ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Mitchell’s Grove Nature Preserve

Site Contact Info

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 185
  • Habitat: The site is located at the confluence of Tomahawk Creek and the Little Vermilion River and has acreages of mature second-growth forest, remnant hill prairie, and wet prairie. The terrain with its sandstone rock outcroppings is very rugged in places.
  • Digital Map
  • Printable Map

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.
  • Deer hunting only permitted at this site.
  • Must not remove deer antlers
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Hunters engaged in deer hunting with the use of a firearm are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches.
  • Tree stands must be non-piercing, portable, and tagged with the hunter’s name, address, and phone number. All stands must be removed daily.
  • Legal hunting devices as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code, Section 650.30 a)
  • Archery
    • Required to sign in prior to hunting on the sheets provided at the Mitchell’s Grove parking lot. 
    • Hunters must display and return parking passes daily.
    • Only antlerless deer may be harvested in October.
    • Either sex deer may be harvested from Nov 1 to the end of the season. 
    • Closed during statewide firearm, muzzleloader & special CWD firearm deer seasons.
    • Must check out and report harvest immediately after the conclusion of the hunt on the sheets at the Mitchell’s Grove parking lot.
  • Firearm and Muzzleloader
    • Firearm deer hunting is permitted during first and second firearm deer seasons.
    • Firearm and muzzleloader deer hunters must have a Starved Rock site-specific permit.
    • Hunters are required to check in before 5 am at the Matthiessen State Park check station.
    • If any permits are not claimed, a drawing to allocate standby permits will be held at 5:30 am.
    • Standby hunters will be allowed to enter the field after the drawing at 5:30 am & 12 pm.  
    • Bonus buck program allows the first state-issued permit to be for antlerless deer only; but after a hunter harvests that deer and checks the deer at the manned check station at Matthiessen State Park’s maintenance building, a $5.00 permit may be issued for either sex.
    • Check station closes at 6 pm.
    • All hunters must attend the safety talk before entering the field.
    • Deer harvested must be checked in/reported at the check station and must be reported as outlined in the statewide rules & regulations for reporting deer harvested during the regular statewide deer season.
  • Special CWD Season
    • Statewide regulations
    • Must have valid FOID card, current hunting license, and current habitat stamp on their person while hunting.

Turkey

  • Turkey hunting not permitted

Waterfowl

  • Waterfowl hunting not permitted

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Squirrel hunting not permitted
  • Rabbits
    • Rabbit hunting not permitted

Upland Birds

  • Upland bird hunting not permitted

Furbearers

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

Amenities

  • None