Read the full story in Outdoor Illinois.
In the early 1800s wood ducks were very abundant in the state of Illinois and areas east but as the wetlands were drained, the timber cut, and over-harvesting took over, wood duck numbers were drastically declining and by the late 1800s the possibility of extinction was even considered. Then in 1918, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act came into play and consequently wood duck hunting was banned nationwide for 23 years.
Environmental News Bits 