Announcements
Ward’s Grove Nature Preserve
Site Contact Info
Office phone: 815-745-3302
Office address: c/o Apple River Canyon State Park, 8763 E. Canyon Rd., Apple River, IL 61001
Site coordinates: 42.32015 -89.94186
County: Jo Daviess
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 337
Habitat: The site is composed of upland forest with wooded ridges and ravines.
Site Specific Regulations
Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
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.
The area is closed to non-hunters during all firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD, and muzzleloader) and closed until 1 pm during turkey shotgun seasons (youth and spring), except a non-hunting adult may accompany a young hunter during youth deer season.
Hunting is not allowed within 100 yards of a residence. Signs have been posted defining this restriction and are shown on the site map.
No ground fires or camping allowed.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- All firearm deer hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit for Ward’s Grove NP allocated by the Springfield permit office. 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 allowed during 1st or 2nd deer hunting season.
- Limited number of hunters allowed.
Late Winter Antlerless
Not available at this site.
Muzzleloader
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Special Hunt Area permit is required. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county. County permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
- Muzzleloader permit is invalid during 2nd portion of firearm season.
- Muzzleloader hunting is allowed during 2nd portion of muzzleloader season.
- Limited number of hunters allowed.
Special CWD
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Special Hunt Area permit is required for hunting deer during CWD season. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county. County permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
- Antlerless deer only
- Limited number of hunters allowed.
Youth Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Only young Jo Daviess Co. permit holders who contact the site office will be issued youth deer hunting permissions.
- May harvest antlered or antlerless deer.
- The area is closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons, except a non-hunting adult may accompany and supervise a youth during youth deer hunting season.
- Deer hunters must harvest antlerless deer only, except youth (see above).
- Hunter may use one non-piercing, portable tree stand and must remove the stand from the tree at the end of the day.
- Windshield card required.
Turkey
Not available at this site.
Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Hunting
Not available at this site.
Trapping
Not available at this site.
Amenities
None