Illinois Waterfowl Baiting Alert
Due to summer-long drought conditions in Illinois, some farmers have been mowing or tilling their unharvested crop fields. The IDNR reminds hunters that the manipulation, including mowing or tilling, of unharvested crop fields is not a normal agricultural practice for waterfowl hunting purposes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports federal baiting laws still apply, even during times of drought. It is a violation of the baiting laws under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act if scattered grain is not totally removed 10 days prior to hunting. Hunters should familiarize themselves with baiting laws in Illinois. For more information on waterfowl baiting regulations, refer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website regarding baiting regulations at http://www.fws.gov/le/waterfowl-hunting-and-baiting.html.
