Announcements
More InfoHidden 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/Species Specific Info
Statewide and associated species regulations in accordance with the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping 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.
Hunters allowed to use 1 tree stand or ground blind between September 15 and January 31. Tree stands and blinds must have the name and address of the hunter visible from the ground.
Prescribed burns will take place during the fall of 2023. Burns will take place in the vicinity of Rocky Springs, specific locations will be posted prior to conducting prescribed burning operations.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Note the tree stand and ground blind rule at this site.
Firearm
Available at this site. See further site-specific regulations below:
- Requires site-specific permit obtained through the statewide lottery
- Note the tree stand and ground blind rule at this site.
Late Winter Antlerless
Available at this site with a Shelby County permit during years the County is open for later winter season. Statewide regulations apply.
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
- Note the tree stand and ground blind rule at this site.
Special CWD
Not available at this site.
Youth Firearm
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 with a Shelby County Youth Turkey Permit. 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
Controlled Pheasant Hunting
Not available at this site.
Crow
Not available at this site.
Dove
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Pheasant/Quail/Partridge
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.
Woodcock
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
4 pm daily closing.
Furbearers
Furbearer Trapping
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Closed during Deer Firearm Season.
Furbearer Hunting
Available at this site. See further site-specific regulations below:
- 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