Illinois Mixed Bag: State, federal sites hosting youth waterfowlers

Springfield — Numerous Illinois state parks, state fish and wildlife areas, and other public lands will be open to youth waterfowl hunting during the 2025 youth waterfowl hunts.

Special youth hunts taking place through the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Permit or other youth-only hunts at DNR sites are open only to hunters age 10-17. These 2025 special hunt sites and dates include Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Spring Lake Bottoms Unit (Nov. 9) and Union County and Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, which will host the Southern Illinois Youth Waterfowl Hunt on Dec. 28.

The lists of state and federal sites to be open during the upcoming South Central Zone Youth Waterfowl Hunt (Nov. 8-9) are Campbell Pond, Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, Kaskaskia State Fish and Wildlife Area, Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, and Oakwood Bottoms.

Per federal regulations, youth waterfowl hunters age 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers if they are accompanied by an adult. The accompanying adult cannot hunt these species but may participate in other open season hunts if allowed at the site.

MORE COVERAGE FROM ILLINOIS OUTDOOR NEWS:

Ralph Loos: Hunters (and scarecrows) not left out of nuisance deer efforts

Youth deer hunters in Illinois set harvest record

Four thoughts on spring habitat work to benefit fish and wildlife

Wildlife Forever Expands Fish Art Contest

Springfield — Wildlife Forever announced the expansion of the 2025–26 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest, now featuring Illinois and 17 other state-level contests. This year, the states of Washington, Virginia, South Carolina, and New Mexico join the network of organizations dedicated to inspiring creativity and conservation through art. The Illinois contest, which is open to artists in grade kindergarten through 12th grade, is hosted by the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

Each state contest often highlights specific fish species that are ecologically or culturally significant to the area. State hosts have the opportunity to identify these species, encouraging students to focus on their unique local habitats and conservation needs.

The 2025-26 contest is open for submissions until Feb. 28, 2026. Participants can find more information, learn about specialty awards, educational resources, and submission guidelines at www.FishArt.org.

Forest Preserve of Will County Closes on Second Largest Land Acquisition in History

Crete, Ill. — After eyeing a large piece of property on the eastern side of the county since the 1970s, the Forest Preserve District of Will County closed on the parcel this summer, making it the second largest property acquisition in the District’s history. The 495.27-acre parcel is north of Illinois 394, adjacent to Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve in Crete Township. The property includes the origins of Plum Creek and moraines carved by glaciers thousands of years ago.

The addition is now part of a 3,300-acre Plum Creek Greenway acquisition program that began in 1938 and is nearing completion. And it pushes the Goodenow Grove Preserve to from 891 acres to 1,386, making it the second largest preserve in the District. Only Hickory Creek Preserve at 1,541 acres is larger. 

The new land will buffer and protect the nature preserve, Plum Creek, the creek’s greenway, and the threatened and endangered species already known to exist there.

‘Fishing and Owl Night’  Again Provides Positive Outdoor Experience at Pere Marquette

Grafton, Ill. — Pere Marquette State Park hosted a well-attended Fishing and Owl Night program recently, combining outdoor education and nighttime exploration for families and children. The event, which has been running for about 35 years, offers participants the opportunity to learn about fishing, owls, and the experience of being in the woods after dark.

Scott Isringhausen, the park’s urban fishing coordinator for DNR, described the evening as “definitely one of the most successful ones we have ever had.”

Children fish at a bluegill pond and then attend a program focused on owls and other nighttime creatures before embarking on a roughly two-mile night hike.

During the hike, attendees “heard the calls of about six different owls,” Isringhausen said.

The program has always been free and open to the public.