HUNTING HOURS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar has signed into law a bill which will allow the Department of Conservation to extend goose hunting hours during special seasons, or special periods during the regular hunting season in the four county Alexander, Union, Jackson and Williamson Quota Zone of Southern Illinois.

Previously, individuals could hunt geese in the zone only between sunrise and 3 p.m.. The new law allows the DOC to extend the hours past that time on particular days, if it choose.

The Department of Conservation does not intend to change the closing time this year, however.

The 84-day Quota Zone season will start Nov. 9 and run through Jan. 31, or until a quota of 72,400 geese.