Hanover Bluff State Natural Area
Site Contact Info
Office phone: 815-745-3302
Office address: c/o Apple River Canyon SP, 8763 E. Canyon Rd., Apple River, IL 61001
Site coordinates: 42.24385 -90.28696
County: JoDaviess
Site Superintendent (Apple River Canyon SP parent site)
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 500
Habitat: The topography is rugged with steep hills and deep ravines. Hanover Bluff SNA offers acreage in water bodies, open grasslands, and timbered areas. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
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.
Do not use private road on western border to access State property.
Because a private residence lies within close proximity to the boundary, hunters should observe the rule of “hunting is not allowed within 100 yards of a residence” and note signs posting restrictions and boundaries.
The area is closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons, and during turkey seasons in the spring the area is closed until 1 pm. However, a non-hunting supervising adult may accompany a young hunter during youth seasons.
No ground fires or camping allowed.
One non-piercing portable tree stand may be used. Tree stand must be removed from the tree at the end of each day’s hunt.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires a site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery.
- Open first or second season only.
- Must obtain a windshield card.
Late Winter Antlerless
Not available at this site.
Muzzleloader
Not available at this site.
Special CWD
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Youth Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Only Youth Deer Hunting Permit holders who contact the site office will be issued a youth site-specific permit.
- During all firearm deer seasons, the area is closed to non-hunters, except non-hunting adults supervising a young hunter.
Turkey
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
Fall Shotgun
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
Please note: A Jo Daviess County permit is required to hunt turkeys during the fall season.
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except a site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery is required.
Please note: Area is closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons and until 1 pm during turkey firearm seasons (Youth and Spring). Exception: supervising adult during youth season.
Youth Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Only Youth Turkey Hunting Permit holders who contact the site office will be issued a youth site-specific permit. A limited number of youths are allowed to hunt.
Please note:
- During shotgun turkey season (youth and spring), the area is closed to non-hunters until 1 pm.
- A non-hunting adult who is supervising a young hunter may accompany the youth during youth turkey hunting season.
Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Dove
Not available at this site.
Rabbits
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Shotgun or archery equipment is allowed.
- Closed during firearm deer seasons
Squirrels
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Shotgun or archery equipment is allowed.
- Closed during firearm deer seasons
Upland Birds
Not available at this site.
Woodcock
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Hunting
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- 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
Not available at this site.
Amenities
Hunting