Chain O’Lakes State Park Hunter Fact Sheet

2011 - 2012 Season

INTRODUCTION: The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for providing outdoor recreation opportunities for the resident of the State. Of particular concern is providing adequate safe hunting areas on public lands through out the State. This Hunter Fact Sheet contains information relating to the hunting programs at Chain O’Lakes State Park.

DIRECTIONS: Site office is located on Wilmot Rd., just south of Route 173.

DESCRIPTION: Total area: 6,023 acres; huntable acres 2,500 consisting of woodland, prairie, marsh and ponds. (Late deer season - total area: 1,250 huntable acres; approx 250 consisting of woodland, marsh & ponds.)


PROGRAM DATES HOURS OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  1. All regulations found in the Illinois Wildlife Code and Administrative Orders will apply
    unless area regulations are more restrictive.
  2. Hunting must cease when party’s limit is reached.
  3. Hunters check in at check station before hunting; hunters must check-out before leaving the park for any reason.
  4. Alcoholic beverages are absolutely forbidden on area.
  5. Hunters are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches (pheasant season, clean up, and deer firearm season).
  6. Hunting restricted to those areas designated as open to hunting.
  7. Hunters must park vehicles within the interior of the park and in a designated parking area.

CONTROLLED PHEASANT HUNTING: Season 11/02/11 - 12/18/11 Wed-Sun

  1. Public/Private Partnership Regulations webpage
  2. When daily quotas are not filled, permits will be sold on a first come first serve basis until quota of 90 hunters is reached, or until 9:00 am., whichever occurs first.
  3. Hunting hours 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Limit: two pheasant rooster or hens. All pheasants must be tagged with State Hunting Area tag before leaving area.
  4. Habitat stamps are not required for controlled Pheasant hunting. Hunting must be done with shotguns only. Shot size: No. 3 steel, No. 4 bismuth, or No 5 tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix or smaller may be used.
  5. Youth Pheasant Hunt is 11/6/10 by state permit only. No fee required.


CLEAN-UP/NON PERMIT HUNTING: Season 12/21/11 - 12/23/11 Wed -Fri

  1. The first fifty hunters are allowed in on a first come first serve basis. Hunters are checked in at check station.
  2. Hunting hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Limits: two pheasant (either sex, hens require tags), four rabbit, and five squirrel.
  3. No fee. Habitat Stamps are required.
  4. All hunting must be done with shotguns only. Shot size no larger than No. 3 steel, No 4 bismuth, or No. 5 tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, or smaller may be used.

DOVE HUNTING: Season 9/1/11 - 9/5/11 Thurs - Monday

  1. All dove hunting is done at dove field located on Rt.. 173 east of the Oak Point entrance (signs are posted).
  2. Daily drawing will be held at 11 a.m. if more hunters show up than can be accommodated. Twenty-five hunters are allowed in the field at one time.
  3. Hunting hours 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Limit: daily limit will be as prescribed by State Wide Regulations, Steel Shot only, No. 6 or smaller. No fee.
  4. No game shall be cleaned or dressed in the field.
  5. All hunting is done from assigned stations. Dogs are allowed.

DEER/TURKEY ARCHERY HUNTING: Season 10/31/11 - 12/20/11 Monday & Tuesday ONLY; Late Season 12/26/11 -1/15/12 Daily

  1. A maximum of 35 hunters either deer or turkey will be allowed to hunt at any time. An Antlerless deer must be harvested before a buck may be taken.
  2. Monday Hunting: Lottery will be held on Monday (4 a.m.) before the hunt. Tuesday Hunting: hunters allowed on first come first serve basis. Tuesday hunters may not line up prior to 3 p.m. on Mondays.
  3. All hunting is with bow and arrow (no crossbows unless over 62 or with disabled permit.)
  4. Hunters must check in and out with check station. Harvest must be reported at check station.
  5. Hunting restricted to West of the Fox River (see map).
  6. Deer/turkey stands must be portable and removed daily. No nails or spikes allowed in trees.
  7. All scouting must be done before the season starts.
  8. Hunting hours are per statewide regulations.
  9. Late season: A special late season hunt will be 12/26/11 thru 1/15/12. Hunting is at the Oak Point Day Use Area. Daily quota of ten hunters are filled on a first come first serve basis. Hunters must check in, and out at Oak Point. Check in regulations will be posted.
  10. Illinois Deer Archery Permit, Illinois Turkey Archery Permit and Illinois Habitat Stamp are required.
  11. An antlerless deer must be harvested before a buck may be taken.

FIREARM DEER HUNTING : SEASON 11/18/11 - 11/20/11 Friday - Sunday

  1. Must apply in Spring statewide firearm permit lottery. 40 hunters will be permitted to hunt.
  2. Legal firearm allowed - shotgun (slug only) 10 - 20 gauge, muzzleloader at least .45 caliber or larger, revolvers .30 caliber or larger.
  3. Scouting is allowed before deer archery season starts.
  4. An Anterless deer must be harvested before a buck may be taken.
  5. Lottery winners are required to attend mandatory meeting to select stations.
  6. Firearm permit and habitat stamp are required.

DUCK BLIND DRAWING: Saturday, July 30, 2011

  1. The drawing for the blinds on Grass Lake, Nippersink Lake and Redwing/Deer Lake will be at Oak Point Day use area located on Rt. 173 west of Antioch.
  2. Registration will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Drawing will be held at 2:00. You must be present.
  3. A hunting license, Illinois State Duck Stamp (present or previous year) and a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card are needed to register.

Each hunting program has additional rules & regulations. Handicapped hunting opportunities may be available.

For additonal information please contact: Chain O' Lakes State Park, 8916 Wilmot Road, Spring Grove, IL 60081,  847/587-5512

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, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217/785-0067; TTY 217/782-9175