Announcements
Apply now for a Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader Permit!
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 Superintendent
- District Wildlife Biologist
- Conservation Police
Site Characteristics
- Huntable acres: 337
- Habitat: The site is composed of upland forest with wooded ridges and ravines.
- Digital Map
- Printable Map
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.
- Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
- 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.
- Species-specific rules:
Deer
- Archery
- Statewide regulations
- Firearm
- 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
- Muzzleloader
- 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 Season
- 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
- Only young Jo Daviess Co. permit holders that contact the site office will be issued a youth deer hunting season.
- 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
- Turkey hunting not permitted
Waterfowl
- Waterfowl hunting not permitted
Squirrels/Rabbits
- Squirrels
- Squirrel hunting not permitted
- Rabbits
- Rabbit hunting not permitted
Upland Birds
- Dove
- Dove hunting not permitted
- Quail
- Quail hunting not permitted
Furbearers
- Trapping
- Furbearer trapping not permitted
- Hunting
- Furbearer hunting not permitted
Amenities
- None