December 29th 2024.
Joel Gomez, a resident of Blue Island, understands the rush of adrenaline that comes with "buck fever." He is one of the many hunters who have been fortunate enough to experience this thrill within the city limits of Chicago.
On a Saturday evening in late October, Gomez found himself perched 15 feet above the ground in a deer stand at William W. Powers State Recreation Area. This 30-acre wooded area had recently been designated as a hunting ground for the 2024/25 season, making it one of the few places within Chicago where hunting is allowed. The recreation area, which is owned by the state, first opened for bow and crossbow hunting in 2022/2023, but only on a 23-acre peninsula that borders the southern edge of Wolf Lake and 133rd street.
With the addition of this new hunting area, the number of permits for bow and crossbow deer hunting at William W. Powers doubled from 8 to 16. Gomez was one of the lucky hunters to receive a permit, and he eagerly awaited his chance to encounter a deer.
As he sat in his stand, Gomez could hear the sounds of ambulances blaring on Avenue O, causing a chorus of howls from nearby coyotes. He even recorded the howls on his phone. Despite the noise, he also heard the faint sound of a tractor, likely from a Harvest Festival happening a few blocks south at the visitors' center. This event was meant to attract families with food, games, and music.
Gomez admits that with all the commotion, he didn't think he would have any luck that day. Yet, he patiently stood in his stand for four hours, hoping for a chance to take down a deer.
Around 6 p.m., as the sun was setting, Gomez's luck changed. He spotted a magnificent buck within striking distance of his Killer Instinct crossbow. His excitement was palpable, and he admits to feeling the rush of "buck fever." After successfully taking down the deer, he was in a state of shock.
Gomez proudly posed for a photo with his kill, which was the first in the new northwest woods hunting area at William W. Powers. However, he was not the only hunter to have success this season. Dan Indicavitch, president of the Southeast Sportsmen's Club in Hegewisch, also took down a buck in the same area.
This expansion of hunting areas has been met with great enthusiasm by members of the club, who have been hunting deer and ducks at William W. Powers for years. Hunting is crucial for maintaining healthy deer populations in Illinois, as there are few natural predators in the state. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) issues hunting permits through a lottery system, and this season, 40 hunters applied for permits at William W. Powers.
Nicky Strahl, IDNR wildlife biologist for Cook and DuPage Counties, explains that the hunters came from various locations, including Chicago and nearby suburbs, as well as more distant places like Wheaton and Waconda.
The northwest woods hunting area at William W. Powers is a wild and populated area, with plenty of deer and coyotes. The terrain is punctuated by ponds and inlets that connect to Wolf Lake, creating an ideal habitat for these animals.
John Karas, a hunter who has been a member of the Southeast Sportsmen's Club for a long time, can attest to the abundance of deer in this area. He successfully took down a doe in December 2022 with a crossbow. However, his hunt took an unexpected turn when he encountered a group of coyotes. He decided to wait for about 45 minutes before tracking the deer, but when he returned, he found that the coyotes had already claimed their share of the kill.
Despite this encounter, Karas was grateful for the opportunity to hunt close to his home, which is less than half a mile from Wolf Lake. He recalls spending his childhood swimming and fishing in this area and always dreaming of hunting here. For him, it was a dream come true.
Hunters like Karas and Gomez are reminded of the importance of testing for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. The IDNR provides instructions on hunting safety and the dangers of consuming meat from infected animals. They also offer testing services for deer harvested in areas where CWD has been found.
Gomez took all the necessary precautions by submitting lymph nodes for testing and having the head of his deer examined by a qualified taxidermist. He and his wife waited for the negative results before enjoying their venison in various dishes.
On the other hand, Karas was not able to retrieve a tissue sample from the doe he harvested in 2022, but he understands the importance of testing and always follows the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CWD was first detected in Illinois in 2002, and since then, hunting and tissue testing have helped slow its spread. However, hunters are reminded to take precautions and get their meat tested before consuming it.
Despite the challenges of hunting in an urban environment, Gomez and Karas both express their gratitude for the opportunity to hunt close to home. For Gomez, it was a dream come true, and for Karas, it was a chance to revisit his childhood memories. They both hope to continue hunting in this area for many years to come.
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