ALGC Conservation Report

 

 Pat picked up our order of trees and shrubs from IDNR on May 13.  Early May 16, fifty pin oak saplings were planted among the hickory trees just southeast of the 200 yard firing line.  This should enhance our good stand of hardwoods between the range and the creek that winds through the property .  Fifty young gray dogwood shrubs were plugged into the woods just southwest of the 200 yard target frames.  Deer trails abound in these areas due to the quality of cover and habitat and the constant source of water.  Pat recently counted over fifty head one morning.  Turkeys roost and roam freely, quail are back, and bluebirds and beaver have been spotted.  (Remember, the critters always have the right-of-way on club property!)"

 

 

The Abe Lincoln Gun Club has participated in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources “Acres for Wildlife Protection” for over 25 years.  The goal of this program is to restore disturbed habitat and to enhance existing wildlife habitat on private lands.  The club once farmed about one-fourth of the club property.  Due to the increased size of farm machinery and the size of our farmable units it became difficult to retain farm tenants.  It was decided to restore these areas to wildlife habitat.  In addition,  prairie habitat was planted on the south side of the 200yd range to provide nesting habitat for turkeys and a bedding area for deer, as well as reduce the club’s mowing costs.  Funding for the prairie seed mix and herbicide was provided by the IDNR through this program.  Nest boxes for bluebirds found around the club grounds were donated by a club member and installed during one of the annual work days.

 

The ALGC is now enrolled in the IDNR’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).  This program allows the club to benefit from having 40.78 acres of the club’s grounds (50.78 acres total) assessed at a lower tax rate.  This has resulted in a substantial financial savings in our annual tax bill.  A Conservation Management Plan was developed and filed as required by the CSP.

 

Pat Malone

 

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