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!

Prairie Ridge State Natural Area

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 455 (Archery Deer Hunting) or 2916 (Firearm Deer Hunting)
    • Habitat: Prairie Ridge SNA contains native tall-grass prairies and marshlands. Great care is taken to ensure the continued protection and presence of a number of endangered species. Prairie Ridge has the distinction of having the state’s only breeding population of the state-endangered greater prairie-chicken.

    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 should avoid disturbance to the natural community due to the presence of endangered species and must use extreme care not to injure non-targeted species.
    • Hunters must not enter restricted areas. No hunting is allowed at the land sections owned by the Illinois Audubon Society, which are the Robert Ridgeway Grassland and the Graber Grassland.
    • A person must gain permission from site manager to enter area, except an archery deer hunter during season at selected tract and a firearm deer hunter with valid site-specific permit (Prairie Ridge SNA) during his or her firearm deer hunting season.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • One non-piercing, portable tree stand or ground blind is allowed per hunter.
    • Legal hunting devices as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code, Section 650.30 a)
    • Stands and ground blinds may be left unattended from September 15 to January 31 and must be marked with owner’s name, address and telephone number.
    • Ground blinds, if used during firearm or muzzleloader deer seasons, must display blaze orange, visible from all directions.

    Archery

    • Archery deer hunting is open on 4 selected tracts only. (See map.)
    • Archery deer hunting is closed during the statewide firearm deer seasons, but continues through the youth, muzzleloader, and late winter deer seasons.

    Firearm

    • A site-specific permit, issued for Prairie Ridge SNA, is required. 
    • Only selected tracts at this site are open for the firearm deer season.

    Muzzleloader

    • Only select tracts are open to firearm deer hunting.
    • A site-specific permit is required.
    • Muzzleloader deer season is closed during the second firearm deer season.
    • Only selected tracts at this site are open for deer hunting.

    Youth

    • Youth Deer Hunters must have a valid youth “Over The Counter” permit for Prairie Ridge State Natural Area (PRSNA).
    • Youth deer hunters are encouraged to contact the site for information regarding the hunt.

    Turkey

    • Turkey hunting is not permitted.

    Waterfowl

    • Waterfowl hunting is not permitted.

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrel and rabbit hunting are not permitted.

    Upland Birds

    • Upland bird hunting is not permitted.

    Furbearers

    • Furbearer trapping and furbearer hunting are not permitted.

    Amenities

    • None