Great River National Wildlife Refuge offers various hunting opportunities. The Delair Division is closed to the public all year, except during the annual deer hunt managed by a drawing through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Long Island Division is open to all public hunting, but waterfowl hunting is allowed only from blinds constructed on sites posted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Slim and Haps Island, Fox Island, and Cherry Box Divisions are open in accordance with state and federal seasons and regulations. See the refuge hunting and fishing brochure for a map and details.
For more information on specific hunt rules and policies
| Activity | Season | Division | Special Regulations |
| Migratory Bird Hunting | Allowed in accordance with state season and state and federal regulation | Slim and Haps Island, Fox Island and Cherry Box Divisions | See Blinds section |
| Migratory Bird Hunting from Blinds | Allowed in accordance with state season and state and federal regulations | Long Island Division | Hunting ONLY on blinds sites posted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
| Upland Game | State seasons and regulations | Fox Island, Long Island, Slim & Haps Island Divisions | State regulations apply. If using a shotgun, must use and possess non toxic shot only. |
| Upland Game Shotgun ONLY | State seasons and regulations | Cherry Box Division | ONLY with shotgun using nontoxic shot |
| Furbearer Hunting | Allowed ONLY from30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset during state season | Cherry Box, Fox Island, Long Island, Slim & Haps Island Divisions | Allowed ONLY from30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset. |
| Deer Hunting | Allowed in accordance with Illinois state seasons & regulations. | Long Island Division | State regulations apply. Feral hogs may be taken only while deer hunting in Illinois. See Tree Stands section |
| Deer Archery | Allowed ONLY during the statewide archery deer season in accordance with state regulations. Closed during state firearm season. | Cherry Box Division, Fox Island Division, and Slim & Haps Island Division | NO firearms deer hunting allowed. Feral hogs may be taken while deer hunting ONLY in Illinois. See Tree Stands section |
| Turkey Hunting | State seasons and regulations | Cherry Box Division, Fox Island Division, Long Island Division and Slim & Haps Island Division | Possession and use of approved nontoxic shotshells only. |
| Trapping | Muskrat, beaver, and raccoon trapping permitted | Cherry Box, Fox Island, Long Island, Slim & Haps Island Divisions | Special regulations apply and requires a Refuge Special Use Permit |
| Fishing | Allowed in accordance with state seasons and regulations from legal sunrise to legal sunset. | Fox Island (Fox River ONLY), Long Island, Slim & Haps Island Divisions | The taking of any mussel, clam, crayfish, leach, frog, and turtle species is prohibited. |
