Section 530.10  Statewide General Regulations

 

a)         Game breeding and hunting preserve areas licensed pursuant to Section 3.27 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/3.27] and managed pursuant to Sections 3.28 and 3.29 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/3.28 and 3.29] are exempt from all provisions in this Part except for those pertaining to rabbit and crow in Section 530.20, 530.60, and the provisions of Section 530.10(b) pertaining to holders of Standing Vehicle Permits.

 

b)         Holders of Standing Vehicle Permits issued by the Department pursuant to Section 2.33 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/2.33] shall be permitted to carry a loaded and uncased shotgun in or on a vehicle or conveyance under the following conditions:

 

1)         the permittee must be in the field legally hunting pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge or rabbit;

 

2)         the shotgun's mechanical safety must be functioning and engaged while the vehicle or conveyance is moving;

 

3)         the vehicle or conveyance must be operated by a responsible person other than the permittee;

 

4)         the permittee, the vehicle or conveyance operator, and any other persons in the hunting party must wear a blaze orange or blaze pink cap;

 

5)         the vehicle must be operated at a normal walk speed of no greater than 5 mph; and

 

6)         The vehicle or conveyance must be constructed so:

 

A)        it puts the permittee forward of the vehicle operator; and

 

B)        the permittee is in a securely fastened chair or seat.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11656, effective September 2, 2025)

 

Section 530.20  Statewide Cock Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, Bobwhite Quail, and Cottontail and Swamp Rabbit Regulations

 

a)         Zones:  South zone consists of all lands south of the line that follows U.S. Route 36 from the Indiana State line to Springfield, all lands west of the line that follows Route 29 from Springfield to Pekin and all lands south of the line that follows Route 9 from Pekin to Dallas City, then due west to the Mississippi River; north zone is the remainder of the State.

 

b)         Season dates:

 

1)         North (all species except rabbits) – first Saturday in November through the following January 8.

 

South (all species except rabbits) – first Saturday in November through the following January 15.

 

Rabbits statewide – the first Saturday in November through the following February 15.

 

2)         Hunting outside the set season dates is a petty offense.

 

c)         Hunting hours:  Sunrise until sunset.

 

d)         Daily limit:

 

1)         Cock Pheasant – 2 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.6)

 

Bobwhite Quail – 8 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.7

 

Hungarian Partridge – 2 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.13)

 

Rabbit – 4 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.27)

 

2)         Exceeding the daily limit is a petty offense.

 

e)         Possession limit (after the second day of the hunting season):

 

1)         Cock Pheasant – 6 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.6)

 

Bobwhite Quail – 20 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.7)

 

Hungarian Partridge – 6 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.13)

 

Rabbit – 10 (see 520 ILCS 5/2.27)  

 

2)         Exceeding the possession limit is a petty offense.

 

f)         Cock pheasant may be hunted only; hen pheasants are illegal to take or possess, except as specified on controlled hunting areas operated pursuant to Sections 1.13 or 3.27 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/1.13 or 3.27] or at sites listed in Section 530.105 and as provided for on designated sites in Section 530.110, and by falconry methods as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1590, Falconry and the Captive Propagation of Raptors.  Illegal taking of hen pheasants is a petty offense (see 520 ILCS 5/2.6).

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11656, effective September 2, 2025)

 

Section 530.30  Statewide Hungarian Partridge Regulations (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 8 Ill. Reg. 21574, effective October 23, 1984)

 

Section 530.40  Statewide Bobwhite Quail Regulations (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 8 Ill. Reg. 21574, effective October 23, 1984)

 

Section 530.50  Statewide Rabbit Regulations (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 8 Ill. Reg. 21574, effective October 23, 1984)

 

Section 530.60  Statewide Crow Regulations (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 18 Ill. Reg. 12628, effective August 9, 1994)

 

Section 530.70  Permit Requirements for Fee Hunting of Pheasant, Quail and Rabbit at Controlled Permit Hunting Sites

 

a)         Applicants must contact the Department of Natural Resources (Department or DNR) to obtain a permit reservation.  Applications for reservations on public/private partnership areas will be accepted on July 1. Should the concessionaire, for any reason, fail to operate the concession, applicants must contact the DNR.  Applications for reservations on areas operated by DNR will be accepted on the first Monday of August until 24 hours before the last hunt date.  Methods for making reservations are available on the Department's Website at:  www.dnr.illinois.gov, by email at:  dnr.pheasant@illinois.gov or by writing to the Department's Division of Parks and Recreation-Pheasant at the address cited in subsection (c).  Only applications for reservations submitted by Illinois residents will be accepted during the first application period.  Reservations will be confirmed.

 

b)         Permits will be issued until the daily quota is filled.  The daily quota is determined by the formula one hunter per 10 to 80 huntable acres.  Huntable acres are determined by, but not limited to, the biological studies on the number of the species available, 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.

 

c)         For all DNR operated sites the permit is valid for the permit holder and up to three hunting partners.  The hunting partners cannot hunt without the permit holder being present to hunt.  Methods for changing hunting reservations and transferring permits will be provided on the Department's Website at: www.dnr.illinois.gov, by email at:  dnr.pheasant@illinois.gov or by writing to:

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Division of Parks and Recreation − Pheasant 

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield IL  62702-1271

 

d)         Reservations for pheasant hunting may be issued by the Department for Chain O'Lakes State Park, Des Plaines Conservation Area, Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake), Iroquois County Conservation Area, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Kankakee River State Park, Lee County Conservation Area (Green River), Moraine View State Park, Sand Ridge State Forest, Silver Springs State Park and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park.

 

e)         The Department will operate a conveyance or authorize a conveyance to be used for disabled hunters possessing a current Standing Vehicle Permit at some controlled pheasant hunting sites. Reservations for Disabled Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permits must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the hunt.  Sites where the conveyance will be available, as well as dates of operation, shall be provided on the Department's Controlled Pheasant Hunting Website and/or publicly announced.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11656, effective September 2, 2025)

 

Section 530.80  Regulations for Fee Hunting of Pheasant, Quail and Rabbit at Controlled Permit Hunting Sites

 

a)         Hunting Seasons:

 

1)         The following controlled pheasant hunting areas shall be closed to pheasant permit hunting on every Monday and Tuesday during the controlled hunting season (except as provided in subsection (a)(3)) and on December 25. 

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake)

 

Iroquois County State Conservation Area

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit

 

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park

 

Kankakee River State Park

 

Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River State Wildlife Area)

 

Moraine View State Park

 

Sand Ridge State Forest

 

Silver Springs State Park

 

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park (Rend Lake)

 

2)         The following controlled pheasant hunting areas are open only to participants in the Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunting Program on the first Saturday following the opening of the statewide upland game season.  Exceptions are in parentheses.

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake)

 

Iroquois County State Conservation Area

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit (Conducted on first Saturday of Upland Game Season)

 

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park

 

Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River State Wildlife Area)

 

Kankakee River State Park

 

Moraine View State Park

 

Sand Ridge State Forest

 

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park (Rend Lake)

 

3)         Controlled pheasant hunting seasons are listed below; exceptions are in parentheses; with written authorization from the Director, captive-reared game bird hunting may be scheduled during the season provided for in Section 1.13 or 2.6 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5], whichever is longer, on the following DNR operated areas:

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park (closed the week of the November 3-day firearm season) – Friday through Sunday beginning with the Friday before the first Saturday in November through the seventh Sunday following, except Wednesday through Sunday during the week of Thanksgiving Day

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area (closed during the November 3-day firearm deer hunting), Iroquois County State Conservation Area (closed during the November firearm deer hunting season), Silver Springs State Park and Moraine View State Park – the Wednesday before the first Saturday of November through the ninth Sunday following

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park – the Wednesday following the first Saturday of November through the ninth Sunday following

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit (closed during the November and December firearm deer hunting season), Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park (closed New Year's Day and the Thursday and Friday after the first Saturday in November when the first Saturday in November is November 1 through 3), Kankakee River State Park (closed New Year's Day) – season dates are those specified in Section 530.20

 

Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River) (closed the weeks of the November 3-day and December 4-day firearm deer seasons) – Friday through Sunday beginning with the Friday before the first Saturday in November through the seventh Sunday following

 

Sand Ridge State Forest – Fridays through Sundays and Thanksgiving Day during the season dates specified in Section 530.20

 

b)         Hunting hours are listed below.  On Thanksgiving Day, hunting hours are 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Hunters with reservations are required to check in at the check station on the following sites at the listed times.  Hunters with reservations that check in after the required check-in time may not be allowed to hunt if the site hunter quota has been filled.

 

Site Name	Check-In Times	Hunting Hours
Chain O'Lakes State Park	7:00-8:00 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Des Plaines State Conservation Area	7:00-8:00 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Eldon Hazlet State Park	7:00-8:00 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
(Carlyle Lake)
Iroquois County State Conservation Area	8:00-8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (Controlled Unit)	8:00-8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park	8:00-8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Kankakee River State Park	8:00-8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River State Wildlife Area)	8:00-8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Moraine View State Park	7:00-8:00 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sand Ridge State Forest	8:00-8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Silver Springs State Park	8:00-8:30 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park (Rend Lake)	7:00-8:00 a.m.	9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

 

c)         Except for Standing Vehicle Permittees with a Disabled Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permit, during the controlled pheasant hunting season when daily quotas are not filled, permits may be issued, but not required, by drawing held at the conclusion of check‑in time and if daily quotas remain unfilled at the conclusion of the drawing, on a first come-first served basis until 9:00 a.m. unless an earlier time is posted at the site's hunter check station at the following sites:

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park

 

Iroquois County State Conservation Area

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park

 

Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River)

 

Kankakee River State Park

 

Moraine View State Park

 

Sand Ridge State Forest

 

Silver Springs State Park

 

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

 

d)         Hunting licenses, daily "Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants" fees and hunting permit fees collected by public/private partnership area concessionaire:

 

1)         Depending on the availability of staff during the controlled pheasant hunting season, hunters may be required to deposit their hunting license in the check station while hunting.  Persons exempt by law from having a hunting license must deposit their Firearm Owner's Identification Card.  If they are under 21 years old and do not have a card, they must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or a person in loco parentis who has a valid card in possession.

 

2)         Pursuant to Section 1.13 of the Wildlife Code, at Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River), hunters must pay the following daily Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants fee to the Department prior to hunting:  $34 residents; $39 non-residents.  On the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day, hunters under 18 are not required to pay the daily Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants fee.

 

3)         Pursuant to Section 1.13 of the Code, at Des Plaines State Conservation Area, Iroquois County State Conservation Area, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Kankakee River State Park, Moraine View State Park, Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake), Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park and Sand Ridge State Forest, hunters must pay the following daily Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants fee to the Department prior to hunting:  $30 residents; $35 non‑residents.  On the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day and the Saturday between Christmas Day and New Year's Day, hunters under 18 are not required to pay the daily Public Hunting Grounds for Pheasants fee.

 

4)         Hunters must pay the following hunting permit fees to be collected by the public/private partnership area concessionaire under the terms of a Controlled Pheasant Hunting Agreement with the Department prior to hunting.  On youth hunting days requested by the concessionaire and authorized by the Department, hunters under the age of 18 are not required to pay a hunting permit fee.

 

e)         During the controlled pheasant hunting season, hunters must wear a back patch issued by the check station.

 

f)         Anyone who has killed game previously and has it in possession or in their vehicle must declare it with the person in charge of the area during check-in.  All game found in a hunter's possession after hunting has started on the area shall be considered illegally taken if the hunter has not declared it prior to going afield.

 

g)         All hunting must be done with shotguns or bow and arrow.  Only shot shells with a shot size of No. 5 lead or a non-toxic shot size ballistically equivalent to No. 5 lead or smaller may be used, except at Chain O' Lakes State Park, Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Lee County Conservation Area (Green River), Silver Springs State Park, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park and Eldon Hazlet State Park where only nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be possessed and only shot shells with a shot size ballistically equivalent to No. 5 lead or smaller may be used or in possession.  Flu flu arrows only may be used or in possession by bow and arrow hunters.

 

h)         Non-hunters are not allowed in the field, except at special hunts publicly announced by the Department where non-hunters authorized by the Department shall be allowed in the field, and except for operators of Department conveyances and Standing Vehicle Permittees and a single dog handler for the Permittee.

 

i)          Hunters under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult hunter.

 

j)          Daily limits − On the following areas, a permit authorizes the harvest of 2 pheasants of either sex per hunter; exceptions are in parentheses.  With written authorization from the Director, the Department may issue more than one permit to a hunter, and, further, the Department may authorize the harvest of released game birds and migratory game birds as provided for in Section 3.28 of the Code. The limits provided for in Section 3.28 shall apply at the following sites:

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park

 

Lee County State Conservation Area (2 cock pheasants per permit hunter)

 

Iroquois County State Conservation Area

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (additionally, 8 bobwhite quail opening day through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day and 4 rabbits per hunter)

 

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park (additionally, 8 bobwhite quail, 2 Hungarian partridge and 4 rabbits per hunter)

 

Kankakee River State Park (additionally, 8 bobwhite quail and 4 rabbits per hunter)

 

Moraine View State Park

 

Sand Ridge State Forest (additionally, 8 bobwhite quail and 4 rabbits per hunter)

 

Silver Springs State Park

 

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

 

k)         Tagging of Birds

During the controlled pheasant hunting season, all pheasants must be affixed with a Department tag before they are removed from the area during the controlled pheasant hunting season.  The tag must remain on the leg of the pheasants until the pheasants are finally prepared for consumption.

 

l)          During the controlled pheasant hunting season, hunters may not leave the confines of any permit area and return to hunt on the permit area during the same day.

 

m)        Any person who violates any provision of this Part or 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10(c)(1), (4) and (6) or (d)(7) or Section 2.33(n), (x) or (z) of the Wildlife Code shall be subject to arrest and/or removal from the premises for the remainder of the controlled pheasant hunting season under applicable statutes, including Section 21-5 of the Criminal Code of 2012 [720 ILCS 5] (Criminal Trespass to State Supported Land).  Hunters may request a hearing within 10 days after the citation by written request addressed to:  Legal Division, Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL  62702-1271.  The hearing shall be governed by the provisions of 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530.

 

n)         Violation of a site regulation is a petty offense (see 520 ILCS 5/2.6, 2.7, 2.13 or 2.27).

 

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 3840, effective March 1, 2024)

 

Section 530.85  Youth Pheasant Hunting Permit Requirements

 

a)         Applicants must contact the Department of Natural Resources (Department or DNR) to obtain a permit reservation.  Applications for reservations will be accepted on the first Monday of August until 24 hours before the hunt date start time established in Section 530.95.  Methods for making reservations are available on the Department's Website at: www.dnr.illinois.gov, by email at:  dnr.pheasant@illinois.gov or by writing to the Department's Division of Parks and Recreation.  Only applications for reservations submitted by Illinois residents will be accepted during the first application period.  Reservations will be confirmed. 

 

b)         Only one permit per person will be issued until the daily quota is filled.  The daily quota is determined by the formula:  one hunter per 10 to 40 huntable acres.  Huntable acres are determined by, but not limited to, the biological studies on the number of the species available, 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. 

 

c)         Methods for transferring permits will be provided on the Department's Website at:  www.dnr.illinois.gov, by email at:  dnr.pheasant@illinois.gov or by writing to:

 

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Division of Parks and Recreation − Youth Pheasant Hunt

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield IL  62702-1271

 

d)         Reservations for the Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt permits will be issued for Chain O'Lakes State Park, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Des Plaines Conservation Area, Edward R. Madigan State Park, Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake), Iroquois County Conservation Area, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Lee County Conservation Area (Green River), Moraine View State Park, Wayne Fitzgerrell (Rend Lake) State Park, Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area, Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County), Pere Marquette State Park, Sand Ridge State Forest, Sangchris Lake State Park, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area-Controlled Unit and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11656, effective September 2, 2025)

 

Section 530.90  Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunting Sites Permit Requirements (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 25 Ill. Reg. 11119, effective August 21, 2001)

 

Section 530.95  Youth Pheasant Hunting Regulations

 

a)         At the following sites, the Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt will be held on:

 

1)         the Saturday preceding the opening of the statewide upland game season:

 

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park (Carlyle Lake)

 

2)         the Saturday following the opening of the statewide upland game season:

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area

 

Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River)

 

Iroquois County State Conservation Area

 

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park

 

Kankakee River State Park

 

Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

Moraine View State Park

 

Sand Ridge State Forest

 

Sangchris Lake State Park

 

Wayne Fitzgerell State Park (Rend Lake)

 

3)         the third Saturday of March:

 

World Shooting Complex

 

4)         the first Saturday of March:

 

Pere Marquette State Park/Mississippi River Area – Pool 26 State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

5)         the Saturday two weeks before the opening of the statewide upland game season:

 

Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

6)         the first Saturday in November during the opening of statewide upland game season:

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit

 

b)         Hunting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except that, at Sangchris Lake, hunting hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and, at Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area, Eldon Hazlet State Park, Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area, Pere Marquette State Park, and the World Shooting Complex, hunting hours are from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Hunters with reservations or permits are required to check in at the check station between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. (between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. at Iroquois County and between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. at Sangchris Lake State Park).

 

c)         All hunters must be between the ages of 10 and 17 inclusive and have a youth hunting permit.  Stand-by permits shall be issued by drawing held at the conclusion of check-in time when daily quotas are not filled.  Hunters under age 18 are not required to pay a daily fee.

 

d)         Depending on the availability of staff during the controlled pheasant hunting season, hunters may be required to deposit their hunting licenses in the check station while hunting.  Each permit holder must be accompanied by a non-hunting supervisory adult.  If the hunter does not have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card, the supervisory adult is required to have a valid FOID card.  Only one supervisory adult in a hunting party is required to have a valid FOID card if the hunters in the hunting party stay under the immediate control (accompany youth hunter at all times) of the supervisory adult possessing the valid FOID card.  The supervising adult shall be criminally liable for the actions of the youth in the hunting party and shall be subject to the criminal penalties provided by law.

 

e)         Supervising adults are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange or blaze pink of at least least 400 square inches.  Hunters must wear a back patch issued by the check station.

 

f)         Persons who have killed game previously and have it in their possession or in their vehicle must declare it with the person in charge of the area prior to hunting on the area.  All previously killed game found in a hunter's possession after hunting has started on the area will be considered illegally taken if the hunter has not declared it prior to going afield.

 

g)         All hunting must be done with shotguns.  Only shot shells with a shot size of #5 lead or a nontoxic shot size ballistically equivalent to No. 5 lead or smaller may be used, except at Chain O'Lakes State Park, Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, Eldon Hazlet State Park, Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County), Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Lee County Conservation Area (Green River), Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area, Silver Springs State Park and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park where only shot shells approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with a shot size ballistically equivalent to No. 5 lead or smaller may be used.

 

h)         Daily Limit

 

1)         Two pheasants of either sex at Chain O'Lakes State Park, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area, Des Plaines State Conservation Area, Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area, Eldon Hazlet State Park, Iroquois County State Conservation Area, Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County), Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area, Moraine View State Park, Pere Marquette State Park/Mississippi River Area-Pool 26 State Fish and Wildlife Area, Sand Ridge State Forest, Silver Springs State Park, Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park and the World Shooting Complex.

 

2)         Two cock pheasants only at the Lee County State Conservation Area (Green River).

 

3)         Statewide upland game limits at Sangchris Lake State Park.

 

4)         Two pheasants of either sex, eight quail and four rabbits at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit.

 

i)          All pheasants must be affixed with a Department tag before they are removed from the area.  The tag must remain on the leg of the pheasants until the pheasants are finally prepared for consumption.

 

j)          Violation of this Section is a petty offense (see 520 ILCS 5/2.6).

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11656, effective September 2, 2025)

 

Section 530.100  Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunting Regulations (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 25 Ill. Reg. 11119, effective August 21, 2001)

 

Section 530.105  Regulations for Fee Hunting of Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, Quail and Rabbit at Controlled Daily Drawing Pheasant Hunting Sites (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 30 Ill. Reg. 14478, effective August 24, 2006)

 

Section 530.110  Regulations for Non-Fee Hunting of Cock Pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, Quail, and Rabbit at Various Department-Owned or -Managed Sites

 

a)         General Site Regulations

 

1)         All regulations in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510 – General Hunting and Trapping – apply in this Section, unless this Section is more restrictive.

 

2)         Only flu flu arrows may be used by bow and arrow hunters; broadheads are not allowed.

 

3)         On sites that are indicated by (1), hunters must check in and/or sign out. Sites that require use of windshield cards by hunters as specified in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10 are followed by (5).

 

4)         On sites that are indicated by (2), only nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of size #3 steel or tin, #4 bismuth shot or #5 tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix or smaller may be used or possessed.

 

5)         Site specific rules or exceptions are noted in parentheses after each site.

 

b)         Site Specific Regulations

 

1)         Statewide regulations apply at the following sites:

 

Alvah Borah State Habitat Area (5)

 

Anderson Lake State Conservation Area (1) (2)

 

Apple River Canyon State Park – Salem and Thompson Units (rabbits only; closed during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Argyle Lake State Park (closed during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area (opens the day after the close of the central zone duck season) (1) (2)

 

Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area (hunting for bobwhite quail will terminate at the close of legal shooting hours on December 14) (1) (2)

 

Big River State Forest (closed during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Buffalo Prairie Pheasant Habitat Area (site will be open to Youth Hunting Only (hunters <18 years old accompanied by a non‑hunting adult) for the first 2 weeks of the Upland Game Season; the site will be open to upland game hunting with statewide regulations after the first 2 weeks of season) (2) (5)

 

Cache River State Natural Area (1)

 

Campbell Pond State Wildlife Management Area (5)

 

Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Carlyle Lake State Lands and Waters (Corps of Engineers Managed Lands)

 

Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (subimpoundment area closed 7 days prior to and during the southern zone waterfowl season) (5)

 

Cave-In-Rock State Park – Kaegi Tract (5)

 

Chauncey Marsh State Natural Area (2) (5)

 

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area (5)

 

Copperhead Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area (rabbit hunting only) (5)

 

Crawford County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area (2) (5)

 

Cypress Pond State Natural Area (1)

 

Deer Pond State Natural Area (1)

 

Devil's Island State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

Dog Island State Wildlife Management Area (5)

 

Double T State Fish and Wildlife Area (opens the day after the close of the Central Illinois Zone goose season) (1) (2)

 

Dug Hill State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Eagle Creek State Park

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park (north of Allen Branch and west of Peppenhorst Branch only) (5)

 

Embarras River Bottoms State Habitat Area (2) (5)

 

Ferne Clyffe State Park (1)

 

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site (hunting with muzzleloading shotgun or bow and arrow only) (1)

 

Fort Massac State Park (5)

 

Fox Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (2) (5)

 

Fox Ridge State Park (closed during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Giant City State Park (1)

 

Hamilton County State Conservation Area (5)

 

Hanover Bluff State Natural Area (closed during firearm deer hunting (rabbit only)) (5)

 

Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area (5)

 

Hidden Springs State Forest (no hunting during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (Alexander County) (Public Hunting Area) (1) (2)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County) – Gabaret, Mosenthein, Chouteau Island Unit (all hunters must obtain a free site permit) (2)

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area − Open Unit (2) (5)

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area – Controlled Unit (rabbit hunting only open the day following the close of the controlled pheasant hunting season through the close of rabbit season) (2) (5)

 

Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area – (rabbit hunting only, open the day after the close of the controlled pheasant hunting season through the close of rabbit season) (5)

 

Jubilee College State Park (hunting for pheasant and quail will terminate at sunset on the Sunday after Thanksgiving; closed during all site firearm deer hunting) (1) (2)

 

Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area (Doza Creek Waterfowl Management Area closed 7 days prior to and during duck season; the defined Baldwin Lake Waterfowl Rest Area is closed) (1)

 

Ken Russell T Lake State Habitat Area (2) (5)

 

Kickapoo State Recreation Area (4:00 p.m. daily closing; closed during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Marseilles State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during all site firearm deer hunting; rabbit hunting closes at the end of the pheasant and quail season; unauthorized personnel may not be on the site outside of the posted check station operating hours; hunters may only enter the site from designated parking lots) (1)

 

Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during firearm deer hunting) (2) (5)

 

Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area (upland season does not open until the day after the close of the site's waterfowl season; the site is closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day) (1)

 

Meeker State Habitat Area (5)

 

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (5)

 

Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area (4:00 p.m. daily closing; closed during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Mississippi River Pools 16, 17, 18

 

Mississippi River State Fish and Waterfowl Management Area (Pools 25 and 26)

 

Mississippi River Pools 21, 22, 24

 

Moraine View State Park (rabbit hunting permitted Mondays and Tuesdays during the site controlled hunting season; hunting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only) (5)

 

Mt. Vernon Game Propagation Center (hunting from January 1 to the end of season; rabbits only) (1)

 

Nauvoo State Park (Max Rowe Unit only) (5)

 

Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during firearm deer hunting) (2) (5)

 

Oakford State Conservation Area

 

Peabody River King State Fish and Wildlife Area (West and North Subunits only) (1)

 

Pere Marquette State Park (5)

 

Pyramid State Park – Park and Galum Units (5)

 

Rall Woods State Natural Area (closed during firearm deer hunting (rabbit only)) (5)

 

Randolph County State Conservation Area (1)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area (5)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area – Dutch Creek Unit (5)

 

Red Hills State Park (2) (5)

 

Rend Lake Project Lands and Waters – Corps of Engineers Managed Land

 

Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

Rock Cut State Park (rabbit hunting only) (5)

 

Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area (5)

 

Saline County State Conservation Area (5)

 

Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area (5)

 

Sam Parr State Park (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) (1) (2)

 

Sangamon County State Conservation Area

 

Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area (2) (5)

 

Shawnee National Forest, Oakwood Bottoms (2)

 

Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area (5)

 

Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area (5)

 

Siloam Springs State Park – Buckhorn Unit (opens December 5; closed during Late-Winter Deer Season) (5)

 

Skinner Farm State Habitat Area (1)

 

Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area (opens the day after the close of the Central Illinois zone goose season) (1) (2)

 

Spoon River State Forest (2) (5)

 

Stephen A. Forbes State Park (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) (5)

 

Tapley Woods State Natural Area (closed during firearm deer hunting and muzzleloading rifle deer seasons; rabbit only) (5)

 

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (areas designated as Waterfowl Rest Areas are closed to all access during the regular Canada goose season only) (nontoxic shot only on posted waterfowl rest areas) (5)

 

Trail of Tears State Forest (1)

 

Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area (Firing Line Unit only) (1) (2)

 

Washington County State Conservation Area (1)

 

Weinberg-King State Park (5)

 

Weinberg-King State Park (Cecil White Unit) (5)

 

Weinberg-King State Park (Scripps Unit) (5)

 

Weinberg-King State Park (Spunky Bottoms Unit) (5)

 

Weldon Springs/Piatt County Unit (closed during first and second firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Wildcat Hollow State Forest (5)

 

Winston Tunnel State Natural Area (closed during firearm deer hunting (rabbit only) (5)

 

Wise Ridge State Natural Area

 

Witkowsky State Wildlife Area (rabbit only; opens after second firearm deer hunting) (closed during firearm deer hunting) (5)

 

Wolf Creek State Park

 

2)         Hunting is permitted on the following areas only on the dates listed in parentheses; or on sites indicated by (3), hunting will be permitted on the first and second day of the statewide upland game season and on each subsequent Wednesday and Saturday in November, and on each Thursday and Sunday in December, through December 24.  On sites indicated by (4), hunting will be permitted on the first and second day of the statewide upland game season and on each subsequent Wednesday and Saturday in November and on each Thursday and Sunday in December, through December 24, except closed during the firearm deer seasons and open December 27 and 29.  Daily hunting permits filled by drawing through DNR Permit Office.  Successful applicants will be sent confirmation and a printable permit via email or can access the Reservation Inquiry System to see if they were awarded a permit.  Illinois residents will have preference.  Only one permit per person will be issued.  Each permit authorizes the holder to bring the number of additional hunting partners listed in parentheses for the day's hunt.  The permit must be in possession while hunting on the site.  The harvest must be reported by February 15 (or two weeks after the season closes for those seasons ending after February 1) or permit holders will forfeit hunting privileges at the sites covered in this Section for the following year:

 

Birkbeck Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Bradford Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2) (3)

 

Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area (open every Wednesday in November and December.  Each permit authorizes holder to bring 2 hunting partners) (2)

 

Chatsworth State Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2) (3)

 

Clifton Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area − Upland Management Area (open every Wednesday during the upland season; daily limit of bobwhite quail is 4; permits issued for dates after the close of the pheasant and quail season are for rabbit hunting only; each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners)

 

Dublin Highlands Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Edward R. Madigan State Park (open on Mondays from the opening of upland game season until Christmas Day; each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners; check in required before hunting)

 

Finfrock State Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 5 hunting partners) (3)

 

Freeman Mine Habitat Area (open on Mondays starting with opening day of upland game season until Christmas Day; each permit authorizes holder to bring 3 hunting partners; daily bag limit is 2 cock pheasants, 4 quail, and 2 rabbits)

 

Franklin Creek State Natural Area − Nachusa Prairie Sand Farm (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Gifford Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Green River State Wildlife Area (open every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in November and December beginning with the Monday after the opening of the statewide upland season through the seventh Monday following; closed during the November and December firearm deer hunting; each permit authorizes the holder to bring 5 hunting partners) (1) (2)

 

Hallsville Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)  

 

Herschel Workman Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Hindsboro Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Ilo Dillin State Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2) (3)

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (Upland Game Management Area) (open every Tuesday and Saturday during the upland game season, starting with opening day of upland game season, except during firearm deer season and December 24 and 25; permits issued for dates after the close of the pheasant and quail season are for rabbit hunting only; each permit authorizes holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2)

 

Larry D. Closson Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 partners) (3)

 

Little Rock Creek Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Loda Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 5 hunting partners; closed during muzzleloader deer season) (2) (4)

 

Manito Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2) (3)

 

Maxine Loy Land and Water Reserve (open every Wednesday during the upland season; daily limit of bobwhite quail is 4; permits issued for dates after the close of the pheasant and quail season are for rabbit hunting only; each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2)

 

Maytown Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Milks Grove Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Paul C. Burrus State Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (4)

 

Perdueville Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Pyramid State Park – Captain, Denmark, and East Conant Units (open every Saturday and Wednesday starting with opening day through the close of statewide rabbit season; closed during firearm, muzzleloader and late winter deer seasons and any day that conflicts with a scheduled field trial; each permit authorizes the holder to bring 2 hunting partners)

 

Ramsey Lake State Park (open every Wednesday during the upland season; daily limit of bobwhite quail is 4; permits issued for dates after the close of pheasant and quail season are for rabbit hunting only; each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners)

 

Sand Prairie Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 5 hunting partners) (3)

 

Sand Ridge State Forest (Sparks Pond Land and Water Reserve Area) (open on Saturdays and Tuesdays from the opening of the upland game season through the end of December except during firearm deer hunting; each permit authorizes holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2)

 

Sangchris Lake State Park (open every Wednesday and Saturday in November and December after the opening day of upland game season except the Saturday of the second firearm deer season and December 24 and 25; each permit authorizes holder to bring 3 hunting partners; hunting hours 11:00 a.m. to sunset; check in required before hunting)

 

Saybrook Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 5 hunting partners) (3)

 

Sibley Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 5 hunting partners) (3)

 

Steward Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

Victoria Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 5 hunting partners) (2) (3)

 

Whitefield Pheasant Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (2) (3)

 

Willow Creek State Habitat Area (each permit authorizes the holder to bring 3 hunting partners) (3)

 

3)         The following sites will be open for pheasant, quail, rabbit and partridge hunting following the site's controlled pheasant hunting season; pheasants of either sex may be taken; all hen pheasants must be tagged by DNR before leaving sites; hunting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; hunting dates or species restrictions are noted in parentheses:

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park (open Wednesday through Friday following permit pheasant season) (1)

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area (dates are 5 days following the close of the site's permit pheasant season excluding Mondays, Tuesdays and Christmas) (1)

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park (no quail or rabbit hunting; controlled pheasant hunting area and for 5 consecutive days only) (1)

 

Iroquois County State Wildlife Management Area (no bobwhite quail or Hungarian partridge hunting; open 5 days; the Wednesday through Sunday immediately following permit pheasant season, excluding Christmas and New Year's Day; rabbit hunting only from second Monday following the close of controlled pheasant season through the close of the North Zone season) (5)

 

Kankakee River State Park (rabbit hunting only; open from the Monday following the close of the controlled pheasant season through the close of the North Zone season) (5)

 

Moraine View State Park (open Monday following the close of the controlled pheasant hunting season through the close of the North Zone season) (5)

 

c)         Violation of a site regulation is a petty offense (see 520 ILCS 5/2.6, 2.7, 2.13 or 2.27).

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11656, effective September 2, 2025)

 

Section 530.115  Regulations for Hunting by Falconry Methods at Various Department-Owned, -Leased or -Managed Sites

 

a)         All the regulations in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510 apply in this Section, except that falconers are required to wear a cap and outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange or blaze pink only during the upland game season on sites where upland game hunting is in progress.

 

b)         Statewide falconry regulations (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1590) apply at the following sites (exceptions are in parentheses):

 

Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

Edward R. Madigan State Park (hunting by falconry methods permitted from October 1 through March 31 or until 10 hen pheasants are harvested; falconers must sign in at the site check station before hunting and sign out immediately after hunting and report their harvest)

 

Mississippi River Pools 16, 17 and 18

 

Sand Ridge State Forest (statewide regulations except that hunting is permitted on Mondays and Tuesday only during the Controlled Daily Drawing Pheasant Program season; it is unlawful to hunt by falconry methods in the vicinity of pheasant releases as pheasants are being released; falconry hunters must obtain a free permit from site office before hunting and report harvest by April 15; failure to report harvest by April 15 will result in loss of hunting privileges the following year)

 

Snake Den Hollow Fish and Wildlife Area (hunting permitted from the day after the close of the Fulton-Knox County Zone goose season until the close of the statewide falconry season)

 

c)         Cock and hen pheasant, Hungarian partridge, bobwhite quail, and rabbit may be taken at the following sites in accordance with 17 Ill. Adm. Code 1590; falconers must obtain a free permit from site office before hunting and return permit and report harvest by February 15; failure to return permit or report harvest will result in loss of hunting privileges the following year (additional site regulations are in parentheses):

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park (hunting permitted 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from the Monday after the non-fee season through January 31 except closed Christmas Day; obtain permit from site office Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

 

Eagle Creek State Park (hunting permitted from the end of the statewide firearms season for rabbits through January 31)

 

Moraine View State Park (hunting permitted October 1 through two days before the pheasant season opens.  Reopens Monday following the close of the controlled pheasant hunting season through the close of the North Zone upland season; hunting hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

 

Ten Mile Creek Fish and Wildlife Area (hunting permitted from the end of the firearms rabbit season through January 31)

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 11656, effective September 2, 2025)

 

Section 530.120  Regulations for Hunting Crow at Various Department-Owned or -Managed Sites (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 18 Ill. Reg. 12628, effective August 9, 1994)