VOLUME 45 ISSUE 10 NOVEMBER 2015
Rosi Franke, Editor Tel: 618-396-2509 e-mail: rgfranke@frontiernet.net
Kim Postlewait was honored at the MWHI October General
Membership meeting for his service as IDNR Site Superintendent at the Mississippi River Area. As Kim retired a couple of months ago,
MWHI presented him with a gun in appreciation for the great work his has done at the MRA and his open-door policy.
(from left to right): MWHI President John Gineris, previous
MWHI Area
Projects Chairman Bob Jones, Kim Postlewait, current MWHI
Area Projects
Chairman Bo Adcock.

MWHI OFFICERS 2015
President
Banquet Chairman
John Gineris
618-708-8117 (cell)
618-786-2596 (home)
Vice-President
Mike Arnold
618-786-2300
Treasurer
Shane DeSherlia
618-639-0855 (home)
618-946-4520 (cell) desherlia3@hotmail.com
Membership Secretary
Mike Devening
618-259-6181
Correspondence Secretary
Rosi Franke
618-396-2509 rgfranke@frontiernet.net
Recording Secretary
Cheri Gineris
618-786-2596
MWHI DIRECTORS 2015
Bob Jones
IFOR Board Representative
618-578-9547 (cell)
Chris Tite
618-610-3513
Dave Geisler
Gun Raffle Chairman/Refuge Chairman
618-670-1419
Eric Rhuede
IFOR Board Representative
618-410-9853
Justin Wolfe
Carlyle Lake Area Projects Chairman
618-377-0397
Don Taul
COE Chairman
618-978-8285
Brian Arnold
618-535-9979
Ron Ragus
618-977-2730
Kevin Dawdy
618-444-8711
Bo Adcock
Area Projects Chairman
618-535-6585
Dennis Millner
618-910-1420
Pat McRae
618-444-6793
John Popov (Advisor)
Bob Schneider (Advisor)
Scott Bryant (Advisor)
Monday, January 4, 2016
at 2404 E. Broadway, Alton at 6:15 pm
Monday, February 1, 2016
at 2404 E. Broadway, Alton at 6:15 pm
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
at Alton-Wood River Sportsmen Club in Godfrey, IL at 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 9, 2016
at K. C. Hall, Godfrey, IL
For tickets, contact John Gineris at 618-708-8117
The Sentry is published monthly except for December and January by Migratory
Waterfowl Hunters, Inc., 2404 E. Broadway, Alton, IL, 62002. The Sentry deadline is always the second Monday of each month.
Statements and opinions expressed in the Sentry are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of Migratory Waterfowl Hunters, Inc. Officers, Directors,
Advisors, Members or the Editor. The appearance of an ad in this newsletter does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of a product or service. We encourage our members to take note of those businesses advertising in our newsletter and shop with them when they are in the market for their product or services.

Guest Speaker
Regan Ramsey, IDNR Region IV Landmanager
Regan Ramsey has been with Illinois Department of Natural Resources for 24 years and previously managed 4 state parks in the western part of the State. As Region IV
Landmanager, he has visited at least once each one of the areas, includng the MRA.
He spoke of the IDNR's and his personal commitment to hunters and waterfowl management and willingness to listen to constituents. Regan Ramsey also stated that he is well aware that staffing went from 12 to 3 at our MRA, but is hopeful that the number will be increased down the road.
Guest Speaker
Bob Hammel, Carlyle Lake Site Superintendent
Bob stated that he didn't have a glowing report on Carlyle Lake as he did last year.
Things started off very good with corn being planted and excellent moist soil production. However, the flooding in June hurt the area badly. They lost all the corn and natural vegetation and ran out of time to dewater. Despite the lack of food, they had a good early teal season. In regard to the upcoming waterfowl season, weather is a big factor with no food or cover for the birds. Once colder weather arrives, the area will probably not be able to hold ducks.
MWHI President
John Gineris
John also welcomed temporary MRA Site Assistant Kenny Scott (no picture available).
John thanked the IDNR for their continued efforts to get projects done and their open-door policy. Rip Rap and Piasa Harbor projects are currently on the forefront.
During the regular membership meeting, a vote was held to approve the amended
MWHI By-Laws. They were approved unanimously.
MWHI will hold Area Projects meetings late winter or early spring. John asked for input from hunters in all areas.

ISRA Thursday Bulletin - October 15, 2015
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
In the last couple of weeks we have watched and listened to anti-gun messages blasted across America, assisted by the mainstream media. Hillary Clinton compared the NRA and by inference its members, to negotiating with Iran or communists. As insulting as this reference is, it does give hope to gun owners. When Hillary was Secretary of State she got her clock cleaned by both of these groups - witness to the situation in the Middle East.
The question that is always asked is how we can stop such tragedies. The media and the left-wing politicians are always looking for laws and regulations that will do the job. The fact is that no law or regulation will do the job.
Everything they propose attacks law abiding gun owners and just makes it harder for them to defend themselves.
Here is the fact that everyone loves to avoid. When an attack happens, whether it be on one person or a group, the only people who can stop such an attack is the intended victim(s). This is not something some people want to talk about, but it is the reality.
When Dr. Ben Carson suggested the intended victims would have been better off had they attacked the perpetrator, he was ridiculed by the mainstream media. Remember, we are living in a time when schools hire outside consultants to help us decide if kids should play dodge ball or tag. School officials haven't even got the backbone to make such a decision. They don't want competition because it might be too harsh. These people are developing a new class in the United States - the victim class. The anti-self-defense crowd and the anti-gun crowd are fellow travelers. They will make us a nation of sheep if we let them.
When such tragedies happen the anti-gunners usually pass some piece of feel good legislation that makes no sense.
For example: California Governor Jerry Brown just signed a bill that bans licensed concealed carry holders from carrying a gun within 1000 feet of a school. I guess the Governor wants to make sure that students in California have absolutely no chance, if attacked.
We are going to see the same nonsense in the next legislative session. Remember that just because it is a bad idea doesn't mean it won't pass in the Illinois Legislature. The ISRA will be there.
Thanks for being an ISRA member. If you are not a member, please join.
The mission of the MWHI is to encourage protection and restoration of waters, wildlife, forest and field; to work toward the elimination of pollution in all forms; to discourage unwise drainage of wetlands; to seek wise land and water use for migratory waterfowl hunting; to nurture and improve wildlife stocks; to restore and rehabilitate wildlife environment; to aid youths and adults, through conservation education, to recognize resource conservation as vital to the perpetuation of the sport of migratory waterfowl hunting.
For an application or for more information, please contact:
MWHI President John Gineris at 618-708-8117 or email Rosi Franke at rgfranke@frontiernet.net

John Popov
HR2710! Have you heard about it? If you haven't, it is not bad but good news.
HR2710 is the "Lawful Purpose and Defense
Act of 2015." This House Representatives' bill will put an end to the President's
Executive Order, Ammo and Gun Control.
HR 2710 reinforces the 2nd
Amendment as did the Supreme Court when they said we have the right of self defense.
Remember in June of this year when I wrote about 'BATFE' -( Director Todd Jones suggested that any 5.56 round not just the M855 version should be banned. No law required for any executive fiat, a presidential executive order).
If they can ban ammo, they can ban guns.
Remember the President said, 'I have a pen and a phone.'
This is from the NRA-ILA, "with the stroke of your pen, you can take away Obama's power of the pen and score a powerful lasting victory for your freedom."
HR 2710 can stop a lot of controversy for law abiding gun owners. Contact your federal representative and ask him/her to vote for
HR2710. Do it as soon as you can. We have a lot at stake for the future freedom of our country.
If it is to be, it is up to you and me!
PS: Have a safe hunting season.
— Frank Schley,
American Partridge and Pheasant Shooting, 1877.
NRA Update on Gun Bills 1-800-392-8683
Federal Senate Office 1-202-224-3121
Federal House Offices 1-202-225-3121
Illinois State Rifle Association 1-815-635-3198 www.isra.org
Illinois Senate Information 1-217-782-4517
Illinois House Information 1-217-782-8223
Sen. Wm. Sam McCann – 50th District Tel: 217-782-8206
Email: SenatorSam@frontier.com
Sen. Kyle McCarter– 54th Districted: 217-782-5755 E-mail: senatormccarter@gmail.com
Sen. Chapin Rose – 51st Districted: 217-558-1006
Sen. William R. Haine – 56th District
Tel:618-465-4764 E-mail: haine@senatedem.state.il.us
Sen. James F. Clayborne – 57th District
Tel: 618-875-1212 E-mail: clayborne@senatedem.il.us
Sen. David Luechtefeld – 58th District
Tel: 618-243-9014 E-mail: sendavel@midwest.com
Sen. Gary Forby - 59th District
Tel: 217-782-5509
Rep. Dan Beiser – 111th District
Tel: 217-782-5996 E-Mail: dvbeiser@sbcglobal.net
Rep. Natalie A. Manley – 98th District
Tel: 217-782-3316
Rep. Adam Brown – 102nd District
Tel: 217-782-8398
Rep. John D. Cavaletto – 107th District
Tel:618-548-9080
Rep. Dwight Kay – 112 District
Tel: 618-307-9200
Rep. Jay Hoffman – 113th District
Tel: 217-782-0104
Rep. C. D. Davidsmeyer – 100th District
Tel: 217-243-6221
Rep. Mike Bost – 115th District
Tel: 618-457-5787 mikebost@midwestmail.com
Rep. Dan Reitz – 116th District
Tel: 618-443-5757 E-mail: dreitz@egyptian.net
Rep. Rodney Davis - 13th District
Tel: 202-224-3121
Rep. John Shimkus - 15th District
Tel: 618-344-3065 E-mail: house.gov/shimkus
Sen. Richard J. Durbin
Tel: 202-224-2152 E-mail: dick@durbin.senate.gov
Sen. Mark Kirk
Tel: 202-224-2854 Email: kirk.senate.gov

Goals:

Select waterfowl hunting season dates and zone lines that maximize hunter satisfaction by: o Providing opportunity for hunters to maximize days afield. o Maximizing number of waterfowl available to hunters. o Providing opportunities for hunters to pursue a range of waterfowl species and using diverse hunting methods.

Promoting retention and recruitment of waterfowl hunters by selecting waterfowl hunting season dates and zone lines that are as simple and easy to understand as practical.

Better understanding the needs and desired outcomes of waterfowl hunters.

Increasing the transparency and support for the process of setting waterfowl regulations.
Expected Outcomes:

Standardize waterfowl hunting season dates and zone lines for the next five years.

Gain support of a majority (greater than 50%) of Illinois waterfowl hunters for the selected regulations as measured by the Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey.

Maintain support of waterfowl hunters for the selected regulations.
Process and Timeline:

Spring and Summer 2015 – Summarize data and develop a proposal. o Biological data on waterfowl abundance and freeze-up were collected and summarized. o Throughout spring and summer 2015 waterfowl hunter opinions from the Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey were summarized. o Preliminary proposal presented at waterfowl open houses and online; additional hunter opinions gathered through questionnaires and conversations at open houses, and through written comments.

September 2015 – Final proposal developed based on all data collected. o Presented to public on IDNR website.

October 2015 – Final proposal presented to Natural Resources Advisory Board (NRAB)and Director.

December 2015 – Submit to US Fish and Wildlife Service establishing waterfowl hunting zones for 2016-2020 seasons. Implement waterfowl season dates for the next five waterfowl hunting seasons.
Proposed Zone Lines: 2016-2020 Proposed Waterfowl Season Dates: 2016 – 2020
Duck Season Dates:
North Zone
2016: 15 October – 13 December
2017: 21 October – 19 December
2018: 20 October – 18 December
2019: 19 October – 17 December
2020: 17 October – 15 December
Central Zone
2016: 22 October – 20 December
2017: 28 October – 26 December
2018: 27 October – 25 December
2019: 26 October – 24 December
2020: 24 October – 22 December
Continued on page 12

Continued from page 11
South Central Zone
2016: 12 November – 10 January
2017: 11 November – 9 January
2018: 10 November – 8 January
2019: 9 November – 7 January
2020: 14 November – 12 January
South Zone
2016: 24 November – 22 January
2017: 23 November – 21 January
2018: 22 November – 20 January
2019: 28 November – 26 January
2020: 26 November – 24 January
Canada Goose Season Dates:
North Zone
2016: 15 October – 12 January
2017: 21 October – 18 January
2018: 20 October – 17 January
2019: 19 October – 16 January
2020: 17 October – 14 January
Central Zone
2016: 22 October – 30 October, 12 November – 31
January
2017: 28 October – 5 November, 12 November – 31
January
2018: 27 October – 4 November, 12 November – 31
January
2019: 26 October – 3 November, 12 November – 31
January
2020: 24 October – 1 November, 12 November – 31
January
South Central Zone
2016: 12 November – 31 January
2017: 11 November – 31 January
2018: 10 November – 31 January
2019: 9 November – 31 January
2020: 14 November – 31 January
South Zone
2016: 24 November – 31 January
2017: 23 November – 31 January
2018: 22 November – 31 January
2019: 28 November – 31 January
2020: 26 November – 31 January
Statewide Seasons
Teal Season Dates:
2016: 3 – 18 September
2017: 9 – 24 September
2018: 8 – 23 September
2019: 7 – 22 September
2020: 5 – 20 September
Early Season Goose:
2016 – 2020: 1 – 15 September
5 Per Day North and Central Zones
2 Per Day South Central and South Zones
White-Fronted Goose (Specklebelly)
Season Dates:
North Zone
2016: 17 October – 12 January
2017: 23 October – 18 January
2018: 22 October – 17 January
2019: 21 October – 16 January
2020: 19 October – 14 January
Central Zone
2016 – 2020: 5 November – 31 January
South Central and South Zones will have the same dates as Canada Goose .
Copperhead Hollow, Mississippi River Area and Pere Marquette Trapping Permits Lottery Drawing
GRAFTON, IL – The Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources will host a public lottery drawing on Wednesday, Oct. 28 for the allocation of trapping permits for Copperhead Hollow Wildlife Area, Mississippi River State Fish and
Wildlife Area, and Pere Marquette State Park.
The drawing will be held at the Mississippi River Area site office, 17836 State Highway 100 North,
Grafton, IL. Registration for the drawing will begin on Oct. 28 at 11:00 a.m. and the drawings will be conducted at 11:30 a.m.
Each area will have one permit available (one trapper and one helper may be listed on the permit).
Each person entering the drawing must have a 2014 or 2015 Illinois trapping license in their possession, and persons whose names are drawn must be in attendance at the drawing on Oct. 28.
Additional site specific regulations/requirements for each of the three venues will be made available and discussed at the time of the lottery drawing.
For more information, phone 618-786-3324.

Early October is a busy time for Illinois hunters as October 1 marks the start of our three-and-a-half month archery deer and archery wild turkey hunting seasons, which conclude on January 17, 2016.
It is a good time to alert deer hunters to some changes in the law and rules regulating deer hunting in Illinois.
There is a new law on the books in Illinois that allows young hunters who possess a Youth Hunting
License and an archery deer permit to use a crossbow during the archery deer hunting season.
The new law took effect in August, and to implement it in time for the 2015-16 archery deer season, the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources filed an emergency amendment to the state’s archery deer rule (17 Illinois
Administrative Code 670). We will now allow eligible youth who want to take advantage of the new crossbow regulation to do so if the youth is under the direct supervision of a parent, grandparent, or guardian who is 21 years of age of older. The adult supervisor accompanying the youth, while hunting with a crossbow, must have both a valid
Illinois hunting license and valid archery deer permit.
While archery deer hunting is underway, October also features the annual Youth Firearm Deer Season on the
Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Columbus Day weekend (October 10-12). Here’s an important safety reminder:
During the Youth Firearm Deer Season weekend, all hunters (including archery hunters) and those accompanying youth hunters must wear the blaze orange required of firearm hunters…a blaze orange cap and upper garment with a minimum of 400 square inches of solid blaze orange material.
A few other reminders for deer hunters as we move through autumn:
The regular Firearm Deer Season is November 20-22 and December 3-6;
The Muzzleloader-only Deer Season is December 11-13;
The Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Season and Special CWD Deer Season are December 31, 2015-January 3, 2016 and January 15-17, 2016.
The Late-Winter season will be open in 27 counties (8 fewer than last year), while two more counties have been added to the list for the Special CWD season (Kankakee and Livingston).
For more complete details on Illinois deer seasons and regulations, check the Illinois Digest and Hunting and Trapping
Regulations 2015-2016 and the IDNR website at www.dnr.illinois.gov.
Enjoy all the great hunting and outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois this fall.
Two Rivers Outdoors, Beth Zumwalt, 10/9/15
Deer season started last Thursday and according to numbers released by the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources, the hunt has been good so far.
According to Tim Krumweide, of the Pittsfield Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 163 deer have been taken in Pike County the first five days of deer hunting, the highest county count. Fulton County reported 142, Jefferson, 128, Randolph, 116 and Adams, 110. Statewide the numbers are way ahead of last year for the first five days.
This year, 5,140 deer were taken state wide compared to last year’s, 3,106. Krumweide attributes the higher numbers to better hunting weather.
“It’s been cool and that makes for better hunting weather,” he said.

" As hunters go through life, if they follow the spirit of the hunt faithfully, they are guided through the issues of life cycle. Times may change, and people may change too, but nature is always there and so are the instinctual energies that call us to hunt."
— James A. Swan, In Defense of Hunting, 1995. -
by Bob McNally published in Adventures Sports Outdoors October 2015
On public hunting spots where lots of pressure is put on birds, it’s often possible to locate areas where ducks are holding simply by listening to where the biggest concentration of shooting is heard. If your spot isn’t yielding birds, but you hear nearby gunners blazing away, it’s obvious they’re on ducks, while you’re just watching a sunrise.
On more than one occasion I’ve listened to other hunters hammering ducks, then, about midmorning, it became quiet. If you can, try wading over to where they’re hunting, or take a boat. Don’t encroach on anyone. But if they’re done — having filled limits and left — don’t hesitate to move right in to the area. I’ve done that on more than one occasion, and I’ve had other hunters do it to me.
On public ground, that’s just the way it is, and it’s perfectly acceptable behavior, provided you don’t infringe on someone who currently is hunting a hot spot.
Know Where They Wanna Go
You’ve got to hunt where ducks want to be, and scout to find those places.
In large marsh and lake areas it’s usually easiest to scout the places where ducks want to be by watching them in flight. Discover a consistent flight pattern and keep moving in that direction until you pinpoint the spot birds are dropping into. Ducks habitually fly at dawn and dusk, but since most gunners are hunting at dawn, scouting in late afternoons makes sense. Sometimes you learn the direction where ducks are headed one late afternoon, but can’t discover the precise spot before nightfall. In such a case it might take several afternoon scouting trips to learn the exact hotspot.
Start each subsequent scouting session where you last spotted birds before nightfall. Track them as long as you can, and if you can’t pinpoint the spot, try again the next afternoon, beginning at the most recent place where you last spotted them.
A handheld portable GPS navigating unit can be very useful retracing incremental scouting trips, especially when doing reconnaissance via boat or in poor light when landmarks are not readily discernible. Take advantage of weather conditions and local weather patterns for most effective scouting. On days when the wind is up and cloud cover down, get out in your duck boat or drive around a marsh where you hunt and look for trading birds. Sometimes a big weather front “pushes” in ducks, and by watching the forecast and being out scouting, you’ll likely see “new” ducks migrate into your lake or marsh, or perhaps into fields for feeding.
In coastal areas it’s common for a late-morning or afternoon sea breeze to kick in. Ducks love to fly in the wind, so take advantage of a sea breeze effect by doing your scouting when ducks are most visible and flying during bright daylight hours.

One Winner Every Month - Ticket Drawn on First of Every Month - Beginning June, 2016
Subject to availability at Draw Date - Pick-up at Outrageous Outdoors, Jerseyville 618-639-4867
June 2016 Gun
July 2016 Gun
August 2016 Gun
September 2016 Gun
October 2016 Gun
November 2016 Gun
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Savage 17 HMR Camo w/scope
Remington Versa Max 12ga Mossy Oak Camo
S&W Shield 9mm
Winchester SXP 12ga 3 1/2in Waterfowler
TriStar TSA 3 1/2in Black 12ga
Beretta A300 Outlander Black 12ga
For tickets, please contact Gun Raffle Chairman Dave Geisler at 618-535-3889 or any MWHI Board Member.
One Winner Every Month - Ticket Drawn on First of Every Month - Beginning April, 2015
Subject to availability at Draw Date - Pick-up at Outrageous Outdoors, Jerseyville
April 2015 Gun
May 2015 Gun
June 2015 Gun
July 2015 Gun
August 2015 Gun
September 2015 Gun
October 2015 Gun
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S&W S&P Shield 9mm
Tristar 12 ga O/U
Henry 22 lever action
Ruger 10-22
Savage 17 HMR
Remington 870
Beretta A300 3 1/2
- Ray Gallo
- Matt Popov
- Brad (Brownstown)
- Donals S. Griesemer
-Ashley D. Hayes
-John Krivi Jr.
- Steve Boiles
November 2015 Gun
December 2015 Gun
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Remington
Glock 42 .380 auto
- Frank Kasicki
- Brad Woods
For more information,, please contact Gun Raffle Chairman Dave Geisler at 618-670-1419.