Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

Apply for your Deer Firearm/Muzzeloader Permit beginning March 8, 2022!

Sahara Woods State Recreation Area

Site Contact Info

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 3,800
  • Habitat: The area was a former surface mine which consists of spoil ridges interspersed with timber, grasslands, small ponds and a large lake.
  • 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.
  • Portable tree stands may be left on site from September 15-January 31, but must be removed before the last date.
    • Stands must have the hunter’s windshield card number displayed OR owner’s name, address, and telephone number
  • No off-road vehicle access
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Statewide regulations
  • Firearm
  • Muzzleoader

Turkey

  • Spring
  • Fall Gun
  • Fall Archery
    • Statewide Regulations

Waterfowl

  • No waterfowl hunting offered

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Statewide regulations
  • Rabbits
    • Statewide regulations

Upland Birds

  • Dove, Quail, Pheasant
    • Statewide regulations

Furbearers

  • 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.
    • Windshield Card required
  • Trapping
    • Statewide regulations
    • Site specific permit required

Amenities