Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

Public Duck and Goose Hunting Area Permit First Lottery Begins August 16!

Iris & Jack Witkowsky State Wildlife Area

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Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 1,086
  • Habitat: Characterized by a mixture of timbered slopes and ridge tops and wide valleys vegetated by grasslands, row crops, and hay fields. The topography is steep, consisting of non-glaciated ridges.

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.
  • No ground fires or camping allowed
  • Area is closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons and until 1 pm during turkey firearm seasons (youth and spring).
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Opens on Oct 15
    • Closed during all firearm deer hunting seasons
  • Firearm
    • Special Hunt Area permit required. Special Hunt Area permits not valid anywhere else in the county. County permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
    • Firearm deer hunting is allowed during first or second deer hunting season.
    • Firearm deer hunter with permit may harvest coyote while deer hunting.
  • Muzzleloader
    • Requires a muzzleloader-only Special Hunt Area permit.
    • Muzzleloader hunting not allowed during the second firearm deer hunting season. 
  • CWD
    • Statewide regulations
  • Youth
    • During youth deer hunting seasons, only Jo Daviess County permit holders who contact the site office will be issued a youth season.

Turkey

  • All turkey hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit. Special Hunt Area permit not valid anywhere else in the county. County permit is not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
  • Fall Archery
    • Opens Oct 15
    • Closed during firearm deer seasons
  • Fall Shotgun
    • Closed during firearm deer seasons
  • Spring
    • Statewide opening and closing dates apply
  • Spring Youth
    • During youth turkey hunting seasons, only Jo Daviess Co. permit holders who contact the site office will be issued a youth season permit. 
    • A non-hunting supervising adult may accompany a youth during youth hunt.

Waterfowl

  • Waterfowl hunting not permitted

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Allowed after second firearm deer season until statewide close.
    • Shotgun or bow and arrow
  • Rabbits
    • Opens after second firearm deer season
    • Shotgun or bow and arrow

Upland Birds

  • Upland bird hunting not permitted

Furbearers

  • Trapping
    • Furbearer trapping not permitted
  • Hunting
    • Coyote
      • Allowed from sunset to sunrise
      • Coincides with deer seasons. Closed during firearm deer seasons, except that coyote may be taken by firearm deer hunters with Special Hunt Area permit.
      • Only valid permit holders may take coyotes by legal means.
      • May be taken with bow & arrow during archery season

Amenities

  • None