ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Dog Island State Wildlife Management Area

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Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 221; water acres: 25; timber acres: 195.
  • Habitat: The habitat at Dog Island provides for many recreational hunting opportunities.  Wetland area is managed to attract ducks and geese in the fall.  The majority of the site is forested with a combination of pine plantation, mixed hardwood forest and reforestation areas.  Topography is variable across the site with some areas being moderately steep. 
Photo of a wetland during the Fall at Dog Island.
Photo of a hunt trail in the woods during the Fall at Dog Island.

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. Failure to submit harvest data will result in loss of hunting privileges for the following year.
  • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
  • Hunters may leave stands unattended from September 15 – January 31. Stands must be legibly marked with owner’s name, address and telephone number. Only one stand per hunter.
  • It is unlawful to use or occupy a ground blind during any firearm deer season on public land unless at least 400 square inches of solid vivid blaze orange material is securely attached to the uppermost portion of the blind and a substantial amount of orange is visible for 360 degrees.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Statewide regulations for Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader, and Youth seasons.
  • It is unlawful to drive deer, or participate in a deer drive, on all Department owned or managed properties during all deer seasons.

Turkey

  • Statewide regulations for Spring, Fall, and Youth seasons.

Waterfowl

  • Statewide regulations.
  • No permanent blinds or pits may be dug or constructed. All blinds must be portable or established with natural vegetation and must be removed or dismantled at the end of each day’s hunt.
  • Cutting of live vegetation on the area is illegal.
  • Youth Waterfowl season is held the weekend preceding the South Zone duck opener – follow statewide regulations.

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Statewide regulations
  • Rabbits
    • Statewide regulations
    • During pheasant, rabbit, quail, and partridge season, hunters are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches while hunting rabbit.

Upland Birds

  • Statewide regulations.
  • No crow hunting is allowed.
  • During pheasant, rabbit, quail, and partridge season, hunters and trappers are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches while hunting pheasant, quail, and woodcock.

Furbearers

  • Hunting
    • Statewide regulations
  • Trapping
    • Trapping is allowed by special permit only. To receive a permit and for more information contact the Dixon Springs Site Superintendent at: (618) 949-3304.
    • During pheasant, rabbit, quail, and partridge season, trappers are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches while trapping pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge, rabbit, snipe, rail, and woodcock.

Amenities

  • None