Illinois will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Days Sept. 22-23

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Illinois will celebrate the annual National Hunting and Fishing Days September 22-23 with two festival events. The Northern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event will be held at Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area near Yorkville and the Southern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event will be at John A. Logan College in Carterville.

"Our two National Hunting and Fishing Days festivals in Illinois help celebrate our great hunting and fishing heritage and attract thousands of adults and children each year," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood.  "Both events are showcases for outdoor recreation, with plenty of exhibits, competition and fun for families and for serious outdoor enthusiasts."

Northern Illinois NHFD

The Northern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days celebration at Silver Springs SFWA features free admission and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22-23.

The festival includes hands-on activities for all ages, including archery, BB gun and trap shooting ranges, fly tying and casting demonstrations, kids casting and a stocked fishing pond for youngsters, and bowfishing opportunities.

There will also be dock dog and field dog demonstrations, a 5,000-gallon fish tank, angling and casting demonstrations, an historic re-enactment encampment, and a variety of seminars for sportsmen and women on hunting, fishing and trapping.  More than 75 vendors will have feature outdoor gear and accessories, boats, RTVs and ATVs. 

The Northern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event is presented by the Northern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days Committee and the IDNR.  For more information, phone 630/940-4807 or 630/553-6297.

Southern Illinois NHFD

The Southern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event will be held for the 20th year at John A. Logan College in Carterville.  In addition to John A. Logan College, title sponsors for the southern Illinois celebration include Bombardier, Marion Toyota, McDonalds, and the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.  Event hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23.  Admission is free.

The family-oriented event includes hunting and fishing seminars, a 3D archery tournament on Sept. 22, and an exhibition by extreme sports shooter Patrick Flanigan on Sept. 23.  McDonalds will host Kids World activities, including youth fishing and shooting events.  Goose and duck calling competitions will include the Illinois State Open Duck and Goose Calling Championships, the Don Gasaway Youth Goose Calling Championship, and the Tim Grounds Southern Illinois World Open Goose Calling Championship sponsored by the Williamson County Tourism Bureau. 

Other activities include a return appearance by Brody the 1,200 pound grizzly bear, the jumping dogs water tank, Winchester 5-stand shooting, fishing competition and seminars, ATV rides, vendor displays and entertainment. 

For more information on the Southern Illinois National Hunting and Fishing Days event, phone 618/985-3741.