BENTON, IL – Earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources released season and split timing schedules for Illinois waterfowl hunters. One of the proposed changes to the regular waterfowl hunting season would have disallowed waterfowl hunting during the traditional Christmas holiday season break.
State Rep. Dave Severin says his office received a large number of complaints from concerned waterfowl hunting enthusiasts throughout the region. Severin says he took his constituents’ concerns to IDNR officials and advocated that the change should be reversed to allow children and their parents to hunt together during Christmas break.
“I received a lot of correspondence from my constituents who were rightly concerned about preserving family traditions and participation in the outdoor sport that they love,” Severin said. “I am pleased to let my constituents know that their voice has been heard, and that the Department will host public meetings to discuss the 2026-2030 waterfowl hunting seasons.”
The meetings are scheduled as follows.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Southern Illinois University
Lawson Hall, Room 151
1075 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL
Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Carlyle High School
Cafeteria and commons area
1461 12th St., Carlyle, IL
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