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NEWS-N-NOTESVolume 8 Issue 1 Bob Becker & Cheryl Roberts, Editors SPRING 2002

OFFICERS

PresidentBob Becker, Godfrey, IL 618-466-2582Vice-PresidentMike Stumpf, Godfrey, IL 618-466-4262SecretaryCheryl Roberts, Godfrey, IL 618-466-5477TreasurerRobert (Bob) Campion, Godfrey, IL 618-466-6257Membership Secretary/LegislationMiles Brueckner, Godfrey, IL 618-466-6526

DIRECTORS

Glen Bishop, Litchfield, IL 217-324-6589Cheryl Blackorby, Eddyville, IL 618-672-4768John Breitweiser, Jerseyville, IL 618-885-5404Arnie Burger, Peoria, IL 309-685-6765Don Darnell, Vandalia, IL 618-283-0398Norman Gibbs, Cobden, IL 618-893-2776Jerry Gille, Coatsburg, IL 217-455-3453Hank Gross, Marion, IL 618-942-5891Jerry Johnson, Atlanta, IL 217-648-2854Paul Kelley, Hudson, IL 309-726-1443Geoff Kishpaugh, Fox Lake, IL 847-866-2565Jake Kringer, Vandalia, IL 618-283-1183Allie Lymenstull, Quincy, IL 217-222-2444Jim McFarlane, Rockford, IL 815-964-2019John Meacham, Chester, IL 618-826-5258Chris Schaefer, Beardstown, IL 217-323-1759Michael Schlemer, Godfrey, IL 618-466-7192Jerry Sea, Pekin, IL 309-347-3221Joe Seten, Champaign, IL 217-359-7465Dale Ternaprovich, Belleville, IL 618-235-1774Lucy Walker, Pawnee, IL 217-625-7715Stephen Yoder, Bloomington, IL 309-662-5003

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

ILLINOIS FEDERATION FOR OUTDOOR RESOURCESCordially Invitees

All Group Affiliation members and Individual members to attend ourANNUAL MEETING scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2002

The annual meeting will be held at the Alton-Wood River Sportsmen’s Club locatedon Highway 67-111 (3109 Godfrey Road) in Godfrey, IL. The meeting will start at10:30 a.m. and conclude by 2:30 p.m. A buffet luncheon will be served to allattendees. Scholarship winners will be recognized and Officers for 2002-2003 willbe elected. You will be updated on many conservation issues and club activities.

PLEASE JOIN US. FEEL FREE TO BRING A FRIEND!

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR 2002

May 4, 2002 – ANNUAL FUND RAISING DINNERMusic Room, Alton Belle Casino, Alton, IllinoisTime 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

June 9, 2002 – SPORTING CLAYS SHOOT (see page 16)

August 2, 3, & 4, 2002 – 6th ANNUAL YOUTH SKILLS CAMPLotus Point, Coles Creek Recreation Area,Carlyle, Lake Illinois – (see page 12)

Registration will remain $50.00 per youth with a maximum of 60 youths.

This is a comprehensive 1 ½ days of outdoor skills training.

Contact: iforpresbob@msn.com or visit our website at www.if-or.org .

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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

As spring approaches I want to wish all you turkey hunters a great experience and to you crappie fisherman Ihope you fill your limits often. We outdoorsmen are extremely blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy themany outdoor experiences that Illinois has to offer. The real challenge for IFOR is to make sure our memberswill continue to have a place to recreate, which is a very difficult task today as a result of all the anti-gun,anti-hunting and animal rightist activities. PETA, the Humane Society of America, and the Sierra club, justto name a few, with there millions of dollars are campaigning hard to stop us. The anti-gun politicians haveintroduced numerous bills just here in Illinois to control our guns or take away our Second AmendmentRights to keep and bear arms. We are still encountering problems with the Forest Service to keep trails openfor our Equestrian members. The battle will never end, they will continue, and that is why all IllinoisOutdoorsmen need to band and work together to stop these movements.

Last fall while setting in my deer stand thinking about all the anti-movements, a question popped into myhead. What can we do to stop or reverse this trend? The answer came very quickly. Sportsmen need to getmore involved with activities that demonstrate the significant role that they play in conservation and theyalso need to assist IFOR to find the resources needed to fight anti-hunting advances and promote sportsmen’srights here in Illinois. Unity is the answer, we must be organized, united, and band together against thoseanti’s who want to stop our hunting, fishing, trapping, trail riding, owning a firearm, and on and on.

A real testimony of the need to be united is happening with IFOR. With the state chapters of many NationalConservation organizations joining ranks with us, namely Whitetails Unlimited, NWTF, Quail Unlimited,Pheasants Forever, Illinois Trappers Association, United Bow hunters of Illinois, and numerous other Stateorganizations we do present a strong united front, and as a result we have been able to meet the anti’s headon, and we will continue to have a strong role in protecting sportsmen’s rights here in Illinois.

We need to make sure we don’t see any signs like the one below on any public lands in our fine state.

C. E. (Bob) Becker

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My First Deer Hunt 2001By Tabi Trent, fiancé of board member Geoff Kishpaugh

I look back on this and have to chuckle because I swore I would never go hunting.

I purchased my bow at 35 # draw with target intentions only, the string had to be twisted to be able to pull the required 40 pounds,and let me tell you that was hard.

Last May my fiancé and I went to the annual IFOR banquet and there was a weekend bowhunt on the silent auction table donatedby Bob Becker for his place in Calhoun County. I am really persistent at silent auctions and proved so when I won this hunt as thehigh bidder.

Now my thinking was to give it to my fiancé and his friend or possibly tag along with him and kick back and relax. He talked me intogoing on the hunt with him, which took a long time. It’s not that I am against hunting but I am a fair weather person for one and twoI truly did not think that placed in the moment of release on a deer I could do it.

I must say that it was the best thing I have ever let my fiancé talk me into. Bob’s land is beautiful, just peace for miles. The firsttime we went out I saw so many deer I couldn’t believe my eyes. Bob took us on a tour, showing us ground blinds, tree stands, anddifferent places to hunt. We started that evening in a ground blind located on a food plot, I attempted to shoot at a young 6 pointbuck but was way to nervous and could not pull the bow back quick enough. It was okay though because just sitting there andhaving the deer at arms reach away was so exciting, there must have been 7 deer in plain site that evening.

The following morning we went out, to early mind you, and it was cold. I gathered myself in another one of Bob’s great groundblinds located at a pond and milo field. Even considering climbing a tree does not sit well with me, and as I sat waiting in the groundblind for deer I thought this was the way to go.

Let me add that I swore up and down, again, that I would only take a buck, no does: don’t ask it’s a girl thing. Well as the morningwent on I became rather cold sitting there, so up comes this beautiful doe to get a drink, my mind is racing now. The smart side ofme began yelling, “Take her and we can get out of here and get warm,” the other side is yelling, “ No, don’t do it wait for the buck,she is to pretty”. Well let me tell you there is one thing I cannot take and that is being cold, the smart side won. As she walkedaround the pond and directly in front of the blind, I drew back my bow, shaking like crazy. All that was running through my mindwas, “I can’t do it” but she stepped into range and I released. It all happened so fast, my fiancé was watching where she went and Iwas trying to catch my breath. I went to move and he motioned to stay still, oh like that’s going to be easy. He told me we had towait about ½ hour to make sure we don’t chase her up because it looked like the shot was a little to far forward. Then it hit me; ohboy I hope I didn’t hurt her. Although the shot looked to far forward it was right in the vitals, she went down within 5 seconds andonly made it 20 yards away.

When it all settled I thought, aha I don’t have to go out first thing in the morning I can wait until it gets warmer, but that didn’t workeither as they woke me in the dark AGAIN !!!

It was amazing, I can’t explain it. I saw so many wonderful things from those ground blinds, from deer to squirrels and even a bobcat (That’s another story).

Bob’s place is not just a place for hunting; it’s a place to relax, enjoy the peace and to be able to be arm’s length away from nature’sfinest animals. To compare, my fiancé took me to a public hunting area. I had to climb a tree with a climbing tree stand and sit therein the freezing cold. There were other hunters there and we didn’t see any deer. I am looking forward to my next hunt at Bob’splace, because I decided it is the only place I will ever go.

Thanks Bob for converting me.

If your lucky Bob will make you his tasty venison chili, but don’t tell him I told you.

Tabi Trent, the successful bidder at IFOR’s fund-raising dinnerlast year for a two-day bow hunt in Calhoun County, poseswith the fine doe she bagged with her bow on her VERYFIRST deer hunt.

Congratulations, Tabi

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EARLIER DOVE SEASONPROPOSED

The U.S. House of Representativesadopted a resolution urging the BushAdministration to renegotiate aninternational treaty on migratory birdsin order to open the hunting season formourning doves a week earlier.

The resolution, approved on a voicevote, directs the U.S. Fish & WildlifeService to renegotiate the 1916Migratory Bird Treaty to allow huntersin 35 northern states to shoot dovesduring the last week of August. Underthe treaty, the hunting season formourning doves now opens September1st. Hunters in northern states say thebirds already have migrated south bythen for the winter and that opening thehunting season a week earlier wouldnot endanger the species.

“All hunters should have an equitablechance to harvest this tasty butapparently thin-skinned little bird,” saidRep. James Hansen, R-Utah. “This is acommonsense solution to a problemthat has frustrated northern hunters foryears.”

Thirty-five states – Nevada, Utah,Colorado, California, Kansas, Missouri,Kentucky, Virginia and all those to thenorth (including Illinois) would beaffected by the change.

The Fish & Wildlife Service has taken noofficial position on the resolution. BobBlohm of the agency’s division ofmigratory bird management said it stillneeds to study how expanding thehunting season would affect themourning dove population.

About 40 million of the 400 millionmourning doves in the United States areshot each year, making it one of themost commonly hunted species, Blohmsaid. He said the species’ populationhas been declining since the 1960’s.

NEW GUN BILLS

Following is a list of bills that are still pending in theIllinois Legislature. Most of these deal with firearmsissues within the state.

House Bills Senate Bills

HB 3690 SB 1548 3691 1549 3995 1563 4158 1739 4173 1740 4175 1806 4176 1936 4181 1937 4223 2027 4247 2083 4347 2102 4954 2152 4959 4972 5602

For further information, go to IFOR’s website atwww.if-or.org and look under “IFOR Call to Action”link.

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TIPS FOR A SAFE AND SUCCESSFULHUNT

Ø Never stalk a turkey, call the turkey toyou.

Ø Don’t wear red, white or blue in theturkey woods.

Ø Never move, wave or make turkey soundsto alert another hunter of yourpresence. Yell in a loud voice andremain hidden.

Ø Pattern your gun, know your effectiveshooting range.

Ø Since turkeys are very tough, shoot onlyfor the head and neck area. Do not tryto shoot through brush, this willdestroy your effective shooting pattern.

Ø Be sure to get landowner permission andknow the various hunting regulations.

Ø Remain still, turkeys can detect theslightest movement.

Ø Camouflage conceals you. It does notmake you invisible. When turkeyhunting, think and act defensively.

Ø Never shoot at sound and movement.Ø Identify your target and what is beyond

it. Be 100% sure.

GOOD HUNTING FROM YOUR FRIENDS ATIFOR!

(Make sure you check NEW Turkey regulationsfor 2002)

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Whitetails UnlimitedSporting Clays Events

May 19 Salt Creek Sporting ClaysMason City, IL

June 8 Green Acres Sportsman’s ClubRoberts, IL

Both shoots will include lunch,silent auction, and a bucket rafflewhere shooters get tickets based ontargets broken, and Lewis Classprizes.

For more information, contact SteveYoder at877-988-2825.

GATCH LAKESPRING BLACK POWDER RENDEZBOUS

MAY 10-12, 2002

Friday, May 10 – Set up & Camping (Primitive & Modern)

Saturday, May 11 –Morning - 9:30 a.m. Sharp – Meat Shoot(Sign up 9:30 – 12:00)11:00 a.m. – Woods walk begins(sign up 11:00 – 12:00)

Afternoon – Canoe Race (weatherpermitting), women’s and kids bucket race,

kids candy cannon, fire starting contest andskillet toss.

Night – Round Robin Trading Blanket

Sunday, May 12 –Morning – 7:30 a.m. sharp – PrimitiveFishing Tournament.8:30 a.m. – Trap Shoot (10 Bird relay only)Knife & Hawk throw, re-entry for woodswalk.Afternoon – Any remaining meat will beshot for on the paper range.

A special ham shoot will be held Saturday &Sunday.

ILLINOIS COMMERCIALFISHERMAN’S ASSOCIATION

Fund Raising Events

Saturday, June 15, 2002Ruthies Place, Dallas City, IL

Serving fish dinners – all you can eat for $3.00Children under 12 freeServing 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Raffle: Winchester Super-X 2 or $500.00 cashTickets $1.00 each - $6 for 5 - $15 for $10Drawing at 3:00 p.m.

Many other raffles and door prizes.

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For additional information contact Jerry Sea at309-347-3221.

BLACK HAWK FIELD ARCHERS2002 3-D SCHEDULE

Shirland, IllinoisClubhouse phone #: 815-629-2335

Registration Hours are 7:00 a.m. until2:00 p.m.

FOOD AVAILABLE

April 20th and 21s t Saturday & SundayMay 18th and 19th MAC Qualifier and 3-DJune 15th and 16th NFAA Field RoundJuly 20th and 21s t Classic 3-D

Aug 17th and 18th All Tradtl. RendezvousSept. 21st and 22nd 3-D and Jamboree

Primitive camping is available during allshoots. Indoor restrooms available.

Directions to the club: Exit off of Interstate 90 atthe Rockton Exit. Pass through Rockton. Turn rightat Forest Preserve Road. We are located on the left(South side) just before the second stop sign priorto entering the Sugar River Forest Preserve.

IFOR YOUTHBy Chris Schaefer, IFOR Board of

What do you think when you hear the word wetland. For the majority of us, the word wetland is acommon word in the life of a duck hunter. What you may not know is that wetlands are of greatimportance to so much more than waterfowl. While wetlands tend to be an afterthought when dealingwith North America’s fresh water, they do serve an important part from a hydrological, ecological andbiological point of view.

Wetlands cover a vast area in North America. Fifteen percent of the total area of Canada, and 3.5percent of the United States are wetlands. Wetlands are more productive, in terms of plant growth, thaneither agricultural land or natural grassland. Wetlands serve a vital part from humanity, holding backflood waters in the wet seasons and slowly releasing it in times of drought. Also wetlands filter outpollutants and sediments that pass through them. A wetland is also an irreplaceable habitat for ducks,wading and shorebirds.

So let’s take a look at North America’s wetlands and see what they are all about.

Ecology 101The scoop on swamps

What makes a wetland?

Wetlands form wherever flat, poorly drained land collects enough water from precipitation or runofffrom the surface to be submerged or saturated much of, or all, the time. Wetlands at times are dry, butremain wetlands. How you ask? Wetlands are defined by their vegetation, not their hydrology. Thevegetation associated with wetlands I unmistakable and differs conspicuously from vegetation of well-drained areas. Wetlands form in a variety of places such as any depression in the ground that is tooshallow to serve as a lake basin. Wetlands can also form on inundated river flood plains and in the lee ofartificial levees built to prevent rivers from overflowing their banks.

TYPES OF WETLANDS

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There are numerous types of wetlands, but a broad classification would be bogs, fens, marshes andswamps.

Bogs and Fens

Bogs and fens are two of the principal kinds of wetlands. Together they are known as organicwetlands, peatlands, mires, or muskeg. The water in a fen is groundwater seepage or slowly flowingsurface water, and has therefore picked up some mineral nutrients to nourish vegetation. Thus, fen watermoves, albeit, very slowly. Bog water is largely rainwater. It is stagnant, acidic and poor in nutrients.

These differences in nutrients make a large difference in vegetation. Fens are commonly cover withgrassy plants. Plants in fens need mineral nutrients and neutral or mildly alkaline water.

Bogs, however, are cover with plants specially adapted to the conditions of a bog. Peat moss is acommon form of vegetation found in bogs, as well as bog laural, Labrador Tea, Cranberry, and

EDUCATION CORNERDirector’s (Representing IL Taxidermists)

Leatherleaf. Black Spruce and Tamarack trees also do well in bogs. Bog plants tend to be more colorfulthan fen plants, but are less uniform than those in fens.

Swamps, Marshes and Prairie Potholes

Non-peaty wetlands come in two forms: marshes and swamps. They resemble each other in beinginundated in the growing season with still or slowly moving water that is richer in nutrients than bogwater and much less acidic. The difference between swamps and marshes is their vegetation. A non-peaty wetland is defined as a swamp if it is treed, and a marsh if it is covered in grass-like plants.

Swamps are home to many species of plant. The species depends on the location. As for trees, redand silver maple and black ash are typical in the mid-latitude forests of eastern North American, red cedardominates the swamps of the Pacific coast, and water oak, bald cypress and tupelo gum are common inthe warm, south-eastern states.

Marshes are mostly covered with sedges, bulrushes, cattails, and reeds and are sometimesaccompanied by wetland shrubs such as willows. Marsh plants do not require such well-aerated soils astrees and can grow where the soils short distance from the surface is constantly wet.

Another marsh that is probably most familiar to waterfowl hunters is the prairie pothole region.There is an abundance of marshes in this area that stretches from Albert to Manitoba, down through Northand South Dakota, all the way to Minnesota, and even northern Iowa. Potholes, otherwise known assloughs, are actually small ponds. It is estimated that there are 4 to 5 million of these “miniaturemarshes” in the region. Scientists believe that prairie potholes were formed roughly 14,0000 years agoduring the ice age. After the ice melted, it left behind a deposit of rubble known as ground moraine,pitted with innumerable hollows that trapped the melting water.

Prairie potholes vary in size and depth. It is estimated that the average size of a prairie pothole is 50meters. Some, though, are so small that they annually dry out, whereas some are large enough to holdpermanent ponds.

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Each pond is surrounded by its’ own concentric ring of marsh plants, which consist of the speciesadapted to that particular pond’s depth and flooding schedule. Marshes that annually dry up have adifferent set of plants growing around it than a permanent pond.

The ponds with their surround marshes make the prairie pothole region one of the most importantduck-nesting areas in North America. Filling in these ponds to create additional arable land has reducedthe numbers of waterfowl over the years, but through the work of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited,these areas are being preserved for future generations of migratory waterfowl.

Conclusion

Wetlands are an important part of the earth ecosystem. They serve not only as homes for a variety of wildlife,but as water filters for the fresh water we will eventually drink. The information provided in the IFOR youth pageis just a scratch on the surface of the complexity of a wetland environment. A book could be written alone on thediversity of plant life in a wetland, so remember the next time you are out in the field in a wetland environment, thisis a world of it’s own. Wetlands are constantly changing, growing, diversifying, and dying. Wetlands are in asense just a miniature version of earth. Don’t we all wish for a better world. Let’s start with the wetlands, and therest will soon follow.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCESNEWS BITS (March 2002)

. The Department of Natural Resources does not intend to moveforward with a plan to remove the 10-horsepower motor limit forboats using Shabbona Lake (DeKalb County). Shabbona was oneof six lakes where the Department proposed lifting thehorsepower restriction this year as a pilot to determine whetherIDNR could provide greater access for anglers and others whooperate larger boats without disrupting traditional users of thoselakes. The larger motors would be allowed to operate at idlespeed with no wake only. IDNR Director Brent Manning saidconstituents objected to the change at Shabbona by a two-to-onemargin during a recent public comment period.

The proposed administrative rule lifting the horsepowerrestriction at five other lakes has not yet been adopted by theLegislature's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, but theproposal may be considered at JCAR's April meeting.Meanwhile, traditional 10-horsepower motor restrictions remainin place and will be enforced. The lakes include: Pierce Lake(Winnebago County), Wolf Lake (Cook County), Dawson Lake(McLean County), Washington County Lake (WashingtonCounty), and Mermet Lake (Massac County). These lakes havesurface waters of between 60-500 acres.

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ATTENTION NON-RESIDENT DEER HUNTERS : A newnon-resident archery deer permit fee of $226.00, plus aprocessing fee, has been proposed for the season beginning in thefall of 2002. This permit includes an either-sex and an antlerless-only permit. Non-resident deer hunters must also purchase a non-resident hunting license in addition to their permit and habitatstamp. Non-resident hunters may purchase either the annuallicense ($50.75) or the five-day license ($28.75) depending onthe amount of time they will be hunting.

Non-resident archery deer hunters are limited to one archery deerpermit for the 2002- 2003 hunting season. The sale of thesepermits will be capped at the level of non-resident permits thatwere sold for the 2000-2001 archery deer season (12,843). Non-resident archery deer permits are not available over-the-counter at hunting license vendors

The public has until March 18 to comment on proposed changesto administrative rules regarding White-Tailed Deer Huntingby Use of Muzzleloading Rifles (17 Ill. Adm. Code 660).

The public has until March 18 to comment on proposed changesto administrative rules regarding White-Tailed DeerHunting/Firearm (17 Ill. Adm. Code 650).

The public has until April 1 to comment on proposed changes toadministrative rules regarding White-Tailed Deer Hunting byUse of Bow and Arrow (17 Ill. Adm. Code 670). Amendmentsto this rule are being made to increase the non-resident permitfee; add language indicating a season bag limit consists of 4 deer,of which no more than 2 may be antlered deer, and applies for allseasons; require the hunter's signature on the permit and thehunter's name and complete address on the check station portionof the permit; update sites open for hunting; update site-specificregulations; eliminate the landowner/tenant option of 4 archerylandowner/tenant deer permits; and add language informing thepublic of the offense classification for violations. The changescan be viewed on the IDNR web site athttp://dnr.state.il.us/legal/670-proposed.htm

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In an effort to improve the quality of the Rend Lake crappiefishery, the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers are implementing two new crappieregulations. Beginning April 1, anglers will be allowed to harvesta maximum of 25 crappie per day from Rend Lake. In addition,no more than 5 of these crappie may be greater than 10 inches inlength.

Limiting the maximum number of crappie that anglers can keepeach day will help to more equitably distribute the harvest.Without a daily limit, large numbers of crappie are harvested by arelatively small number of anglers. Some anglers are currentlyharvesting as many as 200 or more crappie per day. Restrictinganglers to 25 crappie per day will prevent individual fishermenfrom harvesting excessive numbers of fish and allow a largernumber of anglers to participate in the harvest.

The new regulation allowing anglers to harvest no more than 5crappie per day greater than 10" in length is designed toencourage the harvest of smaller fish. The smaller crappie inRend Lake are especially slow growing. Increasing the harvest ofsmaller fish in the population should allow growth rates for the

remaining fish to improve. As growth rates of these smallercrappie improve, the size structure of the population shouldincrease. This will result in a significant increase in the numberand percentage of large crappie present in the lake, improving thequality of the crappie fishery.

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Interested in taking a safety education course? Current classesare available on the Illinois Department of Natural Resourcesweb site at the following address:http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/SAFETY/index.htmSelect the type of course: hunting, boating, snowmobile ortrapping; click on the text that says "where are courses available".You will see a map of Illinois divided by regions. Select a regionof the state and then select a county. All current classes for thatarea will be listed. You can also call toll-free in Illinois at 1-800-832-2599.

2002 SPRING TROUT SEASON OPENS APRIL 6

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The 2002 Illinois spring trout fishing season opens at 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 6,Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning announced today.

"Each year, the first Saturday in April is a big day for families to go fishing in Illinois thanks to theopener of spring trout season," Manning said. "More than 60,000 catchable-size trout will be stocked at41 locations throughout the state to provide a great opportunity for those who love fishing to catch sometrout."

The trout stocking program is supported by the sale of inland trout stamps. The stamps are available for$6.50 each at IDNR offices in Springfield, Chicago, Alton, Benton, Champaign, Spring Grove andSterling, at many municipal, township and county clerks' offices, and at many sporting goods stores andbait shops. Inland trout stamps, as well as fishing licenses, also may be purchased with a credit cardthrough the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us

To legally participate in the catchable trout fishing program, anglers must have a valid Illinois fishinglicense and an inland trout stamp, or a 24-hour fishing license, which includes trout fishing privileges. Alicense is required unless the angler is under age 16, blind or disabled, or an Illinois serviceman orservicewoman home on leave. Annual fishing licenses now being sold for the 2002 season are validthrough March 31, 2003.

Anglers are prohibited from taking trout from any of the stocked sites from March 15 to April 6 at 5 a.m.Anyone attempting to take trout before the legal opening will be issued citations. The daily possessionlimit for the spring trout season is five fish.

For more information about the trout stocking program, contact the IDNR Division of Fisheries at217/782-6424, Ameritech Relay 800/526-0844, TDD 217/782-9175, or by calling 1-800/ASK-FISH.

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2002 ILLINOIS FISHING INFORMATION GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The 2002 edition of the Illinois Fishing Information guide is now available, a freepublication from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources detailing statewide and site-specific fishingregulations in place for the new fishing season, IDNR Director Brent Manning announced today.

"Those who enjoy fishing, and those who may want to give fishing a try, can expect another great year asthey spend time on or near the water in Illinois," Manning said. "Fishing opportunities in the state havenever been better and anglers can get all the information they need about fishing regulations and locationsin the new fishing information guide."

The booklet is available wherever Illinois fishing licenses are sold, including bait shops, sporting goodsstores and at Department of Natural Resources offices. New regulations for 2002 take effect on April 1and are shaded in gray in the text of the booklet.

The fishing information guide also includes a list of places to fish, a review of fishing prospects, mealadvice for eating fish caught in Illinois waters and details on North American and Illinois state record fish.

IFOR WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS – 1ST QUARTER 2002

NEW AFFILIATIONS NEW LIFE MEMBERS

St Peter Sportsmen’s Club, St. Peter John Erthal, BrightonHopewell Views Hunting Club, Rockport Sidney Masterson, BrightonFayette County, D. U. Chapter, Vandalia Dr. John Fleischli, JacksonvilleIndian Trail Bowman, ForrestonSauk Valley Archers, Franklin GrovePlug & Pellet Sportsman’s Club, RockfordTri County Archers, WyanetSo. Central Wisconsin Archers, S. Wayne, WI.Auroraland Archers, AuroraJanesville Bowmen, Beloit, WI.Broken Arrow Bowhunters, ChawickMidwest Cimmarron, Archery, RichmondKishwaukee Archers, OswegoMenard Archers, PetersburgGalesburg Archery Club, Watago

NEW MEMBERS

JANUARY

Keith Reinke, Nebo Aaron S. Wendle, ThayerL. Brent Donaldson, Shobonier Jerry Gille, CoatsburgKenneth Elledge, Alton Gary M. Mohr, Jr. Carbondale

FEBRUARY

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Tom McKenna, Tuscola Loretta Grider, MaconCallan Wickenhauser, Maroa David Howell, HerrickRoger List, Gridley Doug Heath, MattoonJames Aaron Fogleman, Sullivan Les Hadley, ShelbyvilleDenny McDevitt, Charleston Michael J. Mounce, CharlestonRoy West, Pawnee William R. Stinnett, SpringfieldScott E. Lewis, Oreana Thomas E. McQuistion, DecaturLarry Parker, Trilla Carolyn Sue Clendenen, DecaturCharles C. Leonard, Mahomet Kenny Kaufman, ShumwayHenry W. Clark, Cambridge Tim Nuss, RobertsMonte Moon, Jerseyville Stanley B. Bland, DowKevin & Betty Steinacher, Carrollton Paul D. Davidson, PawneeChris E. Meyer, Springfield Aaron R. McArdle, EdinburgBill Conklin, S. Jacksonville Andrew Dillon, SpringfieldEdward Henn, Auburn Dan Nance, AuburnMark A. Kerhlikar, New Berlin Paul K. Robertson, EdwardsvilleJohn E. Chorn, Girard Stanley Hall, SpringfieldDave Smith, Williamsville Donald Rogers, Pleasant PlainesRoger Baker, Rushville Terry Baker, RushvilleLupe Flores, Manteno Richard Schuchmann, SpringfieldBennie L. Clawson, Shelbyville Kevin Carlen, ShelbyvilleMartin Carlen, Shelbyville (Junior) Lindell Giles, Jerseyville

MARCH ( as of March 15, 2002)

Susan Surgeon, Grafton Jim Looser, StauntonGlenn Bishop, Litchfield Jordan May, BloomingtonClint Harvey, Fairfield Charles J. Lynch, DecaturDavid V. Moody, Springfield Dean V. Ashton, Sugar GroveGary McDaniel, Braidwood Jason J. Stevenson, StegerWilliam R. Elliff, Niantic Roger Thomas, NormalKenny Spore, Allendale Chuck Von Rhein, PlainfieldStacey Corray, Mahomet Don Corray, MahometJose Echevarrin, Oak Lawn Jim Sharbono, StreatorShane Kennedy, Streator Dave Oliver, EurekaBill Smith, Dakota Dunes, SD. Lori Wein, GraftonGary L. Morse, Fairview Richard A. Pearson, Chatsworth (ISRA)Jim Lierle, Marquette Hts. Paul S. Huffman, GeorgetownMarvin Freeman, Champaign Brad Friend, GalesburgDennis Davis, Centralia Kirk Holtmann, CarlyleWilliam T. Delich, Virden Tom Glenn, TuscolaBrent D. Hall, Galesburg Darrell Davis, BellevilleObey Gugevich, Arthur Terry L. Fittun, HudsonRandy Jacobs, Tuscola Keith Stapleton, MorrisScott Reed, Shelbyville David Seemann Sr., MomenceAndrew R. McClanahan, Toluca Dwight J. Sloter, CongervilleJohn Beck, Normal John Torbert, Bishop HillKeith Graham, Carlinville Michael Pienta, Spring Valley

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Jason H. Frericks, Hopedale Rick Bolton, UrbanaRobert E. Jordan, Champaign Terry Freeze, Cornell

SUMMARY

15 New Affiliations --- Total group affiliations 953 New Life Members--- Total Life Members 96

100 New Regular Members

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

13

IFOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Your executive committee, left to right, is Miles Brueckner,Membership Secretary and Legislation Chairman, Mike Stumpf,Vice President, Cheryl Roberts, Recording Secretary and Editor ofthe “NEWS-N-NOTES”, Bob Becker, President, and Bob Campion,Club Treasurer.

Stan Etter from Chatsworth, Illinois, an IDNR wildlife specialist, wasguest speaker at IFOR’s Board of Director’s Meeting on March 10th.Stan discussed the “Habitat Team Program” and all of the work doneby the various Illinois teams to enhance habitat for all wildlife inIllinois. Stan was introduced by his long-time friend Floyd “Jake”Kringer, retired wildlife beiologist with the IDNR.

Bob Becker, IFOR President, presents a plaque to Joe Wassifor serving on IFOR’s Board of Directors for six years, 1996-2002. Joe represented the Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club.Joe’s service and dedication to the Board was outstanding. Hewill be replaced by Arnie Burger who will continue torepresent Chillicothe.

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SPORT SPENDING INCREASES

Although the national number of anglers and hunters who bought licenses has remained fairly steady since 1998, theirexpenditures have continued to rise.

Anglers bought 29.6 million fishing licenses in 2000 compared with 29.7 million in 1999. These anglers paid $490.8 million fortheir licenses, tags, permits, and stamps, compared with $481.2 million in 1999.

Additionally, the number of hunters remained fairly steady, with 15 million buying licenses in 2000, closely mirroring the 1999statistics of 15.1 million purchasers in 1999.

However, expenditures were in excess of $613.9 million for hunting licenses in 2000, up from $580.2 million the previous year.Revenues raised through license sales support state fish and wildlife agencies, their conservation projects, and their hunting andfishing safety and education programs.

License sales figures are compiled annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from information submitted by each state fishand wildlife agency. The figures are part of a formula to determine the amount of funding each state receives through theFederal Aid in Wildlife Restoration and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration programs.

Under these programs, hunters and anglers pay an excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment such as firearms, ammunition,and tackle.

KEEPING AN EYE ON THE ANTI’S(www.ussportsmen.org)

FBI Identifies Animal Rights Groups Among Greatest Domestic Terrorist Threat

In its most recent report on terrorism, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found extremist animal rightsgroups to be among the largest and fastest-growing domestic terror threats.

The Animal Liberation Front (ALF), a radical animal rights organization in the United States, wages its ware onanimal research and the meat industry by firebombing research labs and fast food restaurants. A recentfirebombing at a primate research lab in New Mexico resulted in $1 million in damage.

The Earth Liberation Front (ELF), a self-proclaimed eco-terrorist group, recently destroyed a federal landmanagement facility in California. It burned the facility causing $85,000 in damage. This same group reportedlyissued a nationwide call for “militant direct action” against FBI offices and other federal buildings early in 2001.

In 2001, Congress introduced H.R. 2060, an anti-terrorism bill to address violence by environmentalists. Whilethe bill specifically outlawed many types of domestic terrorist activities, it failed to mention animal rights terrorists.

“The threat posed by special interest extremism – most notably the extreme fringes of the animal rights andenvironmental movements – is also emerging as a significant concern for law enforcement,” said the FBI report.

David Barbarash, a spokesman for the Animal Liberation Front dismisses descriptions of his group and theEarth Liberation Front as terrorist organizations, saying that no one has ever been killed by their actions.

Barbarash claims his groups are not a terrorist organization. However, ALF and ELF are both structured liketerrorist organizations. They are organized in a cell structure – small groups acting independently, without centralleadership. Additionally, the anti’s use the Internet as a tool to spread information. ALF even has a section on its sitethat instructs activists on how to vandalize property and commit arson.

Animal Rightist Compares Terrorist Victims’ Suffering to Chickens

The spokesperson of a national animal rights organization ended 2001 with one of the most outrageous andoffensive comments of the year, comparing the death of victims of the September 11 terrorist attack to chickensbeing sent to slaughter.

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Karen Davis, president of United Poultry Concerns, sent a letter to Vegan Voice claiming this it is “speciesist” –favoring one species over another – to consider the terror attacks of September 11 to be a “greater tragedy thanwhat millions of chickens endured that day.”

The following is the last paragraph from Davis’ letter: “In conclusion, I think it is speciesist to think that theSeptember 11 attack on the World Trade Center was a greater tragedy than what millions of chickens endured thatday and what they endure every day because the cannot defend themselves against the concerted humanappetites arrayed against them. Perhaps the work ‘tragedy’ should not be used anyway in this context unless in themore precise sense of a fundamentally terrible thing happening to a human being who consciously or sub-consciously brought the terrible thing upon him or herself, lived through it, and gained insight and wisdom as a result.In this classical sense of tragic drama, it remains to be seen whether America is a “tragic hero” or even a “tragic”victim. If, though, the question is whether the World Trade Center attack was worse for its thousands of humanvictims that the sum total misery and terror was for millions of chicken victims that day, I see only one non-speciesistanswer to the question.”

The message sent by this animal rights radical ranks with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals PresidentIngrid Newkirk’s statement that compared the suffering and loss of six million Jewish people during the Holocaust tochickens that are slaughtered for food. Both are incredibly disturbing, offensive and for lack of a better word,inhumane.

KEEPING AN EYE ON THE ANTI’S(www.ussportsmen.org)

ANTI-PeTA – “Fishing is just hunting in the water.” – PeTA

Finally, a bit of truth from PeTA, the assemblage of animal rights zealots that declared war on fishermen,farmers, scientists and just about everyone else for the past 22 years. It’s latest campaign? PeTA wants the states ofKentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Minnesota and Michigan to ban fishing in their state parks, saying, “The violent processof fishing and its consequences do not compliment the peace and tranquility of a state park.”

According to Dan Shannon, who heads PeTA’s “Fishing Hurts” campaign, this is the animal rights group’s firstanti-fishing initiative. His lie is blatant. PeTA has targeted fishing for no less than seven years and has spent hundredsof thousands of dollars so far.

Complaint Filed with IRS to Revoke PETA's Tax-Exempt Status- (03/08)

An organization that tracks criminal acts against businesses has asked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to revokethe tax-exempt status of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Reportedly, the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise issued a complaint to IRS Commissioner Charles Rossottithat says “publicly available information strongly suggests that PETA induces or encourages the commission ofunlawful acts.”

The complaint contains details about PETA supporting the animal rights terrorist organization Animal Liberation Front,stealing trade secrets, advocating arson and assaulting business executives.

In a related story, the New York Post recently reported that PETA funds arsonists. On April 20, 2001, the organizationdonated $1,500 to the North American Earth Liberation Front (ELF) to “support their [sic] program activities.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) calls ELF “the largest and most active U.S.-based terrorist group,” noting thatit has already caused more than $43 million in damages since 1996.

The discovery of this donation not only shows that PETA is sympathetic to a domestic terrorist organization, it also

16

could lead to the names of individuals connected with ELF – names that have, to this point, eluded authorities. If thefederal government can get the name of the individual who signed PETA’s donation check, it may be able toidentify the eco-terrorists involved with ELF.

H&R Block Under Attack for Doing Business with Law-Abiding Gun Owners

NRA, the nation’s largest pro-second Amendment organization and H&R Block, the nation’s largest tax preparationservice, recently announced a program that will benefit both – and this has led to a small anti-gun organization tocall on its supporters to protest this union. NRA will receive a royalty for endorsing the H&R Block program andpromoting it among its members. This agreement has upset the anti-gun extremists, the group that calls itself GunIndustry Watch, a small “student network” that is opposed to firearm manufacturers and their lawful products. Nowthe group is urging its supporters to threaten to boycott H&R Block, and has even asked some to conduct a protest atone H&R Block office in Washington D.C. If you wish to tell H&R Block you support its decision to work with NRA, or ifyou need to locate the nearest H&R Block office so that they can do your taxes, please call 1-800-HRBLOCK (472-5625). You can also send a message of support via the Internet, using H&R Block’s online comment form athttp://www.hrblock.com/customer_support/submit_a_question.isp.

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Drought Could Hit Duck Factory This Year(www.ducks.org)

Ducks Unlimited biologists are expecting a drought thisyear across much of the prairie breeding habitats of theU.S. and Canada-the fabled "Duck Factory" of NorthAmerica. And while the impacts on breeding ducks couldbe negative, wildlife experts remind us that drought is anatural part of the cycle of life on the prairies.

“There is still time for improvement this year, becauseMarch and April are the most important months forprecipitation that affects nesting waterfowl," said Dr.Bruce Batt, Chief Biologist for DU. We'll be watching theweather closely as spring unfolds, but last summer'sdrought in the western prairies and low snowfall across thewhole region this winter will be hard to turn around withanything less than record snowfall and heavy spring rains.Conditions like this are bound to impact the breedingsuccess of prairie-nesting ducks."

"We've just seen an extraordinarily long period-seven oreight years-of above-average precipitation across mostparts of the Duck Factory," said Dr. Batt. "So we knew wewere due for another dry spell. As a result of all thatmoisture during the 1990s, as well as habitat conservationprograms across the continent, most waterfowl populationsare at fairly healthy levels. So, if we are going into adrought cycle, we're far better off than we would havebeen at the end of the last drought in the early 1990s."

During widespread drought, many birds will seek out morestable wetlands in areas outside of the prairies, includingAlaska and the northern Boreal Forest regions of Canada,as well as in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. These regions

are not as productive as the prairies, but they do helpsustain a reduced breeding effort during drought periods,and they provide a safe harbor where the birds will surviveto breed in subsequent years.

"Drought is a natural part of the cycle to which prairiewetlands and ducks have adapted over the centuries," saidDr. Batt. "In fact, dry periods are critical in recharging theability of wetlands to be even more productive when thewater returns. It seems illogical to think of drought asbeing good for a wetland, but that is the case. Wetlandsplants need dry periods to germinate from the seed bank.And when prairie landscapes are dry, the entire ecosystembecomes less productive, which means that predatornumbers decline too. As water returns, waterfowl have thebenefit of greatly improved food supplies and fewerpredators-factors that combine to allow duck numbers torecover quickly. Thus, occasional periods of drought arenecessary to 'reset' all the mechanisms in wetlandlandscapes that make them so productive during years ofaverage or above-average moisture."

“Occasional drought conditions are normal, but they arealso a good reminder of why it's so important to restore

and protect as many of these valuable habitats as we can,"said Don Young, Executive Vice President of DucksUnlimited. "We can do nothing to prevent drought, but wemust not lose sight of the long-term strategy ofconservation that we have maintained over the years. DU'sgoal is to assure that landscapes are healthy and wetlandbasins in the prairies are secure to set the table for a boom

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in waterfowl production when moisture returns. At thesame time, we're leading conservation efforts in other keybreeding areas like Canada's Boreal Forest (link tomagazine story), which has been called North America's'Other Duck Factory.' This gives waterfowl someplace elseto go when the prairies are dry and, in effect, expands anddiversifies our investment in waterfowl habitat."

CanadaNear normal precipitation in British Columbia hasimproved moisture conditions in many areas of theprovince. Unfortunately, this is the only bright spot inCanada at present. With few exceptions, the worst habitatconditions exist in Prairie Canada, where conditions havecontinued to deteriorate due to the extended drying trend inthe region. The prognosis for run-off and spring breedinghabitat conditions ranges from fair to poor for most of thepothole region. Warmer than normal temperatures andbelow-normal precipitation continue throughout most ofeastern Canada and, at present, the habitat conditions areprojected to be below normal.

United StatesThe Great Lakes region is basically wet, and biologistsdon't expect to see any significant change in the breedingduck pairs in that part of the world. Snowfall is near recordlows across most of Montana, North Dakota, SouthDakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. The little precipitation thathas occurred has quickly been absorbed into the groundbecause of the above average temperatures. In Montanaand the western Dakotas, which received below-averageprecipitation last year, most wetlands are expected to bedry. In the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota, significantwater remains in semi-permanent wetlands to offer somespring habitat, but the seasonal and temporary wetlandscritical to breeding pairs will not fill without significantlate winter snow or spring rains. The Pacific Coast statesare an exception to the dry conditions elsewhere. Recordwinter snowfall should provide excellent habitat for birdsthat breed in Washington, Oregon, and California. Thisfollows record dry conditions of last spring and summer inthe same region.

Sportsmen Win Court Battle to Protect Wildlife Management- (03/12)

A court ruling yesterday deals a major setback to an insidious campaign that has worked for years to remove sportsmen as thefunding source for this nation’s wildlife programs.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (formerly the Wildlife Conservation Fund of America) had been fighting a lawsuit filedby the Sierra Club against the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and the United States Fish and WildlifeService (USFWS). In his ruling, Judge Richard Enslen ruled against the Sierra Club, clearing the way for sportsman-supportedwildlife conservation to continue.

In the suit, the Sierra Club made five specific complaints against the MDNR and the USFWS. The complaints involved landmanagement issues, including forestry practices that benefit game species including white-tailed deer, wild turkey and ruffedgrouse, as well as various non-game animals.

Other sportsmen’s organizations working on the effort included the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Michigan UnitedConservation Clubs and the Ruffed Grouse Society.

“We had to get involved because we knew that a ruling in Michigan in favor of the environmentalists would spell the end ofprograms that have produced abundant wildlife for hunters and anglers across the country,” said Rick Story, U. S. Sportsmen’sAlliance Foundation vice president. “This victory protects hunting programs for all sportsmen and will go far toward curbing thespread of these cases to other states. ”

The Sierra Club has filed several suits in recent years that challenge the use of Pittman-Robertson (P-R) and Dingell-Johnson(D-J) dollars for state wildlife programs that include hunting, fishing and trapping. The P-R and D-J programs distribute fundingto the states generated by an excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition and fishing gear. The tax is borne by hunters andanglers.

Story explained the significance of the latest court decision.

“This victory sets another precedent to ensure that sportsmen remain in the funding picture for fish and wildlife conservation,” hesaid. “In 19946, we prevailed over the Sierra Club in a suit that challenged the use of P-R dollars for a moose managementprogram in Vermont. When the Sierra Club goes to another state with its next suit, the judge will have two rulings favorable tosportsmen on which to base a decision.”

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits –hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation isresponsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programscoordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s AllianceFoundation and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.

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IDNR RELEASE A/O MARCH 19, 2002

WHITETAIL BOW HUNTING – PUBLIC HEARING

The Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing on Friday April 19th at 1:30 p.m.regarding its proposed amendments to its administrative rule for White-Tailed Deer Hunting ByUse of Bow and Arrow (17 Ill. Adm. Code 670). The hearing will be held at the auditorium of theIllinois State Museum at Spring and Edwards streets in Springfield. The meeting was requested bythe Illinois Farm Bureau and the Pike County Farm Bureau. Individuals who are unable to attendthe public hearing, but who wish to comment on the proposed amendments should submit writtencomments by April 18 to Jack Price, Department of Natural Resources, 524 S. Second Street,Springfield, IL 62701-1787. All comments received will be fully considered by the agency. Text ofthe proposal can be viewed at IDNR's web site at:http://dnr.state.il.us/legal/rule-status.htm

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE RELEASES DRAFT EIS ON RESIDENT CANADA GEESE

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing the creation of a new regulation to allow State wildlife management agenciesto actively manage populations of resident Canada geese that cause personal and public property damage and, in some cases,pose a threat to public health and safety.

Under the proposed alternative identified in the draft Environmental Impact Statement released today, the Service would grantthe States the authority to undertake approved population control strategies, such as nest and egg destruction, trapping andculling programs, and expanded hunting opportunities.

"The Service believes that the problems caused by resident Canada geese can be best addressed at the State level," said ServiceDirector Steve Williams. "To that end, we are committed to providing State wildlife management agencies with as muchflexibility as possible to address the issue."

The draft EIS evaluates a range of alternatives in relation to their ability to reduce and stabilize resident Canada goosepopulations, reduce conflicts with humans and minimize impacts to property and human health and safety. Aside from theproposed alternative, the EIS analyzes other alternatives, including continuing current management practices unchanged;implementing non-lethal methods such as harassment and habitat management designed to make areas less attractive to geese;expanded hunting opportunities; and creating various depredation orders allowing expanded lethal take of resident geese. A 90-day public comment period on the draft EIS will remain open until May 30, 2002.

Most Canada goose populations are migratory, wintering in the United States and migrating north to summer breeding groundsin the Canadian arctic. But a large availability of habitat, especially in urban and suburban areas where there are park-like openspaces with short grass adjacent to small bodies of water, has resulted in growing numbers of locally-breeding geese that liveyear round in the lower 48 states.

The Service estimates that there are 3.5 million resident Canada geese in the United States. Resident Canada goose populationsin both the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways now exceed 1 million birds each and have increased an average of 14 and 6percent per year, respectively, over the last 10 years. Indices of resident Canada geese in the Central Flyway are nowapproaching 1 million birds and populations in the western portions of the country have shown similar growth rates over thepast 10 years.

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Resident Canada geese are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and can only be legally taken during a huntingseason, unless a special federal permit is obtained from the Service. The Service is in the process of drafting proposedregulations that would authorize the States to implement the proposed alternative and undertake a number of population controland management actions without having to go through the permit process.

Large flocks of resident Canada geese can denude grassy areas, including parks, pastures, golf courses, lawns, and otherlandscaped areas where there are ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water nearby. At airports, resident Canada geese havebecome a significant safety threat, resulting in dangerous takeoff and landing conditions and costly repairs to aircraft.Excessive goose droppings are also a health concern, and have contributed to the temporary closure of public beaches by localhealth departments in several States. In addition, agricultural and natural resource damage, including depredation of graincrops, overgrazed pastures, and degraded water quality have increased as resident Canada goose populations have grown.

The release of the draft environmental impact statement was announced in the March 1, 2002, Federal Register. The documentis the result of a process that began in August 1999. Public input on the alternatives to be considered by the draft environmentalimpact statement was solicited through Federal Register notices on August 19 and December 30, 1999 and at a series of publicmeetings held in February and March 2000 across the country.

Written comments concerning the draft EIS should be addressed to the Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, ms 634 ARLSQ, 1849 C St., NW, Washington, D.C., 20240. Copies ofthe draft EIS are available at the same address or by calling the Service at 703-358-1714. The Service will schedule publicmeetings later this year, and the dates and locations will be announced in the Federal Register in March.

INAUGURAL ILLINOIS OUTDOOR HALLOF FAME DINNER A TREMENDOUS

SUCCESS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The inaugural Illinois OutdoorHall of Fame Banquet, honoring five individuals, twocompanies and a conservation organization for theircommitment to the protection and enhancement ofthe state's natural resources and outdoor recreation,was a tremendous success, grossing more than$145,000.

The event, held at the Drury Lane in OakbrookTerrace, was a sellout with nearly 700 individualsattending.

"It was incredible to see all of our friends andsupporters at the event," said Illinois Department ofNatural Resources Director Brent Manning. "Theresponse to this first annual event was inspiring. Ican't begin to express how much we appreciated theshow of support for the Illinois ConservationFoundation and its work on behalf of outdoor Illinois."

John Schmitt, Executive Director of the Foundation,echoed Manning's sentiments and said planning fornext year's event is already underway.

"An event the size of this one takes a tremendouseffort. I want to thank everyone involved for putting

their hearts and souls into making the evening such asuccess," Schmitt said. "We already are planningnext year's dinner. It will definitely be the hottestticket in town."

Schmitt noted that net proceeds from the event will

provide grants to assist grassroots conservationgroups throughout Illinois. The grant program, in itssecond year, provides funding to projects andeducational programs that preserve and enhance thenatural resources of Illinois.

Funding provides school children with hands-onexperiences in the outdoors, helps restore fragilehabitats and helps connect classroom learning withconservation stewardship.

Examples of recently funded programs include amobile nature center in Macon County, classroommaterials and tours about Wolf Road Prairie NaturePreserve in Cook County, an outdoor sports festivalfor kids at Lake Shelbyville, IFOR's Youth SkillsCamp at Carlyle Lake and an outdoors summercamp for kids in the Metropolis Area.

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The first class of inductees in the new Illinois OutdoorHall of Fame included:

• Frank Bellrose of Havana, one of the world'sforemost authorities on waterfowl andwetlands;

• Jack Ehresman, retired outdoors columnistfor the Peoria Journal-Star;

• James Helfrich, a 33-year employee of theIllinois Department of Conservation, whoserved as the agency's assistant directorfrom 1977 until his death in 1986;

• John Husar, award-winning sportswriter andcolumnist for the Chicago Tribune, who diedin 2000; and,

• Gene Morgan, a high school biology teacherand founder of the Sesser-Valier High SchoolOutdoorsmen's Club.

Also honored with presentations of Director's Awardsfor their commitment to natural resource protection inIllinois were Dynegy Inc., Plano Molding Co., and theIllinois Chapter of the Safari Club International.

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