Illinois deer harvest tops 41,000
After an optimistic report from the IDNR a week ago regarding the latest preliminary figures for the 2012 archery deer harvest, word now comes from Springfield that the hunt has gotten more challenging.
State officials said last Sunday’s harvest numbers were depressed due to cold front that brought rain and high winds. Overall, the preliminary count reached 41,025 through Nov. 11, up from last year’s total (40,509) but below the five-year average of 41,727 and below some projections.
Apparently whitetail deer in this state haven’t realized that anything can happen in Illinois.
Election central:In case you missed it, dailyherald.com carried an interesting Associated Press story about the concealed carry vote in Illinois last week.Non-binding measures in support of concealed carry of firearms for personal protection received overwhelming support by voters in 10 primarily rural Illinois counties in last week#146;s general election. While local law ordinances do not trump Illinois state law, CCW advocates say they hope the results help to apply pressure on lawmakers to support concealed carry in the next legislative session.Fishing report:Fox Chain: The die-hards have been busy prospecting for safe ice on the back channels. Early reports are sketchy, but there is some unsafe ice where eager-beavers have found cooperative crappies.Lake Michigan: Lake trout are on the menu for some anglers on the Illinois-Wisconsin border.ŸContact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.