windy / cloudy conditions, 15 minutes into the tournament it started raining. Rained hard off and on through out the morning. Sometime around 10am the wind and rain died down and the fishing turned on like someone flipped a switch. Most teams caught not only the 7 fish tournament limit, but also their 15 per person limit. Competition was tight and only a few ounces separated the first 3 places.

1st place – Daniel and Danny Whitecotton, 5 pounds 3.6 ounces- $70 (picture attached)
2nd place- Keith and Alan Laible, 5 pounds 1.1 ounces- $40
3rd place- Mike and Pat Brockhouse, 4 pounds 14.8 ounces- $30

Big Fish- Daniel and Danny Whitecotton- 15.7 ounces”

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