The banquet will be held at the Operating Engineers Hall (318) in Marion, IL.  This is the same location that we have used for the last three banquets.

We will be sending out more detailed information in the future.  We look forward to seeing you at our banquet this fall!

Thank you,

Travis Haas
SIQDMA Branch Secretary

http://heartlandoutdoors.com/heartland/story/ehd_claims_2000_deer_in_illinois/

Thu, October 04, 2012

By THE ILLINOIS DNR

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced updated results of monitoring of deer mortality in the state attributed to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD).  Since an earlier update on September 6, many Illinois citizens have taken the time to make reports of sick, dead, and/or dying animals throughout the state. The IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources thanks those individuals who have taken time to provide information on EHD-probable deer mortality in the state.

As of September 30, there were 2,043 deer reported as probable EHD deaths, with reports from 76 counties.  The highest numbers were reported from Cook (326); Calhoun (181); Coles (138); Macon and Shelby (121).  The attached color-coded map provides an indication of the disease intensity, by county.

Hunters taking to the field in Illinois for archery deer hunting and the Oct. 6-7 Illinois Youth Firearm Deer Hunt need not be concerned about eating venison from animals that may have contracted EHD and survived.  EHD has no impact on humans, pets, or livestock.

Lab testing has isolated EHDV-6 from several Illinois deer from northwest Cook County.  Results are still pending for other samples taken downstate.  EHD has been found throughout the Midwest, including neighboring Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Hunters and landowners who find sick or dead deer that they suspect may be related to EHD, especially in or near water, are asked to contact their nearest IDNR field office or regional office to report them.  Discoveries of EHD-related deer mortality may also be reported to Tom Micetich at 309-543-3316, ext. 231; or email: tom.micetich@illinois.gov.  Anyone reporting dead deer should include their name and contact phone number, as well as the county, number of dead deer, and specific location of the deer (distance/direction from the nearest town).

Latest EHD map is below:

Please put March 22, 2012 on your calendar for the Southern Illinois QDMA Branch Banquet.  Look for more information about the event in future posts.

Also if you are not on our mailing list, be sure to click on “ABOUT” on the menu above and fill out the form at the bottom to be included in all future emails.

Thank you for helping make the SIQDMA Branch Banquet successful.

travismhaas@hotmail.com

I’m looking at what’s known – in the parlance of our times – as an “epic fail.”

The soybeans are long gone. The sorghum survived the driest weeks of May and early June, but while it struggled, crabgrass rose up to engulf the scene like a noxious tide.

This wreckage called a food plot got off to such a great start, too. Back in April, soil temperatures and moisture allowed for timely planting. Natural forages were abundant, providing a buffer to protect the new soybean seedlings from premature browsing. The blend of soybeans and sorghum appeared likely to sail ahead of any weed competition and shade it out.

What went wrong?

READ FULL POST

You can read the newsletter here:

May 2011 SIQDMA Newsletter

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Tree stands were setup just outside the hunter safety tent, and children had an opportunity to learn about how to properly hang, climb, and hunt from an elevated stand. “Camo the Clown” made an appearance during the course, and truly left the children wanting more. He got them excited about hunting, fishing and getting into the outdoors and enjoying everything it has to offer.  Lcal trapper and outdoor enthusiast, Phil Mendenhall, gave trapping demonstrations throughout the weekend and taught everyone who was interested about all the animals that are available for trapping in our state.  He also showed them how to care for game, both in the field and while preparing it for the dinner table.  We had a 3,000 gallon fishin’ hole filled with local bluegill and channel catfish.  The children had the opportunity to catch fish with the help of local volunteers during breaks from the classroom portion of the course.  A local chainsaw carver was on-hand and took a 5 foot piece of red cedar tree trunk, and turned it into a beautiful eagle carving. Everyone had an opportunity to shoot skeet and .22 rifles with our certified range instructors.  We even had a martial arts instructor from a local academy give demonstrations and talk about all the benefits of staying active and living a healthy lifestyle.  We had a Civil War era replica cannon on site with volunteers from the local encampment talking to kids about how people lived during that time.

Upon completion of the course, we had prizes donated from several local organizations and individuals.  Drawing from the names of the kids who passed our hunter safety course, we gave away 2 guided pheasant hunts at a local hunting preserve, a waterfowl hunt with a local expert and guide, a fully guided whitetail deer hunt during the upcoming youth season with a local guide and landowner, and the Grand Prize: An all inclusive, youth season whitetail deer hunt with Dead Zone Outdoors.

The Grand Prize Hunt was won by Caitlyn Phelps of Simpson, Illinois.  Caitlyn is 9 years old and could not possibly be any happier about winning this hunt. Here’s the short list of what this hunt will include: licensing, transportation, guides, meals and lodging on a top notch property that has been strictly managed under QDMA practices for over 12 years, a “Rhino Blinds” ground blind, a youth model shotgun, camouflage apparel for the hunt that the hunter will take home, free processing of the harvest from Miles Brothers Meat, and a free mount from Rankin Taxidermy.  This entire hunt will also be filmed by the crew from Dead Zone Outdoors TV for an upcoming episode on the Pursuit Channel.  As a bonus, Caitlyn will also take home a youth model Mathews bow, and she is very excited about learning how to hunt with stick and string.  This hunting package is valued at over $3,000!!  After the event, Caity said, “I learned a lot of stuff about hunting that I did not know.  I learned about guns and how to be safe with them.  I had so much fun, it was the best weekend ever!  It was awesome to win the hunt, and I can’t wait ’till I get to go.”  All in all, we gave away over $6,000 worth of hunting opportunities, family activities, hunting gear and other items, all of which was donated to the kids at our event.

We cannot thank everyone enough for the help and support that was given to us this weekend.  There are truly a lot of people who share our passion for the outdoors, and gave freely, both of their time and money, to make this event what it was.

This event was the first of its kind in Southern Illinois, and plans are already being made for next year’s event.  Look for more stories from the event, sponsor info, photos and news about Wild Wings and Hooves 2012 in the very near future at www.wildwingsandhooves.com.