ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Momence Wetlands Land and Water Reserve

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Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: Total Acres – 518; Huntable Area (designated locations only) Habitat Types: Upland woods – 68; Bottomland forest/wetlands – 420; Grass meadows – 30
  • Habitat: Site characteristics- The Momence Wetlands LWR is 650 acres of mixed hardwoods, wetlands and button-bush marsh. About 1/4 of the site is in uplands with the remainder in the bottom lands. Only about 450 acres are open to hunting with the remainder in designated Nature Preserves which are not open to hunting. The Kankakee River is one of the highest quality rivers in the entire state. Enveloping both sides of the Kankakee River for 11 miles, in an area 6 miles northwest of Kankakee, the park consists of approximately 4,000 acres. Illinois Rt. 102 on the north and Illinois Rt. 113 on the south frame the park, with I-55 and I-57 both providing convenient access.

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 (even if the hunter did not hunt) or two weeks after the season closes for those seasons ending after February 1. Hunters shall forfeit their hunting privileges at the site for the following year if they fail to report by the above deadline.
  • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site
  • Some areas may only be accessible via the Kankakee River.
  • Low-water conditions in the fall can make access very difficult.
  • Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been found in Kankakee County.  It is mandatory for firearm hunters to submit a sample of their harvest, and strongly suggested for archery harvest. Further information regarding CWD, including sampling locations, can be found here.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Hunters must display Windshield Card from the Department website under the vehicle windshield, face up, with permit number visible and the pocket portion in possession while hunting at the site.
    • While CWD testing is not required for deer harvested during Archery deer season, it is strongly suggested to submit a sample to the nearest self-serve Head Drop-Off Station. (Find nearest station here).
    • No device may be used to cut or pierce the bark of a tree.
    • You must park in the designated parking lots. Access by boat is permissible.
    • Tree stands may be left up provided they are marked with your name address and phone number.
    • Coyotes, raccoons, skunks, opossum and fox may be taken by Archery deer hunters while Archery deer hunting.
  • Firearm
    • Requires site-specific permit obtained via the statewide lottery.
    • Legal hunting devices as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code, Section 650.30 a)
    • All deer harvested with a firearm in CWD monitored counties are required to be taken to the nearest check station (Find nearest station here).
    • In addition, successful applicants must obtain a free site registration permit prior to hunting. This permit must be displayed in the windshield while hunting. The site issued registration card must be in your immediate possession while hunting.
    • No device may be used to cut or pierce the bark of the tree.
    • On-site parking is limited to designated parking areas. Boat access is permissible.
    • Please report harvest and effort on permit and return to office upon completion of your hunt.
    • Please include the number of days hunted and your harvest.
    • Stands may be left up during the firearm weekends provided they are marked with your name, address, and phone number.
    • Non-hunters are not allowed into the field.

Turkey

  • Requires site-specific permit obtained via the statewide lottery.
  • Issued during winter turkey lottery for both regular and youth permits.
  • Please pick up site rules and map prior to hunting.
  • Hunters are allowed only 1 non-hunting partner that may call for the hunter.
  • Hunters must obtain a free registration permit. This permit must be displayed in the windshield while hunting. Your site registration permit must be in your immediate possession.
  • You must park in the designated parking lots. Boat access is permissible.

Waterfowl

  • Hunting by permit only, boat blinds only, sites awarded annually the fourth weekend in July.
  • Site permits issued to successful applicants.
  • Non-hunters are not allowed into the field.
  • There are 6 boat blind sites available for waterfowl hunting. Two are readily accessible via the main channel and 4 are within potholes in the interior of the property. A drawing will be held annually to allocate these positions in conjunction with the Kankakee River Waterfowl blinds on the last Saturday in July.
  • Waterfowl hunting is only allowed from anchored boat blinds from within 10 feet of designated locations.
  • No more than 3 persons shall occupy or use a portable boat blind on this site.
  • Each hunting party is required to hunt over a minimum of 12 decoys. The decoys must be picked up at the end of each days hunt.
  • The site will be closed to waterfowl hunting during the Firearm Deer Seasons.
  • Hunters successful in obtaining a blind through the drawing must register and obtain a free permit from District Wildlife Biologist prior to hunting. Hunters must return the permit and a record of their harvest and efforts by February 15 after the close of the Central Canada Goose Season. Failure to do so will result in loss of hunting privileges the next hunting year at this site.
  • Waterfowl hunting is closed during the firearm deer seasons.
  • Duck and goose season are only allowed during the central duck and Canada goose seasons respectively.
  • Hunting is permitted within 10 feet of marked blind sites from boat blind or portable ground blind only.
  • No on site cutting of local plants to build or brush your boat blind.
  • The site will be closed to all goose hunting that falls past the regular Central Canada Goose Hunting Season.
  • There is no early Teal Season at this site.
  • There is no early Canada Goose Season at this site or Snow Goose Season beyond the close of the Central Canada Goose Season.
  • Youth Waterfowl season is held the weekend preceding the Central Zone duck opener – follow statewide regulations. Blind holders have preference.

Squirrels

  • Season is from the day after Labor Day to September 30 and following the close of all deer seasons until statewide close.
  • You may use air rifles .25 caliber or smaller.
  • The Red squirrel, a protected species, is found on the area. Do not shoot this small tree squirrel.

Furbearers

  • Hunting
    • Archery only
    • Coyote, fox (red and grey), raccoon, skunk, and opossum may be taken during their respective seasons that fall within the archery deer hunting season
    • Statewide hours
  • Trapping
    • Not permitted.

Amenities

  • None