August 22, 2024
It is Official…Hunting Season is Here
How do I know that? I know that because I received my Bass Pro and Cabela’s fall hunting catalogs in the mail. I would be looking to get your fall hunting supplies while they are still available, because they may be in short supply in the very near future. Every year I get calls from people who can’t find deer slugs and other hunting equipment, simply because they waited too long. Don’t let that happen to you!
Dove Season Opens Soon
Here we are, only a few days away from dove season. Dove season opens on September 1st and runs till January 8th in the northern zone and January 15th in the southern zone. Remember, dove season is closed during deer season. That closure runs from November 15 to December 26. The bag limit is 15 doves.
Dove hunting is one of the great hunting experiences. Doves fly fast at a very erratic rate and are fun to shoot and are great eating. Remember, when you’re dove hunting, to keep your shotgun at 40° or higher for safety.
If you haven’t gotten your shotgun shells yet, I would be going to the store and getting some. I always recommend trap loads rather than a standard dove load, because the shot pattern is much better.
If you haven’t shot your shotgun for a while, I would make sure there are no obstructions in the barrel. If your shotgun has choke tubes, be sure to take them out, clean and lubricate them properly. Make sure you tighten them snuggly and if you’re getting a lot of shots, check them occasionally to make sure they’re tight. If your choke tubes are slotted and require a wrench, a good way to tighten them is to simply use a quarter. Choke tube wrenches can be really hard to find in the field. If you drop the quarter, you’re only out 25 cents. Good Hunting!
Japanese Yew Trees and Shrubs Extremely Poisonous
To date 78 elk and 55 pronghorn antelope in Idaho and Utah have died because of ingesting Japanese Yew trees. There may be other animals that have died that we don’t know about. The Yew trees and shrubs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can reach 120 feet tall. Moose, mule deer, cattle, horses, bears, dogs and humans, can also be poisoned by eating Yew trees and shrubs. This seems to be more prevalent in winter when food is scarce. Moose are members of the deer family, so it is possible Whitetail Deer could also be affected but it appears they have a resistance to it. This is only my supposition.
The toxin in Yew trees is called “Taxine” used by people since as early as 500 A.D., and used as a favorite poison. Many murders and suicides occurred because it was easy to attain. It causes an almost instant death, in five minutes or less, and there is no known remedy. I will be planting no more Yew trees.
Attention Illinois Hunters (See IDNR.org for complete details & regulations)
Deer Over-The-Counter Permit
County-issued permits remaining will be available for sale over the counter (OTC) at licensed vendors on a first-come, first-served basis beginning October 15, 2024.
Youth Deer Permit OTC
Hunters may only purchase one Youth Either Sex Deer Permit, over the counter at licensed vendors, August 6, 2024 – October 14, 2024. Youth hunters must be under the age of 18 prior to the opening date of the season.
Turkey Over-the-Counter Permits
Remaining county-specific Fall Turkey Shotgun permits will be available for sale over the counter (OTC) from licensed vendors beginning September 16, 2024, on a first-come, first-served basis until quotas are exhausted, or until the season closes. One or more permits may be purchased during this period. There is a 2-permit limit, including lottery-issued and landowner permits.
ISRA members: The Spring and Summer 2024 Shooter is now on our website at: https://isra.org/illinois-shooter-newspaper/
The National Instant Check System (NICS) Numbers Are In.
The numbers indicate over 1 million firearms sold in July 2024 alone. This is the 60th month in which more than 1 million firearms were sold. Since August 2000, 346 million firearms have been sold, which is an average of 17.3 million firearms per year. Hopefully all those new gun owners and old gun owners will vote to protect the Second Amendment in the 2024 elections.
LITIGATION UPDATES
Our “assault weapon” ban appeal will be held in less than a month, on September 16th. We will keep you updated. If you would like to donate to us, please visit: https://isra.org/support-us/. Thank you for your support!
GET IN THE FIGHT, STAY IN THE FIGHT, JOIN THE ISRA
To Join the ISRA, Go To: https://isra.org/join-us/
121st Anniversary Coin Raffle – Winning Firearm Prizes Results
I would like to thank everyone who purchased the Challenge Coin and participated in the 121st Anniversary Commemorative Coin Raffle. Below you’ll find a list of the winning ticket numbers for firearms. The winners of firearms have been notified of their prizes by the office. Those who won prizes that were not firearms will be receiving those in the mail. Your support of our fundraising efforts is what enables the ISRA to continue to serve the firearm owners of Illinois. Your support is always appreciated.
The 88th ISRA Illinois State Smallbore Rifle Championships will be held at the ISRA Range the following two days: Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, on Range 5 at 9:00am – 2:30pm.
This event is open to the public, and is a two-day sanctioned event, during which the Metric Prone, F-Class, and Conventional Smallbore Championships will be fired. This is the longest, continuous Smallbore Championship in the United States. To register for this event, and more information contact: Jim Miller at 815.268.4411 or mailto: jamesandkaymiller@att.net
Entry Deadline: Sept 20. Any suitable shooting site may be used – must be witnessed to participate. As seen in The Illinois Shooter newspaper. Or <click here> to download your printable target, mail your best target and postmark by 9-20-24.
Because History Matters
August 22, 1851 – U.S. Schooner Beats British in Yachting Race
The U.S. Schooner “America” beats the entire fleet of Britain’s finest ships, in a race around England’s Isle of Wight. Five members of the New York Yacht Club decided to build a state-of-the-art schooner named the “America”. It had a v-bottom and tall masts, making it much different than the British ships. The “America” beat the second-place ship “Aurora” by 22 minutes. Queen Victoria watched the race from her royal yacht, and when she saw the “America” coming in first, she asked who was second. Her attendant said, “Your Majesty, there is no second.”
August 23, 1814 – George Washington’s Portrait Preserved
Dolly Madison, wife of President James Madison, saved the portrait of George Washington as the British troops descended on the White House and eventually burnt it. Madison saved more than Washington’s portrait. More importantly, she stuffed the carriages and conveyances with all the government papers and records she could. These included notes from the founding fathers and the Continental Congress. Dolly Madison lived until 1849. At her funeral, President Zachary Taylor called her the first lady of the nation, which was the first time that term was ever used.
August 24, 79 A.D. – You Think You Had a Bad Day? If you lived in Pompeii or Herculaneum, you would really have a bad day. Mount Vesuvius erupted, killing thousands, burying the cities in a mountain of black volcanic ash.
August 24, 1814 – First White House Burned
The British burn the White House in the nation’s capital. British soldiers were jubilant, but their days were coming.
August 25, 1939 – The “Wizard of Oz” Opens in Theaters.
It became a classic film around the United States.
July 26, 1883 – Krakatoa Erupts
The blast threw earth, rocks and ash 5 miles into the atmosphere. The volcanic ash lowered the temperature of the Earth for several years afterwards. I’d call that “global cooling”.
While the gun show information shown in this email is believed to be accurate, sometimes changes occur. This is provided for informational purposes only.
If your club or organization is holding a gun show, event or class, let us know the details, and we’d be happy to post it in our Weekly Range Schedule.
Aug 24 – 25 Hunters Clinic – Enhances the Wingshooting skills of hunters & sound Wingshooting practice techniques – Aurora Sportsmen’s Club, Waterman
Aug 24 – 25 Hunters Clinic – Enhances the Wingshooting skills of hunters & sound Wingshooting practice techniques – Decatur Gun Club, Decatur
Now – Sept 20 Rifle Postal Challenge – any suitable shooting site – must be witnessed to participate. Click to see in The Illinois Shooter newspaper.
Sept 21 – 22 Crown Pt Gun Show, Lake Co., Crown Point, IN
Sept 21 National Civil War & Collector – DuPage Co. Fairgrounds, Wheaton
Sept 21 – 22 Crown Point Gun Show, Lake Co. Fairgrounds, Crown Point, IN
Sept 28 – 29 Chillicothe Sportsmen’s Club House, Gun & Knife Show, Chillicothe
Sept 28 – 29 Kankakee Gun & Sportsman’s Show, Kankakee Co. Fairgrounds
Oct 26 – 27 Sauk Trail Gun Show, Bureau Co. Fairgrounds, Princeton
Oct 26 – 27 Will County Gun Show, Will Co. Fairgrounds, Peotone
Interested in attending other shooting clinics & events? Some can be found across the state on the INDR website.
Stand Strong &
Thank you for being a member!
If you are not an ISRA member, join today
Donate: https://isra.org/support-us/
Upcoming Meetings: https://isra.org/isra-activities-and-events/
Upcoming Range Events: https://isra.org/the-range/#range-calendar