Friends of Sanganois

07/25/2025

Merch is out and ready! Hope to see everyone Sunday!

07/22/2025

2025 FoS Newsletter
Can't wait to see everyone.
Special thanks to Scheels

07/20/2025

*from Springfield Illinois Department of Natural Resources ***

Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area Lower Country Issues and Impact on Upcoming Blind Draw

More than 70 years ago the Corps of Engineers began to straighten out the Sangamon River to help prevent flooding in Springfield and surrounding areas. The result of that project has made the Sangamon River continually grow wider and shallower. The sand siltation process that continues to expand and intensify has caused blockages close to the Illinois River near Beardstown and the State Fish and Wildlife Area (SFWA) bottom lands.

The Sangamon River is being forced to flow back to its natural route. Unfortunately, Sanganois SFWA stands in its pathway causing dozens of cuts leading into C**n Slough, the Baker unit, the walk-in unit and most notably the Lower Country area.

For years, the Sanganois staff would have to pump water into the Lower Country to have enough water for the hunting season. The Sangamon River now runs through the Lower Country year-round. The current only gets stronger and carries more volume with it each season. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has repaired levees year after year in the same locations and is running out of barrow material to make repairs.

Last season, there was a levee break during the duck season which caused the Lower Country water to be drained out, and this issue persists. The volume of water running through the Lower Country fills up very quickly and then finds its own path out, washing out levees. Preferred water depths in the Lower Country cannot be guaranteed.

Currently, site staff and heavy equipment operators are working to make repairs with riprap purchased through the Duck Stamp Maintenance Fund, on last year’s levee break. Hopefully, the repairs made this year with heavy equipment will last throughout the duck season and beyond. The equipment used is extremely heavy and cannot track through wet, marsh conditions, making some problem spots unreachable for repairs.

Currently, blind #19 is all that can be reached for repairs. Unknown washouts may cause problems at blind #7, #10 and the #26 ditch.

With increased water flow and wetter springs and summers, we can only react to the conditions that Mother Nature puts in front of us. IDNR has lost 17 blinds in the Lower Country to this siltation previously. The goal is to keep the Sangamon River flow out of the Ash Swale and Barkhausen impoundments, which act as refuges for the site. With these refuges intact, the remaining blinds at Sanganois SFWA will still be a great place to hunt by ensuring birds are held in the area.

Illinois Department Of Natural Resources

We will continue to push out duck blind information as the week continues. Bring a sweatshirt, forecast looks chilly….

07/17/2025

Just a little housekeeping before the Sanganois Duck Blind Drawing next week.... just to clarify this is from IDNR......

*******Waterfowl Blind Registration Eligibility

1. Must be at least 16 years old, regardless of license type.

2. Must possess a current or previous year hunting license.

a. May be resident or nonresident.

b. Must be an annual hunting license. No apprentice licenses.

c. Youth hunting licenses are permitted, but proof of hunter education must also be provided.

3. Must possess a current or previous year state waterfowl stamp.

a. State waterfowl stamp not required for registrants under 18 years old.

4. Resident Disabled – No hunting license or state waterfowl stamp is required; however, it must say “2” or “P2” on their Illinois state ID as proof of disability.

5. Nonresident Disabled – Needs current or previous year Illinois nonresident hunting license and state waterfowl stamp.

6. Disabled Veterans (Resident and Nonresident) – Must have proof of at least 10% disability on a VA-type card. No hunting license or state waterfowl stamp is required.

7. Illinois military applicants on leave must show proof of leave. If on leave, no hunting license or state waterfowl stamp is required.

8. Landowners are required to have a state waterfowl stamp, since this is a drawing to hunt on public land.

9. Lifetime license holders must have a current or previous year state waterfowl stamp.

10. Must be physically present for the drawing.

11. Must have photo ID if drawn for a blind.

Any questions please contact IDNR for further clarification.

More info on the blind drawing will be coming throughout the next few days.

Send a message to learn more

03/23/2025

The Friends of Sanganois organization was saddened to learn of the passing of Larry Senger of Springfield on March 3. Larry was a founding member of our organization and always there for whatever was needed. He attended every FOS fish fry and Duck Blind Drawing, often with his son and grandsons in tow. While he hunted both the Sanganois site and private ground nearby, he understood and appreciated the efforts of all. He was knowledgeable about the site and waterfowl management respecting that there is no hunter success achieved by anyone if there are no migrating birds at Sanganois.

We met with Larry a couple of years ago, and he inquired about creating a hardwood tree management area. He wanted to supply the saplings and help plant them. We told him success was unlikely as the area was prone to flooding on an annual basis and the small trees may not survive. However, we were all willing to try. On a hot summer day, the area was planted by Larry and site staff. Unfortunately, when the annual flooding occurred and the young trees did not survive, Larry’s response was, “You told me this would happen! You’ve taught an old dog something new!

We will all miss Larry, his passion for waterfowl, the Sanganois area and our organization! Rest in peace dear friend!

03/07/2025

&R Marine has always been a major supporter of FOS!

12/20/2024

We received a message today from some homeowners on the road to Sanganois. Whoever stopped at their house this morning and let them know that their yard was on fire near the propane tank, it was much appreciated. They wanted me to publicly thank you as they didn’t get your name. We may bitch about sky busting, the sh*tty weather, and wish a group sailing in the next blind flares…but when it comes down to it, duck hunters are pretty good people!