Outdoors: What will the final decision in Springfield be on the FOID card law?

We have at least one friend in Springfield.

I don’t know who the sponsor is, but there is a bill to reduce the new license fee for boat trailers that was passed by the House of Representatives on a 16-0 vote. It was also approved by the Senate and now it is on the way to the governor’s desk.

That and the judge that is trying to do away with the FOID card law is still being debated. The new proposals would require fingerprints for applicants and are supposed to reduce crime. If they think outlaws will abide by these new requirements they need to think again. Any perpetrator who is about to commit a crime with a firearm will obtain his gun illegally through straw purchases or by stealing it from a law-abiding citizen.

The boys in Springfield are trying to require fingerprinting for all gun owners, but the bill has stalled in the Senate. The delays in FOID card issues will even be more stalled by additional staff going over fingerprints if this passes. So far the FOID card fee has remained at $10. While big-city mayors believe additional legislation will reduce crime, they are mistaken.

Most gun dealers require a background check on new purchases even in states where it is not required. They are afraid of new legislation in their state that will cause them to go out of business. Many Illinois dealers have given up their licenses because of increased legislation. Ammunition has become hard to obtain through increased regulations and prices are sky-high

That and the police forces who have to watch how they make an arrest now to avoid prosecution are having trouble getting new applicants to take the job.

I have been around for almost 79 years and have never seen any new laws become a deterrent to crime. In fact, the way it is now many criminals obtain a get out of jail card if it’s a small crime. There isn’t enough room in jails to house the many folks who break the law today.

Fishing report

Area rivers have been a little better this week. The waters are very low and clear. Many fish are located right on the edge of the navigation channel on the Illinois River. The Fox River has channel catfish located right below rapids. Some have been located in deep holes near the Interstate 80 bridge.

Be very careful going upstream in the Fox now as the water is very shallow. It can ruin a propeller very quickly especially when running fast. The middle of the river is not always the deepest portion.

Hunting report

Many folks are taking advantage of a large crop of pheasant mushrooms. These fungi grow right on the tree and have the appearance of a pheasant tail. They are good eating but some of the larger ones have to be trimmed off near the stem as they can become tough.

• Fred Krause is a Shaw Media correspondent.

Fred Krause

Fred Krause

Fred is an avid outdoorsman who has been writing about his passion for decades.