Why It Matters: Youth hunting seasons provide valuable opportunities to introduce the next generation of sportsmen and women to our time-honored outdoor traditions. Participation by young hunters is paramount to carrying on these traditions and sustaining the American System of Conservation Funding, through which sportsmen and women serve as the primary funders of state-level conservation efforts.
Highlights:
- Illinois youth hunters harvested a record 4,852 deer over Columbus Day weekend, the state’s youth firearm deer season.
- The preliminary harvest count builds on last year’s total, which also set a record.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) will continue to advocate for youth hunting opportunities, which allow young hunters to gain experience and develop an appreciation for conservation alongside experienced mentors.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recently announced that young sportsmen and women harvested a record 4,852 deer during the state’s three-day youth firearm deer season. The record harvest represents an increase over 2025, which was the previous record, and highlights the importance of providing dedicated hunting opportunities for younger participants.
Illinois’ youth firearm deer season allows hunters under the age of 18 to pursue deer before the regular firearm season. These opportunities provide a less pressured environment for young hunters to develop their skills, gain confidence, and learn from experienced sportsmen and women. Notably, Illinois also began offering youth deer permits as a combination of one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit in 2026, providing additional opportunities for successful hunts.
Beyond safeguarding our sporting heritage, recruiting the next generation of hunters is critical to the future of conservation. Through the American System of Conservation Funding, hunting license sales and excise taxes on sporting equipment generate essential funding for wildlife management and habitat conservation. Encouraging youth participation helps ensure this funding mechanism remains viable for generations to come.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation will continue to work alongside state legislatures and fish and wildlife agencies to protect and expand youth hunting opportunities, reduce barriers to participation, and ensure that future generations may continue to enjoy our time-honored outdoor traditions.