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!

Mississippi River Pools

    Pools 12, 13, 14

    Pools 12, 13, and 14 are part of the USFWS Upper Mississippi River Refuge system (contact USFWS for more information)

    Pool 15

    Limited hunting opportunity is present at Pool 15 and is manages by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information, click here

    Pool 16

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 4492
    • Habitat: Timbered islands with sheltered shallow bays, channels and potholes which provide hunting for puddle ducks. Diving ducks frequent the deeper waters and main channel. Bottomland forests exist, which provide deer and squirrel hunting. Most access is by boat only.
    • Location: On the Illinois side of the Mississippi River from Lock and Dam 16 to the I-280 bridge.
      • Upper Pool Area consists of Pool 16 above Velie Chute (RM 466 on north and RM 468.4 on south) excluding Goose Pond and Sunfish Slough (Blinds 257-274) and Milan Bottoms (shoreline areas above RM 475).
      • Andalusia Refuge is west of Loud Thunder Forest Preserve next to and including Dead Slough between river miles 462 and 463.

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • Andalusia Refuge: No fishing, hunting, trapping or walking on this area from Oct 1- Dec 31
    • Except for waterfowl, no hunting within 100 yards of occupied duck blinds
    • No fishing allowed within 250 yards of occupied duck blinds during the waterfowl season
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Statewide regulations
    • One non-piercing, portable tree stand or ground blind per hunter. Stand must be identified with hunter’s name and address.

    Turkey

    • Statewide regulations
    • Open for Spring, Fall Shotgun and Fall archery

    Waterfowl

    • Statewide regulations; exceptions listed below
      • Teal:
        • Statewide regulations except that teal hunting is not restricted to blind sites
      • Early goose:
        • Statewide regulations. Hunting from a completed blind or staked site is waved
    • Youth waterfowl:
      • Statewide regulations
      • Youth 16 years or younger shall be under direct supervision of a non-hunting adult.
    • Waterfowl hunting restricted to legal registered blind sites, except scull boat hunting allowed pool wide; Open hunting allowed in the Upper Pool Area only
    • Maintain minimum distance of 200 yards between hunting parties
    • All hunting parties shall hunt over a spread of at least 12 decoys. Decoys will be staked, placed, or floating; individually visible; at least 8 inches long; and not within a boat, blind or container.
    • Blinds:
      • Blind construction and maintenance info is available in the Waterfowl Specific Regulations section or contact the site.
      • No weed or brush control around any blind without receiving prior approval from IDNR.
      • Blind builders must occupy their blind site ½ hour before the opening shooting hour each day to claim the blind site for that day; After this time, unoccupied blind sites will be available to anyone.
      • No hunting party shall remain in a blind after having taken its daily bag limit of ducks or more than 15 minutes after close of shooting hours on the area.
      • No person shall lock a blind.
      • No person shall claim, or attempt to claim, a blind which is legally occupied or harass, in any manner, the occupants of a blind which has been legally occupied.

    Blind Allocation

    • Blind sites are determined by IDNR and marked by a numbered stake; after which it is the blind builder’s responsibility to see that the blind site has a visible number.
    • Blind sites will be allocated for a 2 year period.
    • Time and place of the public drawing for blind sites will be publicly announced by IDNR.
    • Registrants for a drawing must be at least 16 years of age, possess a current or preceding year’s Illinois hunting license or sportsman’s license (not youth license), a current or preceding year’s Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (unless exempted by law), and photo ID.
    • Persons exempted by law from possessing a hunting license or waterfowl stamp must have a valid photo identification (examples: current FOID Card or driver’s license). 
    • Applicants must be present for the registration and drawing to be eligible for allocation of a duck blind site.
    • The 1st name drawn shall have 1st choice of available sites, 2nd name 2nd choice, etc. until all sites are allocated.
    • Blind sites not allocated at the public drawing will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the District office on the Monday following the public drawing from 8 am – 12 pm. Phone: (815) 273-2733
    • Blinds must be completed, including final brushing, 3 weeks before opening day. Blind inspections will occur at this time. The primary blind builder will receive either a blind card or a rejection letter depending on pass/fail determination.
    • Blinds not completed by 3 weeks before opening day will be allocated to alternates. Alternates will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the District office 12 days before opening day of duck season from 8 am – 12 pm. Phone: (815) 273-2733
    • Blind builders shall have until 7 days after the next season’s blind drawing date to salvage materials from blind sites. After that date, blind materials on the site become the property of the new builder(s).
    • No more than 3 people can register for 1 blind
    • May not register as a blind builder or as a partner for more than 1 blind site on all waterfowl management areas managed by IDNR.

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Rabbits
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Upland Birds

    • Dove
      • Statewide regulations
      • Non-toxic shot required.
    • Pheasant, Quail, and Hungarian partridge
      • Although hunting is allowed, habitat suitable for these species is virtually nonexistent and hunting of these species on this are is considered very poor.
      • Statewide regulations

    Falconry

    • Statewide regulations apply.

    Furbearers

    • Trapping
      • Statewide regulations
      • No hunting within 100 yards of occupied blind
      • USFWS trapping permit required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges
    • 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.
      • Groundhog hunting permitted
      • No hunting within 100 yards of occupied blind

    Amenities

    • None

    Pool 17

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 2,883
    • Habitat: Deep water and main channel as well as timbered islands with sheltered shallow bays, channels and potholes. Bottomland forests, with the majority of this habitat located on islands and shoreline with extremely limited land access. Most access is by boat only.

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site
    • Except for waterfowl, no hunting within 100 yards of occupied duck blinds
    • No fishing within 250 yards of occupied duck blinds during waterfowl season
    • Be mindful Pool 17 boundaries do NOT correlate with County boundaries.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Statewide regulations
    • Reminder: Tree stand regulations strictly enforced see Ad Rule 650.60 c)

    Turkey

    • Statewide regulations
    • County boundaries do not correspond with upstream and downstream boundaries of the pool

    Waterfowl

    • Statewide regulations; except hunting is not restricted to blind sites during Teal or Early/late Goose seasons
    • Youth waterfowl:
      • Statewide regulations
      • Hunt held on weekend preceding duck season opener
      • Youth 16 years or younger shall be under direct supervision of a non-hunting adult.
    • All waterfowl hunting must be done from within the blind; except scull boat hunting is allowed.
    • Scull boats may not approach closer than 200 yards to a completed blind or areas posted as closed to scull boat hunting
    • Maintain minimum distance of 200 yards between hunting parties
    • All hunting parties shall hunt over a spread of at least 12 decoys. Decoys will be staked, placed, or floating; individually visible; at least 8 inches long; and not within a boat, blind or container
    • Blinds:
      • Blind construction and maintenance info is available in the Waterfowl Specific Regulations section or contact the site.
      • No weed or brush control around any blind without receiving prior approval from IDNR
      • Blind builders must occupy their blind site ½ hour before the opening shooting hour each day to claim the blind site for that day; After this time, unoccupied blind sites will be available to anyone
      • No hunting party shall remain in a blind after having taken its daily bag limit of ducks or more than 15 minutes after close of shooting hours on the area
      • No person shall lock a blind
      • No person shall claim, or attempt to claim, a blind which is legally occupied or harass, in any manner, the occupants of a blind which has been legally occupied.

    Blind Allocation

    • Blind sites are determined by IDNR and marked by a numbered stake; after which it is the blind builder’s responsibility to see that the blind site has a visible number.
    • Blind sites will be allocated for a 2 year period.
    • Time and place of the public drawing for blind sites will be publicly announced by IDNR.
    • Registrants for a drawing must be at least 16 years of age, possess a current or preceding year’s Illinois hunting license or sportsman’s license (not youth license), a current or preceding year’s Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (unless exempted by law), and photo ID.
    • Persons exempted by law from possessing a hunting license or waterfowl stamp must have a valid photo identification (examples: current FOID Card or driver’s license). 
    • Applicants must be present for the registration and drawing to be eligible for allocation of a duck blind site.
    • The 1st name drawn shall have 1st choice of available sites, 2nd name 2nd choice, etc. until all sites are allocated.
    • Blind sites not allocated at the public drawing will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the District office on the Monday following the public drawing from 8 am to 12 pm. Phone: 309-246-2487
    • Blinds must be completed, including final brushing, 3 weeks before opening day. Blind inspections will occur at this time. The primary builder will receive a blind card or rejection letter depending on pass/fail determination.
    • Blinds not completed by 3 weeks before opening day will be allocated to alternates. Alternates will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the District office 12 days before opening day of duck season, or the next business day if a holiday, from 8 am – 12 pm. Phone: 309-879-2169
    • Blind builders have 7 days after the next season’s blind drawing date to salvage materials from blind sites. After that the materials become property of the new builder.
    • No more than 3 people can register for 1 blind.
    • May not register as a blind builder, or as a partner, for more than 1 blind site on all waterfowl management areas managed by IDNR.

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Rabbits
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Upland Birds

    • Dove, Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, and Quail
      • Statewide regulations
      • Although hunting is allowed, habitat suitable for these species is virtually nonexistent and hunting of these species on this area is considered very poor.

    Falconry

    • Statewide regulations apply.

    Furbearers

    • Trapping
      • Statewide regulations apply.
      • No trapping within 100 yards of occupied blinds
      • USFWS trapping permit required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges
    • Hunting
      • Statewide regulations
      • Rimfire rifles .22 caliber and smaller may be used from sunset to sunrise.
        • Furbearer hunting closed during Firearm Deer SeasonHunters 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.
      • Groundhog hunting permitted
      • No hunting within 100 yards of occupied blind

    Amenities

    • None

    Pool 18

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 5,173
    • Habitat: Deep water and main channel as well as timbered islands with sheltered shallow bays, channels and potholes. Bottomland forests exist with the majority of this habitat located on islands and shoreline with extremely limited land access. Most access is by boat only.
    • Digital Map
    • Printable Map

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • Oquawka Refuge, located east of Lock and Dam 18, may not be entered from Oct 1 – Dec 31. Vehicle traffic is prohibited year round.
    • Boston Bay: Hunters may select their own site and construct a temporary blind, except that no blind may be constructed within 200 yards of another blind.
      • In the event that 2 or more blinds are found to be closer than 200 yards, all such blinds will be declared illegal and none may be used until all have met minimum spacing requirements.
      • All blinds must be of a portable nature or constructed with natural vegetation located at a blind site and must be removed or dismantled at the end of the day’s hunt.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Hunting boundaries do not correspond with county boundaries
    • Reminder: Tree stand regulations strictly enforced see Ad Rule 650.60 c)

    Turkey

    • Statewide regulations apply.
    • County boundaries do not correspond with upstream and downstream boundaries of the pool

    Waterfowl

    • Statewide regulations, except hunting is not restricted to blind sites during Teal or Early/late Goose seasons
    • Youth waterfowl:
      • Statewide regulations
      • Hunt held on weekend preceding duck season opener
      • Youth 16 years or younger shall be under direct supervision of a non-hunting adult.
    • All waterfowl hunting must be done from within the blind, except scull boat hunting is allowed
    • Scull boats may not approach closer than 200 yards to a completed blind or areas posted as closed to scull boat hunting.
    • Maintain minimum distance of 200 yards between hunting parties.
    • All hunting parties shall hunt over a spread of at least 12 decoys. Decoys will be staked, placed, or floating; individually visible; at least 8 inches long; and not within a boat, blind or container.
    • Blinds:
      • Blind construction and maintenance info is available in the Waterfowl Specific Regulations section or contact the site.
      • No weed or brush control around any blind without receiving prior approval from IDNR.
      • Blind builders must occupy their blind site ½ hour before the opening shooting hour each day to claim the blind site for that day; After this time, unoccupied blind sites will be available to anyone.
      • No hunting party shall remain in a blind after having taken its daily bag limit of ducks or more than 15 minutes after close of shooting hours on the area.
      • No person shall lock a blind.
      • No person shall claim, or attempt to claim, a blind which is legally occupied or harass, in any manner, the occupants of a blind which has been legally occupied.

    Blind Allocation

    • Blind sites are determined by IDNR and marked by a numbered stake; after which it is the blind builder’s responsibility to see that the blind site has a visible number.
    • Blind sites will be allocated for a 2 year period.
    • Time and place of the public drawing for blind sites will be publicly announced by IDNR. More information can be found on the Waterfowl page.
    • Registrants for a drawing must be at least 16 years of age, possess a current or preceding year’s Illinois hunting license or sportsman’s license (not youth license), a current or preceding year’s Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (unless exempted by law), and photo ID.
    • Persons exempted by law from possessing a hunting license or waterfowl stamp must have a valid photo identification (examples: current FOID Card or driver’s license). 
    • Applicants must be present for the registration and drawing to be eligible for allocation of a duck blind site.
    • Blind sites not allocated at the public drawing will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the District office on the Monday following the public drawing from 8 am to 12 pm. Phone: 309-246-2487
    • Blinds not completed by 3 weeks before opening day will be allocated to alternates. Alternates will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis by calling the District office 12 days before opening day of duck season from 8 am – 12 pm. Phone: 309-879-2169
    • Blinds must be completed, including final brushing, 3 weeks before opening day. Blind inspections will occur at this time. The primary builder will receive a blind card or rejection letter depending on pass/fail determination.
    • Blind builders have 7 days after the next season’s blind drawing date to salvage materials from blind sites. After that the materials become property of the new builder.
    • No more than 3 people can register for 1 blind.
    • May not register as a blind builder, or as a partner, for more than 1 blind site on all waterfowl management areas managed by IDNR.

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Rabbits
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Upland Birds

    • Dove, pheasant, woodcock, Hungarian partridge, snipe, rail, crow, and quail
      • Statewide regulations apply.
      • Although hunting is allowed, habitat suitable for these species is virtually nonexistent and hunting of these species on this area is considered very poor.

    Falconry

    • Statewide regulations apply.

    Furbearers

    • Trapping
      • Statewide regulations apply.
      • No trapping within 100 yards of occupied blinds
      • USFWS trapping permit required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges
    • 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.
      • Groundhog hunting permitted
      • No hunting within 100 yards of occupied blind

    Amenities

    • Boat ramp

    Pool 21

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    • Huntable acres: 8,536
    • Habitat: Primarily islands, bays and potholes. Private inholdings exist. Not all public areas are designated by signage. Refer to maps. 
    • Digital Map
    • Printable Map – Shows Federal land blind boundaries and site locations

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 8,536
    • Habitat: Primarily islands, bays and potholes. Private inholdings exist. Not all public areas are designated by signage. Refer to maps. 
    • Digital Map
    • Printable Map – Shows Federal land blind boundaries and site locations

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • Lymenstull Waterfowl Rest Areas: No trespassing Sept 1 – Mar 31
    • Long Island and Bear Creek Divisions of the USFWS Great River NWR: Have more restrictive hunting and trapping regulations which can be found at: http://fws.gov/midwest/greatriver or by calling (573) 847-2333
    • Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Unit: Closed to all access from 2 pm – 4 am during regular duck season
    • Cabin site leases and inholdings exist. No hunting within 300 yards of these locations.
    • All hunting is to be with shotgun, handgun (deer only), .22 rimfire, muzzleloader, archery, air rifle, and .17 caliber rimfires allowed (no centerfire rifles allowed).
    • Tree stands must be portable and removed from the area at the end of each day’s hunt. Only one stand may be used and must be labeled with hunter’s name, address, and phone number.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Legal hunting devices as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code, Section 650.30 a)

    Turkey

    • Statewide regulations apply.

    Waterfowl

    • The Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Unit (Pool 21) is closed to all access from 2pm to 4am during the regular duck season. Also, waterfowl hunting is NOT allowed from temporary blinds in the Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Unit. 
    • Waterfowl hunting is restricted to marked blind/hunting sites except during September Canada Goose and Teal seasons and after regular Canada Goose season (i.e., snow goose).
    • Blind/hunting sites are allocated by way of public drawing conducted on third Sunday in July on odd-numbered years. Blind/hunting sites are allocated for a 2-year period.
    • Shooting hours end in Blinds 1-25 at 1pm daily during regular duck season only.
    • Hunting from portable blinds or anchored boats is allowed on River Miles 332.5 to 340.5. and hunting parties must be separated by a minimum of 200 yards west of Long Island.
    • Blind/hunting sites not occupied by the registered blind builders ½ hour before shooting time may be claimed by another hunter.
    • Flood Rules commence at Moderate Flood Stage: (applies to all areas except the Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Unit). Pool 21: Quincy gauge; 22.0 feet. Hunting may take place from any location, first-come, first-serve basis. Hunting parties must stay 200 yards apart.
    • The Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Unit is closed to trapping during the regular duck season.
    • More Waterfowl Hunting Information

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Rabbit
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Upland Birds

    • Dove, Woodcock, Snipe, Rail
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Furbearers

    • Trapping
      • Statewide regulations apply.
        • Quincy Bay waterfowl management unit is closed to trapping during the regular duck season.
      • USFWS trapping permit required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges
    • 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.
      • Groundhog hunting permitted
      • No hunting within 100 yards of occupied blind

    Amentites

    • Fishing

    Pool 22

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 6,861
    • Habitat: Deep water and main channel as well as timbered islands with sheltered shallow bays, channels and potholes. Bottomland forests exist with the majority of this habitat located on islands and shoreline with extremely limited land access. Most access is by boat only.
    • Digital Map
    • Printable Map – Shows Federal land blind boundaries and site locations

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • Cabin site leases and inholdings exist. No hunting within 300 yards of these locations.
    • All hunting is to be with shotgun, handgun (deer only), .22 rimfire, muzzleloader, archery, air rifle, and .17 caliber rimfires allowed (no centerfire rifles allowed).
    • Tree stands must be portable and removed from the area at the end of each day’s hunt. Only one stand may be used and must be labeled with hunter’s name, address, and phone number.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Shotgun, handgun (no centerfire rifles), muzzleloader, or archery

    Turkey

    • Statewide regulations apply

    Waterfowl

    • Hunting is allowed from portable blinds or anchored boats, in Illinois waters, maintaining >200 yard intervals for the entire pool except for river miles 309-314 north of Schuck Island to the north end of Armstrong Island.
    • For river miles 309-314, waterfowl hunting is restricted to marked blind/hunting sites except during September Canada Goose and Teal seasons and after regular Canada Goose season (i.e., snow goose).
    • Blind/hunting sites are allocated by way of public drawing conducted on the third Sunday in July on odd-numbered years. Blind/hunting sites are allocated for a 2-year period.
    • Blinds not occupied by the registered blind builders ½ hour before shooting time may be claimed by another hunter.
    • Flood Rules commence at Moderate Flood Stage: Pool 22: Hannibal gauge; 22 feet. Hunting may take place from any location, first-come, first-serve basis. Hunting parties must stay 200 yards apart.
    • More Waterfowl Hunting Information

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrel
      • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Rabbit
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Upland Birds

    • Dove, Woodcock, Snipe, Rail
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Furbearers

    • Trapping
      • Statewide regulations apply.
      • USFWS trapping permit required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges
    • 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.
      • Groundhog hunting permitted
      • No hunting within 100 yards of occupied blind

    Amentites

    • Fishing

    Pool 24

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 10,211
    • Habitat: Deep water and main channel as well as timbered islands with sheltered shallow bays, channels and potholes. Bottomland forests exist with the majority of this habitat located on islands and shoreline with extremely limited land access. Most access is by boat only.

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • Cabin site leases and inholdings exist. No hunting within 300 yards of these locations.
    • All hunting is to be with shotgun, handgun (deer only), .22 rimfire, muzzleloader, archery, air rifle, and .17 caliber rimfires allowed (no centerfire rifles allowed).
    • Tree stands must be portable and removed from the area at the end of each day’s hunt. Only one stand may be used and must be labeled with hunter’s name, address, and phone number.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Shotgun, handgun (no centerfire rifles), muzzleloader, or archery

    Turkey

    • Statewide regulations apply.

    Waterfowl

    • Waterfowl hunting is restricted to marked blind/hunting sites (see digital map above) except during September Canada Goose and Teal seasons and after regular Canada Goose season (i.e., snow goose).
    • Blind/hunting sites are allocated by way of public drawing conducted on the third Sunday in July on odd-numbered years. Blind/hunting sites are allocated for a 2-year period.
    • Hunting is allowed from portable blinds or anchored boats, in Illinois waters, maintaining >200 yard intervals, west of Denmark Island (river miles 291- 294.5).
    • Blind/hunting sites not occupied by the registered blind builders ½ hour before shooting time may be claimed by another hunter.
    • Flood Rules commence at Moderate Flood Stage: Pool 24: Louisiana gauge; 20.0 feet. Hunting may take place from any location, first-come, first-serve basis. Hunting parties must stay 200 yards apart.
    • More Waterfowl Hunting Information

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Statewide regulations apply.
    • Rabbit
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Upland Birds

    • Dove, Woodcock, Snipe, Rail
      • Statewide regulations apply.

    Furbearers

    • Trapping
      • Statewide regulations apply.
      • USFWS trapping permit required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges
    • 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.
      • Groundhog hunting permitted
      • No hunting within 100 yards of occupied blind

    Amentites

    • Fishing
    • Camping (restricted to Bear Creek Public Use Area at River Mile 341).