Recommending waterfowl hunting dates
July 23rd, 2006 by Administrator
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is recommending waterfowl hunting dates and waterfowl hunting zone lines for the next five years that reflect a review of scientific data, waterfowl hunter survey data, and comments from sporting organizations, waterfowl hunters and other constituents during the last eight months.
IDNR Acting Director Sam Flood announced Thursday that the state’s proposals include:
- An elimination of Canada goose hunting harvest quotas in Illinois beginning this fall.
- 79-day Canada goose seasons in the North and Central Zones and a 56-day Canada goose season in the South Zone with a daily limit of two geese in all zones.
- A 60-day duck hunting season in all zones (subject to federal approval of a 60-day duck season for 2006-07).
- Adjustments of existing waterfowl zone lines to take effect this fall, and which federal regulations require remain in place through the 2010-11 waterfowl hunting season.
“The recommendations we’re taking to the Mississippi Flyway Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are based on our best available biological and scientific information, including historical freeze up data, aerial waterfowl survey data, and the results of our extensive waterfowl hunter surveys,” said Flood.
IDNR conducted a series of meetings this past winter, spring and early summer with hunters and waterfowl groups to discuss the state’s plans for duck and goose hunting for the next five years.
Duck and Goose Zone Line Description for 2006-2010
North Zone: That portion of the state north of a line from the Indiana border continuing west along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to U.S. Interstate 55, south along U.S. Interstate 55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, west along Pine Bluff - Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47 to U.S. Interstate 80, west along U.S. Interstate 80 to U.S. Interstate 39, south along U.S. Interstate 39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Central Zone: That portion of the state south of the North Zone boundary to a line beginning at the Indiana border and continuing west along U.S. Interstate 70 to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 156, west along Illinois Route 156 to A Road, north and west on A Road to Levee Road, north on Levee Road to the south shore of New Fountain Creek, west along the south shore of New Fountain Creek to the Mississippi River, and due west across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
South Zone: The south zone extends from the southern boundary of the central zone south to the remainder of the state.