ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

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

Iris & Jack Witkowsky State Wildlife Area

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    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