Post by Woody Williams on Nov 26, 2006 13:17:59 GMT -5
Illinois opening weekend brings out hunters
By LEN WELLS
Courier & Press correspondent (618) 842-2159 or lenwells@wabash.net
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Hunters across Illinois bagged 78,177 whitetail deer during the opening weekend of the state's firearm deer season which ended last Sunday. That number is up 1,126 from last's year's opening weekend.
Two people died during the first firearm hunting season this year. Authorities said that 15-year-old Keith VonBehrens of Kansas, Ill., died Saturday, Nov. 18, when his gun accidentally discharged while he was hunting with his father on private land near Charleston, Ill.
Charles Pittman, 79, and his German shepherd dog also died on Nov. 18. Their bodies were found in a car parked near a service road at the Mississippi Palisades State Park near Alton, Ill. The two were apparently shot by a hunter who fired at a deer in a portion of the park that was supposed to have been open only to hunters.
"The cool, dry weather conditions were good for deer hunting for the first firearm weekend," said Paul Shelton, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Forest Wildlife Program Manager.
"Windy conditions and fog in some areas of the state were factors at time, but overall weather conditions and the fact that crop harvest is finished were positive factors for hunting opportunities."
Adams County recorded the biggest first season harvest with 2,158 deer taken.
Around Southern Illinois, Wabash County hunters killed 257: White 743: Wayne 1,252: Edwards 401: Gallatin 446: Saline 665: Richland 702: and Lawrence 522.
The Illinois firearm deer season concludes with a second firearm hunt starting Thursday, Nov. 30, through Dec. 3.
The muzzleloader-only deer season is Dec. 8-10.
The Late-Winter Antlerless-only firearm season has been set for Jan. 12-14.
The state's 2006-2007 archery deer hunting season continues through Jan. 11, except during the firearm season from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.
By LEN WELLS
Courier & Press correspondent (618) 842-2159 or lenwells@wabash.net
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Hunters across Illinois bagged 78,177 whitetail deer during the opening weekend of the state's firearm deer season which ended last Sunday. That number is up 1,126 from last's year's opening weekend.
Two people died during the first firearm hunting season this year. Authorities said that 15-year-old Keith VonBehrens of Kansas, Ill., died Saturday, Nov. 18, when his gun accidentally discharged while he was hunting with his father on private land near Charleston, Ill.
Charles Pittman, 79, and his German shepherd dog also died on Nov. 18. Their bodies were found in a car parked near a service road at the Mississippi Palisades State Park near Alton, Ill. The two were apparently shot by a hunter who fired at a deer in a portion of the park that was supposed to have been open only to hunters.
"The cool, dry weather conditions were good for deer hunting for the first firearm weekend," said Paul Shelton, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Forest Wildlife Program Manager.
"Windy conditions and fog in some areas of the state were factors at time, but overall weather conditions and the fact that crop harvest is finished were positive factors for hunting opportunities."
Adams County recorded the biggest first season harvest with 2,158 deer taken.
Around Southern Illinois, Wabash County hunters killed 257: White 743: Wayne 1,252: Edwards 401: Gallatin 446: Saline 665: Richland 702: and Lawrence 522.
The Illinois firearm deer season concludes with a second firearm hunt starting Thursday, Nov. 30, through Dec. 3.
The muzzleloader-only deer season is Dec. 8-10.
The Late-Winter Antlerless-only firearm season has been set for Jan. 12-14.
The state's 2006-2007 archery deer hunting season continues through Jan. 11, except during the firearm season from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.
