Announcements
Hidden Springs State Forest
Contact Info
Office phone: 217-644-3091
Office address: 2438 E 700 N Rd., Strasburg IL 62465
Site coordinates: 39.317189 -88.687092
County: Shelby
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 963
Habitat: mix of wooded ravines, conifer and hardwood stands, prairie openings and small ponds. Lies along Richland Creek.
Active habitat management will be occurring 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.
Only one tree stand or ground blind is allowed. Stands must be removed at the end of each day with the exception that they may be left unattended from September 15 through January 31. Stands must be marked with the owner’s name, address and telephone number.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply except the tree stand rule listed above applies.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires site-specific permit obtained through the statewide lottery
- The tree stand rule listed above applies.
Late Winter Antlerless
Available at this site only if county is included in late winter antlerless-only season which will be publicly announced by October 1st each year.
Muzzleloader
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Only open during the 3 day period.
- Requires site-specific permit obtained through the statewide lottery
- The tree stand rule listed above applies.
Special CWD
Not available at this site.
Youth Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply. Contact site for more information.
Turkey
Spring
Available at this site. See further site-specific regulations below:
- Requires site-specific permit obtained through the statewide lottery
- Hunting area is closed to all activities other than hunting during this season.
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Fall Shotgun
Not available at this site.
Youth Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Waterfowl
Ducks, Coots, & Mergansers
Available at this site. Statewide regulations, except:
- Closed during Firearm Deer Season.
- Hunting area is closed to all activities other than hunting during this season.
Goose
Available at this site. Statewide regulations, except:
- Closed during Firearm Deer Season.
- Hunting area is closed to all activities other than hunting during this season.
Snipe & Rail
Available at this site. Statewide regulations, except:
- Closed during Firearm Deer Season.
- Hunting area is closed to all activities other than hunting during this season.
Youth Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Dove
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Rabbits
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Squirrels
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
- Rimfire rifles, handguns, shotguns and muzzleloaders allowed.
Upland Birds
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Woodcock
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply except hunting concludes by 4 p.m. daily.
Furbearers
Furbearer Trapping
Available at this site. Statewide regulations, except closed during Deer Firearm Season.
Furbearer Hunting
Available at this site. Statewide regulations, 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
Amenities
Camping
Fishing
Hiking Trails
Hunting
