STAFF: James L. Fulgenzi, office director; Gary Thomas, editor; Liz Pensoneau, managing editor; John Allen, staff writer; P.J. Perea, staff writer; Adele Hodde, chief photographer; Chas. J. Dees, staff photographer; Charles J. Copley, design & layout; Cheryl Gwinn, production coordinator; Vera Lynn Smith, circulation.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Internet Address: http://dnr.state.il.us

Staff-written material appearing in this publication may be reprinted without permission, provided that OUTDOOR ILLINOIS, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is acknowledged as the source. OUTDOOR ILLINOIS assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or illustrations.

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source's civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, DNR, 524 S. Second, Springfield, IL 62701-1787; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175.

All public meetings conducted by the Department of Natural Resources will be accessible to handicapped individuals in compliance with Executive Order No. 5 and pertinent state and federal laws, upon notification of the anticipated attendance. Handicapped persons planning to attend and needing special accommodations should inform the Department of Natural Resources at least five days prior to the meeting by telephoning or writing the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Department of Natural Resources, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787, phone (217) 785-0067.

Department of Natural Resources information is available to the hearing impaired by calling DNR's Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (217) 782-9175.

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Illinois Department of
Natural Resources

What'sInside

2 Conservation 2000

This team is working toward the long-term goal of protecting Illinois' natural resources.

7 February

Most Illinois sportsmen suffer through this month, but guest writer Joe McFarland looks forward to it each year.

8 Kudzu

Once thought to be a miracle crop, agencies are now working to eradicate this plant in Illinois.

11 Rest Easy

Fall Creek Rest Area near Quincy combines rest and outdoor recreation.

15 Winter Waters

You might get cold and sluggish during the winter months, but that doesn't mean the fish do.

19 Bobcats are Back

This cat has gone from threatened to thriving!

20 NewsFront

Walleye stockings at Kankakee River, new hunting rules for light geese, commercial fishing at Rend Lake, college internships, campsite and picnic shelter reservations and more in this month's NewsFront.

On the cover...

Arthur photographer David Crist took this photo of a coyote hunting in a field in Moultrie County.

February 2000

UpFront

Many of us can truthfully say we take things for granted. And there is a good chance this includes our ability to readily access our favorite hunting and fishing sites. We probably don't think about the difficulties disabled hunters and fishermen might encounter when they want to cast a line or spend the day hunting. For them, transportation across rugged terrain is a major challenge.

I'm pleased to say that this may be changing soon as good things are on the horizon. There has been some discussion about modifying fishing boats to accommodate people with disabilities, and the Department of Natural Resources currently is testing a prototype all-terrain vehicle/cart that can provide hunters with disabilities easier access to the field for upland game hunting. The new rig is making test runs at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Kankakee River State Park and other selected sites, having had its first demonstration in December. It is our long-range hope to make the carts available at public hunting areas.

Brent Manning

DNR has borrowed and refined some of the concepts of similar ATV-propelled carts that have been developed for this purpose, and we are especially grateful to Minnesota's Broken-Wing Connection the Rend Lake Conservancy District, which generously shared needed information with our department.

With the price tag of each cart topping the $1,000 mark, and since there are no dedicated funds for the project, DNR is in the process of forming partnerships with private organizations, such as Pheasants Forever, to finance the construction of additional carts. Because the ability now exists to channel private or corporate contributions through the not-for-profit Illinois Conservation Foundation, individuals, organizations and corporations can earmark funds for this specific project. Keep in mind that contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

All divisions within DNR share an interest in making public lands accessible to all segments of our population. The staff is continually striving to improve access of our public lands, and many capital projects currently are underway around the state to make additional facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.

I am also pleased to say that we are in the process of preparing an accessibility guide for all DNR properties that will include such information as whether or not the site is handicapped accessible at this time and, if so, what amenities are offered. The guide will be available later this year.

For more information about DNR's program for people with disabilities, contact Charlie Pangle, P.O. Box 992, Bourbonnais, Ill. 60914, or phone (815)929-1223. For information about the Illinois Conservation Foundation, contact Executive Director John D. Schmitt, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 4-3000, Chicago, Ill. 60601, or phone (312) 814-7237.