Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area Hunter Fact Sheet

2012 - 2013 Season

MAP


Location: 8 miles east of McLeansboro, Illinois off of State Highway 14

Description: Total Acres: 1,674

Water Acres: 75     Huntable Acres: 1,530     Timber Acres: 230     Open, cultivated, or fallow field acres: 1,300

The area is one of gently rolling topography. Most of the hunting area is small, open fields bordered by heavy fencerows, border plantings of shrubs, small trees, pines, and small patches of brush and timber. The area is heavily used by upland game hunters and as a field trial area.

Available Game Species: Deer   Squirrel   Quail   Turkey   Rabbit   Dove   Woodcock   Crow   Furbearers

This area provides good upland hunting with an abundance of quality food and cover. The brush areas and open fields provide a good place for beagles to hunt rabbits. Field Trialers find excellent running for their dogs and trail for following on horseback.

Other Facilities Available: Large picnic areas with tables and fireplaces, restaurant & bait shop, fishing and boating on the lake, camping area with gravel pads, electricity, sanitary station for trailers, shower building, and rental cabins.

Area Regulations:

  1. Hunting is restricted to those areas posted as open to hunting. Hunters must park in the designated areas only.
  2. Free Site Hunting Permits (windshield cards) are required for species as noted. These are available online at www.dnr.illinois.gov. Navigate to "hunting/trapping: and then "public hunting areas" to print these permits. Hunters will be required to return to this website prior to February 15th each year to record harvest information. Failure to submit data will result in loss of hunting privileges for the following year.
  3. Construction and use of permanent tree stands is prohibited. Portable stands may be used for hunting and may be left unattended overnight during the period September 15 through January 31. Each stand must be legibly marked with the owner's name, address, and telephone number when left unattended. Only one stand is allowed per hunter. No screw-in steps allowed.
  4. Hunting shall be done with shotgun, bow and arrow, muzzle-loading rifles, or legal handguns for deer.

For further information, contact Site Superintendent, Hamilton County State Fish & Wildlife Area, RR #4 Box 242, McLeansboro, IL 62859, phone: 618/773-4340; or District Wildlife Biologist, 13999 E. Game Farm Rd., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864, phone: 618/242-2062.

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source's civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, IDNR, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175.