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Reece painting giveaway For most Illinoisans, the chance of owning an original oil painting by wildlife artist Maynard Reece is pretty slim. Original paintings done by this master artist generally start in the neighborhood of $15,000 and go up from there. But what if I told you your chance to own an original Reece painting is 500 to 1? And that each chance is just $100? What if I mentioned there also are more than a dozen other items in the raffle, including a limited edition Fred Boyer 14-inch bronze sculpture of a young duck hunter and a black lab valued at about $3,000 and titled "Their First Bird"; three or four hunting trips, including a spot at next year's three-day Celebrity Quail Hunt at Rend Lake; a premium three-day waterfowl hunt at North Platte, Neb. by Cheyenne Ridge Outfitters; six shotguns; a portable Eliminator Pro-Guide waterfowl hunting blind; and a chance to own one of several premium Jeff Foiles goose calls? What if I told you that you will receive a limited edition, signed and numbered art print of Reece's painting if you are one of the first 300 to buy a ticket? And finally, how about if we throw in a numbered Safari Club International collectible coin for each person entering the raffle? The Illinois Chapter of Safari Club International is working with the Illinois Conservation Foundation to raffle off Reece's "Autumn Mallards." This 24x30-inch original oil painting was commissioned by the Foundation for the 1998 Mid-America Waterfowl Expo. "Best of all, proceeds of the raffle are dedicated to the support of the different programs funded by the Illinois Conservation Foundation," said Jerry Luciano, president of the Illinois Chapter of Safari Club International. "If you love the Illinois outdoors, this is a raffle you should consider. All the dollars raised will stay in Illinois and will be used to support youth hunts, DNR's handicapped hunting and fishing programs and other worthwhile events." Only 500 raffle tickets will be sold, so your odds of owning an original piece of Reece art are very good. But the truth is, there are no losers. The signed and numbered print is valued at $95, and the numbered commemorative coin—which includes the entrant's raffle number—will be a collector's item. The drawing could be held as early as April 6, if all tickets are sold, but will be held no later than July 4. You can get your raffle ticket coin by sending a check for $100 payable to SCI. Mail to: Illinois Chapter of Safari Club International, Attn: Jerry Luciano, P.O. 236, Wonder Lake, IL 60097. And don't forget, the first 300 entrants also will receive the art print. Largemouth bass virus confirmed in Illinois As part of nationwide research relating to large-mouth bass virus (LMBV), Illinois has tested and found the virus at its hatcheries and several lakes. Results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service LaCrosse Fish Health Center in LaCrosse, Wisc., and Auburn University indicate the virus was found everywhere it was tested for in Illinois. DNR Fisheries Chief Mike Conlin explained that fish can carry the virus without having the actual disease. "Presence of the virus in a population does not mean the fish are diseased, nor is it an indication that they will have the disease in the future," said Conlin. "Largemouth bass virus appears to be triggered by a combination of stress and heat. Fish are more likely to be impacted by the disease when they are stressed. Stress factors, such as hot water temperatures, low oxygen and frequent handling, appear to increase the chance that the fish will show signs of illness." Biologists noticed that the only fish in the hatcheries testing positive for the virus were under stressed conditions. They noted that when the primary cause of stress was removed, fish mortalities ceased or decreased dramatically. Largemouth bass were tested from the Jake Wolf and Little Grassy hatcheries, as well as from four lakes with different variables. The lakes included Lou Yaeger, which experienced a multiple species fish kill this year and has not been stocked from the hatcheries; Jacksonville, which is routinely stocked and experienced a large-mouth bass kill in August, likely caused by high temperatures and handling associated with a bass tournament; Crab Orchard, which is routinely stocked, had largemouth bass mortalities several years ago; and Cedar, which is not stocked, has only small local fishing tournaments and has had no reported bass kills. LMBV first gained attention in 1995 when it was implicated in a fish die-off in South Carolina. It is one of more than 100 naturally occurring viruses that affect fish but not warm-blood-
ed animals. Although the virus can be carried by other fish species, such as crappie and bluegill, it is only fatal to large-mouth bass. Scientists do not know exactly how the virus is transmitted or why it sometimes kills bass. Warm water temperature is one common variable identified at lakes where LMBV-related fish kills have been confirmed. Scientists know of no cure. LMBV has been found in at least 15 states. Generally, states that haven't reported finding it have not yet tested for the virus. Most fish carrying LMBV appear completely normal. In cases where the virus has triggered disease, dying bass may be near the surface experiencing difficulty swimming and remaining upright. LMBV attacks the swim bladder, causing bass to lose their equilibrium. Diseased fish might also appear bloated. Studies have shown that all sizes of bass may be carriers of the virus. However, larger bass are more apt to develop disease because they are more likely to undergo stress. Although biologists do not know if the virus will have extensive or long-lasting effects on bass populations, Conlin does not believe it will harm fisheries in the long run. There have been no documented cases of LMBV kills in Illinois. In other states, bass populations in LMBV-infected lakes have not dropped significantly, though reductions in angler success for a year or two have been noted subsequent to an incident. Fish with LMBV are safe to handle and eat. The virus does not infect warm-blooded animals, including humans. Anglers can help minimize the impact of largemouth bass virus by doing the following: • Drain all water from the bilge and live wells, and clean boats, trailers and other equipment thoroughly between fishing trips to prevent transporting LMBV—as well as other pathogens and organisms—from one water body to another. The virus can live for several hours in water. • Do not move fish or fish parts from one body of water to another. And do not release live bait into the water. • Handle bass as gently as possible. • Conduct tournaments during cooler weather, so fish caught will not be stressed by hot temperatures and low oxygen levels. If you see unusual numbers of dead or dying fish, call DNR's law enforcement hotline at (877) 236-7529, or contact a DNR fisheries biologist.
Foundation seeks grant program applicants The Illinois Conservation Foundation is soliciting applications from environmental and conservation organizations for grants to assist and encourage the preservation and enhancement of natural resources in the state. "Demand for funding was high last year, but we were able to fund some terrific projects. Some of these projects are providing school children with hands-on outdoors experiences, while others are helping to restore fragile habitats," said Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning, who serves as chairman of the Foundation. "This year, we are increasing the dollars available for grants so that additional projects from groups that share our vision and our vested interest in making Illinois a better place to live have a greater chance to receive funding." Individual grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded, with preference given to projects for which applicants provide matching funds. Up to $60,000 is available for projects this year. Applications for funding, due by Feb. 1, should include a summary of the project proposal; description of the organization, its background, purpose, objectives and experience in the area for which funding is sought; and a more detailed attachment describing the project proposal, including an itemized budget, names of organizational officers and their affiliations, audited financial statements and documentation of financial need. Ten copies of the application must be submitted by the deadline. No faxed or overnight express-mailed grant applications will be accepted. Grant applications will be reviewed by the staff and Board of Directors of the Foundation, with awards announced by July 1. For more information on the grant program and specific guidelines for application, contact the Illinois Conservation Foundation, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 4-300, Chicago, IL 60601, phone (312) 814-7237, or visit the ICF web site at http://www.ilcf.org. Hall of Fame banquet honors ICF supporters Two companies and a wildlife conservation organization dedicated to natural resource protection will be honored for their support of the Illinois Conservation Foundation at the inaugural Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet to be held Feb. 1 at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The three Director's Awards will be presented to Dynegy Inc., Plano Molding Co. and the Illinois Chapter of Safari Club International. The awards to be presented are: • Director's Corporation of the Year Award: Dynegy Inc. Dynegy is the parent company of Decatur-based Illinois Power Company, an energy delivery company serving more than 650,000 natural gas and electricity customers. Illinois Power was the first corporate donor to the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICP) in 1994. Dynegy has continued to fund a natural resource enhancement program initiated by Illinois Power that has already planted more than 10 million trees throughout Illinois. • Director's Special Friend of the Foundation Award, Plano Molding Company. Illinois-based Plano Molding supports a variety of ICF programs, including the Lake Michigan (continued on page 23)
Illinois firearm hunters harvest 99,167 deer Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 99,167 deer during the 2001 firearm deer season. The preliminary figure compares with a harvest total of 101,533 deer taken during the 2000 firearm season. The preliminary second-season (Nov. 29-Dec. 2) harvest total of 36,406 compared to the 2000 second-season harvest of 28,174. This year's preliminary first-season (Nov. 16-18) deer harvest was 62,761, compared with a first-season harvest of 73,359 in 2000. The figures do not include deer harvested during hunts on state sites where special permits are issued. Pike County led the state with a preliminary total harvest of 3,753. Adams County was second with 2,719. "After near-perfect conditions last year resulted in a higher firearm harvest than anticipated, we expected firearm harvest this year to decline somewhat," said DNR Forest Wildlife Program Manager Paul Shelton. "Although unseasonably warm weather during our first season seemed to suppress success somewhat, hunters overcame rain and wind during the early part of the second season to produce our highest second-season harvest ever. The end result is that total firearm deer harvest for 2001 falls right into the expected range." Approximately 278,000 firearm permits were issued to deer hunters in Illinois this year. Preliminary 2001 Firearm Deer Harvest Report
Fishing Tournament, Illinois Celebrity Quail Hunt, International Goose Calling Championship and Waterfowl Hunt, youth hunting and fishing events, and the ICF Chicago-land and downstate golf outings. In addition, Plano Molding has sponsored the state's Free Fishing Days promotion since 1985. • Illinois Chapter of Safari Club International, Director's Organization of the Year Award. The Illinois chapter, founded in 1986, initiated the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program, now administered by the DNR. The organization has sponsored the Illinois youth duck and goose hunts since 1991 and was title sponsor of the Mid-America Waterfowl Expo held in Peoria. The Illinois chapter has donated more than $50,000 to ICF programs since 1994. The awards will be presented at the Feb. 1 banquet at which the first class of inductees to the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame also will be honored. The inductees are: • Frank C. Bellrose, Havana, one of the foremost authorities on waterfowl and wetlands; • Jack Ehresman, Hanna City, retired outdoors columnist for the Peoria Journal-Star; • James Helfrich, Hammond, a 33-year employee of the Illinois Department of Conservation, who served as the agency's assistant director from 1977 until his death in 1986; • John Husar, Willow Springs, award-winning sportswriter and columnist for the Chicago Tribune, who died in 2000; and • Gene Morgan, Sesser, high school biology teacher and founder of the Sesser-Valier High School Outdoorsmen's Club. The banquet also will feature a raffle, a 200-item silent auction and a live auction for a Triton bass boat, motor and trailer; a Tracker walleye boat, motor and trailer; a camouflage waterfowl boat with motor and trailer; a state parks lodge tour, including accommodations and meals; and a variety of hunting and fishing trip opportunities. For more information on the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame banquet, contact Ron Allen at (217) 785-9371, or check the ICF web site at www.ilcf.org.
OutdoorIllinois editor retires Gary Thomas, who has been editor of OutdoorIllinois Magazine since 1975, retired in December after 31 years in state government. Thomas, a resident of Waverly, took OutdoorIllinois from its humble beginnings as a hunting and fishing newsletter to a 28-page, full-color magazine enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts across the country. After graduating with a degree in journalism from Murray State University in Kentucky, Thomas served in Vietnam as a combat correspondent. He went to work for the State of Illinois in 1970. A father of four and grandfather of four, Thomas also moonlighted for 15 years as a writer for Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story" segments and, in 1980, wrote the manuscript for the made-for-TV movie "Too Young the Hero." He has been active in the Association for Conservation Information, made up of editors and writers of natural resource magazines nationwide, holding a number of elective offices. He has received the organization's two highest awards, "The Spirit of ACI" and the "Honorary Life Member" distinction. Thomas also was the receipient of the "Golden Glow Award for Public Service" from the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, an organization of outdoor writers from the Midwest and recently was named "Illinois Outdoor Writer of the Year."
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