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James Pate Philip State Park / Heron Woods State Habitat Area

Site Contact Information:

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable Acres: 415
  • Habitat: James Pate Philip State Park is predominantly an open prairie with a few wooded pockets. Brewster Creek runs through the main portion of the property. Limestone trails wind throughout the main park. A subsection of the main park also runs along the prairie path and consists more of a savanna eco-type and is being flanked by two new subdivisions. Finally, Heron Woods State Habitat Area (SHA), a satellite area of the James Pate Phillips SP, is located north of the main portion of the Park. Heron Woods SHA comprises of an abandoned, former surface mine. The topography contains ridges and water-filled valleys, with a closed canopy of trees. A trail loops through the northern portion of Heron Woods, leaving the majority of the site unable to traverse.
  • Digital Map
  • Printable Map – Overview map
  • Printable Map – Unit A map
  • Printable Map – Unit B map
  • Printable Map – Unit C map
  • Printable Map – Unit D map
  • Zone B
  • Zone A2

Site-Specific Regulations

  • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
  • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
  • Controlled burning, for habitat management purposes, may be used within your hunting zone.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • CWD SAMPLING: All harvested deer should be tested for CWD.
      • A barrel is located within the park at the IDNR Region 2 building by the employee entrance.
      • If it is outside of normal hours (or the biologist is not present), please deposit the upper few vertebrae and head in the barrel and fill out the necessary paperwork.
    • Two-week hunting periods will be filled through a mail-in drawing for Illinois Residents. Applications are available online and at the James Pate Philip State Park Office.  Applications must be received at the James Pate Philip State Park Office by August 15th to be eligible for the drawing. Successful applicants will be notified by mail or email on or before September 1st. Each archery hunter will be assigned a specific hunting period and zone. All hunters must be able to show proof of a current Illinois hunting license, archery deer permits, and site-issued deer hunting permit upon request. Successful applicants will be mailed a Site Windshield Card. This card must be visible through the vehicle windshield while hunting.
    • Hunters must maintain accurate records of each hunt the hunting record provided and must be returned to the site office by February 1. Failure to submit report will result in the loss of eligibility for future hunts. This hunting record is found on the back of the Site Windshield Card.
    • Stands/blinds and gut piles must be a minimum of 75 yards from designated trails.
    • Hunters may leave stands unattended, but stands must be marked with the owner’s name, address, and telephone number.
      • Stands/blinds may be setup on the first day of assigned hunting period by each hunter and may remain the entire assigned period.
      • Stands must be removed on the last day assigned to each hunter.
    • Spectators are not allowed in the area unless assisting or mentoring the hunter (the assigned hunter is the legal hunter).

Turkey

  • Turkey hunting not permitted.

Waterfowl

  • Waterfowl hunting not permitted.

Rabbits/Squirrels

  • Rabbit/Squirrel hunting not permitted.

Upland Birds

  • Upland bird hunting not permitted.

Furbearers

  • Furbearer hunting and trapping not permitted.

Amenities