ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

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Apply now for a Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader Permit!

Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area

Site Contact Info

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 1,000
  • Habitat: A combination of bottomland bordering the south fork of the Saline River adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest. The rugged rock hills are heavily timbered with springs, rocky creeks and the lake furnishing water for wildlife. Forest game, including deer and squirrel, inhabit the timbered areas, and also use food plots managed by site staff.  Several open fields bordering the river are surrounded by brushy areas providing cover for quail and rabbits. Waterfowl also use the bottomland areas when the streams overflow and water is available. Cover plantings have been made to reduce the size of open fields and increase habitat for many species of wildlife. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
  • 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.
  • Hunters may leave tree stands unattended from September 15 – January 31. Stands must be legibly marked with owner’s name, address and telephone number.
  • No off-road vehicle access
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

Archery

  • Statewide regulations

Firearm

  • Statewide regulations

Muzzleloader

  • Statewide regulations

Late Winter Antlerless Only

  • Site is open for Late-Winter Anterless Only when announced via public announcement
  • County permit is required

Turkey

Spring

  • Statewide regulations

Fall Gun

  • Statewide regulations

Fall Bow

  • Statewide regulations

Waterfowl

  • Statewide regulatons

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Statewide regulations
  • Rabbits
    • Statewide regulatons

Upland Birds

  • Quail, Woodcock
    • Statewide regulations
  • Dove
    • Dove hunting hours will be noon to 5:00 p.m. opening day, Wednesdays, and Saturdays only.  Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. If more than 50 hunters register by 11:30 a.m. a lottery drawing will be held

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
    • Site specific permit required. Contact site for more information

Amenities