Deadline for Archery Hunting Permits Is July 21
The application deadline for archery participation in Kane County forest preserves is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2015.
In 2015-16, the district will be using controlled archery hunting to achieve deer management program goals. Hunting periods, sites and zones will be assigned via a lottery system.
The Forest Preserve District uses non-lethal methods — fencing and repellants, for example — where possible (for example, fencing and repellants). Controlled archery is a commonly used and effective deer management tool in rural areas, and has been used effectively in some suburban areas. Controlled hunts during the established hunting season can safely and successfully reduce deer densities in localized areas, under the proper conditions.
Application Information
Zone Partners: If you will be sharing a zone with a partner, they must complete the Zone Partner Applicant section. You may apply individually or with one partner, however, a person may only appear on one application as an individual or partner.
Proficiency: Upon being selected through the lottery, participants will be required to qualify via a proficiency test, using the equipment they will use in the field. Applicants will sign-up for time slots for the proficiency test. If an individual is unable to successfully qualify, they will be unable to participate in the program. Therefore, a group may include one Alternate Applicant who will only be able to participate if the Primary Applicant or Zone Partner Applicant cannot successfully qualify. The Alternate Applicant must successfully qualify through the proficiency test.
Archery Qualifications:*** Proficiency tests will be held on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, from noon – 5:30 p.m. at Aurora West Forest Preserve, 40W244 Hankes Rd., Aurora, IL. You must use broadheads or practice broadheads. Field points will not be acceptable. All Primary Applicants, Zone Partner Applicants, and Alternate Applicants must successfully qualify to participate in the program.
Mandatory Orientation Meeting:*** If you are selected and successfully qualify, you must attend the mandatory orientation meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, from 7-8:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at Creek Bend Nature Center at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles, IL. A make-up orientation meeting will be scheduled on Thursday, Aug. 27, if necessary.
After the lottery and proficiency test, participants must attend a mandatory orientation meeting and sign a hunting waiver and release form. All applicants must include a legible copy of their hunter safety education certificate or ID card with application, unless it is already on file with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.
Incomplete, duplicate or late applications will not be accepted. Only one application per partner group will be accepted.
*** No further accommodation will be made for the proficiency testing and/or mandatory orientation meeting. Please do not apply if you cannot attend the established dates and times.
All applications, payment, and copies of your hunter safety education certificate or ID card must be received by Monday, July 21, 2015, at 4:30 p.m. Incomplete, duplicate or late applications will not be accepted. Only one application per partner group will be accepted. Faxed items will not be accepted. Applications must include a non-refundable application fee of $10. Personal checks must be made out to the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Do not mail cash. All applicants must include a legible photocopy of of their hunter safety education certificate or ID card (unless it is already on file with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County).
If submitting your application online, please mail/deliver your payment and photocopy of your hunter safety education certificate or ID card (unless it is already on file with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County) to the above address, noting that you submitted your application online.The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is not responsible for lost, incomplete or misdirected applications.
Controlled Archery Hunting: General Information
Program Rationale
Deer are a valued component of the natural resources of Kane County, however when they are overabundant, they can have substantial impacts on the natural areas. Plant diversity and structure, forest regeneration, restoration, other species and human safety may all be affected.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County’s obligation to be a responsible steward of these lands requires, at times, that we manage deer populations at levels that maintain and enhance the diversity of flora and fauna within the preserves, by protecting these areas from excessive deer impacts. This management must be conducted using methods that are safe, effective and state-approved.
Non-lethal and lethal methods for managing deer populations, and negative impacts on a large scale were evaluated for efficiency, effectiveness, safety and compliance with Illinois laws. Public input was also gathered at two open house meetings, and through online comments, letters and phone calls.
The Forest Preserve District already utilizes non-lethal methods where possible (for example, fencing and repellants). Based upon all of these factors, the two methods identified as safe, effective, state-approved and suitable to the conditions of the areas under consideration are controlled archery hunting and sharpshooting, limited to where they can be done safely.
Hunting is a commonly used and effective deer management tool in rural areas, and has been used effectively in some suburban areas. Controlled hunts during the established hunting season can safely and successfully reduce deer densities in localized areas, under the proper conditions. In 2014/15, controlled archery hunting will be implemented at three sites with elevated deer densities and documented impacts to the ecosystem.
Type of Hunting
Due to the suburban nature and size of many of district holdings and Illinois Department of Natural Resources regulations (for example, no firearm hunting east of IL-Route 47) the use of controlled archery hunting is the most appropriate method for the sites currently in need of management. Additional rules and regulations have been made to tailor the program to these sites and further enhance safety.
SOURCE: Kane County Forest Preserve District website
