Franklin Creek State Natural Area
Site Contact Info
Office phone: 815-456-2878
Office address: 1872 Twist Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031
Site coordinates: 41.856749 -89.351815
County: Lee
Site Maps
Printable Map – Firearm & Late Winter Deer Season
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 635
Habitat: This site is characterized by hardwood forest with some open to brushy fields. Active habitat management will occur throughout the year on the site, including prescribed burning.
Site Specific Regulations
Statewide and associated species regulations apply at the site unless noted hereafter.
Site requires use of windshield card displayed on vehicle dashboard to report hunting effort and harvest by 15 February.
The site is sectioned into zones A, B, and C. Hunters should hunt in the zone or area designated according to the season they are hunting.
May not possess weapons in the field except while engaged in hunting during hunting hours which are daytime hours at this site.
Must park at designated parking areas. Unauthorized vehicles may not enter upon any trail or be in any “off road” area.
One non-piercing, portable tree stand is allowed per hunter and must be removed at the end of the day’s hunt.
Hunters should note that the hunting area on this site is open to other park users- hikers, equestrian riders, picnickers.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Hunters are required to sign-in, sign-out, and report all deer harvested on check station sheets.
- Submission of ALL harvested deer heads, along with corresponding harvest information, is required within 48 hours of harvest to test for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease.
- Must obtain a windshield card.
- Closed during 1st and 2nd firearm deer seasons. Open during the late winter/special CWD firearm deer season, but archers must comply with blaze orange requirements during those seasons.
Please note:
- It is unlawful to engage in “driving” deer.
- Deer may not be field dressed within 100 ft from any road, trail or developed area. Hunters should not drag a harvested deer on trails being used by non-hunters.
- A limitation as to the number of hunters allowed to hunt per day is mandated. Eligibility to hunt is determined by the posted quota, by the number of hunters who have previously signed the sign-in sheet, and on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Archery deer hunters may not hunt within 50 yards of a designated day-use area or developed area or within 30 yards of any trail in Zone C.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- A site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery is required.
- Must check in at the site office each day by 5 am or lose permit-holder preference for that day.
Please note:
- Hunting is permitted in zones A & C only.
- There is a limit on number of hunters allowed to hunt per day. Stand-by permits may be allocated by drawing if any unfilled permits are remaining at 5 am. Stand-by permits are issued as valid for one day only; are site specific; are for either sex; and are $5.00 each. No other deer permits are required.
Late Winter Antlerless
Not available at this site.
Muzzleloader
Not available at this site.
Special CWD
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- A site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery is required. Stand-by late winter permits will not be allocated.
Youth Firearm
Not available at this site.
Turkey
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Closed during 1st and 2nd firearm deer seasons, open during late winter/special CWD seasons but must comply with statewide blaze orange requirements during these seasons.
- Hunters are required to sign-in, sign-out, and report all turkey harvested on check station sheets.
- Archery turkey hunting is allowed only in Zone A (see map).
Please note:
- There is a limit on the number of hunters allowed to hunt per day. Eligibility to hunt is determined by the posted quota, the number of hunters who have previously signed the sign-in sheet, and on a first- come, first-served basis.
- The site is also open to other park users: hikers, equestrian riders, and picnickers.
Fall Shotgun
Not available at this site.
Spring
Not available at this site.
Youth Spring
Not available at this site.
Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Hunting
Not available at this site.
Trapping
Not available at this site.
Amenities
Archery Range
Fishing
Hiking Trails
Hunting
More information