Announcements
Winston Tunnel State Natural Area
Site Contact Information
Office Phone: 815-745-3302
Office address: c/o Apple River Canyon SP, 8763 E. Canyon Rd, Apple River, IL 61001
Site coordinates: 42.33412 -90.38569
County: Jo Daviess
Site Superintendent (Apple River Canyon Parent Site)
Site Map
Site Characteristics
Huntable acres: 207
Habitat: The site is characterized by a mixture of steep timbered slopes and bluffs with less steep timbered areas interspersed with grassy openings.
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 and visible on vehicle dashboard, and the pocket portion in possession while hunting, and a hunter must report hunting effort and harvest by 15 February.
Hunting is not allowed in restricted areas near the mouth of the Winston Tunnel and near neighboring residences.
No ground fires or camping allowed
Area is closed to non-hunters during deer firearm seasons (youth, firearm, CWD and muzzleloader) and until 1 pm during turkey firearm seasons (youth and spring). A supervising, non-hunting adult may accompany during youth hunting seasons.
Deer
Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Closed during firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD and muzzleloader)
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county. County permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area.
- Firearm deer hunters may hunt 1st or 2nd firearm deer season.
Late Winter Antlerless
Not available at this site.
Muzzleloader
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Allowed during the 2nd portion of muzzleloader hunting season
- Must have a muzzleloader-only permit
- Not allowed during the 2nd portion of firearm deer hunting season
Special CWD
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Must have a Special Hunt Area permit
- One non-piercing, portable tree stand is allowed per permit holder or archer. Tree stands must be removed from the tree at the end of each day’s hunt.
- Windshield cards required.
Youth Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Young Jo Daviess County permit holders who contact the site office may be issued a youth deer hunting season permit.
Turkey
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Closed during firearm deer hunting seasons
Fall Shotgun
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Jo Daviess County permit is required during fall shotgun turkey hunting.
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Must have a Special Hunt Area permit. Special Hunt Area permits are not valid anywhere else in the county; county permits are not valid for the Special Hunt Area
Youth Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- During youth turkey hunting season (spring), only Jo Daviess County permit holders who contact the site office will be issued a youth season permit.
- A non-hunting, supervising adult may accompany a youth during youth season.
Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Controlled Pheasant Hunting
Not available at this site.
Crow
Not available at this site.
Dove
Not available at this site.
Upland Birds
Not available at this site.
Rabbits
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Statewide regulations except closed during firearm deer seasons.
- Shotgun or bow and arrow.
- Windshield card required.
Squirrels
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Statewide regulations except closed during firearm deer seasons.
- Shotgun or bow and arrow only.
- Windshield card is required.
Woodcock
Not available at this site.
Furbearers
Hunting
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Rimfire rifles .22 caliber and smaller may be used from sunset to sunrise.
- Furbearer hunting closed during Firearm Deer Season
- Hunters with a valid, unfilled firearm deer permit for the hunt area may take coyotes during legal hours of the firearm deer season. Otherwise, the use of shotgun slugs to take furbearing mammals is prohibited on state sites.
- Coyote and striped skunk season coincides with the statewide fox season.
- Windshield Card required.
Trapping
Not available at this site.
Amenities
None