ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Hanover Bluff State Natural Area

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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.

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 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
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Closed during firearm deer seasons.  
    • 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.
  • Firearm
    • Special Hunt Area (site-specific) permit required. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county, and county permits are not valid for the special hunt area.
    • Allowed during the first and second firearm deer seasons.
    • CWD deer hunting is allowed during the CWD statewide season.
    • Legal hunting devices as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code, Section 650.30 a).
    • 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.
  • Youth
    • During youth deer hunting seasons, only Jo Daviess County permit holders who contact the site office will be issued a youth season permit.
    • 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.
    • During all firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD, and muzzleloader), the area is closed to non-hunters, except non-hunting adults supervising a young hunter.  

Turkey Fall

  • Fall Archery
    • Statewide regulations
    • Closed during deer firearm seasons
  • Fall Shotgun
    • A Jo Daviess County permit is required to hunt turkeys during the fall season.
    • Closed during firearm deer seasons
  • Spring
    • All spring turkey hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county.  County permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
    • Area closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons and until 1 pm during turkey firearm seasons (Youth and Spring). Exception: supervising adult during youth seasons.
  • Youth
    • Young hunters who have obtained a Jo Daviess County permit and who have contacted the site office will be issued a youth turkey season permit.
    • Limited number of youths allowed to hunt
    • 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

  • No Waterfowl hunting permitted.

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Statewide regulations
    • Shotgun or archery equipment is allowed.
    • Closed during firearm deer seasons
  • Rabbits
    • Statewide regulations
    • Shotgun or archery equipment is allowed.
    • Closed during firearm deer seasons

Upland Birds

  • Upland bird hunting not permitted

Furbearers

  • Hunting
    • Statewide Regulations
    • 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
    • No furbearer trapping permitted.

Amenities