Section 910.10  Statewide Regulations

All regulations found in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 110 and 140 will apply unless regulations in this Part are more restrictive or exempted by this Part.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 8635, effective May 30, 2024)

Section 910.15  Definitions

            Championship/Classic – field trial classifications awarded by recognized sporting dog registries such as the American Kennel Club, The American Field – Field Dog Stud Book, United Kennel Club, etc., or by recognized national sporting dog associations such as the National Shoot-To-Retrieve Field Trial Association, etc., that are used to designate particular field trials as superior and more prestigious events.

            Class A Field Trial Sites – sites that accommodate a variety of field trial types and a substantial number of sporting dog field trials.  The types of field trials may include horseback and walking pointing dog field trials, horseback fox hound field trials, retriever field trials, spaniel field trials, beagle hound field trials and competitive coon hound events.  These sites include the requirements for field trials in the planning and implementation of wildlife and resource management.  Facilities necessary to support field trials (e.g., field trial headquarters building, stable, adequate parking, dog kennels, corral, pasture) are typically available at these sites.

            Class B Field Trial Sites – sites that accommodate a variety, but smaller number, of field trial opportunities.  Field trial requirements are not included in wildlife and resource management planning and implementation at these sites.  Facilities to support field trials are typically not developed at these sites.

            Field Trial – a stylized form of hunting for the classifications of dogs commonly referred to as sporting dogs as well as beagle hounds, fox hounds, coon hounds and squirrel dogs and that involves competition in which the primary purpose is to evaluate the field performance of the dogs.

Gunner − a person designated by a field trial organization to shoot captive-reared game birds, captive-reared mallard ducks or domestic pigeons during a field trial.

Handler − a person charged with the responsibility of directing and managing the field performance of a dog or dogs during a field trial.

Scout − a person directed by the handler or field trial judge to locate an errant dog being run in a field trial and who may also be temporarily charged with directing and managing the field performance of a dog or dogs during a field trial.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 8295, effective May 26, 2005)

Section 910.20  Permits and Fees

a)         Applications for Field Trial Permits must be received on forms prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources (Department or DNR).  Applications can be submitted by mail, fax or electronic mail and should be sent to:

Department of Natural Resources

Division of Parks and Recreation

One Natural Resources Way

Springfield IL  62702-1271

Email:  DNR.Fieldtrials@illinois.gov

b)         Fees – Illinois Department of Natural Resources Areas

1)         Pointing Breed, Horseback Fox Hound, Retrieving Breed and Flushing Breed Field Trials – $70 per day or part of day and starting January 1, 2025, $100 per day.

2)         Beagle and Coon Hound Field Trials – $25 per day or part of day and starting January 1, 2025, $40 per day.

3)         A Field Trial Permit serves as the DNR Site Activity Permit (17 Ill. Adm. Code 110.4(a)) on sites listed in Section 910.22.  Fees associated with an activity permit are waived.

c)         Field trial participants shall be permitted to remain overnight at designated field trial headquarters areas or staging areas in recreational vehicles or horse trailers with living quarters.  The rates established in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 130.70 (camping fees) appropriate for the services provided shall be assessed.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 8635, effective May 30, 2024)

Section 910.22  Field Trial Site Classifications

a)         Class A Field Trial Sites:

Des Plaines Conservation Area

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area

Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area

Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area

Moraine View State Park

Pyramid State Park

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

World Shooting and Recreational Complex

b)         Class B Field Trial Sites:

Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area

Beaver Dam State Park

Eldon Hazlet State Park – North of Allen Branch

Kickapoo State Park

Peabody River King State Park

Randolph County Conservation Area

Sangchris Lake State Park

Stephen Forbes State Park

Weinberg-King State Park

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 8635, effective May 30, 2024)

Section 910.25  Scheduling of Field Trials

The following scheduling procedures apply to all Class A and B field trial sites:

a)         Scheduling of field trial dates will be on a weekend basis with the first weekend being the first two-day weekend of January.

b)         A field trial organization has first option for the dates it had the previous calendar year if it follows the scheduling procedures in this Section.

c)         The Department will accept applications from January 1 through March 31 for field trials that will occur the following calendar year.

d)         Due to the time required for advance arrangements, the Department will accept requests from field trial organizations sponsoring a championship or classic at a time in advance of that specified in subsection (c).

e)         A field trial organization that wishes to change dates during the scheduling periods must complete these arrangements with the appropriate field trial organization that used the date previously.

f)         Dates remaining open after the conclusion of the scheduling period will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Applications for these dates must be received at least four weeks prior to the date of the field trial.  Applications received less than four weeks in advance may not be able to be processed prior to the requested dates and as a result may be denied.  Applications for the period from the opening date of the Upland Game Season to the following January 15 at Pyramid State Park will only be accepted as prescribed in subsection (c).

g)         At the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, trials are limited to the areas north of Cardinal Road.  Areas south of Cardinal Road can only be used for field trials outside of the normal camping season (April 1 – October 31) or as the site allows.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 8635, effective May 30, 2024)

Section 910.30  Responsibility

The officers of a field trial organization shall be responsible for the proper conduct of all trial activities, for the condition of the field trial area during and after the trial and for following all applicable Department rules.  Tie-outs shall be exempt from 17 Ill. Adm. Code 110.30(b).

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 8295, effective May 26, 2005)

Section 910.40  Liability Insurance

Field trial organizations must acquire liability insurance coverage in an amount of at least $1,000,000 to cover personal injuries or accidents to participants or spectators and to cover damage to State property and to the property and crops of landowners adjacent to State property.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 8635, effective May 30, 2024)

Section 910.50  Field Trial Season

Except for the retrieving breed trials, and the qualifying statements provided, no trials will be authorized before September 1, or after April 30, in the Northern Zone, or before September 1, or after April 15, in the Southern Zone (the boundary between Northern Zone and Southern Zone for these purposes will be U.S. Route 36):

a)         If the opening date of the field trial season falls on a Sunday, the season will begin on Saturday of that weekend.

b)         If the closing date of the field trial season falls on a Saturday, the season will conclude on Sunday of that weekend.

c)         If, during the final days of the field trial season, a field trial organization begins trial activities that are subsequently delayed or suspended due to inclement weather, the field trial organization may complete the trial even though the trialing season has ended.  The field trial organization must complete the trial on the first possible day or days.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 8295, effective May 26, 2005)

Section 910.60  Hunting License Requirements

a)         All resident dog handlers, scouts and gunners are required to have a valid Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp, except as exempted by Sections 3.1 and 3.1-2 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/3.1 and 3.1-2].

b)         All non-resident dog handlers, scouts and gunners are required to have a valid Illinois non-resident hunting license and habitat stamp or written exemption from the Department waiving the license and stamp requirement, except as exempted by Section 3.1 of the Wildlife Code.

c)         Non-resident dog handlers, scouts and gunners with hunting privileges suspended or revoked in another state or Canada are ineligible to participate in Illinois field trials.

d)         A written exemption from the Department waiving the hunting license and habitat stamp requirements will be granted on request to all non-resident gunners, dog handlers and scouts.  A request for a waiver of the hunting license and habitat stamp requirements must be in writing.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 8295, effective May 26, 2005)

Section 910.70  Game Birds

a)         All hand-reared game birds or mallard ducks released and shot at field trials shall be banded on the same day they are taken and prior to removal from the field trial area.  Bands shall be purchased from the Department for $.10 each in increments of 100 bands by calling or writing to:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Commercial License Office, P.O. Box 19458, Springfield IL  62794-9458.

b)         Hand-reared game birds or mallard ducks released at field trials must either be purchased from an Illinois licensed game breeder or, if they are purchased from a non-resident game bird breeder, a health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian from the state of origin certifying the game birds are disease free must accompany the game birds or mallard ducks.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 8295, effective May 26, 2005)

Section 910.80  Future Rights

a)         For violation of Section 2.34 of the Wildlife Code  [520 ILCS 5/2.34] or this Part, the Department will reject all future requests for Field Trial Permits for a period of time not to exceed five years following a finding of guilt.

b)         Organizations denied Field Trial Permits may contest the denial of a permit according to the process delineated in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 8295, effective May 26, 2005)

Section 910.EXHIBIT A   Application Form

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 8635, effective May 30, 2024)