Information Regarding Youth Firearm Deer Season at Jim Edgar Panther Creek

You hear it all the time from non-profits, agencies and others, we need to get youth involved in hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.  Here is another good event.  A total of 75 youth hunters will have the privilege of shotgun hunting Jim Edgar Panther Creek October 6 - 8.  Not only is it a good opportunity for youth to get involved, but it's on some of the best public hunting in Illinois.  If you have a youth that is interested, make sure to follow the instructions below.  Since, this weekend is also the first weekend of the archery season, hunters may have to rearrange a few things as archery hunters will NOT be allowed to hunt in the Open Units. 

Apply Now for Youth Firearm Deer Season at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

Youth season is a great opportunity to get youth the experience in the outdoors.

CHANDLERVILLE, IL – Youth hunters interested in participating in the Youth Firearm Deer Hunt on October 6-8 at Jim Edgar Panther Creek (JEPC) State Fish and Wildlife Area must submit a postcard to the site office by September 6 to enter a drawing for 75 hunters to hunt the two Open Units at JEPC. The drawing will be held September 7.

Prospective hunters must provide name, age, address and phone number on the postcard. Successful applicants will be notified. Successful hunters can purchase a Cass County youth firearm deer permit, which will be sold over the counter at authorized license vendors throughout the state, or through the DNR Direct online license system on the IDNR web site at www.dnr.illinois.gov, or by calling toll-free 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648). Please allow 7 - 10 business days for online and phone sales.

Note: The JEPC Controlled Unit and Quail Management Unit are both closed to youth deer hunters. Youth hunting is allowed in the site’s two Open Units only. BOTH Open Units will be closed to archery hunting during the three-day Youth Firearm Deer season, Oct. 6-8. There will be bowhunters in the field in the Quail Management and Controlled Units during the youth deer hunt.

The Youth Firearm Deer Season is open only to hunters who have not reached their 18th birthday prior to the opening date of the season. All youth hunters must have a current, valid Youth Deer Permit. In addition, youth hunters must have an apprentice or youth hunting license, or they must have completed a state-approved Hunter Education course and have a hunting license. Youth Deer Hunters, while using an Apprentice Hunter License or Youth Hunting License, must be accompanied by a non-hunting, validly-licensed (Illinois hunting license) parent, guardian or grandparent. All other hunters participating in the Youth Deer Hunt must each be accompanied by a non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian or responsible adult). All supervisors that are residents of Illinois must have a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, and all supervisors that are nonresidents must have a valid Illinois hunting license. Additionally, the Youth Deer Permit is only valid for the three-day Youth Deer Season on state-owned sites and will not be considered as a valid permit if used during any other deer season on state-owned properties.

Please address the postcards to: Youth Deer Hunt, JEPC, 10149 County Highway 11, Chandlerville, IL 62627. For additional information, please call (217) 452-7741.