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.  Providing false information on the application is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

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 48 Ill. Reg. 3840, effective March 1, 2024)