Harvests means good times for fall game hunters

Illinois deer and upland game hunters will be in a good position this year as over 50 percent of the corn and soy beans have been harvested thus far this season and, with good weather this weekend farmers should move that number up considerably.

We are sure caught in a drought pattern as ponds and lakes I’ve visited recently are at some of the lowest points I’ve seen in years.

Now is a great time to go in a boat and map out stumps and submerged trees and brush that would be hard to spot if the water was up.

I’ve already found things in lakes that I didn’t know was there this fall. Get ready for fishing next spring by mapping out the new structure that’s available with this low water.

Seasonal updates

Illinois’ 2011-2012 waterfowl seasons are set to open with the state’s new four-zone configuration approved last summer by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunters will take to the field for 60-day duck seasons in each of the state’s newly-drawn four waterfowl hunting zones.

Canada goose hunting seasons will be 85 days in length in the North and Central zones and 66 days in the South Central and South zones for the 2011-12 waterfowl season.