ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

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Apply now for a Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader Permit!

Winston Tunnel State Natural Area

Site Contact Info

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.
  • 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 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.
  • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
  • 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.
  • Species-specific rules:

Deer

  • Archery
    • Closed during firearm deer seasons (youth, firearm, CWD and muzzleloader)
  • Firearm
    • 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.
  • Muzzleloader
    • 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
  • Youth
    • Young Jo Daviess County permit holders who contact the site office may be issued a youth deer hunting season permit.
  • Special CWD Season
    • 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

Turkey

  • Fall Archery
    • Closed during firearm deer hunting seasons
  • Fall Shotgun
    • Jo Daviess County permit is required during fall shotgun turkey hunting.
  • Spring
    • Must have a Special Hunt Area permit. Special Hunt Area permits not valid anywhere else in the county;county permits not valid for the Special Hunt Area
  • Youth
    • During youth turkey hunting season (spring), only Jo Daviess County permit holders who contact the site office will be issued a youth season.
    • A non-hunting supervising adult may accompany a youth during youth season.

Waterfowl

  • Waterfowl hunting not permitted

Squirrels/Rabbits

  • Squirrels
    • Statewide regulations except closed during firearm deer seasons
    • Shotgun or bow and arrow
    • Windshield card required
  • Rabbits
    • Statewide regulations except closed during firearm deer seasons
    • Shotgun or bow and arrow
    • Windshield card required

Upland Birds

  • Dove
    • Dove hunting not permitted
  • Quail
    • Quail hunting not permitted

Furbearers

  • Trapping
    • Furbearer trapping not permitted
  • Hunting
    • Statewide regulations
    • 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

Amenities

  • None