The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced that numerous Illinois state parks and wildlife areas will be open to youth waterfowl hunting during the 2023 zoned youth waterfowl hunting seasons. Per federal regulations, youth waterfowl hunters ages 17 or younger may hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers as long as they are accompanied by an adult at least 18 years old. Youth waterfowl hunters are not required to have an Illinois duck stamp.
