The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced that dozens of state parks, fish and wildlife areas, and public lands will be open for youth waterfowl hunting during the 2025 youth waterfowl hunt season. Youth waterfowl hunters aged 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers if accompanied by an adult who may not hunt these species during the youth hunt.
Youth hunters must hold a valid hunting license, youth hunting license, or apprentice hunting license. Those aged 16 and older must also have a federal duck stamp, but no Illinois duck stamp is required.
Licensed youth may be supervised by an adult 18 or older. Youth and apprentice license holders must be supervised by an adult at least 21 years old.
Bag Limits: Same as regular seasons.
All hunters, including youth, must be registered with the Harvest Information Program (HIP).
Special Youth-Only Hunt Dates and Locations: (Ages 10-17):
Spring Lake SFWA (Spring Lake Bottoms Unit): Nov. 9th
Southern Illinois Youth Waterfowl Hunt (Union County & Horseshoe Lake SFWA): Dec. 28th
Additional youth hunts are open to hunters aged 17 and younger.
South Central Zone: (Nov. 8-9, 2025)
Campbell Pond
Carlyle Lake SFWA
Kaskaskia SFWA
Kinkaid Lake SFWA
Mississippi River
Oakwood Bottoms
Most sites follow regular season rules, but hunters are urged to review site-specific regulations for changes. The 2025–2026 Digest of Illinois Hunting and Trapping Regulations provides comprehensive information.
Visit ExploreMoreIL.com for licenses, HIP registration, and site details, or consult the latest Digest of Illinois Hunting and Trapping Regulations. For additional updates or changes, hunters should check IDNR announcements ahead of the season.
Comments