SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Natural Resources said it is accepting applications for its Waterfowl and Upland game hunting opportunities on private land through the Illinois Recreational Access Program.
The IDNR has leased nearly 1,200 acres of private land specifically for waterfowl and upland game hunting. Hunters have the choice of nine public access waterfowl sites in three counties and seven public access upland game hunting sites in five counties. Sites will accommodate up to four hunters each and are available at no cost to the participants.
Applications for IRAP Waterfowl opportunities are due four weeks prior to the hunting period selected by applicants. Waterfowl hunters will have access to the sites for five consecutive days during one of the twelve 2021 IRAP fall hunting periods: Nov. 1-5; Nov. 6-10; Nov. 11-15; Nov. 16-20; Nov. 21-25; Nov. 26-30; Dec. 1-5; Dec. 6-10; Dec. 11-15; Dec. 16-20; Dec. 21-25; Dec. 26-30
Applications are due at 5 p.m. Nov. 1. Hunters will have two consecutive days of access on one of the following weekends: Dec. 11-12; Dec. 18-19; Dec. 25-26
If hunting as a group of up to four persons, each person must apply and list the other hunters in the group. Youth hunters age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a non-hunting supervisor, such as a parent or designee of parent. Both youth and their supervisors must complete an IRAP application online. A lottery drawing may be held when more applications are received than there are sites available.
All hunters must have completed an IDNR-approved Hunter Education Course if born in 1980 or after, and must have acquired an Illinois hunting license and HIP certification as well as a habitat stamp for upland game hunting or a state waterfowl stamp and a federal waterfowl stamp for waterfowl hunting.
Successful applicants will be notified by mail approximately three weeks before their assigned hunting period.
Applications can be found online at www2.illinois.gov/dnr on its IRAP pages.