After complaints, Illinois considers allowing duck hunting over Christmas holiday

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is considering changes to the waterfowl hunting season after receiving complaints that the 2026-2030 regulations did not allow for duck hunting during the Christmas holiday in southern Illinois.

Public meetings on the possible changes are expected to be scheduled in southern Illinois in November, the agency said in a news release Thursday.

Under the current rules, duck hunting will be allowed in southern Illinois this Christmas.

State Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, said he received complaints from hunters about the 2026-2030 regulations regarding the duck hunting season being closed during the Christmas holiday period beginning next year.

“I know so many families throughout Southern Illinois that enjoy hunting waterfowl over Christmas and have done so for many, many years,” Meier said in a news release Friday. “Families throughout the region should be able to carry on their hunting traditions.”

Meier thanked Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Phelps Finnie and her staff for considering changes to the regulations.

The agency said officials were not aware of the popularity of hunting during the Christmas holiday in what will be classified as the state’s South Zone, which includes part of the metro-east and most of the area south of Interstate 70.

“We now understand this to be critically important to many hunters in this area,” the agency’s news release said.