ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Apply now for a Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader Permit!

Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area

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Site Characteristics

  • Huntable acres: 2,800
  • Habitat: site is located in the Lower Mississippi River Bottomlands Division of Illinois. The topography is relatively flat with numerous shallow sloughs and other water areas scattered throughout the area. More prominent water areas include Grassy Lake with 350 acres and Lyerla Lake with 275 acres. 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.
  • All hunters must sign-in and sign-out and report harvest each day at the registration boxes before leaving the 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.
  • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
  • All waters that are open to fishing close on October 16-the last day of February, both dates are inclusive
  • Night hunting is prohibited
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Hunting is allowed in the Controlled Area October 1-31.
    • Hunting is allowed in the Firing Line Unit during the statewide season
  • Firearm and Muzzleloader
    • Allowed only in the Firing Line Unit during the statewide season
    • Hunting is permitted on the refuge portion of the site during the first Friday and Saturday in November; Must apply for a site specific permit during the statewide lottery

Turkey

  • Spring
    • Statewide regulations for the Firing Line Unit and Controlled Hunting Area
  • Fall Archery
    • Statewide regulations for the Firing Line Unit. Controlled Hunting Area open Oct 1- Oct 31
  • Fall Firearm
    • Statewide regulations for the Firing Line Unit.

Waterfowl

  • 2020 Waterfowl Hunting Procedures:
    • Hunters must park in the corresponding position number (1-20) on their permit.
    • Hunters must remain in their vehicles at all times. 
    • Staff will direct hunters to pull up to the selection area and select a blind off the board (the hunters will have 23 blinds to select from). 
    • Hunters will receive a copy of the rules and regulations, site map, and blind specific map, then be required to leave the area and head to their blind. 
    • Hunting ends at 12:00pm and the gates will be closed at 12:30pm.
    • All hunters must complete harvest report cards at the end of each day’s hunt. 
    • Only one vehicle allowed per permit holder.
  • The Controlled Hunting Area is located on the south end of the site. Controlled Hunting Area blinds/stakes are allocated through the online permit reservation system and the daily draw. A $10 daily permit must be purchased. Blinds will be assigned by a daily drawing and hunters will be transported to the blinds/stakes.
  • Hunters with permit reservations are required to check in at the check station between 4:30 and 5:00 am. Permits are void after 5:00 am.
  • The Firing Line Unit is open on to a daily drawing held at the site maintenance building 1 hour prior to shooting time. No less than 2 and no more than 4 hunters per party. Hunters must hunt within 50 yards of their assigned stake
  • Must use at least 6 decoys
  • During the regular duck season hunters may not possess more than 25 shotshells
  • Hunting hours end at 12 pm. and hunters must be out of the area by 1 pm.
  • The Firing Line Unit is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and December 24-28.
  • The site is closed to any goose hunting in September
  • Teal hunting is allowed in the Firing Line Unit only
  • The Controlled Hunting Area and Firing Line Unit are open to any goose season that occurs after the regular Canada goose season. Goose hunters may not possess more than 5 shotshells per Canada goose allowed in the daily limit
  • Youth hunters require a permit for the hunt issued for the hunt on December 28th. Hunting hours are from legal opening-noon. Each youth shall not possess more than 25 shotshells.

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Allowed in the Controlled Hunting Area August 1-October 31
    • The Firing Line Unit is open for the statewide season
    • Hunting is to be done with a shotgun with non-toxic shot or a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire only
  • Rabbits
    • The Firing Line Unit is open for the statewide season

Upland Birds

  • Dove
    • Non-toxic shot only
    • Controlled Hunting Area
    • (shooting hours from noon to 5 p.m., September 1-5 and sunrise to sunset from September 6-October 28)
  • The Firing Line Unit is open for the statewide season

Furbearers

  • Hunting
    • Furbearer hunting not offered
  • Trapping
    • Statewide regulations
    • Site specific permit required. 
    • 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

Amenities