Spoon River State Forest
Site Contact Info
Office phone: 309-879-2607
Office address: c/o Snakeden Hollow SFWA, 1936 State Rt 167, Victoria, IL 61485
Site coordinates: 40.95357 -90.07884
County: Knox
Site Superintendent (Snakeden Hollow Parent Site)
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 1,680
Habitat: Part of the Snakeden Hollow complex, the site is characterized by grasslands, brushy draws, and hardwood forest. Some acreage is in agricultural leases managed for wildlife habitat.
Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
Site Specific Application
Disabled Firearm Deer Hunting Application
Site Specific Regulations
Statewide and associated species regulations apply at the site unless noted hereafter.
The site requires the use of a windshield card, displayed on the vehicle dashboard, to report hunting effort and harvest by 15 February.
Hunters under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Only turkey hunters who hold permits are allowed on the site before 1 pm during spring turkey season.
Only one tree stand or ground blind is allowed per deer hunter. Tree stands and ground blinds must be portable. Tree stands and ground blinds may be left unattended from September 15 through January 31, but must be legibly marked with the owner’s name, address, and telephone number, or site-assigned identification number.
Must observe parking lot restrictions; maximum of 5 vehicles per lot.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except that the site is closed to archery deer hunting during firearm deer seasons.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except that the site requires a site-specific permit issued via statewide lottery. This permit is only valid for the specific site and season indicated on the permit.
Late Winter Antlerless
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except only if the county is open for the late winter season, which is publicly announced by 1 Oct. each year.
Muzzleloader
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- The site requires a site-specific permit issued via statewide lottery. This permit is only valid for the specific site and season indicated on the permit.
- The site is closed to muzzleloader hunting during the second firearm deer season.
Special CWD
Not available at this site.
Youth Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Disabled Outdoor Opportunity Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
- The hunt is held on the 1st Saturday and Sunday in October, following the completion of the youth firearm deer season.
- Each hunter can be accompanied by one non-hunting partner.
- Hunters wishing to participate must contact the Jubilee College State Park office at (309) 446-3758. Applications will be accepted beginning the 1st Tuesday of September through the last Friday of September. The application can be viewed in the Site Specific Applications section above.
- Hunters must check in, check out, and report harvest.
Turkey
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Fall Shotgun
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except that a Knox County Turkey permit is required. County-specific permits are issued via statewide lottery.
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- The site requires a site-specific permit issued via statewide lottery. This permit is only valid for the specific site and season indicated on the permit.
- Hunters must observe parking lot restrictions: A maximum of 2 vehicles per lot during the spring season.
Spring Youth
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- A Knox County Youth Turkey permit is required. Inquire at the site for details.
- Hunters must observe parking lot restrictions: A maximum of 2 vehicles per lot during the spring youth hunt.
Waterfowl
Ducks, Coots, & Mergansers
Not available at this site.
Goose
Not available at this site.
Snipe & Rail
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Youth Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Dove
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except hunters may use non-toxic shot only.
Upland Birds
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Non-toxic shot only.
- During muzzleloader, late-winter, and youth deer season, hunters must wear a solid blaze orange cap and an upper garment of at least 400 square inches.
Rabbits
Available at this site. Follows the same regulations as Upland Birds. See the section above for more information.
Squirrels
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Hunting with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms, .25 caliber or smaller air rifles, or muzzleloading black powder rifles is allowed.
- During muzzleloader, late-winter, and youth deer season, hunters must wear a solid blaze orange cap and an upper garment of at least 400 square inches.
Woodcock
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Furbearers
Hunting
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except that furbearer hunting is closed during Firearm Deer Season, aside from persons in possession of a valid unfilled firearm deer permit that may take a coyote.
Furbearer Trapping
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- A site-specific permit is required.
- Furbearer trapping permits are allotted annually by site drawing at the Snakeden Hollow SFWA office on the opening day of goose season at 10 am. Persons participating in the drawing must have either a current or previous year trapping license. Permit applicants must submit their name and address to the site prior to drawing. Permits must be in possession while trapping in the area.
- Only Egg Traps®, D-P (Dog-Proof) Traps®, Lil Grizz Get’rz®, box traps, cage traps, and traps of similar design may be used for land sets.
- Only body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of 5 inches or less, foothold traps with a jaw spread of 4½ inches or less, and square body-gripping traps with a 10-inch jaw spread may be used for water sets.
- Snares may be used for water sets.