The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has announced an exciting opportunity for young hunters in the state. Three lucky youths will have the chance to participate in the Illinois youth firearm deer season at Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Montgomery County from October 7th to October 9th.

To determine the participants, IDNR will conduct a drawing on Friday, September 29th, at 10 a.m. The drawing will take place at Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area, offering a fair selection process for young hunters interested in the special youth hunt. This unique hunting experience will be held in the park's upland management area.

To be eligible for the drawing, interested youth hunters must possess a valid Montgomery County youth firearm deer permit. To enter, participants need to submit a 3-inch-by-5-inch postcard containing their name, date of birth, IDNR customer number (if available from their hunting license), mailing address, and contact phone number. These postcards must reach the Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area office by close of business on September 28th. Late entries will not be accepted.

Successful applicants selected in the drawing will have until October 5th to apply for and report their Montgomery County youth firearm deer permit number to the Coffeen Lake site office. Failure to meet this deadline will result in forfeiture of the special youth hunt spot, and an alternate will be chosen to fill the spot.

This initiative by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources aims to provide young hunters with a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of deer hunting in a controlled and educational environment, fostering a love for conservation and the great outdoors.

Youth hunters interested in entering the drawing by mail can send their postcards to Coffeen Lake SFWA, P.O. Box 517, Coffeen, IL 62017.

For further details and information, individuals can contact the Ramsey Lake State Park office at 618-423-2215 or email adam.hayes@illinois.gov.