Visitor Services: Hunting

Hunting is permitted in accordance with all applicable State and Federal regulations subject to the following special conditions.   Click on a link below to view specific regulations. General Waterfowl Hunters Controlled Goose Hunters Upland Game Hunters Big Game Hunters Crab Orchard Hunting Map and Brochure For the 2006-2007 Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations please view the IDNR Hunting Brochure (requires Acrobat Reader).

      
General:

• The Refuge has adopted all state hunting regulations. State season and bag limits apply unless otherwise specified.

• Hunting is prohibited within 50 yards of all designated public use facilities including, but not limited to, parking areas, picnic areas, campgrounds, marinas, boat ramps, public roads and established hiking trails listed in the refuge trail brochure.
     

• Possession and use of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited.
     

• Only Illinois legal game species may be taken in the Open Area of the refuge during the state season.  All other animals are protected.

• Hunting is prohibited in areas closed to hunting as indicated on the map in the Hunting Brochure or as otherwise posted.

• It is illegal to drive or screw any metal objects into a tree or to hunt from a tree in which a mental object has been driven or screwed.

• Marking trails with paint, flagging, reflectors, tacks or other manmade materials is prohibited.

• Dog training is permitted in designated areas by special use permit only.

• Youth hunter under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult not less than 21 years old and must remain in sight and normal voice contact with the adult.  Hunters born on or after January 1, 1980, must show proof that they have successfully completed a Hunter Education Course.

Weapons

Firearms and archery tackle are permitted only during designated hunts.  Weapons legally possessed for hunting on the refuge are the same as those prescribed by the State of Illinois.  Fire arms carried in vehicles or boats must be unloaded and encased or dismantled.  Possession or discharging firearms or any other weapons on the refuge is prohibited unless specifically authorized for hunting. 

Ammunition

The possession of lead shot is prohibited refuge wide, except:

• During deer and turkey hunts, lead ammunition legal for taking deer and turkey may be used. 
   

• Small game and furbearers may be hunted with .22 and .17 caliber rimfire lead ammunition during open season. 

Motorized Vehicles

Only legal licensed vehicles are allowed on the refuge.  All vehicles are restricted to roads that are designated on the refuge map.  Vehicle may be parked alongside roads in a manner that will not block gates or interfere with the normal flow of traffic.  ATVs are prohibited except by disabled persons possessing a refuge special use permit. 

Boats

The use of boats is authorized on the refuge.  Boats may not be left overnight on the refuge.

     
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Waterfowl Hunters:

• Hunters must possess and use only nontoxic shot.
    

• Goose hunters must use temporary blinds. Permanent blinds are not permitted on the refuge.
    

• Blinds must be a minimum of 200 yards apart and removed at the end of each day's hunt.
    

• Blinds on Crab Orchard Lake must be on shore or anchored a minimum of 200 yards away from any shoreline.
    

• Waterfowl hunting is not allowed in the restricted use area of Crab Orchard Lake.
   

• Waterfowl hunters may not hunt in the Controlled Goose Hunt Area unless they have attended the draw for that day's hunt (see Controlled Goose Hunting Area).

    
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Controlled Area Goose Hunters:

• During goose season, all waterfowl hunters must attend a special drawing the day of the hunt prior to hunting in this area.  Al hunters must report their harvest at the end of each day's hunt. 
   

• Waterfowl hunting is permitted for established blinds or makers only.

• No Firearm deer hunting is permitted within the Controlled Goose Hunting Area.

• Upland game hunting is prohibited in the Controlled Goose Hunting Area during goose season.

• During goose season, furbearer hunting is permitted form sunset to sunrise in the Controlled Goose Hunting Area.

    
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Upland Game Hunters:

• Upland game hunting is prohibited in the Controlled Goose Hunting Area during goose season.
    

• During goose season, furbearer hunting is permitted from sunset to sunrise in the Controlled Goose Hunting Area.
    

• Use of rifles or handguns with ammunition larger than .22 caliber rim fire are prohibited.
    

• Use of black powder firearms up to and including .40 caliber are permitted.
    

• Hunters must possess and use only nontoxic shot except turkey hunters who may possess and use lead shot.

• Restricted Area turkey hunters are required to check in at the Visitor Center prior to hunting.

    
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Big Game Hunters:

Hunters may hunt white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:

• Restricted Area hunters are required to check in at the Visitor Information Center prior to hunting.
    

• Archery deer hunting is permitted in accordance with State regulations.
     

• Firearm deer hunting is prohibited in the Controlled Goose Hunting Area, all refuge land North of IL State Route 13 and North of Crab Orchard Lake emergency spillway and west of Crab Orchard Lake (See map in Hunting Brochure).

• Hunting stands must be removed at the end of each day's hunt.  (Spikes and nails are prohibited)
    

• Handgun deer hunting is permitted in accordance with state regulations.

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