Archery deer harvest closes in on 60,000: With a month left in the state’s archery season, hunters have killed 57,885 deer.
They harvested 64,864 during the entire 2009-2010 season.
Winnebago County bow hunters have killed 353 deer, which is 89 fewer than last season’s total harvest.
Boone County’s harvest is 113 so far. Last season’s total was 169.
Muzzleloader harvest declines
Illinois hunters took 3,276 deer during the three-day muzzleloader season, which ended Sunday. The total was down from 4,704 in 2009. The record is 5,973 in 2006.
Northern Illinois’ total was 322, down from 427 in 2009.
Winnebago County hunters killed 16 (23 in 2009), while Boone had six (seven), Carroll 35 (56), DeKalb 13 (17), Jo Daviess 82 (114), Lee 38 (47), McHenry 11 (18), Ogle 45 (58), Stephenson 41 (37) and Whiteside 35 (50).
Pike County led the state with 116.
Casters’ display earns honors
The Coon Creek Casters fishing club’s entry earned the “Best of Show” honors at the Festival of Lights in Belvidere Park.
The display, designed by club member Mary Lou Harms and local artist Alan Williams, features an elf and a fish, which was holding a fishing pole.
The fish has the elf hooked by the back of his pants.
The park is open 5 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1.
Record season for Wis. bear
Wisconsin hunters killed a record 5,040 black bears this season, bettering the former high of 4,009 in 2009.
The state issued a record 8,910 hunting permits for the season, which ended Oct. 12. Wisconsin’s bear population is estimated between 26,000 and 40,000.
Wis. hosts 595 fishing tourneys
Wisconsin lakes and rivers were the sites of 595 fishing tournaments in 2010.
The state DNR said 80,000 anglers competed in the events for a total prize purse of $3.9 million.
A tournament permit is required when the event involves 20 or more boats, or 100 or more participants; targets any trout species on waters classified as trout streams; has a catch-hold-release format with an off-site weigh-in; or the total prize value is $10,000 or greater.
Ringing Salvation Army bell
If you’re out doing holiday shopping this morning, stop by the Wal-Mart at Owen Center Road and Riverside Boulevard where I’ll be manning the Salvation Army Christmas kettle from noon to 2 p.m. at the retail entrance.
Stop by, say hello and make a donation to a good cause.
Great plate
In response to my request for interesting outdoors-related license plates, Robert D. Arne of Steward reported spotting this one on a Wisconsin vehicle: BG SN FSH (Big Sun Fish).
If you have or see an interesting outdoors-related plate, contact me through the information below.
Rockford Register Star news services contributed to this report.
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