Migratory Waterfowl Hunters, Inc.

08/28/2026

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is pleased to welcome Jim Montgomery, who will assume leadership of the agency on Monday, Aug. 31.

Montgomery brings decades of experience in conservation, public administration and law enforcement, including previously serving as commissioner and director of administration and finance of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

“As a native central Illinoisan with a lifelong passion for conservation and outdoor recreation, I’m thrilled to accept Governor Pritzker’s invitation to lead the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,” Montgomery said. “I look forward to working with staff, constituents, the governor, lawmakers, and other stakeholders to ensure IDNR continues to be the best natural resources agency in the nation.”

Montgomery’s appointment is subject to approval by the Illinois Senate.

Renee Snow, who served as director of IDNR on an interim basis after former Director Natalie Phelps Finnie’s departure on June 30, will resume her role as general counsel for IDNR, a position she has held since 2019.

https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker-appoints-jim-montgomery-as-director-of-illinois-department-of-natural-resources

08/28/2026

Interested in joining the Jersey Panthers Trap Team? Attend our signup meeting on Wednesday, 9/2 at 6:00 PM in the JCHS Study Hall. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

08/24/2026

Thank you to everyone that attended our Young Guns shoot on Saturday! It was a great event with perfect weather. We can’t wait to see you again next year. 🦆

Photo dump below 📷

08/20/2026

Can’t wait to see everyone Saturday! Perfect weather forecasted. Still time to sign up your team or the morning of.

Thank you to all of our sponsors and donations!

08/16/2026

Still time to sign up for Saturday’s Young Guns event!

Decoys, calls, raffles, and more!
Register online today!

08/15/2026

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the following statement regarding the recently proposed changes to drain tile easements. “At this time, no further action is planned as we review the information received.”

Thank you to the 219,000 hunters and conservationists that voiced their opposition to the proposed changes. A great example of why to stay involved and how we are stronger in numbers.

08/06/2026

Tomorrow is the final day for public input!

Take 30 seconds to fill out a comment stating you oppose any changes 👇🏼

Illinois hunting relies heavily on production from the prairie pothole region. 🦆

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) requests information regarding the Service's process for calculating setbacks for the placement of drain tile by landowners on property where the Service owns wetland easements.

08/05/2026

Want to learn more about the drain tile easement setbacks currently in question by USFWS? 🦆

Check out this episode of Gamekeeper Podcast with guest biologists from Ducks Unlimited. 👇🏼

Gamekeeper Podcast · Episode

08/03/2026

Take 30 seconds to fill out the petition 👇🏼

Sign the petition and contact your elected officials to defend America's most important waterfowl breeding habitat.

07/31/2026

Willow and cottonwood cutting for duck blind builders will be open again this year on August 15 through September 30. Specific to the map areas shown below.

Hunters cutting willow and cottonwood must have a copy of the attached permit in their possession when on the refuge cutting. They can print this PDF out or stop by the Two Rivers Refuge office.