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!

Lowden-Miller State Forest

Site Contact Info

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 2,225
  • Habitat: Within the Rock River valley, the area is composed of gently rolling land to steep ridges and bluffs and deep draws covered with native hardwoods interspersed with pine plantations.
  • Digital Map
  • Printable Map
  • Printable Map – Firearm & CWD Deer

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.
  • Firearm hunting (deer, squirrel or turkey) is not allowed in the restricted area adjacent to the Boy Scout Camp. The area is marked on the map and is posted.
  • Hunters may use forest lanes for access but not for parking vehicles. Motor homes and large campers are not allowed in those areas.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Closed during all of the firearm deer seasons.
    • Contact the site about opening during the muzzleloader season; and if allowed, archery hunters must wear the same blaze orange clothing as that required for muzzleloader deer hunters.
  • Firearm (1st & 2nd Seasons)
    • Allowed during first and second seasons only and requires a site-specific permit issued by the Springfield permit office.
    • Hunters with site-specific permits must check in by 5 am at the former Sinnissippi Tree Farm Office, approx. 3 miles south of Rt. 64 on the west side of Daysville Road.
    • Any vacancies remaining at 5 am will be filled at that time by a drawing to allocate stand-by permits. Stand-by permits are valid for the day they are issued only, and apply only to Lowden-Miller SF.  No other deer permits are allowed.  
    • Non-resident stand-by hunters are required to have a non-resident hunting license and a current habitat stamp.
    • Legal hunting devices as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code, Section 650.30 a)
    • Required to check-out from the site daily and check deer at the county’s check station  
    • Report harvested deer to park staff upon check out and also take harvested deer to the county deer check station for tagging. 
  • CWD
    • Requires a site-specific permit. Apply online; application period will be publicly announced.  
    • Unallocated permits may be available for sale over-the-counter from participating vendors.  
    • Unfilled permits from other seasons will not be valid. 
    • Must sign-in and check-out at the equestrian parking lot and lots 1 – 6.
    • All deer harvested during the CWD seasons must be reported on the clipboards at the site when checking-out and via the windshield card system. 
  • One non-piercing, portable tree stand per hunter is allowed and may be left unattended from Sept 15 – Jan 31. Stands must be labeled with the hunter’s name, address & phone number.
  • All deer stands and flagging ribbon must be removed. 
  • Baiting of deer is forbidden.

Turkey

  • Archery Turkey Hunting
    • Archery turkey hunting is closed during firearm deer seasons, but is open during the muzzleloader season; however, hunters must wear the blaze orange clothing as required for muzzleloader deer hunters
  • Spring Turkey Hunting
    • Hunting turkeys during the spring seasons requires a site-specific permit issued for Lowden-Miller State Forest. Shotgun turkey hunters should avoid restricted area.

Waterfowl

  • Waterfowl hunting is not permitted.

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Squirrel hunting is restricted to the south end of the site only. (Note map for hunting area & restricted areas.)
    • Statewide regulations apply, but a shortened season exists at site, generally from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30.
  • Rabbits
    • Rabbit hunting is not permitted.

Upland Birds

  • Upland bird hunting is not permitted.

Furbearers

  • Trapping
    • Furbearer trapping is not permitted.
  • Hunting
    • Furbearer hunting is not permitted.

Amenities