Wildlife Illinois

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Applications for 2021 Firearm and Muzzleloader Deer Permit Lotteries are open!

Rock Cut State Park

Site Contact Info

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 2,570
  • Habitat: Along the Rock River, the park’s rolling plains features hardwood timber surrounding two lakes.
  • 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.
  • Hunting at this site allows hunters with disabilities an opportunity to participate in an IDNR program for managing the deer and turkey populations.
  • A day-of-the-hunt registration is located at the park office between 4 – 5 am, during which a review of site regulations and safety information is conducted prior to a daily drawing for blind sites. Pre-selected hunters and partners must be registered by 5 am. Drawing to choose blind sites will be held at 5 am each day of the hunt. Any unfilled sites will be filled by standby hunters. Hunters with disabilities will be given priority over able-bodied standby hunters. Limited number of permits available.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • 2020 Deer Hunting Procedures due to Covid-19:
    • There will be no drawing for hunters to pick sites.
    • Hunters will receive a letter with their assigned hunting site.
    • There will be no standby hunters.
    • Hunters need to have a partner (not necessarily a hunter), to help them with whatever they need.
  • Due to this site being located in a CWD positive county, all successful deer hunters must provide a CWD sample within 48 hours of harvest.
    • See here for CWD sampling vendors & barrels.
  • Firearm deer hunting for disabled individuals and their hunting partners allowed on certain dates in November. Contact site for dates.
  • Eligible hunter with disabilities must have a class P2A disability card, valid FOID card, proof of passing a Hunters Safety Course, and a current Habitat Stamp.
    • All hunting partners will be required to possess a current Illinois Hunting license, valid FOID card, proof of passing a Hunters Safety Course, and current Habitat Stamp.
  • Pre-selected hunters and partners will be required to purchase site-specific permits (valid for site’s season) for $25.00. Additional standby permits may be purchased for $5.00 (valid that day only).
  • Hunting is done from assigned designated blinds only.
  • Shotgun with slugs only; not larger than 10 or smaller than 20 gauge; not capable of holding more than 3 consecutive slugs
  • A safe range of fire has been determined for each blind site. Hunters must restrict their shots to the approved range of fire.
  • If tracking of a deer is necessary, state personnel will escort hunters to track and dispatch wounded deer.
  • Non-hunters (with the exception of non-hunting partners) are not allowed to be in the blind or in the field while the hunt is in progress.
  • The hunter and partner must wear blaze orange apparel.

Turkey

  • Fall shotgun turkey hunting for disabled individuals and hunting partners with site-specific permits allowed on certain days in November. Contact site for dates.
  • Eligible hunter with disabilities must have a class P2A disability card, valid FOID card, proof of passing a Hunters Safety Course, and a current Habitat Stamp.
    • All hunting partners will be required to possess a current Illinois Hunting license, valid FOID card, proof of passing a Hunters Safety Course, and current Habitat Stamp.
  • Pre-selected hunters and partners will be required to purchase site-specific permits for $25.00 (valid for site’s season). Standby permits may be purchased for $5.00 (valid that day only). Only hunters with disabilities possessing a valid P2A disability card are eligible to purchase any additional site-specific turkey permits for $15.00.
  • Hunting is restricted to the assigned blind sites only.
  • A safe range of fire has been determined for each blind site. Hunters must restrict their shots to the approved range of fire.
  • Turkeys of either sex may be harvested and must be brought in whole (not field dressed) to the check station.
  • Non-hunters (with the exception of non-hunting partners) are not allowed to be in the blind or in the field while the hunt is in progress.
  • The turkey hunter and partner must wear blaze orange.

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
    • For a site specific permit please contact the park office at 815-885-3311 or visit the office at 7318 Harlem Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111 
  • Hunting
    • Furbearer hunting not permitted

Amenities