Our mild winter has benefited one organization around Illinois.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources has seen a limited amount of activity in rural areas around Illinois the past few months thanks to the lack of snow fall and inconsistent cold temperatures. DNR Conservation Police Officer Ray Wichus explains this has been a good thing for his crews because they are already shorthanded and keeping busy with other matters.

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DNR Officers keep themselves busy in a variety of ways throughout the winter months. Wichus says this time of year they are concluding investigations or taking care of routine work they may have.

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With the mild winter, Wichus says there is a good chance you may be still seeing deer out as you travel country roads. He explains cool, still foggy nights are when you are most likely to see deer out. He encourages drivers to be cautious, because in those conditions it is difficult to see deer.

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Goose season ends today and there is another goose season that then goes into effect until the end of March. Wichus says generally for coyote season, they tend to be out more with the snow, and with the lack of snow, hunters have not had a lot of success to this point.