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 the season is closed during firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD and muzzleloader).
Statewide permit required.
Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires a site-specific special hunt area permit issued through the statewide lottery.
- Firearm deer hunters may hunt the 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 the muzzleloader hunting season.
- Requires a site-specific special hunt area permit issued through the statewide lottery.
- Not allowed during the 2nd portion of the firearm deer hunting season.
Special CWD
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires a site-specific special hunt area permit issued through the statewide lottery.
- Windshield cards required.
Youth Firearm
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply.
A youth deer hunting permit is required.
Turkey
Fall Archery
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except that the season is closed during firearm deer hunting seasons.
Fall Shotgun
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except that requires a site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery.
Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- Requires a site-specific permit issued through the statewide lottery.
Youth Spring
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- During youth turkey hunting season, only youth hunters with Jo Daviess County permits, who contact the site office, will be issued a youth season permissions.
- A non-hunting, supervising adult may accompany a youth during youth season.
A youth turkey hunting permit is required.
Waterfowl
Not available at this site.
Upland & Small Game
Dove
Not available at this site.
Rabbits
Available at this site. Statewide regulations apply, except:
- The season is closed during firearm deer seasons.
- Shotgun or bow and arrow only.
Squirrels
Available at this site. Follows the same regulations as Rabbits. See the section above for more information.
Upland Birds
Not available at this site.
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 is 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.
Trapping
Not available at this site.
Amenities
None