ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area

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Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 2,628
  • Habitat: characterized by a mix of upland and lowland vegetation, with mostly forest, shrubs and patchy grasslands. Some managed cropland fields on site offer grain food for wildlife. River, streams and managed trails run throughout. Parts of site have steep topography and active horse riding.

Site-specific Regulations

  • 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.
  • Hunters must remove tree stands daily, and windshield card number must be displayed on tree stand.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Note the tree stand rule for the site.
  • Firearm
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained via statewide lottery.
    • Note the tree stand rule for the site.
    • Site closed to all other activities during this season.
  • Muzzleloader
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained via statewide lottery.
    • Site closed to all other activities during this season.

Turkey

  • Spring
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained via statewide lottery.
    • Note the tree stand rule for the site.
    • Site closed to all other activities during legal hunting hours.
  • Fall Archery
    • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Note the tree stand rule for the site.
  • Fall Shotgun
    • Fall Shotgun Turkey hunting not permitted.
  • Youth
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained via statewide lottery.
    • Note the tree stand rule for the site.
    • Site closed to all other activities during legal hunting hours.

Waterfowl

  • Seasons: Open during regular duck and goose seasons. No hunting during early teal or early goose seasons
  • Statewide regulations, but must hunt on river or contiguous flood waters
  • Hunters must sign-in/out via kiosk at office located on County Road 2400 North

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Statewide regulations apply.

Upland birds

  • Doves
    • Hunting dove management units from September 1-5 is conducted by daily drawing held at the site office each day starting at 11 am. Hunting hours are 12-5 pm.
    • Entire site can be hunted during statewide hours from September 6 to close of season.
    • Non-toxic shot is required for all dove hunting, size 6 or smaller shot.

Furbearers

  • Hunting
    • Statewide regulations
    • Rimfire rifles .22 caliber and smaller may be used from sunset to sunrise.
    • Furbearer hunting closed during Firearm Deer Season
      • Hunters with a valid, unfilled firearm deer permit for the hunt area may take coyotes during legal hours of the firearm deer season. Otherwise, the use of shotgun slugs to take furbearing mammals is prohibited on state sites.
    • Coyote and striped skunk season coincides with the statewide fox season.
    • Windshield Card required
  • Trapping
    • Trapping is permitted on designated areas. Contact site office for information.
    • Only Egg traps® , D-P (Dog-proof) Traps® , Lil Grizz Get’rs® , box traps, cage traps, and traps of similar design may be used for land sets.

Amenities

  • Shotgun shooting range (non-toxic shot only; no slugs)
  • River access locations
  • Archery range
  • Hiking trails
  • More information