Illinois DNR Newsbits - June 2019

Cancelled - Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair:  The 29th annual Two Rivers Family Fishing Fair, scheduled for June 8 at Pere Marquette State Park near Grafton on Illinois Route 100, has been cancelled due to flooding on the Illinois River affecting access to the park.

Firearm Deer Permit Applications:  Resident and non-resident deer hunters can apply for the second lottery drawing for 2019 Illinois Firearm Deer and Muzzleloader-only Deer permits. The deadline to apply for the second lottery is June 30. For more information on deer hunting, check the website at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DeerHunting.aspx

Apply Now for Non-Resident Archery Deer Permits:  The online lottery application period is open through June 30 for Non-Resident Illinois Archery Combination Deer permits for the 2019-2020 deer season. A link for the online application is available on the IDNR website: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/DeerPermitsFees.aspx
Non-residents may apply for one combination archery permit per season. The upcoming Illinois Archery Deer season is Oct. 1, 2019 - Jan. 19, 2020 (except closed in firearm deer counties on Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 5-8, 2019).

Online Dove Permits:  Online applications will be accepted from resident Illinois hunters through June 30 for the first lottery for Illinois Free Dove Hunting Permits for hunting at select state sites. For more information on dove hunting permit areas and free dove permits, check the IDNR website at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/dove/Pages/OnlinePermitApplication.aspx

Reminder:  Illinois Free Fishing Days are June 14-17.  For more information on fishing in Illinois:  www.ifishillinois.org

Summer Pass at Illinois State Museum:  The fun and learning won't stop this summer with the Illinois State Museum (ISM) Summer Pass. For $10, visitors to the ISM in Springfield can purchase unlimited admission for one adult now through Labor Day. With the Summer Pass, visitors can enjoy admission to the museum and all of this summer's great programming, including weekly tours, the Summer Film Fest, Super Saturdays, Story Times, and more. The ISM Summer Pass can be purchased at the ISM admission desk. Each Summer Pass is good for one adult admission during the museum's regular operating hours. The 2019 ISM Summer Pass will expire Sept. 2, 2019. The museum is located at 502 S. Spring St., Springfield.

Check Your Boat Registration:  The IDNR reminds boat owners in Illinois to check their three-year boat registration/decal and renew their registration if it expires in 2019. Renewing watercraft registration can be done online through the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov or by phone by calling 1-866-867-3542. To renew registration, have available the watercraft's Illinois registration number, the first six characters of the watercraft's hull ID number, the first three letters of the registered owner's last name, and a credit card. New or renewed three-year watercraft registrations will expire on Sept. 30 in the calendar year of expiration. For details on Illinois watercraft registration requirements and fees, check the IDNR website at https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/boating/Pages/default.aspx. Unpowered watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, or paddle boards in Illinois are no longer required to have a Water Usage Stamp.

Summer Frolic at Lincoln's New Salem June 8:  Welcome the summer season and celebrate our frontier heritage during the annual Summer Frolic event at Lincoln's New Salem State Historic Site near Petersburg Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Period clothed interpreters will welcome guests throughout the historic village and demonstrate various period crafts and trades such as blacksmithing, quilting, and natural dying. The site is also celebrating ‘World Wide Knit in Public Day' on June 8 by inviting knitters of all skill levels and ages to knit alongside interpreters throughout the village. Knitters are encouraged to bring their own seating. Knitting will be highlighted through a knitted shawl fashion show in the village during the event at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring their knitted shawls and show them off.

Songbag Concert June 9 at Carl Sandburg State Historic Site:  Mark and Molly Mathewson, the father and daughter duo that performs as Last Acre, will take the stage Sunday, June 9 at the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site in Galesburg as part of the Sandburg Songbag Concert Series. Last Acre's sound is rooted in traditional Appalachian folk music. The June 9 Songbag performance by Last Acre will be in the Sandburg site's barn at 313 E. Third Street in Galesburg. The show starts at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m. with a break for refreshments around 5:00 p.m. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. More information:  www.sandburg.org.

Music at the Museum on June 13:  Cari Ray is an award-winning songwriter and storyteller whose songs span a wide range of early American music. Add the powerful harmony vocals of percussionist and long-time collaborator Dionne Ward and you have Cari Ray and The Shaky Legs, performing at the Illinois State Museum's "Music at the Museum" concert Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. in Springfield. Tickets are available at the door. For more information on the featured acts and a full series schedule, visit www.ginridge.com/extras/music-at-the-museum.
 
Vandalia Statehouse Hosts Grand Levee June 14-15:  The Vandalia Grande Levee, a celebration of the grand receptions held during the 1800s to honor government dignitaries and important visitors, will be held Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15 at the Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site, located at 315 W. Gallatin St. in Vandalia. The family event is free and open to the public. The Grande Levee is co-sponsored by the Old Capitol Foundation, Vandalia Tourism Commission and Looking for Lincoln. For a schedule of events:  https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Documents/GrandeLevee2019.pdf

Nature/Culture Hike June 15 at Cahokia Mounds:  Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is offering two opportunities for family learning experiences:  A Nature/Culture Hike with an archaeologist and naturalist and a Beginners Flintknapping Class Saturday, June 15. The Nature/Culture Hike will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. along a three-mile trail that traverses grasslands, marsh and woodland areas of the Cahokia Mounds site. The hike is free and no reservations are required (hike may be cancelled in the event of poor weather). Also happening June 15, Larry Kinsella, a professional flintknapper and toolmaker, will teach a class for beginners on the art of flintknapping from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Preregistration is required by calling 618-346-5160, and a $30 fee is payable the day of the class. For more information:  www.cahokiamounds.org.

Civil War Weekend June 15-16 at Lincoln Log Cabin:  Spend Father's Day weekend at Lincoln Log Cabin's annual Civil War Weekend June 15 and 16 and learn about the men who answered President Lincoln's call for troops in 1861. The event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Visitors can meet with re-enactors portraying Union soldiers in their encampment, then watch mounted and dismounted drilling exercises, and attend a Civil War Ball on Saturday evening. The site is located eight miles south of Charleston near Lerna. Call 217-345-1845 for more information.

Volunteers Needed at Lincoln Log Cabin:  Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic is looking for additional volunteers to assist at the historic site's Visitor Center information desk and in the gift shop. In the Visitor Center, volunteers are responsible for providing a brief orientation to the site, showing the introductory video and answering visitor questions. In the gift shop, volunteers transact retail sales for visitors, restock shelves and tidy up as needed. Training and name tags are provided. Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site re-creates the 19th century home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, father and step-mother of the president. The site is eight miles south of Charleston and is open seven days a week for free public tours. To volunteer or for more information, call 217-345-1845.

Free Family Fishing June 16 at Banner Marsh SFWA:  The Illinois DNR, Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge will be co-hosting a free fishing event for all ages Sunday, June 16 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area's main entrance off of U.S. Rt. 24. Activities include bank fishing and the opportunity to learn about proper fishing etiquette, different fish species, fish population sustainability, fish cleaning techniques, and how to safely consume fish. Everyone may fish for free and without a license during the event, which is being held during Illinois Free Fishing Days weekend. A limited amount of fishing poles, tackle, and bait will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for use during the event. Participants may bring their own fishing gear, blankets, lawn/camping chairs, and sunscreen and should dress appropriately for this outdoor activity. Light refreshments will also be available courtesy of Hy-Vee of Canton. The event is sponsored by AC Beer & Bait of Lewistown and Aquatic Control of Canton. 

Davis Mansion/Garden Walk June 21-22 in Bloomington-Normal:  Garden lovers can put on their walking shoes June 21 and 22 and welcome summer by visiting some beautiful privately-owned gardens in the Bloomington-Normal area during the 23rd annual Glorious Garden Festival Garden Walk. The walk is a fundraiser for the David Davis Mansion Foundation, which provides private support for the state-operated David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington. This year's Garden Walk offers tours of 12 private gardens at eight stops in addition to a tour of Sarah's garden on the mansion grounds. Hours are 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 21, and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. More information:  www.daviddavismansion.org