Posted By:
webmaster
root
Illinois 08-30-2012 10:42
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From the IL DNR:
Dear Waterfowl Hunters:
Due to ongoing drought conditions in Illinois, some farmers are mowing or tilling their unharvested crop fields to collect crop insurance payments. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reminds hunters that the manipulation, including mowing or tilling, of unharvested crop fields is not a normal agricultural practice for waterfowl hunting purposes. The IDNR has received guidance on this issue from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Federal baiting laws still apply, even during times of drought. Therefore, it is a violation of the baiting laws under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act if scattered grain is not totally removed 10 days prior to hunting. Hunters should familiarize themselves with baiting laws in Illinois. For more information on waterfowl baiting regulations, refer to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service website link regarding baiting regulations at http://www.fws.gov/le/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.html.
Questions regarding hunting crop fields mowed or tilled due to drought insurance claims;
1. If a standing grain crop is 100% void of any ears (corn field produced no ears), can the field be mowed then hunted? Yes, as long as there is no grain present in the field. A field that produces NO ears of corn will probably be a rare occurrence.
2. If a standing grain crop has any amount of grain present after it is mowed, can it be hunted? No, it is a “baited area” until 10 days after the complete removal of the grain.
3. Can a standing crop that was mowed be disked and made legal for hunting? The field can only be hunted after all exposed grain has been completely removed or buried for a period of 10 days. Hunters should keep in mind that if a dry field is tilled to the extent that no grain is visibly present, strong winds or the first rain is likely to wash off some covered grain, thus still making it a baited situation.
4. Why can a person not hunt over a mowed area? Under federal baiting regulations, mowing or tilling of a standing crop is not a “normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation, or normal soil stabilization practice” as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service.
Attached to this email are pertaining sections of the 2011-2012 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations that provide additional information on migratory bird hunting and federal baiting regulations.
For questions about federal baiting regulations, please call 217-782-6431, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Posted By:
webmaster
root
McHenry / Boone County 08-20-2012 09:52
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Did some goose scouting yesterday. The cooler nights have helped with early morning and evening movements the past week.
Cut wheat seems to be the ticket for early morning and late evening feeding spots. Doves were thick in these fields as well.
With most smaller marshes dry and creeks in the area barely a trickle — geese are roosting on big water exclusively.
Need rain. Lots of it.
Posted By:
Duckcarver
Web Member
Saw some teal moving 08-18-2012 22:20
Sunny & Clear, Winds Calm – 60-65 Degrees
Saw some teal moving at sunset. Pretty cools seeing about 200 of them in two flocks. Got the binos on them and they were all blues.
Posted By:
webmaster
root
McHenry County 08-16-2012 17:33
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Well, we got another 0.5″ of rain today. A long way form filling the duck ponds but every little bit helps.
Posted By:
davehunter03
Web Member
08-15-2012 09:29
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Looks like another 60 day season for 012. ‘
Sr.
Posted By:
Duckcarver
Web Member
08-07-2012 10:38
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Corn is starting to be harvested….way early and underdeveloped. Seems like the year started with a lot of promise, but might fizzle out due to the drought.
Posted By:
Drake Slayer
Web Member
Southern IL 06-25-2012 08:49
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Took a golf trip down to extreme southern IL this past weekend….Friday – Sun. I live around the Belleville – Freeburg – Smithton area. Corn in this area is doing alright. Needs rain, but the early corn seems to be weathering this drought fairly well. In my travels south this weekend, I noticed the corn crop south is in DIRE condition!!! It looks absolutely pitiful!! I don’t even know if it can be saved?? Turning brown at the bottom already, tassels forming, and it’s only 3 feet tall. All the leaves are curled in, and the whole stalk is spindly and weak. Weather conditions this week are not going to help. Weather man calling for 104 degree temps for Thursday and Friday. That’s air temp, not heat index!! Not looking good…….
Pray for rain, folks…..
Posted By:
Kevin-Stallard
Field Editor
Highland 06-21-2012 06:11
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Slayer between Highland and Trenton on Rt.160 they have already cut about 10 acres of sweet corn, I like the look of cut cornfields it gives you that tingley/funny feeling…… Days are getting shorter from here on out…….the trail cameras are out, the white bass are just starting, the sunflowers need rain, two out of three ain’t bad.
Posted By:
Drake Slayer
Web Member
06-20-2012 07:21
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Been seeing quite a few corn fields already tasseled out. June 20th….tassels on corn?? Guess that blows “knee high by 4th of July” completely outta the water??!!!
Posted By:
Kevin-Stallard
Field Editor
Highland Area 06-12-2012 06:13
Cloudy, Rain & Thunderstorms – Over 70 Degrees
After all the planting we finally got a good soaker yesterday. Corn was getting stressed since it has been basically a dry spring. Corn about waist high and welcomed the inch or so we got.
