Clinton Lake offers youth deer hunting Oct. 11-13

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois youth are invited to hunt for the first time at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) in DeWitt during the Illinois youth firearm deer season Oct. 11 to Oct 13.

Only 13 hunters are allowed at Clinton SRA and hunting is limited to the area between County Highway 14 and state Route 48.

Youth deer hunting during the youth firearm deer season is allowed in all Illinois counties except Cook, DuPage, Lake, and portions of Lake east of state Route 47. Youth with a hunting permit may hunt on property where permission has been granted by the property owner or at authorized Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) locations.

All youth hunters must have a current, valid youth deer permit. In addition, youth hunters must have an apprentice or youth hunting license, or they must have completed a state-approved hunter education course and have a hunting license unless exempt.

Youth deer hunters, while using an apprentice hunter license or youth hunting license, must be accompanied by a non-hunting parent, guardian or grandparent 21 years of age or older with an Illinois hunting license. All other hunters participating in the youth deer hunt must each be accompanied by a non-hunting supervisor, parent, guardian or responsible adult who has a valid Illinois hunting license or firearm owner's identification card. Supervising adults may only accompany a single youth hunter at any given time.

About IDNR

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is celebrating 100 years of conservation and service to the people of Illinois throughout 2025. The department was established July 1, 1925, as the Illinois Department of Conservation, bringing under one umbrella oversight of fish and game, forestry, public works, and lakes.