Illinois "rewilding".
- Thread starter Dave N
- Start date
TheBenHoyle
Well-known member
I know there was an attempt to reintroduce Elk to Illinois back in the late 90s early 00s but the farm lobby fought it and it failed.
Back in 96 the army started the shut down of the Joliet Arsenal, which almost 30 years later is nowhere near rewilded with a lot of the land still being row-cropped on leases or rented out for cattle grazing. About 20 years ago they started a "study" program of Bison grazing effect on re-establishment of tall grass prairie. I am not sure if they have actually published any findings on that project.
Similarly, Nachusa Grasslands has a large herd of Bison that they are using in connection with prairie restoration/management.
I would love it if Illinois had areas of hunt able elk and bison on public land and this could be a route to get there. It is possible that this is being used as a route to end/curtail hunting or possibly re-introduce wolves, bears and/or lions.
Lord knows I have a list of complaints with the IDNR but I am hopeful that some good can come from this.
Back in 96 the army started the shut down of the Joliet Arsenal, which almost 30 years later is nowhere near rewilded with a lot of the land still being row-cropped on leases or rented out for cattle grazing. About 20 years ago they started a "study" program of Bison grazing effect on re-establishment of tall grass prairie. I am not sure if they have actually published any findings on that project.
Similarly, Nachusa Grasslands has a large herd of Bison that they are using in connection with prairie restoration/management.
I would love it if Illinois had areas of hunt able elk and bison on public land and this could be a route to get there. It is possible that this is being used as a route to end/curtail hunting or possibly re-introduce wolves, bears and/or lions.
Lord knows I have a list of complaints with the IDNR but I am hopeful that some good can come from this.
Gravelyctry
Well-known member
I don't live in Illinois, but my perception is the state is pretty much ran by the area of Chicago and they're not affected by the result of their laws. If they reintro lions or wolves or whatever, reduce hunting areas as a result, the Chicagoans won't be impacted at all but can glory in their righteousness of reducing hunting and reintroduction of apex predators that won't be coming downtown.
Nick87
Well-known member
Eearly 90's iirc.
Catskill.Joe
Active member
It would be great if the “rewilding” advocates were singularly focused on protecting and restoring landscapes. However, a quick search on the rewilding institute shows they are much more interested in diminishing the role hunters play in wildlife conservation and taking up every effort to eliminate hunting and trapping, particularly mountain lions, black bears, and wolves.
Why Wolves Still Matter for Northeastern Forests
State environmental agencies across the Northeast insist that wolves are extirpated, or gone from the landscape. Yet every once in a while, a wolf turns up in t
rewilding.org
I looked this author up...wouldn't you know she lives right next to one of my fav (and very hard) hunting spots in NY.
Nick87
Well-known member
Thats usually how its done.
Here's the text of the bill:
www.ilga.gov
I think the skepticism is warranted, but the language of this bill could be construed as to give the agency/commission the authority to reintroduce elk as well. It could give the DNR more authority to fight invasive as well. Being involved in the development of the program would be key for hunting & angling groups.
Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly
Welcome to the Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly
www.ilga.gov
I think the skepticism is warranted, but the language of this bill could be construed as to give the agency/commission the authority to reintroduce elk as well. It could give the DNR more authority to fight invasive as well. Being involved in the development of the program would be key for hunting & angling groups.
Nick87
Well-known member
Fingers crossed. Obviously for selfish reasons but also could bring in some money to a part of the state that really needs it.
We already have them. Unless things have changed you used to be able to trap them.
SAJ-99
Well-known member
Ben, don't ruin a good conspiracy.Here's the text of the bill:
Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly
Welcome to the Official government website of the Illinois General Assembly
I think the skepticism is warranted, but the language of this bill could be construed as to give the agency/commission the authority to reintroduce elk as well. It could give the DNR more authority to fight invasive as well. Being involved in the development of the program would be key for hunting & angling groups.
One of the central arguments to not delist great lakes wolves are that they haven't established populations in IL, OH, etc. I can easily see some groups pushing this.
I would also contend that prairie chickens & sharp tail are apex predators of grasshoppers and therefore qualify as well.
SAJ-99
Well-known member
Upland game in that state have declined for decades. Quail, pheasants, rabbits, all of them. Only decent hunting is for waterfowl, and most of them are raised in other places. If I still lived there I would embrace anything that turned corn and soybean fields into something resembling tradition tall grass prairie. I wouldn’t care if I had to partner with RMEF or CBD to do it. Worry about the other stuff later.One of the central arguments to not delist great lakes wolves are that they haven't established populations in IL, OH, etc. I can easily see some groups pushing this.
I would also contend that prairie chickens & sharp tail are apex predators of grasshoppers and therefore qualify as well.
Nick87
Well-known member
What's the conspiracy?
SAJ-99
Well-known member
Starts about post 3.
Nick87
Well-known member
Yah. What a stretch all things considered.
Nick87
Well-known member
Early 90's iirc.
SAJ-99
Well-known member
All things? It was pretty clear from post #1 that Dave was looking for the Monster, so he came here and people pointed him to a Monster. Maybe three steps removed but a monster they gave him. Ben presented the bill and what it says and how it might be used to do things you might approve of. Still seems the monster is more appealing to people. I have no idea what Ventura's grand plan was or is. Someone could call and ask though. I don't think she is releasing wolves in Joliet anytime soon.
The bill is just words. How those words are interpreted and acted upon is yet to be defined. People can participate in that process or they can sit on their hands and complain about how "Chicago runs everything...". I can think of plenty of positive ways to read that bill. And yes, sure, I can see where another group might try to use the words in a different way. That's how it works. You can't win if you don't play. I would love to see enough rewilding to even debate releasing an apex predator. Maybe start by getting IDNR to pick up the idea of releasing elk in Illinois under the new "rewilding" plan. You probably won't get to hunt them, but maybe your kids will. As has been pointed out, the opposition to the previous plan wasn't Chicago Fat Cats, it was IL farmers. A group I would swear invented the concept of claiming to be the victim on anything and everything long before the internet took it up as a way of life.
Nick87
Well-known member
Worked there today. If your gonna release wolves that'd be a great place to start amd im not talking about the old arsenal either.
