(WSIL) --Â Numerous Illinois state parks, state fish and wildlife areas, state conservation areas, and state recreation areas will be open to youth waterfowl hunting across the state in 2022.
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, bag limits are the same as during regular seasons.
Per federal regulations, youth waterfowl hunters 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers as long as they are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age. 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.
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 2022 special hunts include:
- Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area � Oct. 22, 23
- Black Crown Marsh � Oct. 15, 16
- Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Salt Creek and Disabled units � Oct. 22
- Larry D. Closson State Habitat Area � Oct. 22
- Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area, Duck Ranch Unit � Oct. 22, 23
- Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Spring Lake Bottoms Unit � Nov. 13
- Southern Illinois youth waterfowl hunt, Union County and Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area � Dec. 28
All other youth hunts are open to anyone 17 and younger.
South Central Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Nov. 5-6
- 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
South Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Nov. 26-27
- 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
