MARION, IL (KFVS) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now accepting entries for the 2013 Illinois Junior Duck Stamp Contest, which is administered by the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.

Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2013.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is unique in its blending of science and art. It engages children in the study of waterfowl and habitat conservation as well as migration. The program guides students, using scientific and wildlife observation principles, to communicate visually what they have learned through an entry in their state’s Junior Duck Stamp art contest.

This conservation education program is open to any child in kindergarten through high school. Southern Illinois teachers can contact the Refuge about outreach programs and resources, offered free of charge, in support of the Junior Duck Stamp program.

(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 reported Tuesday that hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 72,111 deer during the opening weekend of the 2012 Illinois Firearm Deer Season, Nov. 16-18.

IDNR says the second portion of the firearm season will be Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.

The preliminary harvest total of 72,111 for the first three days of the 2012 firearm season compares with the first weekend harvest of 66,501 deer during the 2011 deer season. The top county harvest total last weekend was in Pike with 2,108 deer, followed by Fulton (2,048), Adams (1,938), Jo Daviess (1,877) and Randolph (1,665).

For the entire seven-day firearm season in 2011, hunters harvested 98,820 deer. The preliminary first-season figures reported for each county include those deer taken on special hunt areas within that county as well as on private land.