Don't know if you all have heard... No more pin mailings.:mad: You need to go pick them up yourself at one of a whole 7 DNR offices throughout the state. This bugs me, all the $$$ we spend on liscences, and they can't muster up a stamp to send me a pin, or get them out to a few more places so that we may not have to drive over an hour to pick one up. Hell, I'd even pay my own shipping for the thing, beats gas prices. Big change of tune from last year. (See red below.) You can read more about it here (http://www.dnr.state.il.us/deer_pins/).




I sent this e-mail to:

dnr.license@illinois.gov

I must say that the new method of issuing deer harvest pins is a blow to the heritage of IL hunting.
A quote from IL DNR last year…
August 3, 2005 Deer Pins Available to Successful Hunters DNR Direct to make process of receiving pins simpler “Receiving the deer pin is an important part of hunting season in Illinois,” said IDNR Director Joel Brunsvold. “As we have modernized the reporting system, we have taken measures to make sure that rite of hunting continues.” Looks like that didn’t last too long. Thanks for looking out for us hunters.
Respectfully, Bob

IMO
They are playing this so it ends up like the turkey pins, you buy it or dont get one.

After everyone complains they will change it so they have to be bought and they can say that is what everyone wanted, because they didn't like the way it has been done since they no longer have check stations.
Did that make since ? LOL

Here is a link to places that will have pins available.

http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/Pdfs/06DeerPinVendors.pdf

There's even one in New Athens:D

How am I supposed to get a pin if I harvest a deer. I guess I'll have to take more time off work to drive to Illinois to pick it up. In the words of O Brother Where Art Thou, "That don't make no sense."

Have Bob pick one up for you.
I drove to Benton (30-40 miles) last week to get mine.
Didn't have to show them anything, just said I am wanting to get a harvest pin and the lady at the desk put one on the counter for me.
No proof was even needed.

I found the same list Bob posted, yesterday and was going to add it today but he beat me to it. To bad I didn't know about it before driving to Benton there is a place just a couple of miles from me that is on the list now.

Bro and I were able to grab 2 at R&R in New Athens. Nice and easy just the way it should be.

Bro and I were able to grab 2 at R&R in New Athens. Nice and easy just the way it should be.

Thats awesome. I'll have to go by and get mine. Did you have to take your tag with you?

Nope, they just looked out the window and saw the deer on the trailer. That was good enough for them.

It also made it easy to pick up a 12 pack along with the pins.