Hunting & Fishing Illinois Bill

[iplumb]

Just wondering thoughts on this bill -

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/SB/09700SB3316.htm


97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB3316

Introduced 2/7/2012, by Sen. John O. Jones

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

520 ILCS 5/2.26 from Ch. 61, par. 2.26

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources's rules concerning a "Deer Hunting Permit" shall provide that a hunter shall be issued an antlerless deer permit prior to the issuance of an antlered deer permit. Provides that a hunter must contact the Department and report to the Department the taking of 2 antlerless deer before a hunter may be issued a permit to take an antlered deer. Removes languageconcerning deer hunting permits that are issued as (i) a combination permit, (ii) a single antlerless-only permit, and (iii) a single either-sex permit.

 

[bornhunter04]

Re: Illinois Bill

I like parts of it. I don't care for the "taking of 2 antlerless deer" part. 1 is fine but 2 is pushing it. Thing is that the deer herds in IL have taking a beating over the last few years. They quit doing the check stations and went to an online/callin system, which means poaching has increased substantially, and twice in the last 4 years we've had bad bouts of blue tongue which has killed off a lot of our buck population. I'm hearing reports all across southern IL that the herds aren't what they used to be. Guys just aren't seeing or killing deer like they did just 4 or 5 years ago.

They need to bring back the check stations, that would cure alot of it. The online system is easier for bowhunters to utilize, but there's no reason we can't have check in's for gun season.

 

[Wes_Mantooth]

Re: Illinois Bill

What's wrong with the regulations as they stand?

I have a few problems with shooting 2 does before you are even issued an either sex tag.

1.The DNR admits that the herd in Illinois is now static.

2.QDM is catching on in many places, let the landowners manage the herd as they see fit and keep Illinois politicians out of the process.

3.Even on state grounds where you have to shoot an antlerless deer first you only have to shoot ONE, not two.

4.If the DNR wants to reduce the herd size they will, just ask guys who hunt in the CWD zone about what the DNR has done to deer numbers.

5.How does this effect land owner tags? Now I have to have a permit before I can get my tags? Shit, I feed the deer, provide cover for them, they drink from my creeks, I even shoot the coyotes to help them along. Now I can't shoot what I want to.

 

[Night Hunter]

Re: Illinois Bill

What about Outfitters as well? Could be a problem...

 

[bornhunter04]

Re: Illinois Bill

Or a good thing..... Where i'm from the whole outfitting thing as become, well problematic.... (although, I do believe it's slacking off now) There's been too many farmers turn into outfitters without a clue as to how to really handle that task (as in now idea how to practice QDM), and then use federal grants to buy up/lease all the ground (this also caused land values to inflate, price/acre jumped from ~ 3k for good tillable to ~7-9k and shit farm ground that provided cover to hunt in and nothing else went from 1,000-1500 to ~ 5k/acre, thus preventing local guys from affording ground) they can and kick the local hunters off the ground they've hunted for decades (the same guys that will shoot a doe on sight). Too many times too, the outfitters have brought in non-resident hunters and turned them loose on a piece of ground, not ensuring that they respect property lines. Also, a couple of the outfitters have been busted for illegal paperwork, not having hunting licenses etc.... Keep in mind too that non-resident hunters that come here, aren't here to whack does, they're after trophy bucks. So i think the blue tongue was natures way of balancing the numbers a bit. When the herds were good and outfitting took off say 03-08 timeline, the herds grew, but nobody was shooting does either, especially since a lot of guys lost ground to hunt on. Another, well documented instance is Pike County, IL back in the 90's. The herd will rebound, just take some time.

I'm not saying they shouldn't allow non-resident hunters, many of them are good guys who just want to hunt whitetail and will respect the laws and property boundaries (biggest complaint of all), its just that it stirred up alot of shit in my area and there's a lot of bad things going on (shooting trophy bucks on a $15/anterless only tag and skipping across the state lines before anyone's the wiser, not having proper licenses/stamps, trespassing, etc, etc).

 

[Wes_Mantooth]

Re: Illinois Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not saying they shouldn't allow non-resident hunters, many of them are good guys who just want to hunt whitetail and will respect the laws and property boundaries (biggest complaint of all), its just that it stirred up alot of shit in my area and there's a lot of bad things going on (shooting trophy bucks on a $15/anterless only tag and skipping across the state lines before anyone's the wiser, not having proper licenses/stamps, trespassing, etc, etc).

</div></div>

Non-residents do not have a monopoly on this behavior. Every year we have resident assholes who bought their five acres of paradise in country and believe this gives them access to any farm in sight. I called the DNR on one guy a few years ago who shot over the fence and killed a fork horn. This idiot didn't have a tag or a FOID card, and he's tresspassing to get a 1.5year old buck. Not the first time we had problems with him and he's a local.

 

[LeviSS]

Re: Illinois Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bornhunter04</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Or a good thing..... Where i'm from the whole outfitting thing as become, well problematic.... (although, I do believe it's slacking off now) There's been too many farmers turn into outfitters without a clue as to how to really handle that task (as in now idea how to practice QDM), and then use federal grants to buy up/lease all the ground (this also caused land values to inflate, price/acre jumped from ~ 3k for good tillable to ~7-9k and shit farm ground that provided cover to hunt in and nothing else went from 1,000-1500 to ~ 5k/acre, thus preventing local guys from affording ground) they can and kick the local hunters off the ground they've hunted for decades (the same guys that will shoot a doe on sight). Too many times too, the outfitters have brought in non-resident hunters and turned them loose on a piece of ground, not ensuring that they respect property lines. Also, a couple of the outfitters have been busted for illegal paperwork, not having hunting licenses etc.... Keep in mind too that non-resident hunters that come here, aren't here to whack does, they're after trophy bucks. So i think the blue tongue was natures way of balancing the numbers a bit. When the herds were good and outfitting took off say 03-08 timeline, the herds grew, but nobody was shooting does either, especially since a lot of guys lost ground to hunt on. Another, well documented instance is Pike County, IL back in the 90's. The herd will rebound, just take some time.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not saying they shouldn't allow non-resident hunters, many of them are good guys who just want to hunt whitetail and will respect the laws and property boundaries (biggest complaint of all), its just that it stirred up alot of shit in my area and there's a lot of bad things going on (shooting trophy bucks on a $15/anterless only tag and skipping across the state lines before anyone's the wiser, not having proper licenses/stamps, trespassing, etc, etc).

</div></div>

Non-residents do not have a monopoly on this behavior. Every year we have resident assholes who bought their five acres of paradise in country and believe this gives them access to any farm in sight. I called the DNR on one guy a few years ago who shot over the fence and killed a fork horn. This idiot didn't have a tag or a FOID card, and he's tresspassing to get a 1.5year old buck. Not the first time we had problems with him and he's a local. </div></div>

You guys are both right. Prices are nuts and people think they can go wherever the f- they want. It's a real pain in the ass. Then getting the game warden to do anything about it just adds to the head ache.

 

[Night Hunter]

Re: Illinois Bill

I agree to most of the above. That said, I am a successfull outfitter and take PRIDE in having a quality operation and running it the right way for our clients and our neighbors.

The benefits of outfitters to most local economies is staggering as well.

 

[Dagsta]

Re: Illinois Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Night Hunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree to most of the above. That said, I am a successfull outfitter and take PRIDE in having a quality operation and running it the right way for our clients and our neighbors.

The benefits of outfitters to most local economies is staggering as well. </div></div>

There is nothing better than a quality outfitter. As a non resident hunter I look for a quality outfitter who manages his property and herd. Unfortunately like everything else the bad apples really hurt the operations of the quality outfitters. So much so that quality hunters have become quite skeptical as there are so many rip off artists out there.

Having taught Hunter Education for 18yrs for our Dept, I can assure you that the majority of the poaching and Illegal hunting comes from resident hunters ie: criminals!!!. Statistics prove that.

I have seen so many laws established by legislatures trying to be protective and curb non resident hunting that it hurts overall quality hunting in many areas. Just remember as there are many quality outfitters, there are also many quality non resident hunters who bring revenues to many needy areas and support local economies.

If i go to an area whether trophy hunting or not, and the rules are to take antlerless deer prior to killing a buck, then that is what I will do!!

 

[Night Hunter]

Re: Illinois Bill

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dagsta</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Night Hunter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I agree to most of the above. That said, I am a successfull outfitter and take PRIDE in having a quality operation and running it the right way for our clients and our neighbors.

The benefits of outfitters to most local economies is staggering as well. </div></div>

There is nothing better than a quality outfitter. As a non resident hunter I look for a quality outfitter who manages his property and herd. Unfortunately like everything else the bad apples really hurt the operations of the quality outfitters. So much so that quality hunters have become quite skeptical as there are so many rip off artists out there.

Having taught Hunter Education for 18yrs for our Dept, I can assure you that the majority of the poaching and Illegal hunting comes from resident hunters ie: criminals!!!. Statistics prove that.

I have seen so many laws established by legislatures trying to be protective and curb non resident hunting that it hurts overall quality hunting in many areas. Just remember as there are many quality outfitters, there are also many quality non resident hunters who bring revenues to many needy areas and support local economies.

If i go to an area whether trophy hunting or not, and the rules are to take antlerless deer prior to killing a buck, then that is what I will do!! </div></div>

+1 on this for me but many, many will not...

 

[Bob Shaver]

Re: Illinois Bill



There is nothing better than a quality outfitter. As a non resident hunter I look for a quality outfitter who manages his property and herd. Unfortunately like everything else the bad apples really hurt the operations of the quality outfitters. So much so that quality hunters have become quite skeptical as there are so many rip off artists out there.

[/quote]

Great point, but Illinois lacks any real legislation regarding outfitters. Perhaps the good ones will eventually put the weak ones out of business but new ones always seem to pop up.