News Front

Watch for deer while on the road

Motorists should exercise extra caution while driving in Illinois this fall to avoid colliding with roaming deer.

"The onset of cooler autumn weather and the increased pace of harvest activity have deer on the move in rural and suburban areas," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "Motorists need to be very careful when driving near deer habitat and need to be on the lookout for deer on or near roads and highways."

The autumn months are prime time for deer-vehicle collisions in Illinois. The number of accidents tends to increase during the deer breeding season or "rut," which peaks about mid-November. Responding to their instinct to mate, deer become less cautious, more unpredictable and more likely to ignore vehicles on the road.

Among the suggestions to motorists to avoid deer-vehicle accidents:

• Be especially cautious at dusk through the early evening hours and in the hours before sunrise when deer are most active.

• Reduce speed and be prepared to stop on roads where deer may be present.

• Anticipate deer when driving through wooded locations and areas of dense vegetation or crop fields.

• Drivers encountering deer on the roadway should try flashing their vehicle's headlights and honking the horn to try to encourage the deer to move on.

• Drivers who come upon deer should warn motorists behind them by tapping their brakes. Most importantly, drivers should maintain control of the vehicle. Swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road to avoid a deer can also result in serious injuries.

Should an accident occur, the first priority is to provide assistance to injured drivers or passengers. Don't try to remove a dead or injured deer from a busy roadway. Contact state police, county or local police. Illinois law requires that all accidents resulting in damage of $500 or more be reported and an accident report filed with the police.

Many accidents occur in areas of natural deer habitat along waterways, fence rows, farm fields and wooded corridors. Chances are, if you see a deer, there are others nearby.

More than 17,000 deer-vehicle accidents occur in Illinois every year. In those cases, the driver of the vehicle involved in the deer-vehicle accident has the priority in possessing the deer. If the driver doesn't want the deer, any Illinois resident may claim the animal.

Anyone possessing a deer killed as a result of a vehicle accident must report it within 24 hours to the Department of Natural Resources by calling 1-800-406-3477 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. An authorization number will be issued allowing the individual to lawfully possess the deer.

Ooops!

The October issue of OutdoorIllinois had a typo that changed the answer to our Q&A. The answer to the question "Why is it a requirement that the habitat stamp be signed?" should have read: "If you have your habitat stamp affixed to a license, you are not required to sign it."

In addition, we mentioned the name of Taylor Bergman, Shorewood, as the winner of a bicycle at the Illinois State Fair. We indicated that Taylor is a young man, when, in fact, she is a young lady.

Waterfowl Digest available

The "2000-2001 Digest of Waterfowl Hunting Regulations" is now available. It includes detailed information on waterfowl hunting in Illinois. The digest is available on the DNR homepage (http://dnr.state.il.us) by clicking onto "Navigate our site" and going to "Hunter Info," from most Illinois hunting license vendors, at DNR offices, by writing: DNR Clearinghouse, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, ILL. 62701; phoning (217) 782-7498; or emailing: clearing@dnrmail. state.il.us.

Willow Creek area dedicated

Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning joined with representatives of the Illinois Habitat Fund Advisory Committee, Edgar County Wildlife Fund, Edgar County Pheasants Forever and the Illinois Conservation Foundation in dedicating the new Willow Creek State Habitat Area, an upland and forest wildlife area located between Chrisman and Paris, just west of U.S. Rt. 150 in Edgar County.

The 87-acre site is being developed to provide nesting,

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brood rearing and winter habitat for pheasant, quail, rabbit and a variety of other wildlife. As the habitat base is established, small game hunting opportunities will be available. Demonstration areas are also being established for visitors, local landowners and area school children to learn more about habitat restoration and management.

"Willow Creek is an example of the value of partnerships in restoring our important wildlife resources," said Manning. "Thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, a willing landowner and DNR staff, this site will be transformed into a valuable haven for wildlife and an outstanding venue for conservation education."

Habitat development includes establishing cool season grasses and warm season grasses and forbs. Volunteers from the Edgar County Pheasants Forever joined DNR regional staff in seeding the site last spring.

DNR completed the $184,000 acquisition from landowner Wanda Young in November 1999. The Illinois Habitat Fund provided $166,500, while the Edgar County Wildlife Fund contributed $17,500 to assist in acquiring the site. Illinois Habitat Fund monies are derived from the sale of the $5.50 state habitat stamp required of most Illinois hunters.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation, which facilitated local financial support for the project, was established in 1994 to allow financial contributions for specific DNR projects and programs. For more information on the Illinois Conservation Foundation, contact John D. Schmitt, Executive Director, Illinois Conservation Foundation, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 4-300, Chicago, Ill. 60601, or phone(312)814-7237.

Willow Creek State Habitat Area is the first Department of Natural Resources site in Edgar County and will be managed as a satellite of Walnut Point State Park near Oakland in Douglas County.

For the birds

I'm not a serious bird watcher, but I do enjoy seeing them in the wild and feeding them throughout the winter months. And I do admit to a certain amount of curiosity when I see a bird I can't identify. That's the main reason the "Birds of Illinois Field Guide" appeals to me.

Author Stan Tekiela has compiled a book showing 112 of the most common species of birds that frequent the Prairie State. Each page includes a map of where you will find the bird and at what time of the year, the bird's size, descriptions of the male, female and juvenile, what type of nest it builds, food it eats and other items of interest. There also is a listing of other books an Illinois birder might find worthwhile, plus some web pages of interest to both serious and amateur birders.

The book lists helpful tips for identifying a bird-its size, the shape of its bill, habitat it frequents, its body posture, and its flight pattern. But the most unusual— and best feature—is that the author has grouped the birds by color. For example, if the bird you want to know more about is basically blue, you need only flip through the book to the "blue" section, where you'll see photos of blue birds that frequent our state, including the indigo bunting, barn swallow, bluebird, purple martin and bluejay. Color patterns include black, black and white, blue, brown, gray, green, orange, red, white and yellow. In some instances, the male bird will be found in one section with a note directing you to a different section for a look at the female bird. For instance, the male purple finch is located in the red section, while the female is found in the brown section.

Selling for $12.95, the 270-page field guide is only 4 1/2 x6 inches, so it fits easily into a pocket, purse or glove box. It's available at most bookstores, or can be purchased from DNR's gift store using a Master Card or Visa by calling 1-800-720-3249 (in state) or (217) 782-1687 outside Illinois.

—Gary Thomas

Online resources available

If you're planning a hunting trip to a Department of Natural Resources site this year, you can now view and print out the area's fact sheet and map on the DNR home-page. Simply go to: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/ hunter_fact_sheet/index.htm.

Deer hunters urged to contribute

Hunters can assist Illinois food pantries and help feed the needy by donating all or part of their deer harvest to the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

"More than 15,700 pounds of venison were donated last season providing more than 125,000 meals to needy people in Illinois," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "Thanks to the generosity of deer hunters and those making financial contributions to pay for processing the meat, thousands of people benefit from the program."

Hunters have donated almost 70,000 pounds of deer meat to the program since 1994. This year, 52 participating meat processors will package venison into ground meat for distribution to food banks, charities, churches and food pantries throughout the state.

Contributions through the Illinois Conservation Foundation will help defray the cost of processing the meat for donations of whole deer. Hunters and others interested in assisting the program are asked to donate the $35 meat processing fee.

Illinois law allows the donation of wild game to not-for-profit corporations and charitable organizations without liability.

Financial contributions to the program may be made to the Illinois Conservation Foundation, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, ILL. 62701-1787. Checks may be made payable to the Illinois Conservation Foundation designating the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program.

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Sportsmen can call 1-800-221-6229 for information on participating meat processors and local food pantries. The hotline is operates weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. during October, November, December and January and is managed by Illinois Correctional Industries.

SIU trains teen biologists

Fourteen students at Sesser-Valier High School are glad they signed up for the school's most rigorous biology class. Students in the class are going to help catch and put radio collars on two white-tailed deer at the Rend Lake Conservancy District this year. They will then log onto school computers to download data on the deer's locations at different times of the day and night.

The students are getting professional and technical guidance from scientists and graduate students at the Southern Illinois University Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory in Carbondale, according to a story written by Paula M. Davenport of the SIU News Service.

Sesser-Valier High School students will radio collar two deer and track their location during the school year.

"We're going to a lot of effort and expense to show kids how to use technology and get them excited about science," said SlU's Alan Woolf.

The students will use— rather than read about—every high-tech tool known to modern wildlife biologists, including global positioning systems, which rely on satellites to capture and store deer data, and radio telemetry equipment that will produce raw statistics students will analyze.

By plotting that data on maps, they'll develop a deeper understanding of deer habits— discovering how much time deer spend near water, in woods and fields, and even how often they cross the road. In doing so, answers to other research questions may pop up. Students will also learn about the land's carrying capacity, ideal habitat, home range, wildlife ecology, herd management and more.

The project builds on previous school efforts involving deer. The high school's Outdoorsmen Club staffs an annual deer hunt for sportsmen with disabilities. Earlier biology classes conducted a longitudinal study of feeding behavior revealing that deer forage on at least 100 different food items.

The public will benefit from the study as well. Project information will eventually be accessible over the Internet.

Water resources conference set

The Department of Natural Resources is one of many agencies sponsoring Illinois Water 2000, a conference focusing on science, technology and policy development regarding water resources issues in Illinois. The conference is scheduled Nov. 13-14 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Urbana.

For more information about the conference, contact Fannie Lambert at the Illinois Water Resources Center, (217) 333-0536.

Outdoor Illinois thanks raffle contributors

The staff at OutdoorIllinois magazine would like to thank all the generous sponsors who contributed to this year's OutdoorIllinois Adventure Package at the Illinois State Fair.

They are: Campbell Resources, Inc. - $1,300 archery deer hunt package; Toys R Us -mountain bike and accessories; K's Merchandise - "Bass Hunter" fishing boat; Illinois Conservation Foundation - two camp chairs and two jackets; ENTICE - two sleeping bags; The Boat Dock, Port of Springfield - two life preservers; Wild Country Outfitters for Adventure - backpack; Coleman Co.

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- gas camping stove and large cooler; Magic Products, Inc. -minnow holder, worm carrying case/farm; Gator Grip, Inc. -two Golden Rule weigh masters; Harry's Pharmacy - first aid kit; Game Trackers East-man Outdoors - large storage/carrying bag; Berkeley - two fishing poles and two open-faced reels; LaCrosse Footwear, Ltd. - pair of 18-inch wading boots; Trius Products - clay target trap thrower; O. Mustad and Son, Inc. -assortment of hooks; and Rustic Originals - camping table.

Also, W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co. - folding knife; Oasis Div. of Novaleck, Inc. -pet supplies; McGowan Manufacturing Co. - knife sharpener; Two Bears Custom Archery, Ltd. - compound bow and accessories; Photo Resource Center - sports camera; Anonymous donor - camping tent; Piano Molding Corp. - tackle bag; Lynn Troute, "Dr. Duck" -collectors items; Henry's Sports Shop - various fishing supplies; Haydel's Game Calls, Inc. -one goose and one duck call; Brauer Bros. Mfg. Co. - gun case; Wright & McGill Co. -Eagle Claw hooks and hat pins; Kool-Dri Rain Wear - olive green rain suit; D-Barb, Inc. - barb cutter for catch and release; Leatherman - all-purpose tool; Life-Like Products -two minnow buckets; R and M Cyclery - bicycle helmet; Con-terol Scope Mounts - hunter mount with 1-inch rings; Dixie Gun Works - gift certificate; USA Magazines - two gift certificates and Yakima Bait Co. -6 fishing lures.

ICF report now available

The Illinois Conservation Foundation's Biennial Report is now available. It provides information regarding the many successes of the Foundation and the donors that are responsible for those successes.

The report covers from July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1999. A copy of the report is automatically mailed to donors.

Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $7.8 million for Department of Natural Resources programs. To donate or to receive a copy of the report, write: John Schmitt, ICF Executive Director, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 4-300, Chicago, Ill. 60601, or phone (312) 814-7237.

Havera wins Wildlife Society book award

Dr. Stephen P. Havera was named the 2000 recipient of the Wildlife Publications Award for the Outstanding Book Category by the Wildlife Society. Havera is the author of "Waterfowl of Illinois: Status and Management," published by the Illinois Natural History Survey.

The book and companion field guide build upon more than a century of research and information from Illinois and the heart of the Mississippi Flyway and capture the rich waterfowling tradition of the region. The book provides comprehensive coverage of history, habitats, populations, harvest, nesting biology, management, banding, food habits, programs, and other information relevant to waterfowl and wetlands. The 672-page compendium of information includes numerous color photos, figures, tables and references, along with a thorough index and glossary.

Havera, a senior professional scientist with the Natural History Survey, has studied a variety of wildlife species in agricultural, forest, and wetland landscapes during his 30-year career with the Survey. He has been conducting studies at the Forbes Biological Station near Havana since 1978 and became director of that station in 1982.

"Waterfowl of Illinois: Status and Management" and the companion field guide "Waterfowl of Illinois" are available for $69.95, or they can be purchased separately; $59.95 for the book, $14.95 for the field guide. They are available in the DNR Gift Guide, or by calling 1-800-720-3249.

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