ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

Public Duck and Goose Hunting Area Permit First Lottery Begins August 16!

Chauncey Marsh Nature Preserve

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 627
    • Habitat: core of this area is located in the Embarrass River bottoms is the Chauncey Marsh Nature Preserve, the best remaining example of a marsh ecosystem in the Wabash Valley. The area also includes other sloughs, mature oak-hickory woodland (upland and bottomland), tree plantings, and restored prairie.

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Site requires use of windshield card, displayed on vehicle dashboard, to report hunting effort and harvest by 15 February.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • tree stands may be left unattended from September 15 – January 31. Stands must be legibly marked with owner’s name, address and telephone number.
    • No off-road vehicle use is allowed. All vehicles must remain on designated roads and must be parked in designated areas.
    • Non-toxic shot is required for all upland hunting.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Archery
    • Firearm

    Turkey

    • Spring
      • Requires site specific permit
      • In the event that Chauncey Marsh is flooded, the permit holder may hunt at Red Hills State Park. Contact site office for more information\
      • Red Hills State Park permits are not valid for Chauncey Marsh
    • Fall Archery
      • Statewide regulations

    Waterfowl

    • Statewide regulations

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Statewide regulations
      • .22 caliber or smaller rimfire is allowed
      • Blaze orange is required during firearm deer seasons.
    • Rabbits
      • Statewide regulations
      • Non-toxic shot required
      • Blaze orange is required during firearm deer seasons.

    Upland Birds

    • Quail, Dove and Woodcock
      • Statewide regulations
      • Non-toxic shot required
      • No 7 1/2, 8 or 9 lead or bismuth shot or No. 6 steel shot or smaller is required for dove hunting
    • Blaze orange is required during firearm deer seasons.

    Furbearers

    • Hunting
      • Statewide regulations
      • Rimfire rifles .22 caliber and smaller may be used from sunset to sunrise.
      • Furbearer hunting closed during Firearm Deer Season
        • Hunters with a valid, unfilled firearm deer permit for the hunt area may take coyotes during legal hours of the firearm deer season. Otherwise, the use of shotgun slugs to take furbearing mammals is prohibited on state sites.
      • Coyote and striped skunk season coincides with the statewide fox season.
      • Windshield Card required
    • Trapping
      • Requires site specific permit. Contact site for more information

    Amenities

    • Hunting