There's several varied new opportunities in Illinois hunting coming up during the 2010-11 season. We'll lead with that.

During the hunting seasons, the extended online version of the IHR, which comes at the end of the Midwest Fishing Report in the Sun-Times on Wednesdays, is usually posted here on Tuesdays.

The photo with the lead is Mike Resetich coming back with a black duck on a 2007 hunt along the Illinois River. I like the image.

If you have suggestions, email me at outdoordb@sbcglobal.net or post in the comments.

BOWHUNTING AT PHILIP STATE PARK

Here's another opportunity for bowhunters around Chicago outdoors.

Regional wildlife biologist Dan Ludwig sent this note about applications for bowhunting, open through Aug. 31, at James ``Pate'' Philip State Park:

We are still working out a few of the logistics, but yes there will be archery deer hunting at James Pate Philip State Park and Heron Woods Habitat Area (October 1, 2010 through January 13, 2011). Follow this link for the specifics, an aerial photo and an application: http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/hunter_fact_sheet/R2hfs/jpp_hrw.htm.

To date, we have received mail-in applications from 60 archery hunters. Applications will be accepted through August 30, 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by mail in early September.

COYOTES AT SILVER SPRINGS

Here's another new opportunity later this hunting season to keep in mind. After the close of bowhunting in January, coyote hunting will open at Silver Springs SFWA.

ICF HUNTS

And couple real good hunts at a very special place are coming up quick, one a high-end dove hunt as a fundraiser and the other a youth hunt.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation will offer a dove hunt ($250) at the Torstenson Farm, an idyllic 750-acre farm in Winnebago County, on Sept. 1. . . . ICF executive director Mark Spangler is also scheduling the first youth event (10-17), a teal or dove hunt on Sept. 4. He will accept applications (about a dozen youth slots for doves, six for teal) through Aug. 20. For both events, call Spangler at (217) 720-4389.

SQUIRREL

I have a hard time believing more than a handful are hunting squirrels in this heat.

But for those who are, Ed Smith provided an incredibly wonderful pictorial on how to clean a squirrel for PrairieStateOutdoors.com. I looked at it and realized it may look easier in the pictorial, but cleaning squirrels is still a major project. Very interesting stuff though.

Hunting is already open at Iroquois County SWA. It opens Sept 1 (Monday through Thursday) at Marseilles. Silver Springs SFWA, Momence Wetlands and Kankakee River SP open the day after Labor Day and run until Sept. 30.

The general season runs through Feb. 15, except it is closed during firearm deer seasons in applicable counties. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The daily limit is five squirrels with a possession limit of 10.

DOVE

Season opens Sept. 1. Jeff Lampe also noted more doves than usual for this time of year in central Illinois, something I mentioned last week that I was seeing far more than usual in recent weeks in the north zone.

DEER NOTES

Illinois resident deer hunters are able to purchase 2010 Illinois Archery Deer Hunting Permits (combination archery and antlerless-only archery permits) online at www.dnr.state.il.us/license.html or over-the-counter from DNR Direct permit sale locations throughout Illinois. Archery season opens Oct. 1.

Youth Firearm Deer Hunt: The Illinois Youth Either-Sex Firearm Deer Hunt is Oct. 9-10. Permits for this season are available over-the-counter from DNR Direct license and permit vendors. To link to the website, go to www.dnr.state.il.us/license.html. For a list of IDNR and public land sites open for hunting during the youth firearm deer hunt in 2010, go to this link: www.dnr.state.il.us/admin/pdf/YouthDeer2010SitesOpen.pdf.

Firearm Deer Permits: Aug. 16 is the deadline to apply for the second lottery for resident and non-resident Illinois firearm and muzzleloader deer permits for the 2010 season. To apply online, go to www.dnr.state.il.us/license.html.

TURKEY NOTES

Fall Firearm Turkey: The deadline to apply for the second lottery for 2010 Illinois fall shotgun turkey permits is Aug. 23. Hunters can apply online through DNR Direct or with an application form available through the IDNR website at www.dnr.state.il.us.

EARLY CANADA GOOSE

Season is Sept. 1-15. Daily bag is five in the Northeast, North and Central zones; two in the south.

TEAL

Season is Sept. 4-19. Daily bag is four, possession eight.

PROPOSED WATERFOWL SEASONS

NORTH ZONE

Youth Hunt Oct. 9-10
Ducks Oct. 16-Dec. 14
Canada geese Oct. 16-Jan. 8
Snow geese Oct.16-Jan. 8
White-fronted geese Oct. 29-Jan. 8

CENTRAL ZONE

Youth Hunt Oct. 23-24
Ducks Oct. 30-Dec. 28
Canada geese Oct. 30-Nov. 14 and Nov. 24-Jan. 31
Snow geese Oct. 30-Jan. 31
White-fronted geese Nov. 21-Jan. 31

SOUTH ZONE

Youth Hunt Nov. 13-14
Ducks Nov. 25-Jan. 23
Canada geese: Nov. 25-28 and Dec. 1-Jan. 31
Snow geese Nov. 25-Jan. 31
White-fronted geese Nov. 25-Jan. 31

ILLINOIS HUNTING ONLINE

For IDNR hunting info, click here.

For the Illinois 2010-11 Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations, click here.

For the 2009-10 Illinois Public Hunting Areas Report, click here.

For Illinois crop reports (generally posted Monday afternoons, holiday weekends are the exceptions), click here.