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				 2020 Licenses Now Available: Illinois fishing, hunting 
				and sportsman combination licenses for 2020 are now available 
				from DNR Direct license and permit vendors throughout Illinois, 
				or online through the IDNR website at
				www.dnr.illinois.gov.  
				The new license year in Illinois begins April 1, with 2020 
				licenses valid through March 31, 2021. 
 Illinois Bobcat Harvest: The 2019-2020 Illinois Bobcat 
				Season ended Feb. 15, 2020 with 335 bobcat permits filled. The 
				bobcat harvest was 306 (the same as during the 2018-2019 season) 
				and there were an additional 29 roadkill bobcats salvaged by 
				permit holders. There were 1,000 permits issued for the season. 
				The percentage of bobcats taken by hunting was 45 percent and 
				trapping accounted for 46 percent (the remainder were salvaged 
				by permit holders). Pike County led the harvest with 22 bobcats. 
				The IDNR appreciates the support of hunters, trappers and IDNR 
				staff who collected jaws for bobcat research at SIU Carbondale 
				and of cooperating landowners and trappers in central Illinois 
				who have helped with bobcat research at Western Illinois 
				University. The IDNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fund 
				research to continue learning about Illinois’ only feline 
				furbearer. The recovery of this species, as well as many others, 
				and continued research are possible because of the support of 
				the sportsmen and sportswomen of Illinois. A table with bobcat 
				harvest totals by county can be found at:
				https://bit.ly/ 2T7cbhj.
 
				 
				
 Civil War Saturday at Old State Capitol: Visit the Old 
				State Capitol in Springfield for a fun, family-friendly free 
				program hosted by the Springfield Soldiers' Aid Society 
				Saturday, March 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Volunteers in 
				historic attire will help those attending learn about the women 
				who worked in the building during the Civil War and experience 
				history by making crafts that were popular during the Civil War. 
				The Old State Capitol, a reconstruction of Illinois’ fifth 
				statehouse, served as the seat of state government and a center 
				of Illinois political life from 1839 to 1876. It is open daily 
				from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
 
 Story Time at Lincoln Log Cabin: Plan a visit to Lincoln 
				Log Cabin State Historic Site Saturday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. 
				for Saturday Children’s Story Time. Featuring the reading of a 
				historically themed children's book followed by activities and 
				crafts, this free program helps engage youngsters ages 5-10 in 
				American history and bring the stories to life. All youth must 
				be accompanied by an adult. The story for March 7 is “Sugar 
				Snow” by Laura Ingalls Wilder, illustrated by Doris Ettlinger. 
				It tells the story of making maple syrup and maple sugar, both 
				important foodstuffs for pioneer families. The importance of the 
				‘sugar bush’ and making maple syrup and sugar led to some of the 
				earliest settlements in the central part of Illinois. Lincoln 
				Log Cabin State Historic Site, part of the Abraham Lincoln 
				National Heritage Area, preserves the 19th-century home of 
				Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, father and stepmother of our 16th 
				president. The site is eight miles south of Charleston and is 
				open each Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours. For 
				more information about the site and its programming call 
				217-345-1845 or visit 
				www.lincolnlogcabin.org.
 
 Dana-Thomas House Specialty Tours: Two specialty tours to 
				provide visitors the opportunity to enjoy extra time inside the 
				historic Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield 
				are planned for Saturday, March 7. “Attention to Detail,” held 
				10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., will explore details and stories of 
				the Dana House that enrich our understanding of art and 
				architecture and the genius of Frank Lloyd Wright. “Of Glass and 
				Wood,” held 1:15 to 3:15 p.m., will focus on details of the 
				amazing art glass collection and the Wright-designed furniture 
				in the house. Call the site at 217-782-6776 to reserve your 
				place on these tours.
 
 Super Saturday at the Illinois State Museum: Children and 
				families will have the chance to learn about the history of 
				women’s suffrage and discover how they might stand up for causes 
				they care about today when they attend the Illinois State 
				Museum’s “Let’s Vote!” Super Saturday, held Saturday, March 7 at 
				the museum. The program, which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 
				p.m., will include activities such as making a sash for a 
				favorite cause, crafting a button to encourage action, and 
				learning more about suffragettes from Illinois and beyond 
				through games and trivia.
 
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There will also be a chance for all participants to vote on a current topic. 
Super Saturdays are sponsored by Bank of Springfield. For more information email
events@illinoisstatemuseum.org 
or call 217- 782-6044. 
Becoming an Outdoors Woman: Registration is open for the IDNR ‘Becoming 
an Outdoors Woman’ Workshop June 12-14 at the Lorado Taft Field Campus in 
Oregon, Ill. Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshops are designed to provide 
introductory instruction and experiences in many outdoor-related activities and 
skills. The cost per person is $245, which includes meals, lodging, four 
instructional classes, use of class materials/supplies, transportation during 
the workshop, and more. The June workshop usually fills up fast, so don’t delay 
in registering. Registration materials can be found at:
https://bit.ly/32C2Pgz. 
 Seed Packets Available: The IDNR Mason State Nursery has developed a seed 
mix of Illinois native forbs and grasses that is suitable for use in developing 
a monarch/pollinator habitat. Tree seedlings also are available for sale. For 
ordering information, visit: https:// 
bit.ly/3acm2rW.
 
 Music at the Museum: Panamanian/ Colombian duo Calle Sur performs at the 
monthly Music at the Museum concert series Thursday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. at 
the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Calle Sur features a broad range of 
Latin musical traditions. Tickets for the March concert are available in advance 
at bit.ly/matmmar20 or at the door. For more information on the featured acts 
and a full series schedule, visit 
http://www. museumconcerts.com.
 
 Kids Day at Dickson Mounds: Dickson Mounds Museum is hosting a new 
program, Kid’s Day: Fun and Games, Saturday, March 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 
p.m. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon playing and learning about a variety of 
ancient games to 20th century games. Participants may make their own game to 
take home. This program may fulfill some scouting badge requirements. Kids Day 
programs are for children ages 5 years old and up with an adult. Admission is 
free, and donations are appreciated. Dickson Mounds is located between Lewistown 
and Havana off Illinois Routes 78 and 97. The museum is open free to the public 
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day. For more information call 309-547-3721. 
Also visit us on Facebook at Illinois State Museum-Dickson Mounds or online at 
the Dickson Mounds link on 
www.illinoisstate museum.org.
 
 Camping Reservations: It is time to make reservations for campsites and 
shelters for many Illinois state parks and other IDNR sites for 2020. 
Reservations can be made online through the Reserve America website at
www.reserve america.com  using 
a Visa or MasterCard.
 
 Hunter and Boating Safety Education Courses: Register now for Hunter 
Safety Education and Boating Safety Education courses from the IDNR. Spring 
classes are being scheduled. Check the IDNR website for class dates and 
locations: https://bit.ly/2ThvMdw.
 
 
 Museum After Hours: Celebrate the opening of the Fashioning Illinois: 
1820-1900 exhibition in style during the Museum After Hours event at the 
Illinois State Museum Friday, March 27, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You are 
encouraged to dress in garb from your favorite 60s decade (1860s or 1960s). 
Enjoy live music by Myers - Brant - Paoni and the New Columbine Orchestra and 
participate in a 1960s inspired art making activity. Tickets are $10 for ISM 
Society members and $15 for non-members and include one beverage and all 
activities. Additional beverages and food will be available for purchase. Visit 
http://bit.ly/mahmar20 for tickets or purchase at the door. All event proceeds 
support educational programs at the Museum. Participants must be 21 years or 
older. For more information, email
events@illinoisstatemuseum.org 
or call 217-782-6044.
 
 Illinois Deer Classic: Visit with IDNR biologists, Conservation Police 
Officers and permit/license staff at the 2020 Illinois Deer Classic at the 
Peoria Civic Center, March 27-29. For more info, visit
http://illinoisdeerclassic.com/
 
				 
			[Rachel Torbert] 
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