CHANGES IN SPECIAL YOUTH DEER HUNT AT KASKASKIA RIVER SFWA
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The special Illinois Department of Natural Resources youth deer hunt on the Baldwin Lake rest area at Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area during the Youth Deer Hunting Season, October 10 & 11 is being changed slightly.
"Instead of mailing a postcard to the site for a youth deer hunter to be entered into a drawing for one of the 26 deer hunting locations," said Brian Mahan, IDNR District Wildlife Biologist, "the spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis."
The special hunt area is between Baldwin Lake and the Doza Creek Waterfowl Management Area. The main gate at Baldwin Lake is open until 9 p.m. on Friday, October 9 for the youth hunter and his/her accompanying adult to come select a deer hunting location and erect a deer stand. The youth hunter and the adult are to wear blaze orange while doing this task.
"Sunset is around 6:30 p.m., so there are a couple of hours to pick a spot for the next day’s hunt," said Mahan, "plus participants will be able come the next morning or any time during the special hunt to select a location and hunt if there are any empty spots."
As usual, hunting must be from an elevated stand at least 6 feet high and within 10 yards of the selected signed and numbered hunting location. Additional rules about the hunt and maps of the special hunt area and hunting locations will be available at the checkstation next to the Baldwin Lake office on Friday, October 9 and during the special 2-day hunt.
"The special hunt area straddles two counties, so the youth must have either a St. Clair County or Randolph County youth deer season hunting permit and he or she can only hunt in that particular county," added Mahan.
According to statewide regulations, each youth deer hunting season permit holder must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or responsible adult who possesses a valid F.O.I.D. Card. The adult is not allowed to hunt.
Mahan reminded those interested in the youth deer hunting season that the rest of Kaskaskia River SFWA and Turkey Bluffs SFWA south of Chester are also open.
Call Brian Mahan at 618-295-2877 if you have any questions about the special youth deer hunt at Baldwin Lake.