(KFVS) - The Shawnee National Forest Volunteer Corps is inviting volunteers to join them to help assist with upcoming trail work days.

Whether a first time beginner or seasoned trail crew veteran, the Corps says no certain level of experience is needed as training; including how to perform activities safely.

Volunteers will be joining Shawnee National Forest employees in stewardship efforts at several locations on the Hidden Springs and Mississippi Bluff Ranger Districts. With  the arrival of spring to the Southern Illinois region, the Corps says each work day will encompass a fun, hands-on, teamwork centered approach with a backdrop of budding trees, blooming wildflowers and much more.

The following dates and locations from spring 2013 have been scheduled:

Join the Forest and other volunteers to maintain the Indian Point Trail at Garden of the Gods on:

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently announced the firearm deer hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 99,324 deer during the seven-day firearm deer season Nov. 16-18 and Nov. 29-Dec. 2.

IDNR says the preliminary second-season harvest total was 27,213, compared with the 31,259 deer taken by hunters during the second segment of the 2011 season. This year's preliminary first-season deer harvest was 72,111, compared with a first-season harvest of 66,501 in 2011. They say the preliminary harvest totals include deer taken in all counties in which firearm deer hunting is permitted, as well as at Chain O'Lakes State Park in Lake County.

(KFVS) - The Illinois Firearm Deer Season will be Friday, November 16 through Sunday, November 18 and will conclude November 29 through December 2.

“Illinois has a great hunting tradition and the firearm deer season is a special time for hundreds of thousands of hunters in our state,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller. “I want to remind hunters to be safe while enjoying the firearm deer hunt and all outdoor activity in Illinois.” 

According to the IDNR, hunters in Illinois harvested 98,820 deer during the seven-day firearm deer hunting season in 2011. So far this season, approximately 334,000 permits have been issued. For information on remaining permits, check the IDNR website www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer.

The IDNR says legal hunting hours for the firearm deer season are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.