http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/ Illinois' premier hunting, fishing and birding Web site en sjroutdoors@comcast.net Copyright 2013 Thu, 23 May 2013 23:02:25 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/stay_in_touch_this_fall_for_news_and_updates We post daily news updates on our Facebook page so you will always be in the loop on what's happening in Illinois and surrounding states. Illinois Outdoor News, Hunting News, Miscellaneous News, Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:00:46 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/concealed_carry_bill_goes_to_house_floor_senate_objects A concealed-carry gun deal brokered by House Speaker Michael Madigan cleared a House committee Thursday, but its prospects were unclear across the Capitol in the Senate because of the way it would curb existing local gun laws. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Thu, 23 May 2013 23:02:25 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/iowa_fishing_report_for_may_23 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report. Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Thu, 23 May 2013 22:58:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/compromise_concealed_carry_bill_surfaces With the deadline fast-approaching for lawmakers to enact a concealed-carry law, new legislation surfaced Wednesday that allows local law enforcement to object to permit applications while creating a licensing review board that has final say. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Thu, 23 May 2013 02:22:58 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/fish_kill_on_lake_springfield_called_minor_natural The Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries division reports a recent fish kill on Lake Springfield involved hundreds of white bass. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Wed, 22 May 2013 23:47:28 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/york_and_carlson_win_two_day_crappie_event_on_mark_twain_lake Bud York and Robbie Carlson won the two-day Springfield Crappie Club tournament on Mark Twain Lake with a total weight of 12.52 pounds. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Wed, 22 May 2013 14:55:06 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wis._committee_bans_night_wolf_hunting The Legislature's finance committee has quietly left a provision that would ban night wolf hunting in Gov. Scott Walker's budget. Hunting, Hunting Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Wed, 22 May 2013 03:57:55 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/public_may_feel_left_out_of_sd_big_game_management The half dozen people who attended a meeting on big-game management suggested Wednesday that many South Dakota hunters and landowners feel their views are not taken into consideration in the management of deer, elk, antelope and mountain lions in the state. Big Game Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Wed, 22 May 2013 03:52:25 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wis._committee_approves_money_for_mini_deer_hunts The Legislature's budget committee has approved spending nearly $2 million in federal money to set up private deer hunts. Hunting, Where to Hunt, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Wed, 22 May 2013 03:50:31 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/nebraska_mountain_lion_season_to_be_considered At their next meeting, Nebraska Game and Parks commissioners will consider a staff recommendation to create a mountain lion hunting season. Big Game Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Wed, 22 May 2013 03:40:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/catfish_crappie_fishing_still_excellent_at_rend_lake The Rend Lake fishing report has been pretty stable for the last three weeks or so. Fishing remains excellent for crappie and catfish. Largemouth bass, bluegill and white bass are rated good. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Tue, 21 May 2013 19:36:00 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/memorial_day_weekend_bass_tournament_planned A Memorial Day bass tournament will be held Sunday and Monday mornings on Sanghcris Lake from 5:30 a.m. – noon each day. Fishing, Where to Fish, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 21 May 2013 16:38:55 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/general_crp_signup_period_open_until_june_14 Currently, 27 million acres are enrolled in CRP through 700,000 contracts on 390,000 farms throughout the U.S. Contracts on an estimated 3.3 million acres will expire Sept. 30. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Miscellaneous News, Tue, 21 May 2013 16:23:31 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/hunters_kill_14133_turkeys_in_wet_rainy_spring_season The 2013 total compares with the statewide turkey harvest of 15,941 in 2012. Hunters took a state-record 16,605 turkeys during the spring season in 2006. We've got county-by-county totals inside. Illinois Outdoor News, Hunting News, Tue, 21 May 2013 15:46:48 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/conservation_police_on_lookout_for_boating_safety_violations There were 101 boating-related accidents on Illinois waters, resulting in 17 deaths and 77 injuries in 2012. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Tue, 21 May 2013 13:29:41 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/deer_program_open_houses_start_june_3 The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has scheduled a series of open houses so the public can ask questions and receive information about deer herd management in Illinois. Hunting, Hunting Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 20 May 2013 21:11:29 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/walleye_expert_bruce_deshano_shares_his_secrets Hall of famer Ted Takasaki with a dandy big water walleye taken with the help of planer boards designed by trolling gear designer Bruce DeShano. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Mon, 20 May 2013 15:18:34 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/black_flies_at_wis._refuge_plague_whooping_cranes Experts say swarms of black flies appear to be the best explanation for why endangered whooping cranes are abandoning their nests at a Wisconsin wildlife refuge. Nature and Birding, Birding Bits, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 20 May 2013 14:17:35 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/tenn._spring_hunt_figures_show_steady_turkey_population The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says reports on the spring turkey hunt show the wild turkey population in Tennessee is stable. Hunting, Hunting Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 20 May 2013 14:10:27 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/bald_eagle_found_dead_at_okla._motel U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers are working to learn the circumstances under which a bald eagle died. Nature and Birding, Birding Bits, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 20 May 2013 14:08:22 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/kentucky_to_break_ground_on_memorial_for_conservation_officers Groundbreaking will be next month in Frankfort for a memorial to six Kentucky conservation officers killed in the line of duty, but visitors to the Salato Wildlife Education Center can see the bronze statue that will be at the center of the memorial. Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 20 May 2013 14:06:26 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/police_search_for_wandering_bear_in_philly_suburbs Police and wildlife officers are trying to track down a black bear that's been spotted wandering around several residential areas in suburban Philadelphia for days. Nature and Birding, Critter Corner, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 20 May 2013 14:03:49 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/yellowstone_inspecting_boats_for_invasive_species All watercraft entering Yellowstone National Park's lakes must first pass an inspection for invasive species. Nature and Birding, Nature Newsbits, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 20 May 2013 14:02:12 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/stargazing_opponents_appeal_permit_for_thirty_meter_telescope Opponents of a plan to build the world's largest optical telescope at the summit of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano are appealing their case in the state courts. Nature and Birding, Stargazing, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sun, 19 May 2013 18:20:40 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/out_about_from_the_peoria_journal_star_for_may_19 The Journal Star is interested in publishing your upcoming outdoor events or recent tournament results. Please email (sports@pjstar.com), fax (309-686-3205) or call (309-686-3214) us with outdoor items. Fishing, Fishing Calendar, Hunting, Hunting Calendar, Nature and Birding, Birding Calendar, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sun, 19 May 2013 12:14:47 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/texas_senior_18_bags_800_pound_record_alligator A Houston-area high school senior has bagged a 14-foot, 800 pound alligator — the heaviest ever certified in Texas — on his first alligator hunt. Big Game Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sun, 19 May 2013 00:39:51 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/four_louisiana_men_convicted_of_deer_poaching_in_iowa Four Louisiana men have been found guilty of poaching deer in southwest Iowa. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said the investigation began with a call in November 2011 to Kansas wildlife officials about the men's hunting activities in that state. Hunting, Hunting Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sat, 18 May 2013 23:04:42 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/minn._dnr_25_pound_grass_carp_found_near_sartell The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says a grass carp found in the Mississippi River north of Sartell may have been intentionally released. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sat, 18 May 2013 23:02:37 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/state_commission_approves_wolf_hunt_in_michigan Michigan now has a wolf hunting season after a board voted Thursday to allow hunters and trappers to kill up to 43 of the animals in selected parts of the state's Upper Peninsula. Big Game Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/body_of_missing_boater_recovered_friday The body of a 20-year-old Rushville man who had been missing since May 11 was recovered from the LaMoine River just after 1 p.m. Friday. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Sat, 18 May 2013 18:26:11 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/moral_character_clause_removed_from_senate_concealed_carry_bill Sen. Kwame Raoul said Friday he’ll remove one of the more contentious provisions in his concealed-carry legislation that required permit applicants to show they have “good moral character” before qualifying to carry a weapon in public. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Sat, 18 May 2013 13:45:51 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/illinois_college_grad_establishes_nest_boxes_for_kestrels Taylor Joray is making a big effort to protect North America’s smallest falcon. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:55:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/basic_pistol_course_set_for_june_1_27 A National Rifle Association basic pistol course will be offered from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. June 1 and 27 at Big Oak Hunting Paradise outside Lincoln. Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:51:27 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/league_of_illinois_bicyclists_director_to_talk_about_bike_friendly_cities The talk will be held at the Lincoln Library, 326 S. 7th St. in Springfield. Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:34:14 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/humphreys_win_springfield_crappie_club_tournament The team of Greg and Luke Humphrey took first place in the Springfield Crappie Club tournament on Lake Springfield May 11 with the weight was 5.96 pounds. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:32:56 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wildlife_ranger_fined_for_poaching_mule_deer A Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger has been fined and demoted for using artificial light while poaching a trophy mule deer after legal hunting hours last October. Big Game Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 18:31:46 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/minn._dnr_to_use_dogs_in_zebra_mussel_fight Minnesota conservation officers will get help this year in the fight against zebra mussels from three dogs specially trained to sniff out the tiny invasive species. Nature and Birding, Nature Newsbits, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 18:27:19 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/central_illinois_fishing_report_for_may_17 Fluctuating springtime weather has made fishing a struggle in many areas, but bluegills could be your best bet right now in farms ponds and strip mines. With water levels returning to near normal, the catfish bite has picked up on the Illinois River. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Fri, 17 May 2013 12:14:26 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/turkey_hunter_on_an_epic_quest By the time you read this, Jeff Budz should be sound asleep. That’s because on Wednesday he finished a month-long, turkey-hunting odyssey that brought him within four states of killing a turkey in all 49 states except Alaska. Illinois Outdoor News, Hunting News, Fri, 17 May 2013 03:14:45 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/iowa_fishing_report_for_may_16 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report. Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 03:11:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/backyard_birding_video_series UPDATED May 16: The latest installment features the rose-breasted grosbeak, a striking black, white and red bird that comes to feeders in wooded areas. Illinois Outdoor News, Birding News, Fri, 17 May 2013 02:05:37 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/senate_panel_oks_restrictive_concealed_carry_bill_full_senate_could_vote_fr A Chicago Democrat’s restrictive concealed-carry legislation made it through a Senate committee Thursday, with opponents vowing again to fight its passage. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Fri, 17 May 2013 01:27:55 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/idph_take_precautions_against_tick_bites Taking precautions this spring and summer against tick bites and the illnesses ticks can carry. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Fri, 17 May 2013 01:20:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wind_farms_get_pass_on_eagle_deaths Wind farms in this corner of Wyoming have killed more than four dozen golden eagles since 2009, one of the deadliest places in the country of its kind. But so far, the companies operating industrial-sized turbines here and elsewhere that are killing eagles and other protected birds have yet to be fined or prosecuted - even though every death is a criminal violation. Nature and Birding, Nature Newsbits, Wed, 15 May 2013 16:15:18 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/ice_from_minn._lake_pushed_ashore_to_doorsteps WCCO-TV reports that the ice from Lake Mille Lacs (MILL LAX) reached the doors and windows at the Izatys (eye-ZEHT'-ees) Resort on Saturday morning. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Wed, 15 May 2013 02:43:46 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/links_to_the_future_festival_this_weekend The “Links to the Future” youth festival will be held Saturday, May 18 at Wolf Creek State Park near Lake Shelbyville. Fishing, Fishing Calendar, Hunting, Hunting Calendar, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 21:20:35 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/crappie_fishing_still_excellent_at_rend_lake This week's Rend Lake fishing report is similar to last week's. Catfish and crappie fishing is excellent, while bass, bluegill and white bass are good. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Tue, 14 May 2013 21:08:07 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/schools_building_box_blinds_for_disabled Coleman Patterson has hunted deer since he was a young man, but hip surgery and arthritis now make it impossible for the 74-year-old to hike into the woods and enjoy his hobby. Hunting, Hunting Tips, Tactics & Tales, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 12:35:23 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/nm_seeks_court_ruling_on_hunting_license_quotas The state Game and Fish Department is asking a federal court to lift a decades-old order preventing the agency from providing New Mexico residents with more licenses to hunt bighorn sheep, ibex and oryx. Hunting, Where to Hunt, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 12:33:56 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/gills_and_thrills_fishing_adventure_in_beloit_june_1 The Welty Environmental Center, 8606 County Highway H, Beloit, Wis., will host Gills and Thrills Fishing Adventure from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1 at Riverside Park Lagoon, 1443 Athletic Ave., Beloit, Wis. Fishing, Fishing Calendar, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 12:22:57 +0000