Kankakee River State Park

Site Contact Info

Office phone: 815-933-1383

Office address:  5314 W. Rt. 102, Bourbonnais, IL 60914

Site coordinates: 41.204017 -87.979211

County: Kankakee

Site Superintendent

District Wildlife Biologist

Conservation Police

Site Closures List

Site Map

Digital Map

Printable Map

Printable Map – Waterfowl

Printable Map – Furbearer

Site Characteristics

Huntable acres: 4,000

Habitat: the Kankakee River is one of the highest quality rivers in the state and is bordered by mature hardwoods in the riparian area. Site is about half woodlands and half open ground, with a mix of wetlands. Heavy rains may result in dramatically rising water conditions, so caution is required.

Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year at this site.

Site/Species Specific Regulations

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 unless noted hereafter. 

Ongoing habitat management including: spring, summer and fall burning, tree and brush removal are going to be part of a long-term habitat improvement program at the park. Please watch for signs of field work and plan accordingly. 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been found in Kankakee County.  Further information regarding CWD, including sampling locations may be found here 

All Nature Preserves are closed to hunting and trapping unless specifically noted.. 

Langham Island is open to archery deer hunting, but can only be accessed by canoe or small boat from the launch at Area 2. Gates will be closed once the controlled pheasant program begins; access to island will be limited. 

Langham Island hosts volunteer work days alternating Thursdays and Saturdays; plan your hunt accordingly. 

Deer

Archery

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• North of River area A, B, and C Season closes December 31 
• Hunters must wear a cap and upper outer garment with at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or pink within upland game hunting areas when upland game hunting is in progress.. 
• Tree stands must be portable, non-piercing and removed daily. 
• Coyotes, raccoons, opossums, striped skunks and fox can also be harvested by bow and arrow. 
• Hunters may have one non-hunting partner in the field with them 
• Note: West of Warner Bridge Rd. is Will County, east of Warner Bridge is Kankakee County  

Physically Challenged Archery 

• Pre-registration required. 
• Contact the park office for information and registration forms. 

Firearm

Not available at this site.

Late Winter Antlerless

Not available at this site.

Muzzleloader

Not available at this site.

Special CWD

Not available at this site.

Youth Firearm

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• To participate, please send a card or letter to the Site Superintendent with the name of hunter, name of guardian (and hunter customer number), address, phone number, and email by the last Saturday in August. 
• A random drawing will be made and successful applicants will be contacted with site rules, permit and maps. 
• You will also be required to purchase a Youth Firearm Permit from an over the counter vendor. 
• This hunt will only be open in the Day Use Area north of the park office. (Kankakee County) 

Turkey

Fall Archery

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

Hunters must wear a cap and upper outer garment with at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or pink within upland game hunting areas when upland game hunting is in progress 

Fall Shotgun

Not available at this site.

Spring

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Requires a site-specific permit obtained via the statewide permit lottery. 
• Hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise until 12:00 noon 
• Please contact site for a map and rules. 
• Use caution near established trails. 

Youth Spring

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Requires a site-specific permit obtained via the statewide permit lottery.
• Hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise until 12:00 noon.
• Please contact site for a map and rules. 
• Use caution near established trails. 

Waterfowl

Ducks/Coots/Mergansers

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Early teal and Canada goose seasons are not allowed within the Kankakee River State Park Waterfowl Management Unit. 
• Hunting is from numbered sites only. Must hunt within 10 feet of the stake. 
• Blinds are allocated annually by drawing on the last Saturday of July, at the site office. 
• Blinds must be built within 10 feet of a marked location by the Blind winner, and up to two partners. 
• The partners must be named on the provided partner sheet, and returned by August 31st. 
• Once the completed blind is approved, a blind registration card will be issued. 
• Blinds are allocated for one hunting season only. 
• Blind builders have until Feb 1 to reclaim blind materials. 
• No person may be a blind holder on more than one Waterfowl Management Area in Illinois. 
• Blinds must be at least 4′ by 8′ with a floor, partial roof and bench. A dog ramp and access door must be provided and can be part of the blind. They must be maintained in good condition through the season. Boat hides are not required. Blinds may not be locked. 
• You may not use Giant Reed Grass, Phragmites, or any other nuisance plant with the seed head attached, for camouflaging your blind. Remove seed heads prior to entering the park. Keep your blinds clean, you are responsible for them. Blinds in poor or trashed condition will be red-carded. 
• Blinds must be completed 3 weeks prior to the opening of the Central Waterfowl Season Blinds that pass will be issued Registration Cards. Blinds that fail will be offered to alternates. Extensions may be offered in the event of adverse water conditions. 

Goose

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Early teal and Canada goose seasons are not allowed within the Kankakee River State Park Waterfowl Management Unit. 
• There is no late goose season within the Kankakee River State Park Waterfowl Management Unit past the close of the Canada goose season. 
• Hunting is from numbered sites only. Must hunt within 10 feet of the stake. 
• Blinds are allocated annually by drawing on the last Saturday of July, at the site office. 
• Blinds must be built within 10 feet of a marked location by the Blind winner, and up to two partners. 
• The partners must be named on the provided partner sheet, and returned by August 31st. 
• Once the completed blind is approved, a blind registration card will be issued. 
• Blinds are allocated for one hunting season only. 
• Blind builders have until Feb 1 to reclaim blind materials. 
• No person may be a blind holder on more than one Waterfowl Management Area in Illinois. 
• Blinds must be at least 4′ by 8′ with a floor, partial roof and bench. A dog ramp and access door must be provided and can be part of the blind. They must be maintained in good condition through the season. Boat hides are not required. Blinds may not be locked. 
• You may not use Giant Reed Grass, Phragmites, or any other nuisance plant with the seed head attached, for camouflaging your blind. Remove seed heads prior to entering the park. Keep your blinds clean, you are responsible for them. Blinds in poor or trashed condition will be red-carded. 
• Blinds must be completed 3 weeks prior to the opening of the Central Waterfowl Season Blinds that pass will be issued Registration Cards. Blinds that fail will be offered to alternates. Extensions may be offered in the event of adverse water conditions. 

Snipe/Rail

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Hunting is from numbered sites only. Must hunt within 10 feet of the stake. 
• Blinds are allocated annually by drawing on the last Saturday of July, at the site office. 
• Blinds must be built within 10 feet of a marked location by the Blind winner, and up to two partners. 
• The partners must be named on the provided partner sheet, and returned by August 31st. 
• Once the completed blind is approved, a blind registration card will be issued. 
• Blinds are allocated for one hunting season only. 
• Blind builders have until Feb 1 to reclaim blind materials. 
• No person may be a blind holder on more than one Waterfowl Management Area in Illinois. 
• Blinds must be at least 4′ by 8′ with a floor, partial roof and bench. A dog ramp and access door must be provided and can be part of the blind. They must be maintained in good condition through the season. Boat hides are not required. Blinds may not be locked. 
• You may not use Giant Reed Grass, Phragmites, or any other nuisance plant with the seed head attached, for camouflaging your blind. Remove seed heads prior to entering the park. Keep your blinds clean, you are responsible for them. Blinds in poor or trashed condition will be red-carded. 
• Blinds must be completed 3 weeks prior to the opening of the Central Waterfowl Season Blinds that pass will be issued Registration Cards. Blinds that fail will be offered to alternates. Extensions may be offered in the event of adverse water conditions. 

Youth Waterfowl

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• The site is open for the youth season, and blind holders have preference. 
• Blinds are allocated annually by drawing on the last Saturday of July, at the site office. 
• Blinds must be built within 10 feet of a marked location by the Blind winner, and up to two partners. 
• The partners must be named on the provided partner sheet, and returned by August 31st. 
• Once the completed blind is approved, a blind registration card will be issued. 
• Blinds are allocated for one hunting season only. 
• Blind builders have until Feb 1 to reclaim blind materials. 
• No person may be a blind holder on more than one Waterfowl Management Area in Illinois. 
• Blinds must be at least 4′ by 8′ with a floor, partial roof and bench. A dog ramp and access door must be provided and can be part of the blind. They must be maintained in good condition through the season. Boat hides are not required. Blinds may not be locked. 
• You may not use Giant Reed Grass, Phragmites, or any other nuisance plant with the seed head attached, for camouflaging your blind. Remove seed heads prior to entering the park. Keep your blinds clean, you are responsible for them. Blinds in poor or trashed condition will be red-carded. 
• Blinds must be completed 3 weeks prior to the opening of the Central Waterfowl Season Blinds that pass will be issued Registration Cards. Blinds that fail will be offered to alternates. Extensions may be offered in the event of adverse water conditions. 

Upland/Small Game

Controlled Pheasant

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day 
• Hours open from 9am to 4pm 
• Drawing for available positions at 8:30am  
• When quota is not filled, hunters may register until 12:00pm for any vacancies 
• Must wear site issued back patch 
• Limit 2 pheasants either sex shot or flu-flu arrows are allowed 
• Blaze orange required 
• Permit holder must be present prior to daily drawing 
• Youth Hunts will be announced publicly. 
• No non-hunters in the field while hunting is in progress. 
• Obtain permits up until 9am on the day prior to hunting here 

Crow

Not available at this site.

Dove

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

Permit Dove 

• This site requires a site-specific permit issued through the Free Dove Permit One Stop (illinois.gov) lottery. 
• Season open 1-5 September 
• Hours from 12 noon to 5 pm. 
• Permit holders sign-in at Area 6 by 11am 
• Vacant positions may be filled at 11am by stand-by sign ins if necessary 
• All hunters must check out by 5:15pm 
• No loaded guns to and from field 
• No guns in field to retrieve downed birds 
• Hunt w/in 10 feet of marked location only in assigned field 
• Shot size 6 or smaller federally approved 
• Report your harvest upon sign-out. 
• No non-hunters in the field while hunting is in progress. 

Non-permit Dove 

• Season open 6-30 September 
• Hours open 12 noon to sunset 
• No loaded guns to and from the field 
• No guns into the field 
• Size 6 or smaller allowed 
• Must hunt within 10 feet of marked location only in dove fields 
• No non-hunters in the field. 

Pheasant/Quail/Partridge

Not available at this site.

Rabbits

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day 
• Hours open from 9am to 4pm 
• Drawing for available positions at 8:30am  
• When quota is not filled, hunters may register until 12:00pm for any vacancies 
• Must wear site issued back patch 
• Shot or flu-flu arrows are allowed 
• Blaze orange required 
• Permit holder must be present prior to daily drawing 
• Youth Hunts will be announced publicly. 
• No non-hunters in the field while hunting is in progress. 
• Obtain permits up until 9am on the day prior to hunting here 
• Season closes with the end of the controlled pheasant hunting 

Squirrels

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Closed during all deer seasons 
• May only hunt south of the Kankakee River 
• Do not hunt woods adjacent to dove fields. 
• Shotguns and Air rifles .25 caliber and smaller may be used. 
• Note: Red squirrels are found in this area and are a protected species. 

Woodcock

Not available at this site.

Furbearers

Furbearer Hunting

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

• Coyote, fox, skunk, and opossum may be taken during their respective seasons that fall within archery deer season by archery only. 
• Shotgun only hunting opens the day after the close of the site upland game season or archery season (whichever comes later) and closes with the close of statewide fox season. 

Furbearer Trapping

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except: 

Amenities

Archery Range

Hand trap shooting range

Fishing

Hiking

More information

Please participate in the Annual River Clean-up, which occurs during the month of September annually, to help protect this Nationally designated river.