SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Youth interested in participating in the annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) can register now for the hunt, which is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2022.

The 2022 hunt will be dedicated in the memory of Allen Draper of Pekin, an avid hunter who was one of the founding volunteer supporters of the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt. Mr. Draper passed away in October.

The youth goose hunt will be held at private waterfowl hunting clubs in the Canton area in Fulton County, and hunters selected to participate will be pre-assigned to hunting locations. All participants in the hunt will be required to follow guidance from the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health in place at the time of the hunt regarding face masks and social distancing.

To register for a drawing to participate in the hunt, youth hunters must phone in to the IDNR at 217-785-8060 by the registration deadline of Dec. 31, 2021. A lottery drawing involving all youth who phone in to register will be conducted, and youth hunters selected will be notified by mail. First-time applicants will be given priority over previous participants in the drawing.

The hunt is open to youngsters ages 10-17 at the time of the hunt. All applicants must possess a valid Illinois hunting or sportsman’s license, have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number, and have a 20 gauge or larger shotgun. Youth hunt participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must possess a valid firearm owner’s identification (FOID) card.

To register for the hunt or for more information, call 217-785-8060.

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11/22/2021