Heartland Outdoors

Trapping bill reaches committee

Sat, March 12, 2011

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is urging Illinois sportsmen to attend a hearing set for Tuesday, March 15 on a bill that would severely impact trappers.

Senate Bill 1704, introduced by Senator Dan Duffy (R- Barrington), would prohibit placing a foothold or body-gripping trap within a quarter mile of any residence, school, picnic area, playground, beach, campground, road, highway, public trail, golf course, or parking lot.

The bill also prohibits setting body-gripping traps within 30 feet of uncovered bait.

Senate bill 1704 is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, March 15 at 11 a.m. in the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee. The hearing will take place in Room 409 of the Capitol Building in Springfield. Sportsmen are needed to attend.

Sportsmen are also encouraged to call members of the Committee and ask them to oppose the bill. Contact information for the committee is included below.

“This law creates arbitrarily set no trapping areas without any sound science or reasoning,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance associate director of state services. “These bills could prohibit trapping on your own property, not to mention countless acres of public land utilized and paid for by sportsmen. Legislators need to hear from trappers and sportsmen alike in opposition to this bill.”

Here is contact information for the Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee:

Chair Sen. Michael Frerichs
(217) 782-2507

Vice-Chair Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi
(217) 782-8800

Sen. Linda Holmes
(217) 782-0422

Sen. Toi W. Hutchinson
(217) 782-7419

Sen. David Koehler
(217) 782-8250

Sen. Martin Sandoval
(217) 782-5304

Sen. Wm. Sam McCann
(217) 782-8206

Sen. John Jones
(217) 782-0471

Sen. Kyle McCarter
(217) 782-5755

Sen. Sue Rezin
(217) 782-3840

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No release of FOID names yet

Sat, March 12, 2011

PEORIA—A judge has issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the Illinois State Police from releasing the names of registered gun owners in the state—something the agency doesn’t want to do anyway.

The order was handed down Friday in Peoria. It is the latest chapter in a battle between the state’s attorney general and police force over the release of names of the state’s Firearm Owners Identification cardholders.

Last week, responding to a Freedom of Information request from The Associated Press, Attorney General Lisa Madigan ruled the names are public information and should be disclosed by the state police.

The state police refused to do so and Friday four Peoria-area members of the Illinois State Rifle Association and the association asked Judge Scott Shore to issue the order.

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Illinois Deer Camp March 26

Sat, March 12, 2011

Whitetails Unlimited has its annual Illinois Deer Camp March 26 at the Peoria Civic Center’s Ballroom.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and herb-crusted pork loin will be served at 7.

That same weekend the Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic will be held at the Peoria Civic Center.

Tickets for the WTU banquet are $55 and must be ordered by March 19.

Click here for tickets or call 1-800-274-5471.

 

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NWTF chapter’s 10th anniversary

Fri, March 11, 2011

The River Valley chapter of NWTF celebrates its 10th anniversary Saturday night at the Pekin Moose Lodge on Broadway.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

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PF adds Lincoln chapter

Fri, March 11, 2011

LINCOLN—March 10, 2011 - Hunters and conservationists in and around Lincoln, Illinois have formed a new Pheasants Forever chapter. Known as the Logan County Pheasants Forever chapter, the group is dedicated to improving the area’s wildlife habitat and providing area youth with opportunities to hunt and enjoy the outdoors.

The chapter is led by John Mammen, a Lincoln resident, avid upland hunter and the chapter’s newly elected president. “There’s room to improve both the quality and quantity of upland habitat in Logan County. We’ve already got a strong group that’s excited about this new chapter and eager to utilize Pheasants Forever’s unique model where 100 percent of funds stay under local control.”

Pheasants Forever empowers county and local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent - the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.

“It’s great to finally have Pheasants Forever’s presence in Logan County, one of the remaining few in the northern half of Illinois that was devoid of Pheasants Forever’s local influence,” says Tim Caughran, Pheasants Forever’s Regional Wildlife Biologist in Illinois.

Logan County Pheasants Forever

The Logan County Pheasants Forever chapter has also elected Jay Bennett of Lincoln as banquet chairperson and Stephen Purdue of Lincoln as youth/education chairperson.

The chapter’s next meeting will be at 6:30 PM on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the Logan Lanes bowling alley in Lincoln.

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Root River trout run starting

Thu, March 10, 2011

Southern Lake Michigan
Fishing Report: March 6, 2011

Racine Co.

Over this past weekend on the Root River, the spring run for trout fishing had begun its early stages. Angler effort was split with anglers fishing near the Horlick dam and downstream through Quarry Lake Park or with anglers fishing Lincoln Park and downstream through Island Park. The Root River’s water depth was up over the weekend with the recent rainfall and snow melt. The river was flowing pretty fast and holding a fair amount of sediment. This produced a brown stained flow with low visibility for Friday and Saturday. The sediment filled water along with cold air temperature over Saturday and Sunday probably contributed to the low catch rates. Conditions became a little better by Sunday afternoon but angler effort was minimal. Water temperatures taken on Sunday were still low, holding just above freezing at 33 degrees Fahrenheit. In Lincoln Park, angler effort was high Friday morning. Most anglers were concentrating downstream from the weir around the first river bend. Despite the rainfall, moderate temperatures, and overcast skies few steelhead were landed. Most anglers were drifting small spawn sacs with a bobber set about 3 feet down. On Sunday afternoon a few anglers were fishing upstream from weir toward the Colonial Park boundary but had no success. They were drifting spawn sacs and small jigs tipped with a wax worm. Fishing at the Horlick dam over the weekend had low but steady fishing pressure. The higher water and fast flow made fishing here a little more challenging. A couple anglers were fishing near the foot of the dam and off to the side, and they were able to land a pair of nice steelhead. One harvested steelhead measured 28.5 inches and 7 pounds and was caught on a small orange stonefly. No fin clips were present and gender could not be determined but it was very healthy looking with a slight pinkish hue along its side.

Milwaukee Co.

In Milwaukee open water can be found in the lower stretches of the Menomonee River and canals, and there is also open water under the Hoan Bridge near Jones Island. Steelhead anglers have been fishing Oak Creek and the Menomonee River near Miller Park, but success has been limited.

Green Bay Fishing Report: March 8, 2011

East Shore

Sturgeon Bay: Those anglers who have been fishing off of Stone Quarry targeting whitefish have been using gold Swedish Pimples tipped with a waxworm. Also some perch are being caught as well with the perch coming on the same rig. Fishermen have also been targeting perch out from the State Park. A few fishermen have been fishing for northern pike at the yacht club. Little Sturgeon Bay: Anglers have been finding some perch fishing inside the weed beds. Also anglers have been finding good numbers of whitefish in 20-30 feet of water. Staying away from the crowds has been the best bet. Sugar Creek: Sugar Creek has been very popular the last few weeks with the perch fishermen. Good numbers are being caught in 50 feet of water. Sand Bay: Fishermen have been targeting walleyes and perch on Larson’s Reef. Whitefish are being caught in 30-50 feet of water, but the walleyes are coming much shallower. Chaudoir’s Dock: Anglers have been finding some perch here and there; most have been small in size. Fishermen have also been doing well on whitefish with most being caught in 30 feet of water. Volk’s Reef: Volks Reef has been slow, with little fishing pressure as a result. Red River: Anglers have been fishing whitefish in 15-30 feet of water. Most anglers have been using the standard double hook rig. This rig has a jigging spoon on the bottom and a small jig or hook tied a foot to 18 inches up the line.

Oconto Co.
 
Looking around and you can see signs of spring all around, it is just a matter of time. The dogwoods are turning a bright red and the willows are turning a most magnificent yellow. Landings are starting to erode along with the ice thickness especially around river mouths and creeks. Perch fishing at the mouth of the Oconto Breakwater has picked up some in the last week. Some nice perch along with a few whitefish are being caught in 9 to 12 feet of water using jigs and minnows. The pike bite is also starting to show signs of life, large shiners and dead smelt work well. Most people are fishing in areas where some current from run off is available.

Marinette Co.
 
North of the mouth of the Peshtigo River has seen a dramatic upswing in the pike bite in the last week or so. Fishermen are plying their trade in 4 to 12 feet of water using both large shiners and smelt when available. The Menominee River is still seeing fishermen taking some perch and walleye off the 6th Street Slip; fishermen are walking to their destinations due to ice conditions. Hattie Street fishermen are using Rapala’s fished from the bridge in open water for walleye and browns with some success.

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Ice fishing unsafe in Iowa

Tue, March 08, 2011

Ice conditions are deteriorating over much of Iowa, leaving only the far north counties where ice fishing is still happening.  Even in these northern counties where the ice thickness had been over two feet a few weeks ago, the access to lakes is becoming more difficult as snow melt and runoff is beginning to open some of the edges, and anglers who were once driving on the lake are now walking out.

“There is still ice, even in central Iowa, but I would not advise going out on it,” said Mick Klemesrud, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “Ice fishing is still going on along about Hwy. 18 and will for another week or two, but the reports I’m hearing are that it is getting more difficult to get on to the ice and that usually means that the season is coming to a close.”

Anglers still going out on the northern lakes should look out for weak spots, black ice and avoid areas with slush or water on top of the ice that could create an unsafe situation.

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