Legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold, also a hunter, conducted one of the earliest game surveys to record pheasants in Illinois.

It was the spring of 1929 when a scientist named Aldo Leopold spent three weeks in Illinois surveying the status of our wild game.

There was much to study. In the 111 years since Illinois had become a state, wildlife populations had experienced dramatic setbacks. By 1929, total extinction of a few species had occurred, with much of our large game extirpated. Elk no longer existed in Illinois, nor did black bears, cougars, wolves or wild turkeys. Beavers and river otters were exceptionally rare, and once-plentiful herds of white-tailed deer had been reduced to a few hundred specimens in rural pockets of the state.

Passenger pigeons and Carolina parakeets, once as common as blades of grass, were gone from Earth altogether.

It was clear the state of our wildlife had been altered tremendously by 1929; yet, wildlife officials realized they had another problem. Nobody could claim they sufficiently understood the current status of wildlife populations. Although pioneer explorers roughly documented the presence of various wildlife species in Illinois, the modern science of wildlife management, complete with formal game population estimates, didn't yet exist.

So Leopold, a professional forester and keen naturalist (who would later ascend to conservationist fame as author of A Sand County Almanac), set forth to complete his Game Survey of the North Central States, eventually published in 1931.

Leopold knew many historic species would not be represented in his survey. But as he traveled among the patchwork of farms in rural northern Illinois, he documented a colorful, new bird that hadn't existed there in 1818. It was the ring-necked pheasant.

The Asian native, already a prized game bird in Europe, technically wasn't a stranger in America. In the eastern United States, attempts to establish pheasant populations dated to colonial times when releases of these elegant fowl were made along the East Coast as early as 1728, but without success.

It wasn't until the early 1880s when birds imported directly from China became established at Oregon's Willamette Valley. News of that successful release—which offered hope that hunters might someday hunt wild pheasants elsewhere in America— spread across the country's depleted landscapes. Optimistic landowners were importing eggs and chicks from overseas with the dream of creating a new wildlife population for sportsmen.

In Illinois, the first recognized successful release of pheasants came when a pair was released in the spring of 1890 near Macomb in west-central Illinois. A flock of nearly full-grown young pheasants was observed in the fall, and that success was all the evidence needed to convince sportsmen that pheasants were the game of our future.

In 1904, Illinois became the first state in the nation to open a state-operated game farm. Eggs and chicks were distributed to landowners, with some 36,723 pheasants

January/February 2003 49

A new generation of Illinois hunters during the mid-20th century enjoyed the finest pheasant hunting opportunities the state would ever experience.

having been released by the time Leopold began his 1929 study.

At first, pheasants were stocked anywhere hunters could imagine putting them. For unknown reasons, pheasants seemed to thrive in the northern and central portions of Illinois, but not in the south. Analysts suspected soil conditions were to blame or, perhaps, climate. Some releases did poorly in non-glaciated areas, suggesting key minerals or certain nutrients were either present or missing. Some mistakenly believed pheasants released in the south actually flew north. Occasionally, birds released downstate managed to survive and reproduce for a year. But then they would vanish within a few seasons.

Lack of scientific documentation compounded the survival mystery. By comparison, wildlife managers today have decades of detailed population studies at their disposal. When Leopold set forth to collect pheasant information in 1929, he encountered a paucity of facts.

"Census figures for other species are scarce enough," Leopold wrote in 1931, "but for pheasants, they are as yet nearly non-existent."

As he interviewed hunters and landowners, Leopold encountered the same stories. He found pheasants survived well while raised in captivity, even in the south. Yet, only northern birds did well in the wild.

"Why should southern plantings thrive under wire, or for short periods in the wild, but fail to thrive in the long run?" Leopold puzzled. "What is the 'cause' for success in the North and failure in the South?"

More than 70 years later, no definitive answers exist.

"They were never able to put their finger on one thing," explains Department of Natural Resources Grassland Wildlife Program Manager John Cole, who says studies were conducted and soils were analyzed, yet nobody could confidently claim they understood why pheasants in southern regions couldn't survive.

But Leopold had only scratched the surface and larger questions would arise.

As pheasants became well-established in northeastern and central Illinois, nobody realized the tremendous pheasant opportunities were a temporary windfall. Pheasants thrived in habitat where native game birds failed, but overlooked was the larger issue of habitat loss, which precipitated much of the original wildlife trouble.

By the 1880s, nearly all of Illinois'original prairie sod had been broken up for agriculture. While pheasants were considered a successful, modern wildlife compromise, the victory wouldn't last.

According to the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois' pheasant population peaked in the early 1950s. As many as 160 pheasants per square mile were recorded in prime pheasant counties in north-central Illinois, even near Chicago.

A 1947 survey of pheasant distribution

As Illinois land use changed, pheasants were introduced to replace diminished
populations of prairie chickens and other game—and hunters reaped the temporary bounty.

50 Illinois Parks and Recreation

Illinois' state-managed game propagation centers raise as many as 75,000 pheasants
annually for controlled pheasant hunting programs throughout the state.

noted that a businessman could slip away from the office, put on hunting clothes and be standing in a field of pheasants a short while later.

"In metropolitan Chicago, literally under the noses of 4,000,000 hurrying souls, there is some pheasant hunting...enough to take, within commuting distance of the Loop, 100,000 sportsmen afield," the survey summarized.

Agricultural practices fueled the success of pheasants.

"Farming in the 30s, 40s and 50s was just what pheasants needed," Cole said. "Farmers would plant corn one year, then oats the next year, or maybe a clover and hay mix for a couple of years."

Unfortunately, as farming changed, pheasants couldn't adapt. A study of hunter success showed it took two hours for the average hunter to bag a pheasant in 1964. A little more than a decade later, following the brutal winters of 1976-77, it took hunters nearly 35 hours to bag a single pheasant.

A 1978 study concluded: "Unless extensive corn and soybean production with associated clean farming practices is moderated, 'boom' populations of pheasants in Illinois will remain only a memory."

So what is the future of pheasants in Illinois? Wildlife managers say they reserve some hope agricultural lands set aside for conservation might offer temporary help. More than a dozen DNR sites manage parcels of land specifically for quality wild pheasant habitat, offering limited public hunting for wild birds during hunting season.

"I don't suppose it'll ever be the way it was, back when we harvested 1 million pheasants in a season," Cole observes. "But it's conceivable we could do better than we are now."

Meanwhile, pheasant hunting still exists in Illinois.

Approximately 90,000 pheasants—more than twice the number of pheasants released prior to 1929—are released annually at 16 DNR-controlled pheasant hunting sites. For young hunters, 14 sites offer special pheasant hunts for sportsmen between the ages of 10 and 15. Illinois also has 200 privately operated, licensed hunting preserves where the public can try its luck at harvesting some of the 220,000 pheasants released each year.

While the golden era of Illinois' pheasant hunting might be history, there are sincere efforts being made to prevent further losses.

JOE MCFARIAND is a staff writer for OutdoorIllinois magazine. This article is reprinted from the December 2002 issue of OutdoorIllinois with permission granted from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

For more information about public pheasant hunting opportunities in the state, check DNR's website at http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/index.htm.

January/February 2003 51

OSLAD Grant Deadlines

Local agencies interested in expanding or making needed improvements to local park and recreation facilities can apply May 1 through July 1 to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Grant Administration, for grant funding assistance through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant programs.

The OSLAD/LWCF programs can provide up to 50 percent funding assistance for the acquisition and/or development of land for public park and outdoor recreation purposes. Grant awards up to a maximum of $750,000 for land acquisition and $400,000 for facility development and renovation are available. Any unit of local government in Illinois having statutory authority to provide for public park and recreation areas may apply. Grants are awarded competitively based on written applications submitted to the Department by the July 1 deadline date.

For more information on the OSLAD/LWCF grant programs or to request a current grant manual for making application to the Department, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702, fax 217.782.9599 or phone 217.782.7481. Program information and the grant manual is also available on the Department's Web site.

Region 2 Office Moves

The Region 2 office of the Department of Natural Resources is moving from the Spring Grove location to Tri-County State Park in Bartlett. The park contains extensive prairie and wetland habitat. Extensive foot trails are under development, as are day-use areas containing shelters and restroom facilities.

The facility will house offices of the DNR and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District (FPD). DNR employees working in the building include the usual complement of regional biologists, land managers and support programs, as well as members of the Illinois Water Survey and Office of Water Resources. The FPD office houses a visitor and interpretive center, complete with an amphitheater and displays on Illinois' prairies and wildlife.

Although staff have moved to the new facility, some services, such as the sale of licenses and permits, remain at the Spring Grove office. Before visiting either office to purchase a license or permit, the public is advised to phone the number below. The new address of the Region 2 office is 2050 West Steams Road, Harden, IL 60103. Phone 847.608.3100.

Chronic Wasting Disease Update

The Department of Natural Resources is allowing hunters to bring deer and elk hunted out of state back into Illinois, so long as the carcasses are brought to a licensed meat processor or licensed taxidermist within 72 hours of entry into the state.

The rule, effective immediately, amends an earlier prohibition on the transportation of hunter-harvested deer and elk carcasses into Illinois, except for deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to skull caps, hides, upper canine teeth and finished taxidermy mounts. Individuals who do not take their harvest to either a licensed meat processor or licensed taxidermist still must comply with this regulation.

The rule requires meat processors and taxidermists to dispose of discarded animal materials either with a renderer or in a landfill. Full text of the rule can be found on the DNR Web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/pubaffairs/2002/CWD.htm.

This change helps ensure proper disposal of animal parts and is a result of public comment about the restrictions put in place this summer to help prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease into Illinois.

Wildlife Preservation Fund

Applications for the Small Project Program of the Wildlife Preservation Fund, administered through the DNR Office of Resource Conservation, Division of Resource Protection and Stewardship, will be accepted through April 15. This program is funded through a voluntary check-off designation to the Wildlife Preservation Fund on the state income tax form.

Small Project Program proposals may address many types of projects, including management, site inventories or education. Examples of past projects include wildlife habitat improvement, species enhancement, education and research projects, (focusing on species ranging from birds to turtles), and habitat ranging from forests to prairies. Individual proposals are eligible for up to $1,000 from the fund. Grants will be effective July 1,2003-June 30, 2004.

To obtain the 2004 packet, a program explanation, an application form and instructions, call 217.785.8774 or e-mail Specialfunds@dnrmail.state.il.us for a packet.

52 Illinois Parks and Recreation

OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEFS

ICF Grant Process

The Illinois Conservation Foundation's 2003 grant request form now is available on the ICF Web site at www.ilcf.org. Up to $75,000 in funding is offered, with maximum grant awards of $5,000.

The ICF grant program supports programs and activities that assist or enhance the biodiversity of wildlife habitat—projects that teach young people, adults or disabled individuals the benefits of conservation, or expose them to an outdoor experience such as hunting, fishing or camping. Ineligible requests include projects emphasizing academic research, those harmful to habitats or those addressing energy conservation. Summaries of past awards may be reviewed at www.ilcf.org.

The ICF encourages applications from not-for-profit IRS 501 (c)(3) organizations or units of state and local government, such as schools, park districts, forest preserve districts or conservation districts. Applications are due Feb. 7, and awards will be announced in July.

Conservation 2000 Grants Awarded

Governor Ryan announced more than $3.8 million in Conservation 2000 grants to 30 local private-public partnerships for natural resource protection projects through the Department of Natural Resources' Ecosystems Program. Grants will be used to acquire interest in more than 856 acres and restore 9,624 acres of forests, wetlands and prairie. In addition, more than 11,000 students will be educated on the benefits of habitat restoration and protection.

Since its inception, the C2000 Ecosystems Program has awarded more than $26.8 million in grants, while the partnerships have provided another $35 million in funding, for a total of $61.8 million for 626 projects throughout the state. These projects include more than 60,000 acres of habitat restoration, nearly 6,000 acres of land acquisition through conservation easement or purchases and more than 450,000 citizens educated on the benefits of habitat restoration and protection.

The Conservation 2000 program provides technical and financial assistance to landowners interested in improving and enhancing the ecology in environmentally sensitive watersheds throughout the state. The program provides funding for habitat protection and restoration, environmental education, and planning and research projects proposed by local watershed partnership organizations.

A list of grant recipients follows, and additional informationis available at http://dnr.state.il.us/orep/c2000/.

American Bottom Partnership
St. Clair Co. Greenspace Foundation, $9,237.
Triple E demonstration—exotics, education, eradication.

Cache River Partnership
Friends of the Cache River, $320,011.
Upper Cache River stream channel restoration.

Carlyle Lake Partnership
Ballard Nature Center, $40,640. All-weather interpretive trail.
Illinois Audubon Society, $22,028.
Habitat development on the Karl Barrel Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chicago Wilderness Partnership
The Nature Conservancy, $89,320. Prairie restoration at Indian Boundary Prairies.

Driftless Area Partnership
Natural Land Institute, $56,662. Hanover Bluff restoration.
Sterling/Rock Falls Family YMCA, $240,134.
Camp Benson land and water reserve registration and purchase of development rights.

DuPage River Coalition Partnership
Forest Preserve District of DuPage, $200,000.
Springbrook Creek stream meandering.
The Conservation Foundation, $55,300.
Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve restoration.

Embarras River Partnership
Bi-State Airport Authority, $6,264.
Allison Gravel prairie reconstruction project.
Wabash Valley RC&D, $235,000.
Purchase of a conservation easement at Shellbark Bottoms Natural Heritage Landmark.

Fox River Partnership
Boone Creek Watershed Alliance, $312,500.
Acquisition of McAndrew sedge meadow and upland forest.
Dundee Township, $13,900.
Dundee Township open space restoration/management project.

Headwaters Partnership
Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), $225,100.
Barnhart Prairie restoration expansion.

Illinois River Bluffs
Ducks Unlimited, $19,480. Crow Creek wetland demonstration.

Kaskaskia River Partnership
Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc., $65,000.
Hole in the doughnut, phase II.
Washington County SWCD, $10,656.
Garlic mustard control in the Kaskaskia.

Kinkaid Area Watershed Partnership
Greater Egypt Regional Planning and Development Commission, $83,200.
Kinkaid Lake/uplands shoreline: establish transitional wetland.

Kishwaukee River Partnership
DeKalb County Forest Preserve District, $28,950. South branch, Kishwaukee River prairie/savannah restoration.
Rockford Park District, $8,880. Atwood Prairie restoration.

January/February 2003 53

Lake Calumet Partnership
Neighborspace, $69,000.
Peace Pipe Prairie conservation easement/Calumet River.

LaMoine River Partnership
Alice Henry, $7,973.
Thistle Hills grassland bird habitat development.

Lower Des Plaines Partnership
Forest Preserve District of Cook County, $51,000. Forest Preserve
District of Cook County Theodore Stone revitalization project.
Hermann Dam River Rats, $39,980.
Des Plaines River diversion channel project (Phase II).

Lower Kaskaskia River Partnership
William Mueller, $1,520. Horse Creek glade restoration.

Lower Rock River Partnership
John Kennay, $12,300.
Shallow water habitat for waterfowl.
Rock Island SWCD, $6,680.
Native habitat reestablishment program.

Lower Sangamon Valley Partnership
Ducks Unlimited, $55,050.
Partners for Wildlife—lower Sangamon.

Mackinaw River Partnership
Landowner, $31,740. Denman Creek restoration: wetland, prairie and savanna.

Mississippi Western Five Partnership
Southern High School Board, $12,528. Southern FFA chapter's land lab reconstruction.

North Branch of the Chicago River Partnership
Deerfield High School, $94,700. River restoration phase II: upstream.
Lake Forest Open Lands Association, $18,500.
Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve North wetland enhancement.

Prairie Parklands Partnership
Goose Lake Gobblers NWTF, $23,475. 65-Acre mixed hardwood tree planting.
The Wetlands Initiative, $50,000.
Stage II restoration activities.
South Patrol Road prairie restoration.

Rock River Partnership
Natural Land Institute, $433,000. Kyte River bottoms land acquisition.
Prairie Preservation Society, $16,072.
Pine Rock and Wade Prairie nature preserves restoration project.

Shawnee Ecosystem Partnership
Pope-Hardin SWCD, $19,545. No-till drill for native grassland reintroduction.
Pope-Hardin SWCD, $121,652.
Woodland Habitat Enhancement Program.

Sinkhole Plain Partnership
Illinois Audubon Society, $13,200.
Hill Prairie/glade restoration on Illinois Natural Area Inventory sites.

Spoon River Partnership
Warren County SWCD, $15,671. Phase II streambank inventory implementation.

Thorn Creek Macrosite Partnership
Governors State University, $79,050.
Thorn Creek headwater, wet prairie restoration.
Olympia Fields Park District, $157,500.
Spirit Trail Park natural area expansion: acquisition of 25.13 acres.

Upper Des Plaines Partnership
Lake County Forest Preserve District, $87,134. Rollins savanna habitat restoration.
Long Grove Park District, $39,000. Indian Creek cooperative eight-acre restoration project.

Vermilion River Partnership
Vermilion County SWCD, $6,000. Exotic and invasive species control in rare and declining habitat. Vermilion County SWCD, $300,005. North Fork Vermilion River habitat enhancement project-phase II, conservation easement.

54 Illinois Parks and Recreation