Section 510.10  General Site Regulations

a)         Regulations

All the regulations cited in this Part apply to all Department species rules, unless the species rule is more restrictive.

b)         Definitions

1)         Unauthorized person – any individual who is not a Department employee or an individual who is not present for the purpose of hunting or trapping.

2)         Designated area – a defined location at a site with a set boundary within which only a specified recreational activity such as hunting or trapping may take place during a publicly announced time period.

3)         Hunting/Trapping area – any portion of a site where actual hunting and/or trapping takes place.  It does not include places such as parking lots, check stations, pavilions, or picnic areas associated with a hunting/trapping area.

4)         Restricted area – a defined location at a site with a set boundary within which hunting and/or trapping is prohibited.

5)         Refuge area – a defined location at a site with a set boundary within which no public activity or presence is allowed, except as authorized by the Department when it is determined that activity such as nature studies, hiking, fishing or camping would not be detrimental to the purpose of the refuge.

6)         Adult – a person 18 years of age or older.

7)         Waterfowl rest area – a defined location at a site with a set boundary within which no public activity or presence is allowed for a specified period of time, except as authorized by the Department.

8)         Hunter or trapper quota – The maximum number of hunters or trappers that can be accommodated at a site at any one time.  Hunter and trapper quotas are determined by the formula of one hunter or trapper per 10-40 huntable acres.  The number of huntable acres is determined by, but not limited to, the biological studies on the number of available animals within a species, the condition, topography and configuration of the land at the site, the condition of the roads at the site and the number of employees available to work at the site.

9)         Publicly announced – The information referred to will be included on the Department's Internet Home Page at http://dnr.state.il.us, published in Outdoor Illinois, provided to outdoor writers for newspapers, and placed on the Department's Toll Free Hotline.

c)         It shall be unlawful:

1)         For any person to possess any alcoholic beverage while in any hunting/trapping area for the purpose of hunting or trapping.

2)         To hunt or trap on any site with a manned check station without first declaring game killed on a previous hunt and in possession either on the hunter's person or in his vehicle.

3)         To construct or use any tree stand using nails, screws or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed.

4)         To hunt or trap in a restricted area.

5)         For unauthorized persons to use or occupy in any manner designated hunting areas during the permit dove hunting season and controlled pheasant hunting season at sites holding such seasons, or during any hunting season where such restrictions are so posted at the site, when authorized hunting is in progress.

6)         To enter a refuge, restricted area or waterfowl rest area unless authorized by the Department.

7)         To hunt or trap on any Department-owned or -managed land that is not a designated area pursuant to applicable species rules (17 Ill. Adm. Code 530, 550, 570, 590, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 710, 715, 720, 730, and 740).

8)         To buy, sell or commercialize hunting or trapping rights, directly or indirectly, except that this does not apply to Department of Natural Resources hunting or trapping fees or to the operation of controlled pheasant hunting on Department lands pursuant to a written concession agreement.

9)         To hunt or trap without a valid permit where permits are required.

10)         To hunt with any weapon except shotgun or bow and arrow unless otherwise specified.

11)         To track deer with dogs on any Department owned or managed site during hours when deer hunting is being conducted on the site. 

12)         To use or occupy a ground blind during any firearm deer season, unless at least 400 square inches of solid, vivid blaze orange material is securely attached to the uppermost portion of the blind and a substantial amount of orange is visible for 360 degrees.

d)         Specific Management Procedures

1)         Specific management procedures will be posted at either check stations or site parking lots at the site so the procedures will be visible to the public.

2)         Where there is a check station in operation, or where designated, hunters must sign in and/or sign out, and report their kill within fifteen minutes, or as posted, after completing their hunt.  Some areas require the wearing of a back patch and depositing hunting license (or Firearm Owner's Identification card if the hunter is exempt from buying a license).

3)         In the event that Department budget reductions or site staffing reductions make the operation of check stations impractical, State sites that now require check stations and other restrictive hunter regulations may be opened to statewide regulations or closed to hunting by posting such notice at the site.

4)         At sites where windshield permits are issued, such permits must be displayed in a location visible through the windshield of the vehicle while hunting.

5)         Department will have the authority to issue site specific deer permits in addition to any other deer  permits issued by the Department (see Parts 650, 660, 670 and 680); and to designate the sex of deer (antlered or antlerless) that hunters may harvest through site-specific regulations.

6)         All hunter or trapper quotas are filled on a first come-first served basis unless a drawing or special permit is used.  The Department shall use a special permit or drawing whenever past hunter or trapper participation at a particular site reveals that the demand exceeds the quota established by the Department.  Hunters or trappers will be notified as expeditiously as possible through site postings, news releases or public announcements when quotas are established.

7)         During pheasant, rabbit, quail and partridge season, hunters and trappers are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches while trapping or hunting pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge, rabbit, snipe, rail and woodcock.

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 12126, effective June 28, 2006)