Two new laws go into effect on January 1, 2008 that establishes youth hunting dates and extends funding through 2021 for the Conservation 2000 program.

The statewide youth deer hunt is set for Oct. 11 and 12 for 2008. The law calls for two day youth hunts to be organized between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31 each year.

A youth pheasant hunt is also set for Oct. 25 in Macoupin and Montgomery counties. Other dates for youth pheasant hunts around the state will be announced later.

The measure also allows the state to suspend the hunting privileges of those caught transferring or using another person’s deer tags.

A second act creates a new program that will extending funding for Conservation 2000.

The $196 million Partners for Conservation will become the major source of state funding for C2000 which will now be extended through 2021.

“Once our natural resources are gone, they are gone forever,” said Gov. Rod Blagojevich. “It is important that we teach future generations the importance of respecting wildlife.”

Funds for the Partners for Conservation Program are distributed under the Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture which plans to continue the strong locally designed and managed conservation programs.

Since 1996, C2000 has contributed over $173 million dollars for local projects including nearly $4 million for work in the Kankakee River watershed.

Statewide C2000 has helped restore 90,000 acres of habitat, prevented over 4 million tons of soil from washing into creeks and rivers and encouraging nearly 400,000 acres of conservation tillage to prevent soil erosion.