Stephen A. Forbes Hunter Fact Sheet 

2012 - 2013 Season

MAP

LOCATION: Stephen A. Forbes is located seven (7) miles southeast of Kinmundy, off Rte. 37.

DESCRIPTION: Total: 3,103 acres, Huntable: 2580 acres

The area is composed of 1,789 acres of woodlands; 115 acres of grasslands; 867 acres of wetlands; and 243 acres of cropland. The area has steeply rolling to flat topography. Much of the hunting is around the large oak and hickory timber blocks, brushy draws and expanses of fallow fields. Many small food plots are planted on the area for food and winter cover for wildlife.

AVAILABLE GAME SPECIES: Dove, Deer, Squirrel, Turkey, Quail, Rabbit, and Furbearer trapping.

The area provides excellent deer (bowhunting only) and turkey (spring - gun & fall - bow) hunting. Managed sunflower fields provide good opportunity each year to hunt doves. Upland hunters are encouraged to use dogs due to the heavy cover. Squirrel hunting can be excellent due to the large tracts of mature oak and hickory timber. Waterfowl hunting is available both on the open lake and on the managed subimpoundments. Furbearer hunting and trapping is available, but is not utilized to a great extent.

OTHER FACILITIES AVAILABLE: Camping (electricity, water, showers, and dump station); Picnic Areas; Fishing and Boating (fish cleaning stations); Hiking Trails; Equestrian Trails; Restaurant and Dock Rental; Bait and Gas.

AREA REGULATIONS:

  1. Hunting is restricted to those portions of the are posted as open to hunting. Restricted areas are clearly marked by signs.
  2. Hunters must park in designated parking areas only.
  3. All persons hunting squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove must check in and check out and report their days harvest.
  4. Archery deer/turkey hunters and furbearer hunter/trappers can pick up a site permit valid for the entire season from the office. Permit must be displayed in the windshield while hunting or trapping. All hunters must report harvest within 24 hours. All hunters and trappers with windshield cards must return cards and report hours hunted and harvest by February 15.
  5. All hunting to be with shotgun or bow and arrow only, except night time furbearer hunters who may use a .22 rimfire rifle..
  6. Waterfowl hunting on main lake by boat blind only and must hunt within 100 yards of staked locations. Subimpoundments are walk-in hunting only. All waterfowl hunters must hunt over a minimum of 12 decoys. All waterfowl hunters must check in and check out at the East boat ramp. Hunting hours are legal opening to 1:00 pm.
  7. All upland hunting is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and hunters are required to wear blaze orange hat and vest. All upland hunters must check in and check out.
  8. The park is closed to all firearm deer hunting. Archery deer and turkey hunters must wear blaze orange during the firearm deer seasons.
  9. Dove hunting will start Tuesday after Labor Day and end on Sept. 30. All hunters must check in and check out. Hunting hours will be from noon to 5:00.pm. A drawing will be held at 11:00 a.m. if more hunters show up than can be accommodated. All hunters will be required to wear a backpatch.
  10. Spring turkey hunters must apply for site specific permit through statewide lottery. Successful applicants will be mailed a windshield card that must be returned at the end to the season.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Site Superintendent, Stephen A Forbes State Park, 6924 Omega Road, Kinmundy, IL 62854; PHONE: 618/547 - 3381 or District Wildlife Biologist, PHONE 618/547 - 3398.

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 civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175.