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!

Sand Prairie Habitat Area

Site Contact Info

Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 316
  • Habitat: Native prairie grows upon the site’s rolling sand hills. Interspersed within the fields of established native grasses are domestic grasses and legumes along with wildlife food patches, sunflower fields, and agricultural crops. Several small wildlife ponds and wetlands are also scattered across 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.
  • Hunter should note restrictions and regulations posted at the site before hunting.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Deer hunting not permitted

Turkey

  • Turkey hunting not permitted

Waterfowl

  • Waterfowl hunting not permitted

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Squirrel hunting not permitted
  • Rabbits
    • Requires a site-specific permit. Permits are allocated by the IDNR Springfield Permit Office. Dates to submit applications for the drawing are publicly announced. Check Illinois Hunting Digest or 217-782-6384.
    • Each permit holder may be accompanied by up to 5 hunting partners.
    • Free permit hunting dates are generally 1 weekday and 1 weekend day/per week in Nov and Dec.
    • Each permit holder must complete and return a hunter harvest survey report to the IDNR.
    • Shotgun or bow with flu-flu arrow

Upland Birds

  • Dove
    • From Sept 1 – 5, hours from 12 pm – 5 pm, check-in time is 10 – 11 am
    • Dove hunting area is managed as part of the Green River SWA. A permit is required the first five days of season to be allocated by a drawing at the check-in area or site office.
    • From Sept 6 – 30, statewide regulations; Sign-in and sign-out and reporting of harvest is required at the registration box located in site parking lot.
    • A limited number of hunters are allowed to hunt on this site at one time.
    • Only non-toxic shot may be possessed when dove hunting on this site; #6 or smaller steel shot, or #7 1/2 or smaller bismuth shot
  • Pheasant and Quail
    • Special permits are issued by the IDNR Springfield Permit Office. Dates to submit applications for the drawing will be publicly announced. Check IL Hunting Digest or 217-782-6384. One permit will be issued for each hunting date. 
    • Each permit holder may be accompanied by up to 5 hunting partners.
    • Free permit hunting dates are generally 1 weekday and 1 weekend day/per week in Nov and Dec.
    • Each permit holder must complete and return a hunter harvest survey report to the IDNR.
    • Shotgun or bow with flu-flu arrows may be used to harvest pheasant or quail.

Furbearers

  • Trapping
    • Furbearer trapping not permitted
  • Hunting
    • Furbearer hunting not permitted

Amenities

  • None