Vesely/Wilmington Shrub Prairie State Natural Area
Site Contact Info
Office phone: (815) 423-5326
Office address: c/o Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area 24621 N River Rd, Wilmington, IL 60481
Site coordinates: 441.28004, -88.1529
County: Will
Site Maps
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 305
Habitat: The area is dominated by open habitats, such as native prairie, cool season grasslands and agricultural fields and contains woodlands and wetlands.
Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site, including prescribed burning.
Site Specific Regulations
Statewide and associated species 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.
CWD has been present in Will County. Firearm hunters must physically report their harvest to the nearest check station for sampling. While CWD testing is not required for deer harvested during Archery deer season, it is strongly suggested to submit a sample to the nearest self-serve Head Drop-Off Station. For more information, contact the District Wildlife Biologist, or visit our CWD webpage.
Only 4 hunters maximum at any given time are allowed to hunt on the site per day.
Only portable, non-piercing tree stands are allowed. Stands must be removed daily.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Statewide permit required.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Firearm deer hunting is allowed during the first and second firearm seasons only.
- Requires a site-specific special hunt area permit issued through the statewide lottery.
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
Not available at this site.
Fall Shotgun
Not available at this site.
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires a site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery.
- Turkey hunting is not permitted on the nature preserve portion of the site.
Youth Spring
Not available at this site.
Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Not available at this site.
Amenities
None