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!

French Bluff Natural Area

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 342
    • Habitat: Mississippi River Bluff topography of steep hillsides, unglaciated ridges, and deep ravines populated by hardwood forest with cedar thickets and a small grassland.

    Site Specific Regulations

    • Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
    • 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.
    • Do not enter a restricted area or trespass on private land.
    • Hunting allowed in those portions of the area posted as open for hunting, which excludes the hunter parking area. 
    • Be aware that hikers and other non-hunters may be using the area.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Archery
      • Statewide regulations
      • Closed during  firearm and muzzleloader deer seasons
    • Firearm
      • Must obtain a site-specific permit which is issued through the permit office in Springfield.
      • Permits which are valid for Carroll Co. are not valid at French Bluff NA.
      • Stand-by permits are not available.
      • First and second firearm deer season permits are available separately.
    • Muzzleloader
      • Permitted only during the 2nd portion of muzzleloader season
      • A French Bluff special-hunt permit for muzzleloader hunting is not valid for the second season of the regular firearm deer season.
    • Special CWD Deer Hunting
      • Standby permits will not be issued for special CWD season.
      • Leftover permits from other deer seasons cannot be used.
      • CWD deer hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit.
    • Deer hunting is allowed with any type of equipment that is legal for statewide deer hunting during the specific season the hunter is hunting.
    • Only those hunters with permits are allowed in the area during deer firearm seasons.
    • One non-piercing, portable tree stand or ground blind is allowed per hunter. Tree stands or blinds may be left unattended from Sept 15 – Jan 31 if legibly marked with the owner’s name, address, and telephone number.
    • In addition to windshield card reporting, successful deer hunters are required to record their harvest as instructed on their permit.

    Turkey

    • Fall Archery
      • Not permitted during firearm & muzzleloader deer seasons. 
    • Spring
      • All spring turkey hunters must obtain a site-specific permit,  which will be issued through the permit office in Springfield. Permits valid for Carroll Co. will not be valid at French Bluff.
      • Only those hunters with permits are allowed in the area until 1pm during the spring turkey season.
      • In addition to windshield card reporting, successful turkey hunters are required to record their harvest as instructed on their permit.

    Waterfowl

    • Waterfowl hunting not permitted

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Closed during firearm deer season.
      • Squirrel hunters may use shotguns with #3 or smaller in steel shot or #5 or smaller in lead, tungsten or bismuth shot.
      • .22 rimfire rifles, .25 air rifle, muzzleloading rifles, and archery tackle using flu-flu arrows are permitted for taking squirrels.
    • Rabbits
      • Rabbit hunting not permitted

    Upland Birds

    • Upland bird hunting not permitted

    Furbearers

    • Trapping
      • Furbearer trapping not permitted
    • Hunting
      • Furbearer hunting not permitted

    Amenities

    • None