Announcements
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area
Site Contact Info
Office phone: 618-629-2320
Office address: 11094 Ranger Rd., Whittington, IL 62897
Site coordinates: 38.12491 -88.94032
County: Franklin
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 1,500
Habitat: This recreational area consists of has gently rolling topography that is bordered by Rend Lake. The lake access makes for great camping and day use area opportunities. The Habitat of this site mainly consists of oak/hickory woodlands, small prairie grass fields, fallow fields, and agriculture fields that are border by heavy fence rows. This site diverse habitats provides excellent opportunities for deer, turkey, and the very popular controlled pheasant hunting program.
Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
Site Specific Regulations
Statewide and associated species regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
Hunters must remove tree stands daily
No ATV access.
Parking in designated areas only.
Regular, muzzleloader, and late-winter firearm deer hunting is NOT permitted at this site.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- No hunting is allowed on the days the site is open to controlled pheasant hunting
- All archery hunting is located on the east side of the Main North/South Road through park.
- All hunters must check-in and check-out daily and report their harvest at the check station box
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
Disabled Firearm Season
- The first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November
- Permit applications may be obtained from the site office and completed applications must be returned to that office by October 1st.
- All initial permits will be issued as antlerless only; hunters must harvest an antlerless deer on site before they can purchase an either-sex site-specific permit; hunters must check antlerless deer with site staff for verification to get the either-sex permit
- Disabled hunters must possess a Class P2A disability card or a Veteran’s Administration issued card or letter designating a 10% or more service-connected disability in order to be eligible for the drawing. All participating hunters must show proof of passing the Illinois Hunter Safety Course or an equivalent State program for nonresidents
- Special Deer Hunt All permtitees must call the site office on October 1, between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00 pm to be added to the list of applicants. Drawing held at 12:30pm on Oct. 1
- Standby hunting is available, permit holders must register at the site office by 5:00 am each day of the hunt. Unfilled permits are void after 5:00 am. Vacancies each day will be filled by a drawing held at 5:00 am. Disabled vacancies may be filled by any qualifying disabled person holding a valid hunting license, Habitat Stamp, and Firearm Owner Identification Card, unless exempt. Standby hunters will be issued a one-day site-specific deer permit at the site office, and charged a permit fee of $5.
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:
- No hunting is allowed on the days the site is open to controlled pheasant hunting
- All bow hunting is located on the east side of the Main North/South Road through park.
- All hunters must check-in and check-out daily and report their harvest at the check station box
Fall Shotgun
Not available at this site
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery required
- A windshield parking permit, site map, hunting regulations and hunter harvest report will be mailed to each successful permit holder prior to the season
Spring Youth
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery required
- A windshield parking permit, site map, hunting regulations and hunter harvest report will be mailed to each successful permit holder prior to the season
Waterfowl
Not available at this site
Upland & Small Game
Controlled Pheasant
Available at this site. For further information on controlled pheasant hunting at this site, see the Controlled Pheasant Hunting webpage.
Crow
Not available at this site
Dove
Not available at this site
Upland Birds
Not available at this site
Rabbits
Not available at this site
Squirrels
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Only open the east side of the main road.
- Shotgun hunting only.
Woodcock
Not available at this site
Youth Pheasant
Available at this site. For further information, see the Youth Controlled Pheasant Hunting webpage.
Furbearers
Not available at this site