SPRINGFIELD – Numerous Illinois state parks and wildlife areas will be open to youth waterfowl hunting during the 2023 zoned youth waterfowl hunting seasons, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today.
Federal sites under IDNR waterfowl administrative rules open for the youth hunts are also listed below.
At most sites, regulations that apply during the regular waterfowl hunting season apply during the youth hunt. Hunters should check for changes to site-specific regulations and procedures. During the youth hunt, the bag limits are the same as during regular seasons.
Per federal regulations, youth waterfowl hunters aged 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers as long as they are accompanied by an adult at least 18. The accompanying adult cannot hunt these species but may participate in other open seasons if allowed at the site.
Youth hunters must have a valid hunting license, youth hunting license, or apprentice hunting 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 taking place through the youth waterfowl hunting permit or other youth-only hunts at IDNR sites are open only to youth hunters ages 10-17. These 2023 special hunts include:
- Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area, Oct. 21-22
- Black Crown Marsh, Oct. 14-15
- Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Salt Creek and Disabled units, Oct. 21
- Larry D. Closson State Habitat Area, Oct. 21
- Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, Duck Ranch Unit, Oct. 21-22
- 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 other youth hunts are open to those ages 17 and younger.
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.
The lists of state and federal sites to be open during the youth waterfowl hunts in the North, Central, South Central, and South zones are below.