Waterfowl Hunting

The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) leases waterfowl hunting property from private landowners throughout Illinois and makes them available for controlled, public access. Waterfowl hunters must fill out an online application, and then IRAP serves as the "middle-person" in order to connect hunters to places to hunt while keeping the identity of the hunter and landowner separate. Thus, hunters are not to contact the landowner, and landowners are not to contact the hunter. 

Who: Any legally licensed hunter (Illinois resident or non-resident) who has completed their hunter safety course (if born in 1980 or after) and who complies with all Illinois hunting laws may apply, including:

• Youth (under the age of 18): All Youth hunters must have a non-hunting, validly licensed supervising adult of at least 21 years of age accompany them. 
• 1st-Time Adult: (someone who has not hunted waterfowl in the past five years)
• Adult: (any legally licensed hunter over the age of 18)

Preference may be given to youth and first-time hunters, and those who currently serve or have served in the US military.

When: IRAP offers waterfowl hunting in all 4 zones from November 1 through December 31. Waterfowl hunting dates consist of a 3-5 day period of hunting access on leased private property.  To view the waterfowl hunting dates by zone, please refer to the IDNR Waterfowl Zone Map by clicking the button below.

Where:. Currently, there are 14 waterfowl hunting sites in 5 counties throughout Illinois that are available for hunter access.  Please see the statewide map below to view available counties for each IRAP Waterfowl Hunting Period.

What: IRAP's Waterfowl hunting application will be available on August 1, 2024. The deadline for applications for November hunting periods is September 6, 2024. The deadline for applications for December hunting periods is October 4, 2024.

Hunters applying for an IRAP waterfowl site must complete an online application along with the accompanying liability waiver and non-hunting supervisor, mentor and or observer (if applicable) forms. 

If applying as a group, a "group organizer" must be selected. Each group member must then fill out an individual application and list their group organizer. Each group member MUST name the same group organizer, as that name is used to match all members to their group. If a member of a group does not provide the correct name of the group organizer, that person will not receive a permit to hunt with their group. Once the applicable application deadline has passed, additional members cannot be added to the group and nor can group member substitutions be made.

Each waterfowl hunting site can accommodate a group of up to four people. Please note that if you decide to take a non-hunting supervisor/mentor or observer, that person must make up one of the four within your group. 

Each site will have a rudimentary blind or staked hunting area available for use.  The blind may or may not be brushed.  Hunters will be allowed to scout, set up temporary blinds and/or brush available blinds with their own artificial brushing materials during the two-day rest period occurring immediately before their assigned hunting period. No hunting is allowed during the two-day rest period, no exceptions.  All artificial brushing materials and personal belongings must be removed on the last day of the hunting period. (NOTE:  IRAP participants are not allowed to cut any vegetation from IRAP privately leased property, nor bring in cut vegetation as to avoid non-desirable vegetation from being introduced to the leased property.)

Additional Information:

You may only apply for and hunt up to 4 periods/sites per year (2 each for November and December) on IRAP property.

If you wish to take a non-hunting adult mentor or observer with you during your hunt, you will need to:

• Include them in your IRAP application under the "Non-Hunting Mentor" or "Non-Hunting Observer" section
  
• Have them sign the liability waiver
• Make sure they do NOT hunt, carry a firearm, or bow

All youth hunters must have a non-hunting, validly licensed supervising adult of at least 21 years of age accompany them. The supervising adult must make up one of the four in a group.

Successful applicants will receive a packet of information, including an IRAP parking and site permit, a map, and directions to the site, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the season applied for. Please note that no changes or additionas can be made to submitted applications once application deadlines have passed. 

IRAP's wetland/shallow water sites could potentially be dry during the assigned hunting period. Please pay attention to the weather in the weeks prior to to your assigned hunting period. IRAP staff are not responsible for monitoring and notifying participants of dry site conditions.

Sites are to be accessed by foot traffic only. Most sites do not allow boats.

Dogs are allowed and must be kept in close range of the hunter.

Decoys and/or temporary blinds can be left during your entire assigned hunting period, however neither IRAP nor the landower are responsible for personal belongings left on site.

The hunter's and the landowner's identity are kept private from one another. We ask that the hunter not come in contact with the landowner, unless necessary.

For more information about waterfowl hunting in Illinois, please visit IDNR's Waterfowl Hunting site.

For a list of Participant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about IRAP's Waterfowl Hunting, please click on the button below:

IRAP Waterfowl Survey: Hunters MUST fill out an online survey within 5 days after each hunt. Future hunting privileges are dependent on the return of your survey.