ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Apply now for a Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader Permit!

Hidden Springs State Forest

Contact Info

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 963
  • Habitat: mix of wooded ravines, conifer and hardwood stands, prairie openings and small ponds. Lies along Richland Creek.
  • Digital Map
  • Printable Map

Site Specific Info

  • 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.
  • 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.

Deer

  • Archery season
    • Statewide regulations.
    • Note the tree stand and ground blind rule at this site.
  • Firearm season
    • Statewide regulations.
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained through the statewide lottery
    • Note the tree stand and ground blind rule at this site.
  • Muzzleloader season
    • Statewide regulations, 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.
  • Youth season
    • Contact site for more information

Turkey

  • Spring season
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained through the statewide lottery
    • Hunting area is closed to all activities other than hunting during this season.
  • Fall Archery
    • Statewide regulations.
  • No Fall shotgun season.

Waterfowl

  • Statewide regulations, except closed during Firearm Deer Season.
  • Hunting area is closed to all activities other than hunting during this season.

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Statewide regulations.
    • Rimfire rifles, handguns, shotguns and muzzleloaders allowed.
  • Rabbits
    • Statewide regulations.

Upland Birds

  • Statewide regulations, except no crow hunting.
  • Dove hunters must use only size 7 or smaller bismuth or lead shot, or size 6 or smaller steel shot.

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
    • Statewide regulations, except closed during Deer Firearm Season.

Amenities