Tapley Woods State Natural Area
Site Contact Information
Office Phone: 815-745-3302
Office Address: c/o Apple River Canyon SP, 8763 E. Canyon Rd, Apple River, IL 61001
Site Coordinates: 42.35384 -90.29335
County: Jo Daviess
Site Superintendent (Apple River Canyon State Park Parent Site)
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 259
Habitat: Very steep, unglaciated ridges are timbered, with mature oak and hickory as the dominant tree species. Undergrowth is dense which makes walking difficult.
Site Specific Regulations
Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
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.
Area is closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons (youth, firearm, CWD, and muzzleloader), and the area is closed until 1 pm during turkey firearm seasons (spring and youth).
Ground fires and camping not permitted.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Archery deer hunting is closed during firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD, and muzzleloader hunting seasons).
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- For all firearm deer seasons, hunters must obtain a special-hunt-area permit. Special-hunt-area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county. County permits are not valid for the special hunt area.
- Firearm deer hunting is permitted during first and second deer seasons.
- Muzzleloader deer hunting is only permitted during the 2nd portion of muzzleloader deer hunting season.
- Muzzleloader-only deer hunting permit is invalid during the 2nd portion of the firearm deer season.
- Youth deer hunters must hold a Jo Daviess Co. permit and must contact the site office to be issued a youth season permit (free site hunting permit, windshield card).
- One non-piercing, portable tree stand is allowed per hunter. Stand must be removed at the end of each day’s hunt.
Late Winter Antlerless
Not available at this site.
Muzzleloader
Not available at this site.
Special CWD
Not available at this site.
Youth Firearm
Not available at this site.
Turkey
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Archery hunting is closed during all firearm deer seasons.
Fall Shotgun
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Turkey hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit for Tapley Woods SNA, allocated through the statewide lottery. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county. County permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Turkey hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit for Tapley Woods SNA, allocated through the statewide lottery. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county. County permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
Youth Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Must hold a Jo Daviess Co. permit and must contact the site office to be issued a youth season permit (free site hunting permit, windshield card).
- Area closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons (Youth, Firearm, CWD, and Muzzleloader) and until 1 pm during turkey firearm seasons.
Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland/Small Game
Controlled Pheasant Hunting
Not available at this site.
Crow
Not available at this site.
Dove
Not available at this site.
Pheasant/Quail/Partridge
Not available at this site.
Rabbits
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Rabbit hunting closed during all firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD, and muzzleloader)
- Rabbit hunting can only be done with shotgun or bow and arrow.
Squirrels
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Squirrel hunting closed during all firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD, and muzzleloader)
- Squirrel hunting can only be done with shotgun or bow and arrow.
Woodcock
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Hunting
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- 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
Not available at this site.
Amenities
None