Illinois Celebrates National Hunting And Fishing Day

National Hunting and Fishing Days will be celebrated in Illinois with popular annual festivals at John A. Logan College in Carterville and Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area in Yorkville on September 25-26.

"Our National Hunting and Fishing Days festivals in Illinois highlight the great hunting and fishing heritage of the Prairie State," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller. "Getting more of our youth involved in outdoor recreation is one of our priorities in Illinois, and these National Hunting and Fishing Days festivals in southern and northern Illinois help families, children and sportsmen of all ages get a taste of what Illinois has to offer."

The Southern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event at John A. Logan College in Carterville is from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 25 and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 26. Admission and parking are free.

Activities at the southern Illinois event include fishing demonstrations and competitions; free kids fishing and shooting ranges; fishing and hunting seminars and demonstrations; a high school bass fishing tournament on Sept. 25; archery and calling competitions; big buck measuring; a bear habitat show featuring Brodie Jr. the Grizzly Bear and trainer Jeff Watson; and, an Outdoor Art and Heritage Show and Youth Wildlife Art Contest.

For more information on the Southern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event and schedule, check online at www.sihfd.org.

The Northern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26 and features free admission.

Activities include free kids fishing and casting; fly casting and tying demonstrations; canoe rides; archery, BB and trap ranges; black powder shooting demonstrations; an historic re-enactors area with tanning, period cooking, candle making, and blacksmith demonstrations; calling competition;

Detailed information and schedules for the Northern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event are available online at www.huntingandfishingdays.org.

For more information on fishing, hunting, and other outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois, go to the IDNR website at www.dnr.state.il.us or www.dnr.illinois.gov.