Outdoor enthusiasts will see new enhancements through a series of bills taking effect on January 1. House Bill 2340 (P.A. 104-0059) provides for the issuance of free landowner deer permits for landowners with at least 20 acres who live in counties where DNR has identified chronic wasting disease in the deer population. Also benefiting sportsmen/women is Senate Bill 710 (P.A. 104-0361), which loosens regulations concerning nuisance permits and landowner permits by providing for the automatic issuance of additional antlerless-only permits during the regular firearm or archery season if a landowner demonstrates proof of harvesting certain percentages. This new law also provides that Illinois resident tenants of at least 40 acres of commercial farmland can receive free deer and turkey permits to hunt only on that land, including one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit for both firearm and archery deer seasons. For boaters, Senate Bill 2179 (P.A. 104-0137) improves enforcement and encourages safer recreation by updating boat-registration procedures and safety standards.
***Courtesy of Senator Jil Tracy***
