Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is set to conduct mentored archery deer hunting sessions for adults and youth at Fox Ridge State Park in Charleston. The event will take place from December 16 to January 3.

Participants will have access to specific sections of the park that are typically closed to archery deer hunting. Eligibility is limited to adult and youth hunters with less than three years of experience who have not previously been selected for the mentored deer hunt program. While hunters can apply for multiple hunts, they may only participate in one if chosen for more than one.

Successful applicants, selected through a lottery, will be assigned a hunting location and can hunt from Tuesday through Sunday during their designated week. The IDNR will ensure an equal number of adult and youth hunters at each location.

Each hunter is permitted to take one deer and must be accompanied by a non-hunting mentor aged 21 or older with a valid Illinois hunting license. Hunters need to arrange their own mentors and equipment, although ground blinds will be provided by the IDNR.

Applications are available online until November 29 at 11:59 p.m. Inquiries regarding the mentored hunt can be directed via email to dnr.mentoredhunts@illinois.gov.