ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area

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Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 3,127
  • Habitat: area is characterized by scrub timber, several marshy grass tracts, and prairie areas east of the former Collins Station power plant and prairie on both sides of Jugtown Road.
  • Digital Map
  • Printable Map

Site Specific Regulations

  • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter
  • Due to the high quality nature of this grassland ecosystem, prescribed burning is a necessary management tool that may be conducted during the summer and fall and is a priority. Portions of any unit may be burned when you arrive to hunt. We may adjust hunter numbers in affected areas as needed to continue to offer a quality hunt.
  • Site requires use of windshield card  displayed on vehicle dashboard to report hunting effort and harvest by the call-in system AND windshield card reporting by 15 February. Failure to do so will result in loss of hunting privileges at this site.
  • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site
  • Chronic Wasting Disease has been found near this site, and we encourage all hunters to get their deer tested. During all other seasons, sampling will be done at the District Wildlife office located in Wilmington at 30550 S. Boathouse Road. Please follow instructions posted there.
  • Hunters may only park in designated parking areas. NO trespassing on the N/S railroad berm.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Only allowed Fields A, B, D, & E (at Goose Lake SNA).
    • Closed during all seasons in which a firearm is allowed. Also closed on Christmas and New Year Days.
    • CWD sampling during archery season will be done at the IDNR office located in Wilmington at 30550 S. Boathouse Road. Please follow instructions posted on the drop-off barrel there.
  • Firearm
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained via the statewide lottery.
    • Select GLSP1 Or GLSP2. Permits are valid for first or second season only.
    • Hunters must check in by 5 am daily to validate their permit. After that time permits are void for the day. A stand-by drawing will be held at 5 am to fill any vacancies. Standby permits are available for a fee of $5.00 for a one day site specific permit. Permit sales are cut off at 2 pm.
    • All hunters are required to check-in, check out by 6 pm, and report harvest to the check station attendant in person and the IDNR phone/online check system.
    • In addition, you must check in your deer at the Grundy County Firearm Check Station at Gebhard Woods S.P. Morris Wetlands as part of the Goose Lake Prairie hunt.
    • Tree stands and ground blinds must be removed daily.
    • Hunting is allowed in parts of Goose Lake Prairie SNA (fields A, B & C).
  • Muzzleloader
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained via the statewide lottery.
    • Only open during the muzzleloader-only season.
    • Hunters must check in by 5 am daily to validate their permit. After that time permits are void for the day. A stand-by drawing will be held at 5 am to fill any vacancies. Standby permits are available for a fee of $5.00 for a one day site specific permit. Permit sales are cut off at 2 pm.
    • All hunters are required to check in, check out by 6 pm, and report harvest to the check station attendant in person and the IDNR phone/online check system.
    • In addition, you must check in your deer at the Grundy County Firearm Check Station at Gebhard Woods S.P. Morris Wetlands is part of the Goose Lake Prairie hunt.
    • Hunting is allowed in parts of Goose Lake Prairie SNA (fields A, B, & C).
  • CWD Season
    • CWD permits are available via the CWD Permit Lottery for Special Hunt Areas.
    • You must check in, check out by 6pm, and report harvest to the IDNR phone/online check system. Note: there is no CWD deer season check station for Grundy County.
    • CWD sampling during Special CWD season will be done at the IDNR office located in Wilmington at 30550 S. Boathouse Road. Please follow instructions posted on the drop-off barrel there.
    • Antlerless only deer may be harvested during this season.
    • Permits from earlier seasons may not be rolled over for this season.
    • Morris Wetlands is part of the Goose Lake Prairie hunt.
    • Hunting is allowed in parts of Goose Lake Prairie SNA (fields A, B, & C).

Turkey

  • Turkey hunting not permitted.

Waterfowl

  • Waterfowl hunting not permitted.

Upland Hunting

  • Upland hunting not permitted.

Furbearers

  • Furbearer hunting and trapping not permitted.

Amenities