Friday, June 13th, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Search
Friday, June 13th, 2025

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Histories Forgotten: 1900s over-hunting and the decline in waterfowl

Illinois regulations in the early 1900s allowed resident hunters to harvest 50 ducks per day. Sporting magazines and local newspapers began “calling out” hunters for taking too much game and wrecking resources. (Photos courtesy of AHUS)

As the 1900s began, one of the most contentious issues facing Illinois’ game commissioner was the destructive practice of spring shooting – permitting hunting during the critical breeding season. Only seven of the states that currently regulated waterfowl hunting ended their hunting season on or before Jan. 1; six additional states permitted hunting until April 1; five states, including Illinois, set April 15 as their closing date.

digital devicesThis content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here.

Share on Social

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Hand-Picked For You

Related Articles

Dan Small Outdoors Radio: Show 2024

Lake Michigan charter captains head offshore for mixed-bag trout and salmon action. Florence County celebrates 60 years of the Wisconsin

Get the latest outdoor news sent to your inbox.


Sign up for our free newsletter.

Email Address(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!

Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.