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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 Superintendent

District Wildlife Biologist

Conservation Police

Site Closures List

Site Map

Digital Map

Printable 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

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