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NEWS-N-NOTES

Volume 9 Issue 2 Bob Becker & Cheryl Roberts - Editors Fall 2003

IFOR NAMES JACK WARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources has reached a milestone in its 13-year history with the employment of its first executive Director. IFOR�S Board of Directors has selected Jack Ward of Springfield to fill that position, effective September 1, Organization President Bob Becker announced recently. Ward has been an enthusiastic sportsman most of his life and has shared his love of the outdoors through volunteer service. Among the positions he has held in Illinois are field representative for the International Blackpowder Hunting Association, member of the board of directors for the state chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, delegate to Conservation Congress and member of its executive committee, and member of the Department of Natural Resources deer hunting and hunting equipment advisory committees. He has also worked with Boy Scout and Becoming an Outdoorswoman groups. Ward is an outdoor writer, and his articles have been published in Adventure Sports Outdoors, Midwest Outdoors and Outdoor Guide. In addition, he has organized and conducted successful blackpowder clinics in Springfield for the past 10 years. He is a graduate of Springfield High School and Western Illinois University and holds an MBA from the University of Illinois-Springfield. "I have worked side by side with IFOR over the last seven years at many IDNR events," Ward said. "I was at IFOR's organizational meeting in the early '90s. I believe Illinois sportspersons need IFOR to collectively support their interests with IDNR and the Illinois legislature." "I have had the opportunity to know Jack and work with him on the deer hunting advisory committee and during our annual IFOR youth skills camp for which Jack has volunteered his time for many years," Becker said. "I am excited about having him joining our organization as our executive director. His primary responsibilities will be to improve our awareness statewide, grow our membership through individual and group affiliations, organize a series of fund-raising events throughout the five conservation regions within Illinois and provide strong lobbying for all of our members with our state legislators." IFOR, a not-for-profit 501 C (4) conservation organization, has as its main purpose uniting Illinois outdoorsmen and

defending the recreational interests of natural resource users in the state. More than 100 conservation groups have affiliated, and IFOR's individual members and theirs total more than 65,000. The umbrella organization represents hunters, fishermen, trappers, trail riders, target shooters and other recreational users dedicated to preserving, restoring and developing the state's natural resources. Among the statewide groups that belong to IFOR are the state chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Whitetails Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Unlimited, the Illinois Commercial Fishing Association, the Illinois Federation of Hunting Dogs, the Illinois Hunting and Outdoor Sports Association, the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance, the Illinois State Rifle Association, the Illinois Taxidermist Association, the Illinois Trappers Association, the United Bowhunters of Illinois and the Illinois Trail Riders.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING SCHEDULE

September 21, 2003

All meetings will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the CARLINVILLE HOLIDAY INN off I-55

Meetings are open to members

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GATCH LAKE & IFOR MEMBERSHIP COOKOUT DRAWS

RECORD CROWD The 3rd Annual IFOR Membership drive and cookout held August 23rd had over 150 people in attendance setting a new record for this event. Bob Elmore (Vandalia), Event Chairman and IFOR Director, reported that 75 new people joined IFOR, compared to 34 last year and 51members renewed their memberships compared to 41 last year. In addition Mark Merriman of Fillmore became a life member and the winner of the IFOR donated Life Membership was Brad Culver of Mason. A total of 19 youth members were also signed up during the event making a grand total of 147 members. Last year the event signed up 95 members and 104 members were signed up in 2001.

Our sincere thanks to Bob Elmore, Alan Gephart and the rest of the committee for

their great support and for all of their hard work and dedication. The food was excellent.

Pictured below are four generations of Elmore�s who attended the event. Event Chairman Bob Elmore is on the right, his daughter Jamie is on the left. Her son Egan is in front standing between

Great Grandpa Brad and Grandpa Bob.

NEW MEMBERS JOINING AT COOKOUT

VANDALIA OTHER Bruce Boaz Daniel Hall

Robert & Ann Lash Brad Brasel Michael Meyer David Wasmuth Max Oertwig Mike Tinker Mike Haynes Ron Warner Duane Veal Weldon Probst

Tony & Ember Lipsey Alan Harris Gary Graumenz Peter Frese

Keith Cole Jerry Swisher Bruce Warden Phillip Fuesting

Raymond Woolsey Jeff Lewis Jeremy Moreland G. V. Isbell Zac & Angel Kopp Charlie Pryor

Dave Mayfield Allen Holman Trent Shellabarger James Alexander

Norma Walker Cal Hamann Shawn Cripe Bret Collman Jeff Blythe Ted Rinkel Joe Blythe Mike Thalman Bill Blythe Bryan Swisher

Chuck Evans Scott Rensing Jay Lowry Mike Sussenbach

Gary Jackson Gerald Coleman Terry Jackson Jerry Coleman Jeff Cearlock John Lay

Jack Kreienheder Danny Younker T. J. Hall Mike Blankenship

Jason Boggs Keith Atchison Ray Schutz Mike Landreth

Mike Beckett Chuck Garrett Ryan Tate Jonathan Feathers Matt Ritter John Mahaffey

Charles Liggett Chad Mayfield Tim Largent Virgil Williams

Travis Devall Timothy Sidwell Murel Ballard Susan Gragert Mike Gragert Ron Stephens Christy Meyer Chuck Steiner

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KRINGER ELECTED TO HALL OF FAME

Floyd (Jake) Kringer, IFOR Founder, Past President, Life Member and current Director on IFOR�S Board of Directors was recently honored by being named to the Illinois Outdoor Hall Of Fame along with four other honorees. The Five Honorees are J. R. Black of Kankakee, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley of Libertyville, Bonnie Jo Fee of Kinderhook and our own Floyd (Jake) Kringer of Vandalia.

The IDNR Press Release read as follows when describing Jake�s contributions

ILLINOIS OUTDOOR HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2004 SELECTED

(modified from original release)

"Illinois citizens have many reasons to recognize and thank these individuals for their efforts to make our state and our quality of life better for all of us," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold, who serves as chairman of the board of the Illinois Conservation Foundation. "Their selections as the newest members of the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame are well deserved. We look forwarding to honoring them at the Hall of Fame induction banquet next February."

� Floyd (Jake) Kringer of Vandalia is a retired biologist who for more than 41 years implemented successful wildlife management programs for the Illinois Department of Conservation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources� predecessor agency. After beginning his career as a district biologist in northwestern Illinois in 1948, Kringer became a wildlife manager in southern Illinois where he planned and installed enhanced wildlife habitat on state-owned lands. Kringer is credited with winning approval for expanded hunting programs in the state park system, expanding dove and controlled hunting throughout the region. Jake Kringer also advocated state acquisition of reclaimed coal mine property for state-managed outdoor recreation. Following his retirement from the Department of Conservation in 1990, Kringer served as president of the Illinois Waterfowl Alliance and helped found the Illinois Federation For Outdoor Resources to unite user groups and sporting organizations in representing member concerns to the IDNR and Illinois General Assembly.

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IFOR WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Third quarter � 2003

NEW AFFILIATIONS NEW LIFE MEMBERS DJ�S Outfitters & Marine, Greenville Todd Eberhart, Bethalto #118 A & H Mechanical Contracting, Collinsville Ross Eggebrecht, Fieldon #119 Illinois BowHunters Society, Romeoville Lonnie Manalia, Plainview #120 Max White, Charleston #121 Brad Culver, Mason #122 Mark Merriman, Fillmore #123

JULY AUGUST AUGUST (cont) Ken Armstrong, Mahomet Wayne Piotrowski, Woodlawn Steve Hallstead, Jerseyville F. DeWayne Wright, Urbana Paul Von Berg, Keyesport John Welsh, Jerseyville Gretchen Clavey, Champaign Larry Ray, Bethalto Jay Reese, Jerseyville William Clavey, Champaign Andrew Schneider, Alhambra Steve Boyer, Alton Nick Nasir, Champaign Jeffrey Kamp, Golden Eagle Matt Jolly, Alton John Henninger, Liberty Ben Shewmaker, Alton William Brock, Carrollton Denise Belcher, Patoka Ray Gallo, Gillespie Kent Rhodes, Carlinville Travis Gucciardo, Plainview Mrs. Vickie Reny, Chillicothe Susan Postlewait, Carrollton Allan Shelton, South Elgin Kim Postlewait, Carrollton Doug Kraemer, Carlyle Elizabeth Postlewait, Jacksonville Phil Pruitt, Carlyle Andrew Tepperberg, Vandalia Brandt Summers, Carlyle See Gatch Lake Membership John E. Truitt, Shobonier Oliver Simon, Hardin cookout article for names of Brad Gentry, Virden Rick Schulte, St. Rose 76 new members who joined Clifford Wilson, Mt. Vernon Jay Tucker, Carlyle at the cookout. Bryan Braid, Kansas City, Mo. Elisse Olshefsky, Carlyle Carl Jokerst, St. Louis, Mo. Nathan McNurlan, Carlyle Jim West, Carlinville Tyson Zobrist, Carlyle Michael Songer, Cerro Gordo Doug Wasmuth, Carlyle Rich Bevenue, Godfrey Tom Pigg, Carlyle Dennis Henken, Bartelsco Ryan Hummert, Carlyle David Weishaupt, Brighton Traci Barkley, Champaign Keith Wheeler, Edwardsville Dana Roux, Medora C. O. Maguire, Wood River Rosi Franke, Batchtown Keith Johnson, Dieterich Dave Berry, Brighton John Smith, Jonesboro Kevin Wagner, Brighton Drew Ward, Jerseyville Kenneth Settles, Jerseyville Derrick Ward, Jerseyville Tom Davis, Jerseyville

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IFOR Recognizes Conner & Corps of Engineers

Dick Conner, assistant Project Manager of the Carlyle Lake Project Office for the Corps of Engineers was recently awarded a plaque from IFOR President Bob Becker for his many years of support for IFOR�s annual youth skills camp. Conner and other members of his staff have done an outstanding job for the past seven years to make this 2 1/2 day event a real outdoor experience for some 60 youths between the ages of 10 & 16. The event is held the first weekend of August each year at Lotus Point located at the Coles Creek Recreation Area on the eastside of Carlyle Lake. Results of this year�s camp are shown in this issue.

Traci Barkley Wins

Traci Barkley Wins IFOR Scholarship

Traci Barkley, from the University of Illinois, Urbana, was selected the 2003-2004 recipient of the $1,000.00 Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources Graduate Scholarship. The award was announced earlier this year by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Traci is currently working on her Mater�s degree and will be entering the Ph.D. program next fall. Her expertise is in invasive aquatic species. Traci received her College Of Liberal Arts and Sciences, B.S. in December 1996 majoring in Ecology, Ethology and Evolution with a minor in Anthropology. After completing her Master�s this school year, she will devote her further education to obtaining a Doctoral degree next fall focusing on Aquatic Ecology and Prevention and Control of Aquatic Nuisance species. An example of her working toward her doctorate will include work evaluating electric barrier technology in preventing the movement and spread of harmful invasive fish, namely the bighead and silver carps, currently moving towards the Great Lakes by way of the Illinois water way system. Traci will be our guest at our Fund Raising Banquette next May. IFOR has awarded three $1,000.00 scholarships to deserving students this year, two to SIU, Carbondale and this award to the U of I. We also are currently offering two $1,000 scholarships to IFOR members and/or their immediate family members. (see announcement in this issue).

IFOR NEWSY NEWS August was a record membership month in IFOR�S 13-year history with 106 new adult members joining along with 53 junior members. Add to these totals 74 adult membership renewals and two new life members. Total for August 235. The Membership Sporting Clays shoot held August 24 at Otter Creek Hunt Club near Jerseyville had only 16 shooters. With 100-degree temperatures it was a good day to stay home. Denny Taylor from Brighton was top gun with an 87. IFOR President Bob Becker was invited by the IDNR to attend the dedication and ground breaking ceremony August 29th near Sparta for a World Shooting Complex . Governor Blagojevich was in attendance and promised all gun owners present that he would not increase the FOID fee and that he does support our Second Amendment Rights IFOR will have a booth at three National Hunting & Fishing Days events. We will be at John Logan College in Southern Illinois, Nilo Farms near Brighton, and In Northern Illinois we will be at Silver Springs State Park. National Hunting & Fishing Day will be celebrated this year on September 27th and 28th.

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IFOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

President Bob Becker, Godfrey, IL

618-466-2582 Vice-President

Mike Stumpf, Godfrey, IL 618-466-4262

Secretary Cheryl Roberts, Godfrey, IL

618-466-5477 Treasurer

Robert (Bob) Campion, Godfrey, IL 618-466-6257

Membership Secretary/Legislation Miles Brueckner, Godfrey, IL

618-466-6526

Executive Director Jack Ward, Edinburg, IL

217-623-5230

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

REGION 1

Jim McFarlane, Rockford, IL 815-964-2019 Jerry Sea, Pekin, IL 309-347-3221

REGION 2

Geoff Kishpaugh, Fox Lake, IL 847-866-2565

REGION 3

Paul Kelley, Hudson, IL 309-726-1443

Joe Seten, Champaign, IL 217-359-7465 Stephen Yoder, Normal, IL

REGION 4

Glen Bishop, Litchfield, IL 217-324-6589

John Breitweiser, Jerseyville, IL 618-885-5404 Brad Gentry, Virden, IL 217-965-3211

Jerry Johnson, Atlanta, IL 217-648-2854 Allie Lymenstull, Quincy, IL 217-222-2444 John Meacham, Chester, IL 618-826-5258

Chris Schaefer, Beardstown, IL 217-323-1759 Michael Schlemer, Godfrey, IL 618-466-7192

Dale Ternaprovich, Belleville, IL 618-235-1774 Lucy Walker, Pawnee, IL 217-625-7715

REGION 5

Cheryl Blackorby, Eddyville, IL 618-672-4768

John Blythe, Vandalia, IL Don Darnell, Vandalia, IL 618-283-0398 Bob Elmore, Vandalia, IL 618-283-2878

Norman Gibbs, Cobden, IL 618-893-2776 Hank Gross, Marion, IL 618-942-5891

Jake Kringer, Vandalia, IL 618-283-1183

ILLINOIS FEDERATION FOR OUTDOOR RESOURCES

MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP

Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources is proud to announce that we will be offering college scholarships to members and/or their children. Following is a list of requirements All applications are subject to the following criteria:

! Guardian or parent of applicant (or applicant themselves) must be a member of the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources

! Applicant must reside in the state of Illinois

! Applicant must be enrolled in a public community college, four-year college, or university in the state of Illinois

! Major courses of study must be: ! Conservation ! Wildlife Management ! Ecology ! Conservation Law

Enforcement ! Related Fields (as approved

by the committee ! Applicants must maintain a 3.0

GPAA out of a 4.0 scale ! Student may apply and receive a

scholarship two years in a row ! Recipient(s) will be selected by a

committee of Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources directors

! It is expected that the recipient attend the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources Annual Banquet

! Two (2) or more scholarships will be given each year to Undergraduate or Graduate students for the amount of $1,000.00

For further information, please contact Bob Becker at 618-466-2582 after 6:00 p.m.

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MEMBERSHIP APPEAL

WE NEED YOUR HELP! With the hiring of a full-time Executive Director and a full-time Lobbyist soon to be hired, we really could use your help. We are hiring these two positions without raising our membership dues, which are only $15.00 per year for an individual and only $1.00 per member for Groups and Organizations to affiliate, which is a pretty darn cheap insurance premium annually to have an organization representing your recreational rights daily. We will be in Springfield every day the Legislature is in session starting with the fall veto session to defend both the Second Amendment Rights of our members, which were under serious attack in the spring session, and to also protect your rights to hunt, fish, trap, trail ride and any other outdoor activities of interest to our membership. How can you help! Just take a few minutes and sign up a family member or friend as a member. If you belong to an organization, trail club, gun club, conservation club, etc., encourage them to join. Our new Executive Director Jack Ward or your President will be happy to speak to your group or club. Contact Jack at 217-623-5230 or email him at iforjack@ctitech.com or Bob Becker at 618-466-2582 or iforpresbob@msn.com. Use the application below and make several copies to give to your friends.

PRINT OFF IFOR MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ON THIS WEBSITE

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Vote On Lawsuit Preemption Could Be Near

(NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert)

As we've repeatedly and consistently noted in the Grassroots Alert, one of NRA-ILA's top legislative priorities in Congress continues to be the passage of a federal law to block reckless, predatory lawsuits against the firearm industry. The passage of S. 659 is critically important. We hope to have a vote on this crucial legislation in the coming weeks, and we cannot over-emphasize the need for you to remain actively engaged in ensuring its passage. It is imperative that you continue to contact your U.S. Senators in support of S. 659 and urge them to do everything in their power to end these meritless lawsuits and ensure that this essential legislation is approved. Let your Senators know that it is crucial they cosponsor and support S. 659. Also, please urge them to support the will of the majority by working to derail the filibuster that anti-gun Senators have threatened to launch in a last-ditch attempt to defeat S. 659. Please continue to communicate with your U.S. Representative and your Senators, and urge them to oppose current legislation seeking to reauthorize and expand the 1994 Clinton gun ban-H.R. 2038, S. 1431, and S. 1034, respectively. Please remember that for all of the above-mentioned action items, you can find contact information for your elected officials (including their district office contact information) by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121 and your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121. ****************************************************************************************************

Regulations Being Developed Allowing Use of Handguns During Illinois Firearm Deer Season (IDNR Release)

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will allow the use of handguns during the firearm deer hunting season in the state this fall, Director Joel Brunsvold said today. �We�re excited about this expansion of outdoor recreation opportunity in Illinois,� Brunsvold said. �Regulations are being drafted allowing handgun use during the firearm season.� A change in state law adds handguns to the already authorized use of shotguns and muzzleloading rifles as allowable firearms for hunters to use during the state�s firearm deer hunting season. More details on the new regulations will be announced this fall. The 2003 firearm deer hunting season in Illinois is Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7. Illinois also continues to provide additional firearm deer hunting opportunities through a muzzleloader-only season scheduled for Dec. 12-14 and a handgun-only season in select counties scheduled for Jan. 16-18, 2004.

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IFOR SEVENTH ANNUAL YOUTH CAMP BEST YET

The 7th annual IFOR youth camp held August 1, 2, and 3 was the best overall camp to date. Fifty-six (56) young people between the ages of 10 and 16 were in attendance and all gave the camp high marks and indicated they had a great time and learned a lot about the outdoors. This year we had a chaperone assigned to each of the 10 cottages, a new camp Director, Jim McFarlane, who kept the program on schedule, and Corps of Engineer�s Ranger Doug Kraemer did an outstanding job putting together a 2 ½ day agenda of events that were very informative and educational. Organizations that participated again this year were the Westwood Trail Riders, who in addition to providing excellent horse back riding experiences for the kids, also took on the responsibility of cooking all of the meals for the entire camp � and THE FOOD WAS GREAT! The Illinois Trappers Association put on their fine clinic on trapping and the Vandalia Sport Fishing and Conservation Club did a fishing clinic. All three groups are members of IFOR. Chaperones, who did a great job, were Julie Burkett and Cheryl Roberts, who watched over the girls, and Will Summers, Jeff Bevirt, Tom Belt, Ed Whittington, John Truitt, Greg Lawrence, Bob Campion and Alan Gephart, who watched over the boys. Corps Rangers who assisted in the class instructions and field events were Phil Pruitt, Brandt Summers, Elisse Olshefsy, Nathan McNurlan, Tyson Zobrist, Doug Wasmuth, Tom Pigg and Ryan Hummert. IDNR Conservation Officer Rick Schulte gave a wildlife information clinic and Jay Tucker gave a dog demo. We had three sponsors for our camp this year, the Illinois Conservation Foundation, the NRA Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Senior Development Officer, Don Blakeley, presenting IFOR President with their

grant of $500.00.

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IFOR SEVENTH ANNUAL YOUTH CAMP

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IFOR SEVENTH ANNUAL YOUTH CAMP

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More firearm hunting permits meet

rising deer populations Jeff Lampe (8/8/03)

From 1982 through 1995 the surest bet in the world of Illinois hunting was that the firearm deer harvest would increase. Each fall after gun totals were tabulated, headlines screamed the same two words: "Record harvest." Following a seven-year absence when populations and harvests appeared to level off, those headlines may return. Faced with deer population it says is again growing too large in some counties, the Department of Natural Resources is this year selling an additional 6,800 firearm deer hunting permits and shifting thousands of others from second-season tags to full-season tags. The reason, head deer biologist Paul Shelton said, is that the state's herd of an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 deer has exceeded desired levels in some counties. Shelton points to increased deer-vehicle collisions and increasing harvests the past two seasons as evidence of the growing population. "In 1995 we kind of got over the hump and there was a period of several years where throughout a lot of the state we weren't seeing a lot of change in deer populations," Shelton said of that still-record 1995 firearm kill of 105,067 deer. "But in the past few years it appears we've gotten a little bit behind them again. It's not an across-the-board thing, but there's definitely some areas where we need to work a little harder." Ironically, two areas "in need of work" are Pike and Calhoun counties - among the most desirable trophy deer destinations in Illinois. Full-season permit totals were increased in both those counties. Permit totals also increased or stayed the same for all counties in the Journal Star circulation area. Biggest gains came in Peoria (up 300 full-season permits), Fulton (up 227) and Knox (up 168). Many of those additional tags are antlerless-only. Some simply replace comparable second-season-only permits. Still the state's intent is obvious. "In some places we need to take a few more deer and a few more does," Shelton said. But selling more permits no longer automatically equates to killing more deer. That's largely true because more land is controlled by outfitters - guides who sell hunts that can cost thousands of dollars. Few hunters are willing to pay that price to shoot does. As a result, herds in outfitter-

dominated areas generally continue to grow. And because local hunters are increasingly finding themselves without a place to hunt, permits go unfilled or unpurchased. Those difficulties and the worries created by chronic wasting disease - which spreads faster in areas with greater deer densities - are not lost on the DNR's upper echelon. Though officials will not discuss possible adjustments on the record, it will come as no surprise if firearm permit totals increase again next season. And don't be surprised to see changes more far-reaching than that. One almost sure change for 2004 is an increase in the quota for non-resident archery permits. This year's allocation of 12,843 non-resident tags sold out in just days, forcing some landowners and outfitters to turn away possible business. Other possible changes being discussed include the creation of a doe-only shotgun season and possible incentives - or requirements � for outfitters to shoot more does on their property. In the meantime, Shelton anticipates this could be another record-setting fall. "If weather and crops cooperate I'd be really surprised if we didn't have a really big gun season," he said. Incidentally, gun hunters who applied in the first lottery should have already received their permits, since the DNR's last mailing went out last Thursday. Unlucky applicants may already have received a refund check. CWD testing: Local counties included in statewide testing for chronic wasting disease during the 2003 firearm deer hunting season are Peoria, Woodford, Tazewell, Knox, Mercer and Schuyler. The DNR hopes to take at least 65 samples from each of those downstate counties in an effort to determine whether CWD is spreading. So far 14 Illinois deer have tested positive for the fatal neurological disease - all in Winnebago, Boone and McHenry counties. As a result, those three northern counties along with Stephenson, JoDaviess, Ogle and DeKalb will again be sampled most heavily.

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Outdoorsmen in forefront of nation's conservation efforts Published in Suburban Chicago Newspapers 07/22/03

By Bob Maciulis SPECIAL TO THE BEACON NEWS It will probably rain the weekend of Sept. 27, but it won't matter. It's often rained that fourth weekend of the month, yet thousands of Illinoisans still come to celebrate one of the great success stories in conservation. Besides, what's a little drizzle to a duck or deer hunter or to a steelheader? That weekend, northern Illinoisans will flock to Silver Springs State Park, about five miles west of Yorkville, on the Fox River, to mark the 32nd annual National Hunting and Fishing Day. NHF Day events around the country provide opportunities for outdoor-oriented people and urbanites alike to learn more about outdoor skills and activities, many offering hands-on events for archery, firearms and muzzleloader shooting, fishing, canoeing, cooking or duck calling. Wildlife art and taxidermy, dog training, hunter and/or wildlife education and outdoor skills enhancement for camping, hiking, bird watching and photography can be found at most events. Consider some of the wildlife conservation successes that America's hunters supported: ♦ White-tailed deer: In 1900, less than a half-million deer remained. Today, conservation

programs have returned the whitetail population to about 18 million. ♦ Canada Goose: Habitat destruction reduced Canada goose populations to about 1.2 million

during the late 1940s. Today, there are more than three times that number. ♦ Rocky Mountain Elk: In 1907, only about 41,000 elk could be counted in the U.S. Today,

populations in 10 western states alone total about 800,000. These are dramatic, obvious successes underscoring the fact that America's hunters have been at the forefront of our national conservation movement. Today, sportsmen pay more than $3 million every day for conservation. The National Shooting Sports Foundation calculates that more than $1 billion (58 percent) comes from state hunting and fishing licence sales. An additional $378 million comes from taxes paid solely by sportsmen and about $300 million comes from other sources, including Duck Stamp sales, income tax check-offs, interest and fees for license sales. About 8 percent — totaling $153 million — comes from states' budgets. National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrations will be held in every state to applaud the contributions of America's hunters and anglers — and, its paddlers, explorers, campers and conservation professionals. No admission will be charged for the northern Illinois' celebration in Silver Springs State Park — among the lush, rolling stands of hardwoods overlooking clear, stocked lakes and the Fox River. Parking is free and ample. It is a simple, wonderful weekend to walk this sacred land and to revel in the good things we have done and will continue to do to conserve it. You needn't be a hunter or a fisherman, either. Everyone is welcome, which is another strong American tradition.

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IFOR will have a manned booth at this spectacular event.

Inorance, Envy and Greed by James Phillips, MadDuck.org posted July 18, 2003 Anyone who spends time with duck hunters quickly realizes that ours is a contentious sport. We argue incessantly about all manner of things, predators, spinning-wing decoys, regulations, sanctuaries, the effect of hunting, biological data and waterfowl management, to name a few. The passion we bring to our friendly and sometimes not-so-friendly debates says a lot about how we feel about ducks and duck-hunting. But our arguments change few minds. A consensus is rarely reached. We part company having shed more heat than light. Why? The answer, I suggest, lies not in facts surrounding the subject of debate, facts that may or may not be contradictory. Instead, it lies deeper and involves the old bugaboos of ignorance, envy and greed. I recently listened to a hunter in the southern portion of the Mississippi Flyway complain that Pacific Flyway hunters are allowed a 100-plus day season and seven-duck-a-day bag limit while he is restricted to 60-days and 6-ducks. He demanded equal hunting opportunity. I had no idea where this man had been hiding all these years, but I pointed out that the flyway concept had been in effect years before I first went afield in 1952, that it represented biological research from the 1920s and '30s showing each flyway for the most part hosted its own migrant flocks, and that flyway regulations were designed to preserve each flyway's breeding stocks by balancing the kill with the fall flight, the kill being determined largely by numbers of hunters and season length. I related that the differences in flyway regulations in general reflect these inequalities. Was he mollified? Of course not. He cited the Democratic ideal that all citizens in this nation are equal, and the regulations should reflect this. I pointed out the government had not targeted him for discriminatory treatment. He could move to Idaho and enjoy longer seasons and higher bag limits. This, too, fell on deaf ears.

That this individual was totally ignorant of waterfowling's storied history is less important than his overweening envy. The fact that others might be able to hunt more days or kill more ducks rendered him deaf to rational thought. I marveled at his ignorance and envy. Both increased his desire to kill more ducks to the point that he was consumed by greed. He could not entertain the thought that a few ducks taken under difficult circumstances provide greater satisfaction than gross numbers. He was psychologically hard-wired to the tawdry bumper-sticker mentality that he who kills the most ducks wins, a pyrrhic victory if ever there was one. This individual may represent an extreme example, but his underlying psychological motivations are more prevalent than many of us would care to admit. One acquaintance constantly berates ducks for increasingly sitting out the season within the protected confines of nearby wildlife refuges, leaving him to stare at empty skies. "The damn ducks have all gone to the refuges," he says. "Are you blaming the ducks?" I ask. "Where would you go when the shooting started?" "I'm not blaming the ducks," he replies. "The refuges should be opened to hunting." "Where, then, would the ducks find refuge?" I ask. This man is highly knowledgeable about ducks and a dedicated conservationist. But his first instinct is self-preservation, in this case preserving his opportunity to shoot ducks. He conveniently forgets that refuges are designed in part to preserve our breeding stock in order to preserve hunting. I suspect his attitude is common to many waterfowl hunters. In our effort to protect our individual hunting opportunities, we conveniently ignore biological data, forgetting that the role of science is to perpetuate

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sufficiently large fall flights to preserve waterfowl hunting for decades to come. We forget our conservation heritage to protect and preserve our breeding stocks. We lose sight of the imperative that Ignorance, Envy and Greed (cont.) it is the challenge and not the number of ducks hanging on the strap, that is the hallmark of sportsmanship. Instead, we allow ourselves to be subtly manipulated by the most basic of malign emotions * envy and greed. We react to change * especially restrictive changes designed to rebuild our beleaguered flocks � as if it threatens our very existence. Isn't it time each of us privately stepped back and examined our personal motivations? Wouldn't this eliminate much of the psychological fog that clouds most debates? Don't all of us need to make sacrifices to increase our flocks and preserve our sport, at the same time admitting the sacrifices will not fall equally on everyone? It has been my observation that the waterfowling community grows more fractured with each passing season. Each of us may think we have the answer, but it will take all of us to reverse the steady decline in numbers of ducks that each autumn wing the length of the continent. How much longer can we afford to continue our self-serving, fractious behavior?

LES WINKELER: ILLINOIS NEEDS TO RAISE TAXES TO HELP THE IDNR

[Thu Jul 17 2003]

This will make Gov. Rod Blagojevich lose his lunch, but I'm going to say it anyway.

The state of Illinois needs to consider tax increases. It's time for the governor to step up to the plate and

do something courageous. Raising taxes during tough economic times won't win many votes. But, in some instances, it might be the right thing to do.

Gov. Blagojevich has had a stormy first six months in office -- given the financial climate, no one expected any less.

The governor made some tough decisions in forging a balanced budget. Departmental budgets were slashed, state property was sold and possibly a deal was forged with the devil.

However, the fiscal sleight of hand was a short-term solution. The state still faces some real financial problems. The governor isn't exactly riding a wave of public support these days.

LES WINKELER: ILLINOIS NEEDS TO RAISE

TAXES TO HELP THE IDNR (cont.) Granted, he made play for the affections of Southern

Illinoisans this week with a promise to revive the coal industry. I don't know if I'm being cynical or realistic, but I'm not planning to purchase any coal company stocks in the near future.

Realistically, given the political climate, what does the governor have to lose?

Proposing an 0.8-cent sales tax to fund the Illinois Department of Natural Resources wouldn't be political suicide. The moderate tax would bring some stability to a department that has been staggered by retirements and reductions in income.

Missouri uses a dedicated tax to fund its department of natural resources.

Ideally, little of the tax money would go to Springfield. It should be funneled directly to Horseshoe Lake, Saline County Conservation Area, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park and any state site in desperate need of cash.

The state of Illinois built a beautiful facility, the Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center, near Karnak recently. However, there is no money in the budget to open or staff the facility.

Site superintendents have done a remarkable job keeping their sites open and functioning given their dwindling budgets.

Local managers have streamlined operations to the bare bones -- and are being asked to do more.

Sometimes they are being asked to do the impossible. One site superintendent recently said he was asked by Springfield to reduce his vehicle fleet by 20 percent -- an interesting proposal since he has three vehicles at his disposal.

On the surface, it appears as if the department is still operating at peak efficiency. Parks and campgrounds are still open and garbage isn't piling up at the games. But, you don't have to dig far to learn otherwise.

Just a few years ago, the IDNR was a major player in the Southern Illinois Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days. The department offered assistance in terms of cash, contacts and manpower.

The IDNR also provided assistance for the Southern Illinoisan Egyptian Crappie Circuit a few years ago. However, budget constraints ended that affiliation.

Granted, neither event is essential for the efficient operation of the state. On the other hand, both events enhance tourism and quality of life in Southern Illinois.

That doesn't even take into account the state's ability to protect wildlife and purchase additional land for public use.

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Pardon my idealism, but I think it's worth 0.8 cents. LES WINKELER is the outdoors writer for The Southern.

Contact him at les.winkeler@thesouthern.com or call 618-529-5454 x15805

IFOR CLASSIFIED

Ownership of exclusive hunting, fishing, and trapping rights of 1800 acres. This is prime deer, turkey, and upland game habitat. Located in Carter County, near Hunter, Missouri, approximately ½ mile from the Current River. This is not a yearly lease � it is forever. No matter who owns the property, there is unlimited access and freedom to develop whatever is necessary for such activities. Please call the following with inquiries or bids. ♦ Bill Woolard, 39 Ray St., Cottage

Hills, IL 62018 618-259-6565 ♦ Bob Becker, 1337 Normandy,

Godfrey, IL 618-466-2582

GIVING BACK Share a First Hunt with a Newcomer Do you remember your first experience

hunting? Did it start so early that you were awakened in the darkness of night? Once in the woods, did the air tell of the changing season? Did the sound of your pounding heart drown out your father or uncle telling you to follow him and stay quit? Memories of a first hunt often include the sounds of scurrying wildlife, the view of a rising sun and the smell of damp leaves. You may have had hundreds of hunting adventures since, but you have likely never forgotten the first one.

Now consider what you would have missed if

none of that had happened. Unfortunately, millions of Americans forfeit the outdoor experience because no one asks them to participate.

Today, almost 85 percent of Americans live in

urban areas. Most families are three or four generations removed from rural life � they don�t understand outdoor traditions.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that

the number of hunters (13 million individuals age 16 and over) declined seven percent between 1996 and 2001. The downward trend will continue of sportsmen don�t act now.

The U.S. Sposrtsmen�s Alliance Foundation is

working to reverse the trend. It continues to develop the Trailblazer Adventure Program, which invites youth and families, who traditionally would not have the opportunity to hunt, fish or trap to try their hand at the activities.

Sportsmen are �Giving Back� and becoming

active players in protecting outdoor sports by becoming volunteers and financial supporters of Trailblazer. These efforts will make a difference for future generations.

Get involved today and give a young man or

woman the opportunity to experience outdoor sports for the first time. You could be responsible for providing him or her a lifetime of outdoor adventure. Contact the U.S. Sportsmen�s Alliance Foundation at (614) 888-4868, info@ussportsmen.org or check out www.trailblazeradventure.org.

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A SPORTMAN'S DELIGHT: GOV. BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW TRAP SHOOTING FACILITY

BY RICHARD GOLDSTEIN , THE SOUTHERN , [Fri Aug 29 2003] SPARTA -- What many Southern Illinois sportsmen have been waiting for became official on Friday. Gov. Rod Blagojevich came to the National Guard Armory in Sparta where he announced plans for a new state-owned 1,200 acre trap shooting facility. Dubbed the World Shooting Complex, the facility is slated to open in 2006. The state has committed to buying the land north of town from Peabody Coal Co. for $1.8 million. It will spend another $5 million to build roads and other infrastructure, said Joel Brunsvold, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The rest of the expected $30 million cost will come from corporate sponsors, Brunsvold said. He said the facility conservatively will be worth $50 million in new spending to the region each year on such things as hotel rooms and food. About 300 people came to the armory to hear Blagojevich and lawmakers, including Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, and Sen. David S. Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, introduce the new facility. Planned are 100 trap stations over a 3.5 mile course, skeet stations, sporting clays, a pistol range and a 3-D archery range. The facility will also include an all-terrain vehicle track and a Western-themed target shooting competition and a multi-purpose recreation facility. Sparta Mayor Randy Bertetto expects new jobs to be created and he said the planned 1,600 campsites often have been overlooked as a draw. "We'll have growth in jobs, both full time and part time," Bertetto said. "It's a wide variety of recreation that this development will focus on." Kevin Long, an Evansville man who came to the armory for the announcement, said the new range is good news. "It'll be so good for the economy. It'll be good for the whole area around here," Long said. "We don't have much left anymore with all the mines down." Brunsvold expects 100 people year-round to be employed at the facility with as many as 100 more employed during major competitions. State officials are angling for the headquarters of the Amateur Trap Shooting Association and with its major shooting event, the Grand American World Trapshooting Championship, which draws thousands each year. Blagojevich said his message to the Trap Shooting Association is: "If we build it we would like you to come." He said Illinois has an advantage over Las Vegas, the only other location trying to lure the group, because it is so hot during the summer in Las Vegas, and because there are too many distractions there. Last year, the Vandalia, Ohio-based association seemed set to move to Sparta. With incentives from the state, it would own the new range. But now Illinois will own the shooting and camping area. Blagojevich spokeswoman Angelynne Amores said the state would engage a company to manage the facility. Blagojevich was cognizant of the irony of a governor presiding over the announcement of a major trapshooting facility who was pilloried during the gubernatorial campaign for opposing the rights of gun owners. As a state representative Blagojevich had proposed increasing the fee for the state's firearms owners identification card from $5 to $500.

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As he said at nearly every stop in Southern Illinois, Blagojevich explained that he has changed his mind about that idea. He told the assembled Spartans that he is now a FOID card holder and a member of Ducks Unlimited. "We know that hunting and shooting is a way of life to a lot of people in Illinois."