WILD TURKEY FEDERATION ASSISTS WITH LAND ACQUISITION IN JO DAVIESS COUNTY

              WILD TURKEY FEDERATION ASSISTS WITH
             LAND ACQUISITION IN JO DAVIESS COUNTY

     SPRINGFIELD, ILL. -- The Illinois Department of Natural
Resources is dedicating more than 960 acres in JoDaviess County
purchased with assistance from the National Wild Turkey
Federation.

     The site, located 11 miles east of Galena near Apple River
Canyon State Park, is one of two properties the Federation helped
purchase.

     The Federation is donating $200,000 during the next 10 years
to the Illinois Conservation Foundation to help offset the
Department's costs of acquiring land that will enrich turkey
hunting opportunities.

     "The property we are dedicating here today and the pledge by
the Federation are evidence of the strong commitment this
organization has to the Department, sportsmen and the natural
resources of this state," said IDNR Director Brent Manning.

     Natural Areas Acquisition Funds also were used for the
purchase, which was the result of a collaborative effort among
the Nature Preserves Commission, the Department and the
Federation.

     Blake Pazero, President of the Illinois Chapter of the
National Wild Turkey Federation, said his organization earmarks
20 percent of its Super Fund fund-raising proceeds for land
purchases with the guidance of the IDNR.

     "It is our goal to do something positive for all of the
sportsmen in Illinois by providing more hunting and outdoor
recreational opportunities throughout the state," Pazero said.

     John Schmitt, executive director of the Illinois
Conservation Foundation, commended the Federation for setting the
standard for other groups to follow.

     "Partnerships between government and private interest groups
stretch state resources and make possible opportunities that
otherwise might not exist," Schmitt said. "I hope the Wild Turkey
Federation's action encourages other constituency groups to
consider similar donations."

     The property consists of 436 acres of tillable cropland and
225 acres of pasture. The remaining acreage is comprised of
wooded area, public roadway and a small portion along the Apple
River.

     According to terms of the agreement with the Federation, the
Department intends to open the majority of the property to wild
turkey hunting once it determines the existence of a biologically
sound wild turkey population capable of supporting hunting.

     Another 175-acre parcel 6 miles southwest of Effingham that
was purchased with Habitat Funds and assistance from the Illinois
Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation was dedicated June
6.

     Manning said wild turkeys have been stocked in 99 of the
state's 102 counties, with 72 counties open to spring turkey
hunting and 30 to fall hunting.

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