Announcements

Habitat: Volo Bog State Natural Area is home to the only open-water quaking bog in Illinois, and the Moraine Hills area contains kettle-moraine topography. Huntable areas include marshes, prairie restoration areas, woodlands of mixed hardwoods. The park also consists of floating mat of sphagnum moss, cattails and sedges surrounding an open pools of water in the center of a the bog areas.

Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site, including prescribed burning.

Site Specific Application

Archery Deer Application

Site/Species Specific Regulations

Statewide and associated species regulations, in accordance with the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, apply at site unless noted hereafter.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been found in the park. Hunters will need to provide samples to the district wildlife biologist. Having a harvested deer sampled is free to the hunter and very simple. Certain local vendors may take samples, and self-serve head drop-off barrels are stationed conveniently at Moraine Hills State Park, Volo Bog State Natural Area, and Chain O’ Lakes State Park.

Hunters must hunt in designated areas only and must park in specified parking lots.

If it is necessary to track a deer onto private property, the hunter must first notify the site office and must obtain permission from the landowner. All property surrounding the hunting area is privately owned.

Deer

Archery

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:

Dates: Statewide Season, Fridays through Tuesdays, except during Firearm deer season.
Permits: Hunting periods will be filled through a mail-in drawing. Applications are available at Moraine Hills State Park and Volo Bog State Natural Area. Applications must be received at the Moraine Hills Park Office by Aug 31st to be eligible for the drawing. Successful applicants will be notified by email before September 15th. You will be required to sign in and out, and report harvests at the kiosks found in each designated parking area. Failure to report will result in loss of hunting privileges.
Hunting Area: Hunting is restricted to designated areas only (see maps). Hunters may only hunt in their assigned zone. Hunters are allowed to share access with one other hunter to hunt their assigned zone with them; however, they are responsible for making sure the other hunter follows site rules. Under each permit, only two hunters are allowed in the field at a time. It is unlawful to drive deer, or participate in a deer drive, on all Department-owned or -managed properties. Hunters are required to hunt from elevated stands which are a 6 foot minimum above ground. Tree stands and climbing devices must be portable, may not cut or pierce the tree bark, but do not have to be removed at the end of each day. All trails are open to hikers during the archery hunting season, therefore stands and gut piles must be a minimum of 75 yards from designated trails. All stands must be tagged with site issued permit number on weatherproof material. Pruning branches up to 1 1/2 inches is allowed on the stand tree only.
If you are disabled and possess a Class P2O (previously a P2) or a Class P2A card, and require accommodations. Please contact the Moraine Hills State Park Office at 815-385-1624, during the application period 15 July to 31 August. We will make every attempt to accommodate your hunt.
Scouting: Preseason scouting is allowed until September 31^st in your assigned hunting area. Any further scouting should be conducted during your hunting permit dates.
Parking: You must park in designated parking lots only. No parking is allowed along roadways.
Tracking: If it is necessary to track a deer onto private property, you must first notify the site office and obtain permission from the landowner. All property around the park is privately owned; please respect the rights of others.
Unlawful: Plastic markers and flagging tape are prohibited. Spectators are not allowed on the area.
Hazards: Bog soil is unstable, poison sumac is hazardous in winter. Controlled burning, for habitat management purposes, may be used in your hunting zone.

Firearm

Not available at this site.

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:

Dates: Statewide Season, Fridays through Tuesdays, except during Firearm deer season.
Permits: Hunting periods will be filled through a mail-in drawing. Applications are available at Moraine Hills State Park and Volo Bog State Natural Area. Applications must be received at the Moraine Hills Park Office by Aug 31st to be eligible for the drawing. Successful applicants will be notified by email before September 15th. You will be required to sign in and out, and report harvests at the kiosks found in each designated parking area. Failure to report will result in loss of hunting privileges.
Hunting Area: Hunting is restricted to designated areas only (see maps). Hunters may only hunt in their assigned zone. Hunters are allowed to share access with one other hunter to hunt their assigned zone with them; however, they are responsible for making sure the other hunter follows site rules. Under each permit, only two hunters are allowed in the field at a time. It is unlawful to drive deer, or participate in a deer drive, on all Department-owned or -managed properties. Hunters are required to hunt from elevated stands which are a 6 foot minimum above ground. Tree stands and climbing devices must be portable, may not cut or pierce the tree bark, but do not have to be removed at the end of each day. All trails are open to hikers during the archery hunting season, therefore stands and gut piles must be a minimum of 75 yards from designated trails. All stands must be tagged with site issued permit number on weatherproof material. Pruning branches up to 1 1/2 inches is allowed on the stand tree only.
If you are disabled and possess a Class P2O (previously a P2) or a Class P2A card, and require accommodations. Please contact the Moraine Hills State Park Office at 815-385-1624, during the application period 15 July to 31 August. We will make every attempt to accommodate your hunt.
Scouting: P Preseason scouting is allowed until September 31st in your assigned hunting area. Any further scouting should be conducted during your hunting permit dates.
Parking: You must park in designated parking lots only. No parking is allowed along roadways.
Tracking: If it is necessary to track a deer onto private property, you must first notify the site office and obtain permission from the landowner. All property around the park is privately owned; please respect the rights of others.
Unlawful: Plastic markers and flagging tape are prohibited. Spectators are not allowed on the area.
Hazards: Bog soil is unstable, poison sumac is hazardous in winter. Controlled burning, for habitat management purposes, may be used in your hunting zone.

Fall Shotgun

Not available at this site.

Spring

Not available at this site.

Youth Spring

Not available at this site.

Waterfowl

Not available at this site.

Upland/Small Game

Not available at this site.

Furbearers

Furbearer Hunting

Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:

Coyote hunting only.
Open only to deer hunters with unfulfilled permits during all deer seasons open at the site.

Furbearer Trapping

Not available at this site.

Amenities

Hiking Trails

Hunting

More information