Waterfowl Hunting Opportunity Available at Rend Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake is offering the opportunity for hunters with disabilities to enjoy the sport of waterfowl hunting.  A specially designed in-ground waterfowl pit, located just east of the Mine 21 parking area, features a gradually sloping sidewalk which provides easy access to persons with mobility impairments.

A sliding roll-top allows for easy shooting while providing maximum camouflage.  The pit accommodates parties of up to 5 hunters. All hunters are required to hunt from within the pit and must abide by all Federal, State, and Rend Lake site-specific hunting regulations.  Rend Lake is in the South Central Zone for Illinois, Canada Goose season runs November 10, 2018 through January 31, 2019. Duck season runs November 10, 2018 through January 8, 2019.

The Rend Lake waterfowl pit is available by reservation, to persons with disabilities, during the main goose season. A reservation allows a disabled person and up to 4 able-bodied assistants to hunt the waterfowl pit on the date their reservation is valid. Persons with a reservation are allowed to pull their vehicles close to the blind for parking and unloading.  A reservation to hunt the waterfowl pit can be made by either of these methods:

1. Submit an application in person by bringing it to the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
2. Call the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center at (618) 724-2493 during regular business hours and reserve the site over the phone.

Applicants will be contacted to confirm the date of their hunt and a permit will be issued. Disabled hunters must be accompanied by at least one able-bodied person who can assist with all aspects of the hunt.  On days that the waterfowl pit has not been reserved by a disabled hunter, it will be available to any group of hunters (disabled or able-bodied) wishing to utilize it on a first-come, first-served basis.  Walk-in hunters do not require an application or a reservation and may access the area by walking from the Mine 21 parking lot to the blind.

For additional information, contact Molly Rawlinson or Cassie Magsig, at the Rend Lake Project Office, 618-724-2493.