It sure is starting to feel a lot like fall – and hunting season! Early season Canadian Goose hunting season has come to a close. Next up is deer and turkey archery & firearm seasons. Archery deer and fall turkey both start on October 1. Firearm deer season dates are November 17 – 19, and November 30 – December 3. Fall turkey shotgun season is October 21 – 29. Muzzleloader-only deer season is December 8 – 10, and a late winter Antlerless – only deer season December 28 – 31 and January 12 – 14, 2024. Don’t forget here is also a deer firearm season especially for youths, permit required. It is October 7 – 9. Take your kid, grandkid, nephew and introduce them to hunting for an experience of a lifetime. Please check the IDNR website for inclusive dates, hours, limits and permits in your county. Take note of slight variances in some counties, and other season details and species hunting and trapping regulations.
Get ready for a safe and successful hunting season. We welcome you to the Illinois State Rifle Association Range’s annual Sighting-In Day, which will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, 10 am – 3:00 pm. “Zero-in” your shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, pistol, or bow. Open to the public – you don’t need to be a member to come. $10 per firearm or bow, includes targets. For details of what you should bring, and more information, including directions to the Range, visit isra.org or call the ISRA office at 815-635-3198. On the day of the event, please call the ISRA Range directly at 815-939-1909.
ISRA Exhibits at USCCA Expo in Milwaukee
ISRA gains nearly 100 new members as gun owners rally around the ISRA in the fight against new Illinois Gun laws.
Illinois State Rifle Association President Doug Mayhall, board member Thomas McDonald and Rhonda Ezell – who sued the city of Chicago to bring gun ranges to the city for all law-abiding citizens, attended the USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Expo in Milwaukee over the weekend.
While New Mexico’s Governor used the weekend to try and steal 2nd Amendment Rights from citizens,ttps://ap news.com/article/albuquerque-guns-governor-concealed-carry-firearms-reject-ec5e8d57abc15687dd1b39d8cc197d96,the ISRA used it to meet with firearm owners from across the Midwest. The ISRA provided updates on the organization’s effort to stand up to Governor JB Pritzker, who is waging a national campaign to convince other governors – with assistance from the Biden administration, to pass additional legislation across the country that mirrors Illinois’ unconstitutional assault weapons ban.
“From our perspective, the expo was a total success,” said ISRA president Doug Mayhall. “The support that we are receiving from fellow gun owners across the area as we continue to stand up to Gov. Pritzker in the press and in federal court, is incredible. And the fact that we were able to walk away this weekend with so many new memberships is further proof that others want to join us in the fight.” https://isra.org/isra-exhibits-at-uscca-expo-in-milwaukee/
On January 18, 2023, the ISRA filed a federal lawsuit opposing Gov. Pritzker’s unconstitutional assault weapons ban. Founded in 1903, 2023 marks the 120th anniversary of the Illinois State Rifle Association – solidifying their position as one of the most respected gun organizations in the United States.
To fight back, join the ISRA by visiting www.isra.org
A chapter of women shooters, previously known as The Well Armed Woman (TWAW), recently changed its name at a national level to Armed Women of America (AWA). Nothing else has changed about our chapter or who we are except the name. For those of you who aren’t familiar with our group, allow us to introduce ourselves. Armed Women of America (Kankakee Chapter) meets the last Saturday of every month from 9am – 12pm for meeting and range practice. Open to members and the public. Instructors: Beth Bertrand & Mandi Ehler. The Kankakee County chapter email address is AWA.kankakeecoutyil@gmail.com.
We’re a group of women that enjoy safe shooting, our time together and supporting the second amendment. For dates & times check our Range calendar at: https://isra.org/event/awa-monthly-meeting-clubhouse-900-1000-range-10-1000-1200-9/
WHO WE ARE – OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Armed Women of America is a non-profit organization with chapters across the country where women gather regularly to learn and grow in their abilities to handle firearms safely, responsibly, and competently. AWA exists to enable women to be their own self-protectors, creating freedom, peace of mind, and confidence in themselves. Our vision is that women have the skills, mindset, and training to defend themselves and those in their care.
In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson is going to file suit against Kia and Hyundai because their vehicles are too easy to steal. The mayor likes to forget about the criminals who are the actual cause of the crimes, and the idea of personal responsibility. It is always easier to blame an object than a person. Then of course we add in Cook County prosecutor Kim Fox, who likes to let people off the hook, and we have a class A mess on our hands.
It is an equal opportunity city as far as robberies go. Last Monday, a Chicago TV News crew was covering a couple of robberies, when they themselves got robbed. This is not news. They were the second TV news crew to be robbed in a month. Aside from the now three robberies, there was a carjacking in the same area, a couple of hours earlier. I’m not a detective, but I am beginning to detect a pattern here. Other areas of the city are experiencing the same thing. In Humboldt Park, robberies are up 107 percent this year, and 322 percent over the same period, last year. Since criminals aren’t prosecuted in Chicago to any degree that matters, who could be surprised?
In 2021, there were 406,829 high-priority emergency calls in Chicago, that went unanswered. The numbers aren’t in for 2022, but I wouldn’t be too hopeful for any improvement. If you haven’t got a FOID Card, get one, then get an Illinois Concealed Carry License (ICCL). You are pretty much on your own, baby!
In Maine, New York, two armed and masked men broke into a home with intent to rob the home and the homeowner. The homeowner armed himself and an exchange of gunfire wounded one of the men in the leg. The two fled and were later arrested at a local hospital. The homeowner was unharmed.
This is another case in which a lawfully armed citizen faced multiple attackers. In the 2021 National Firearms Survey which included 54,244 people, it was found that 31.1 percent had defended themselves with firearms. Just as interesting, is that 51.2 percent had faced multiple attackers, with some facing five or more attackers. Handguns were used to stop the attacks 66 percent of the time, and shotguns were used 21 percent of the time. The problem we have in Illinois is that semi-automatic shotguns are now limited to five rounds. Semi-automatic shotguns are one of the best ways to defend yourself and your home. Semi-automatics are far easier for women to shoot, particularly 20-gauge shotguns. Now the state of Illinois has given criminals another advantage over law-abiding citizens. Particularly now that multiple attackers are becoming more common.
Now is the time to get more training.
I get calls every day regarding the ISRA lawsuit which is now in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Nothing yet. The courts set their own timeline. We will keep you informed.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed a lawsuit challenging the “Final Rule” from the ATF on their redefinition of frames and receivers. The lawsuit claims the ATF usurped the authority of Congress. The SAF expects to prevail on most sections of this lawsuit.
The Illinois State Rifle Association is offering a special sale on Life and other upgraded memberships.
Please check your mail and take
advantage of this offer.
Upgrades must be postmarked
by Oct. 16.
If you didn’t receive it in the mail, please call the office at (815) 635-3198.
We can easily upgrade your membership on the phone, or send us an email to Member Services at:
member@isra.org
