Illinois announces locations for 2026 youth waterfowl hunting seasons

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced that numerous state parks, wildlife areas and federal lands will be open for the 2026 youth waterfowl hunting seasons.

Youth hunters ages 17 and younger can hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers when accompanied by an adult. Hunting regulations and bag limits will generally follow those established for the regular waterfowl seasons, although some locations have additional restrictions.

Youth hunters must have a valid hunting license, youth hunting license or apprentice hunting license.

Hunters with regular licenses must be supervised by an adult 18 or older, while those with youth or apprentice licenses must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older.

Hunters ages 16 and 17 must have a federal duck stamp but are not required to have an Illinois duck stamp.

The state has scheduled youth waterfowl hunting opportunities across three zones:

– North Zone: Oct. 17-18, 2026.
– Central Zone: Oct. 24-25, 2026.
– South Zone: Nov. 7, 2026, and Jan. 30, 2027.

Several locations in southern Illinois will participate in the South Zone youth hunts, including:

– Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Alexander County.
– Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area.
– Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge.
– Cache River State Natural Area.
– Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
– Rend Lake Project lands and waters.
– Shawnee National Forest.
– Fort Massac State Park’s Kerr Farm Unit.
– Pyramid State Recreation Area.
– Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
– Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area.
– Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area.
– Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area.
– Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Additional hunting opportunities will be available at several other public lands throughout southern Illinois.

The IDNR will also offer special youth-only hunts for hunters ages 10 to 17 through its Youth Waterfowl Hunting Permit program.