Witkowsky Hunter Fact Sheet

2010 -2011 Season

MAP

Location: Jo Daviess County, 7 miles north of Hanover on Blackjack Rd. It is managed by Apple River Canyon State Park.
Description : Total Acres: 1086 Water Acres: 0 Open Acres: 508 Timbered Acres: 578 Huntable Acres: 1086

The vegetative cover of the area is a mixture of timbered slopes with grasslands, row crops, and hay fields predominant on ridge tops and wide valleys. The topography is steep, consisting of unglaciated ridges. The area is bordered by private lands with timbered slopes and cultivated valleys and ridge tops. The excellent habitat on this area provides optimum cover for squirrel, deer and turkey. Deer and turkey are abundant in this area and should provide some good hunting. Rabbit populations in this area are also good.

Available Game Species :

Species Seasons Hunting Hours Bag Limits Special Regulations
Squirrel & Rabbit Opens after 2nd firearm deer season. Statewide Statewide Shotgun Only OR Bow & Arrow. See #2, 4 below
Turkey (Spring Youth) Statewide Statewide Statewide Quota of 10 hunters See #4, 7 and 9 below.
Turkey (Spring) Statewide Statewide Statewide Quota of 10 hunters per season. See #1, 4 & 7 below.
Turkey (Fall Firearm) Statewide Statewide Statewide Quota of 10 hunters. See #1, 4 below.
Turkey (Bow) Opens Oct. 15th Statewide Statewide No hunter quota. See #2, 4 below
Deer (Bow) Opens Oct. 15th Statewide Statewide No hunter quota. See #2, 4 below
Deer (Firearm) First or Second Season Statewide Statewide Quota of 30 hunters per season. See #1, 2, 4, 7 below.
Deer (Muzzeloader) 2nd Portion of Muzzleloader Season

Statewide

 Statewide Quota of 30 hunters. Muzzleloader Permit Only. Invalid during 2nd portion of firearm deer season. See#1, 2, 4, 7 below
Coyote Coincides with deer seasons Statewide Statewide Only valid permit holders may take coyotes by legal means. Coyotes may be taken with bow & arrow during archery season. See #4 below

Area Regulations:

  1. All firearm deer and turkey hunters must obtain a site specific permit, which will be issued by lottery through the Permit Office in Springfield. Permits valid for JoDaviess Co. will not be valid at Witkowsky W.A A windshield permit will be issued by Apple River Canyon State Park and must be displayed during the hunt. Successful deer and turkey hunters must still follow statewide checking procedures as specified by the permits.
  2. All other hunting is closed during the firearm deer season except coyotes may be taken by deer hunters with valid Witkowsky Wildlife Area firearm deer permits.
  3. All statewide regulations apply.
  4. Hunters are required to sign in and out and record species harvested at the hunter registration box provided in parking lots 1 and 4.
  5. It shall be unlawful to construct or to use any tree stand that utilizes nails, screws, or wire or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed. Any tree stand must be portable and removed from the tree at the end of each day.
  6. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or to consume beer, wine, or intoxicating liquors while hunting on the area.
  7. Non-hunters are not allowed in the field during firearm deer season, and until 1pm during Spring Turkey seasons. Exception: supervising adults during youth hunts.
  8. No camping or ground fires allowed.
  9. For Youth Turkey Season, Jo Daviess Co. permit holders that contact the site office will be issued a windshield permit until quotas are reached.

For further information contact: Apple River Canyon State Park, Apple River, IL 61001; Telephone: (815)745-3302.

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 Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702; 217/785-0067, TTY 217/782-9175.