Sandy Ford Land and Water Reserve
Site Contact Info
Office phone: 815-667-4726
Office address: c/o Starved Rock SP, Box 509 Utica, IL 61373
Site coordinates: 41.19321 -88.89556
County: LaSalle
Site Superintendent (Starved Rock SP parent site)
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 203
Habitat: The site is predominantly wooded with fallow fields and hill prairies. The terrain is fairly rugged, with some steep bluffs.
Site Specific Regulations
Statewide and associated species regulations apply at the site unless noted hereafter.
The interior of the area is inaccessible by vehicle of any kind.
Hunters should note postings for restrictions, regulations, or closures.
Hunters may only possess weapons in the field during hunting hours.
It is unlawful to remove deer antlers from the site.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Only antlerless deer may be taken in October. Harvesting deer of either sex is allowed from Nov 1 to the season end.
- Hunters are required to check in prior to hunting, check out, and report harvest immediately after the hunt’s conclusion on the sheets provided at the Sandy Ford parking lot.
- Hunters must display and return parking passes daily.
- Archery deer hunting is closed during statewide firearm, muzzleloader & special CWD deer seasons.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires a site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery.
- Hunters are required to check in before 5 am at the Matthiessen State Park check station.
- A drawing to allocate standby permits will be held at 5:30 am. Standby hunters will be allowed to enter the field after drawing (5:30 am or 12 pm).
- The first state-issued permit will be for antlerless deer only, but when an antlerless deer is taken and checked at the manned check station at Matthiessen State Park’s maintenance building, the hunter may purchase a $5.00 permit for either sex.
- Check station closes at 6 pm.
- Must have a valid FOID card, a current hunting license, and a current habitat stamp
- All hunters must attend the safety talk before entering the field.
- All hunters engaged in firearm and muzzleloader deer hunting are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches while hunting.
- One non-piercing, portable tree stand or a blind is allowed per hunter. Stand or blind must be tagged with the hunter’s name, address, and phone number. Stand or blind must be removed daily.
Late Winter
Not available at this site.
Muzzleloader
Available at this site. Follows the same regulations as Firearm Deer. See the section above for more information.
Special CWD
Available at this site. Follows the same regulations as Firearm Deer. See the section above for more information.
Youth
Not available at this site.
Turkey
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except the season is closed at the site during statewide firearm, muzzleloader & special CWD deer seasons.
Fall Shotgun
Not available at this site.
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires a site-specific spring turkey permit issued via statewide lottery.
- Both spring shotgun turkey hunters and fall archery turkey hunters are required to check in prior to hunting, check out, and to report their harvest immediately after the conclusion of the hunt on the sheets at the Sandy Ford parking lot. Hunters should report the turkey as harvested on a Special Hunt Area (Sandy Ford Land & Water Reserve) and not as harvested in LaSalle County.
- Hunters must display and return parking passes daily.
Youth
Not available at this site.
Waterfowl
No waterfowl hunting permitted
Upland & Small Game
Dove
Not available at this site.
Rabbits
Not available at this site.
Squirrel
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Squirrel hunting permitted from Aug 1 through Sept 30
- Shotguns; shot must be size #6 lead or smaller or size #4 steel or smaller, or bow and arrow only.
- Required to check in prior to hunting, to check out, and to report harvest immediately after the conclusion of the hunt on the sheets provided at the Sandy Ford parking lot.
- Hunters must display and return parking passes daily.
Upland Birds
Not available at this site.
Woodcock
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Not available at this site.
Amenities
None