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!

Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Site Contact Information

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable Acres: Total Acres- 2150; Huntable Acres (Only in areas designated as open on the areas map): Habitat Types- Timber& Shrub 730; Grassland and Agricultural 940; Wetlands 480.
    • Habitat: Mazonia is characterized by extreme topography characteristic of strip mining operations. Numerous bodies of water ranging from 0.2 to 30 plus acres are found throughout the site.

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • Access is limited to foot traffic only over a large portion of the area.
    • Mazonia is part of the Windshield Card access program. To obtain a permit, go to: https://dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/index.asp  You must also report your harvest and hunter trips via the system, even if you did not hunt. You must also report your harvest via the statewide call-in system. Failure to do so will result in loss of hunting privileges for the next hunting season.
    • Hunting is only allowed in areas designated as open.
    • Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in Grundy, Kankakee and Will Counties near this site. Please have your deer tested. Further information regarding CWD, including sampling locations, may be found here
    • Fishing will be allowed in conjunction with the upland game season. Be aware of your surroundings.
    • Hunting will prohibited in the event of adverse water and/or weather conditions, such as flooding, high winds, or heavy fog, national or local security.
    • Species Specific Rules:

    Deer

    • Archery
      • Hunting allowed in the South Unit (located in Kankakee County) only.
      • Archery hunters may also take coyotes and raccoons by use of bow and arrow.
      • No non-hunters in the field.

    Turkey

    • Turkey hunting not permitted.

    Waterfowl

    • Blinds
      • Blinds are allocated annually by drawing on the last Saturday of July at the site office.
        • Drawing rules will be posted.
        • 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 and must be placed in the blind prior to hunting.
      • Blinds are allocated for one hunting season only. Blind builders have until Feb. 1 to reclaim blind materials.
      • 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 (including spent shells), you are responsible for them. Blinds in poor or trashed condition, will be red-carded.
      • More information can be found here
    • All hunters must report to the check station to fill out information cards and to turn in hunting licenses before proceeding to blinds.
    • Registered blind builders or partners desiring to claim their blinds must report to the check station at least one hour before shooting hour each day and occupy that blind for at least one hour. Hunters wishing to move to another blind during their daily hunt must report back to the check station for reassignment.
    • All hunting will be from registered blinds only and hunters must occupy their blinds within one hour after registering at the check station.
    • Hunting is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
    • Hunting hours are legal opening to 1:00 pm.. All hunters must be checked out by 2:00 P.M. At this time waterfowl and coots bagged must be checked and hunting licenses will be returned.
    • It shall be illegal to fish or trespass upon the designated waterfowl hunting area or waterfowl refuge beginning ten days prior to the Central Zone Duck Season, until the end of Central Zone Duck Season.
    • No person shall hunt, or attempt to hunt, waterfowl and coots except from within a registered blind.
    • No person under 16 years of age shall hunt, or attempt to hunt, unless accompanied by an adult.
    • All hunting parties shall hunt with at least 12 decoys. Decoys shall be staked, placed, or floating, be individually visible, be at least 8 inches long, and not be within a boat, blind, or container.
    • No person shall trespass, for any purpose, on areas posted as Refuge or Waterfowl Rest Areas.
    • Not more than 4 persons shall occupy a blind at one time.
    • Blinds shall not be locked.
    • Claiming or attempting to claim a blind which is legally occupied, and/or to harass, in any manner, the occupants of a blind which has been legally occupied is unlawful.
    • During Duck Season, blinds not claimed by the builder or partners by one hour before shooting time will be assigned by a drawing at this time. No blinds will be assigned after 9:00 A.M.
    • Blind 8 is wheelchair accessible. It must be reserved at least 48 hours in advance by calling the site office. If not claimed it will be part of the daily draw.
    • All harvested birds must be presented at the check station in person upon check out.

    Squirrels/Rabbit

    • Rabbit
      • Hunting allowed in the North Unit only.
      • Season opens day after close of central duck season through statewide close.
      • Statewide hours
      • Hunters must sign in and sign out and report harvest.
      • Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Christmas and New Years Day.
      • May only hunt in areas designated as open on site map.
      • Blaze orange required (400 sq. in.).
      • No non-hunters in the field.
    • Squirrel
      • Squirrel hunting not permitted.

    Upland Birds

    • Hunting allowed in the North Unit only.
    • Season opens day after close of central duck season through statewide close.
    • Hunters must sign in and sign out and report harvest.
    • Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Christmas and New Years Day.
    • May only hunt in areas designated as open on site map.
    • Blaze orange required (400 sq. in.).
    • No non-hunters in the field.

    Furbearers

    • Hunting
      • Archery only
      • Coyote, fox, raccoon, skunk, and opossum may be taken during their respective seasons that fall within archery deer season
      • Statewide hours
    • Trapping
      • Furbearer trapping not permitted.

    Amenities