https://www.sj-r.com/story/new...ort-time/7981778002/



Applications being taken for limited archery deer hunting around Lake Springfield
Riley Eubanks
State Journal-Register


Deer will be hunted with bows near Lake Springfield during limited periods this fall and winter.

Because deer overpopulate the lake area, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Thursday it is taking applications from licensed hunters in the central Illinois interested in hunting the animals using archery weapons.

The program is a partnership between IDNR and the city of Springfield. Hunting will be allowed for successful applicants in three two-week intervals with one starting October 1, another period beginning October 15 through Halloween and the final planned interval beginning December 16 and running through New Year's Eve.

“Over the past 18 months, (Illinois Recreational Access Program) staff have conducted multiple site visits to choose the safest sites near the lake in the areas with higher deer numbers,” said IDNR's Tammy Miller in a news release. “Five areas were chosen for the first year of the program with plans to increase the number of areas in the future as needed.”


Each of the five areas selected for deer hunting will be at least 15 acres in size, according to the news release. Successful applicants will be notified of where they can hunt in addition to being provided a map and a site permit.

"We specifically picked some areas as removed or remote as they could be around the lake," said CWLP water division manager Todd LaFountain. The programs has been in the works for years and population-control options were limited because the lake is so close to an urban area, he said.


LaFountain said he's hopeful that archers hunting deer is an annual event in Springfield to effectively control the local population. This is the first time in his 27 years with CWLP that hunting has been allowed near the lake, he said.



The hunters are required to first harvest a doe. Afterward, they can harvest as many deer they have permits to hunt. City, Water, Light and Power is asking hunters to consider donating deer meat to a Springfield food bank.


"We're pleased to work with Illinois hunters, Turasky Meats, and the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program to cover the processing fee for the first 60 deer donated," LaFountain said. "Just one deer can provide up to 200 meals for area residents in need.

An aerial survey of the land around Lake Springfield revealed an average of 77 deer per square mile, according to IDNR. The recommended ratio is between 15 to 20 deer per square mile.



Applications are being accepted online at https://survey123.arcgis.com/s...4e89a111bdf0cdefce17 until the end of the day on August 13 and will only be accepted from licensed hunters who live in Sangamon, Macoupin, Morgan, Menard, Logan, Macon, Montgomery and Christian counties.

Contact Riley Eubanks: reubanks@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@rileyeubanks