Waterfowl hunting season is here, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced that a number of Illinois state parks and wildlife areas will be open to youth waterfowl hunting this season. Hunters under age 18 may hunt waterfowl as long as they are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old and they have a valid license.
Youth waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older must have a federal duck stamp. Youth waterfowl hunters are not required to have an Illinois duck stamp.
Additional information about hunting license requirements and regulations can be found in the 2023-2024 Digest of Illinois Hunting and Trapping Regulations.
Special youth hunts for youth hunters ages 10-17:
Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Spring Lake Bottoms Unit, Nov. 12
Southern Illinois youth waterfowl hunt – Union County and Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Areas, Dec. 28
All waterfowl hunters, including those participating in the youth hunt, are required to register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). To register with HIP, hunters must have their hunting license number available. Hunters should register for HIP at the license vendor when they buy their hunting license or online through the IDNR website.
2023 South Central Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Nov. 4-5 – State and federal sites open
Campbell Pond
Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Kaskaskia State Fish and Wildlife Area
Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Mississippi River
Oakwood Bottoms
Pyramid State Recreation Area – Captain, Denmark, Galum, and East Conant units
Rend Lake Project Land and Waters
Shawnee National Forest
Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
2023 South Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Nov. 25-26 – State and federal sites open
Bluff Lakes
Cache River State Natural Area
Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area
Chauncey Marsh State Natural Area
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Cypress Pond State Natural Area
Deer Pond State Natural Area
Devil’s Island
Dog Island
Fort Massac, Kerr Farm Unit
Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (Alexander County)
LaRue Swamp
Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Mississippi River
Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area
Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area
Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area
Shawnee National Forest
Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area
