Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
11/09/2025 | Press release | Archived content
IDNR mentored deer hunting returns to Kickapoo State Recreation Area in 2025
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host a mentored archery deer hunting opportunity for adults and youth at Kickapoo State Recreation Area in Vermilion County Dec. 15 through Jan. 4.
Participating hunters will be provided access to sections of the site otherwise closed to archery deer hunting. Adult and youth hunters with less than three years of deer hunting experience and who have not been successfully drawn in the mentored deer hunt program previously may apply. Hunters may apply for concurrent mentored hunts but may only participate in one if selected for both.
Hunters drawn in the lottery will be assigned a hunting location and allowed to hunt Tuesday through Sunday within an assigned week. IDNR will determine hunt locations, which will be filled equally with adult and youth hunters.
Participants will be limited to taking one deer and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult mentor who can assist and advise them during the hunt. All accompanying mentors must be 21 years of age or older and must have a current Illinois hunting license.
Hunters must provide their own mentor and hunting equipment. Ground blinds will be provided. An apprentice hunting license is valid for this opportunity for those eligible. To apply, fill out the online application . Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28. Questions about this hunt opportunity may be emailed to [email protected].
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.
Today, IDNR's work encompasses management of about 400 sites across Illinois, including state parks and historic sites; wildlife, fisheries, forestry, and natural heritage; Lake Michigan water allocation and coastal management; conservation police; mines and minerals; oil and gas; issuance of licenses, permits, and numerous grants; the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta; and the Illinois State Museum. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency published this content on November 09, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 12, 2025 at 14:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]