William Powers Hunter Fact Sheet

WATERFOWL

2009 - 2010 Season

MAP

INTRODUCTION: The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for providing outdoor recreation opportunities for the residents of the State. Of particular concern is providing adequate safe hunting areas on public lands throughout the State. The waterfowl hunting program at Wm. Powers, also known as Wolf Lake, began as soon as the state acquired the property in 1947. Wolf Lake and the grand marshes which border Lake Michigan have long been known for attracting waterfowl. The Department of Natural Resources is pleased to be able to continue the tradition of waterfowl hunting at this unique site.

DIRECTIONS: The site office is at 12949 South Avenue O.

DESCRIPTION: Total Acres: 650 Huntable Acres: 419

1. All regulations found in the Wildlife Code of 1971, Federal Regulations and Administrative Orders, apply on this area. Special area regulations established under the authority provided in the above acts may be more restrictive and must be observed.
2. It shall be unlawful:
   1. a. To possess or consume alcoholic beverages, including beer or wine, while on the area for the purpose of hunting.
   2. No person shall buy, sell, or commercialize hunting rights, either directly or indirectly.
3. The site is closed to waterfowl hunting on Mondays & Tuesdays.

1. Blind site - A position within 10 feet of numbered stake where blind may be constructed.
2. Blind builder - Person who has been assigned a blind site as a result of the drawing.
3. Blind partner - Person(s) chosen by the builder to assist in construction and maintenance of the blind and to share its hunting privileges.
4. Drawing - Procedure by which blind sites are assigned.
5. Blind registration card - Card issued by the Department and tacked inside each blind listing names and addresses of blind builders.
6. Completed blind - A blind with all framework and siding constructed and in readiness for use, including final brushing.

1. Blind sites shall be determined by the Department and marked by a numbered stake.
2. All blinds will be allocated for a one-year period by a public drawing. Time and place for the drawing will be publicly announced by the Department of Natural Resources.
3. Registrants for the drawing must be at least 16 years of age and possess a current or preceding year’s Illinois hunting license, a current or preceding year’s Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp and a valid Firearms Owners Identification Card unless exempted by law. Persons exempted by law from possessing a hunting license or waterfowl stamp must have a valid Firearms Owners Identification Card. Person who are under 21 years of age who do not have a Firearms Owners Identification Card must be accompanied by an adult who has a valid Firearms Owners Identification Card in his possession at the drawing. Applicants must be present for the registration and drawing to be eligible for allocation of a duck blind site.
4. Blinds may be either temporary (boat blinds) or permanent. If boat blinds are chosen, they must be within 10 feet of the marked blind site. All statewide regulations pertaining to use of boat blinds apply. If permanent blinds are chosen, they must meet specifications in this section (Section C).
5. Blinds must be constructed within 10 feet of numbered stakes and must be at least 4' x 8'. Blinds and boat hides must be sturdy enough to withstand daily usage and must be maintained in good condition by blind builders throughout the season. Minimum dimensions of the boat hide shall be 18' x 6'.
6. Blinds built over water must be of platform construction. They may be floating blinds.
7. Blinds must include a dog hide that is on the same level as the blind. The dog hide can either be incorporated into the blind by providing a hole at floor level that measures at least 20 inches high by 20 inches wide or by providing a separate compartment that is attached to the blind. Hides attached to the blind should have a minimum floor space that measures 2 feet by 2 feet and should be at least 2.5 feet high with two openings. One opening should be between the blind and the dog hide, should measure at least 20 inches by 20 inches, and should be constructed at the same level as the blind floor. The water access opening should be at least 20 inches wide and 20 inches high. Hides either within the blind or attached should have an enforced ramp to water level that is at least 15 inches wide with cleats every 12 inches. Openings in the blind must be capable of being closed when not in use.
8. Blinds must be completed, including the final brushing, 3 weeks in advance of opening date of waterfowl season, after which time the Department of Natural Resources will inspect all blinds, boat hides and blind sites and issue blind registration cards to those which pass inspection. Blind Registration Cards must be posted inside the blind prior to the opening date of the waterfowl season and remain posted until after the close of waterfowl season.
9. Sites on which blinds or boat hides have not been built, as well as sites on which blinds or boat hides of an unsatisfactory quality have been built, will be reassigned to alternates selected at the drawing. All reassigned blinds and boat hides must be completed, including final brushing, in advance of the opening date of the waterfowl season.
10. Previous year’s blind builders shall have until May 1 of the following year to salvage materials from blind sites. Failure to comply will result in the blind winner and partners listed for the blind not in compliance to lose the privilege of being a blind winner or partner on this site for the following year.
11. Not more than 3 persons shall be registered for assignment of any one blind site.
12. No person shall be allowed to be a blind builder or partner on more than one Waterfowl Management Area in Illinois.

1. All hunters must sign in prior to hunting and sign out and report their harvest at the end of each day’s hunt.
2. Registered blind builders or partners desiring to claim their blinds must report to the check station at least one hour before hunting hour each day and occupy that blind for at least one hour. Hunters wishing to move to another blind during their daily hunt must report back to the check station for reassignment.
3. All hunting must be from registered blinds only and hunters must occupy their blinds within one hour after registering at the check station.
4. All hunters must be checked out within one hour of the close of hunting hours. At this time waterfowl and coots bagged must be checked. Hunting hours are legal opening to 1:00 PM.
5. It shall be unlawful to trespass upon the designated duck hunting area during the 7 days prior to the waterfowl season as posted at the site.
6. During duck season, blinds not claimed by the builder or partners by one hour before hunting time shall be assigned by a drawing at this time and during the hours from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m..
7. Attempts to claim blinds by any manner other than actual occupation shall be considered in violation of this Order and shall be cause for arrest. The insertion of a boat into the boat hide and/or the spreading of decoys before a blind shall not be considered legal occupation of a blind.
8. No person shall hunt, or attempt to hunt, waterfowl and coots, except from within a registered blind.
9. Persons under 16 years of age shall not hunt, or attempt to hunt, unless accompanied by an adult.
10. All hunting parties shall hunt with a spread of at least 12 decoys.
11. Not more than 4 persons shall occupy a blind at one time.
12. Blinds shall not be locked.
13. Any weed and/or brush shall not be cut or controlled around any blind without prior approval from an authorized Department of Natural Resources representative.
14. Claiming or attempting to claim any blind which is legally occupied, and/or to harass in any manner, the occupants of a blind which has been legally occupied is unlawful.

1. Teal hunting is prohibited during any special season for teal hunting.
2. Goose hunting is prohibited prior to the duck season.
3. Youth hunts authorized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service are permitted.

1. Blind builders or partners must occupy their blinds by ½ hour before opening shooting hour each day in order to claim their blind for the day.
2. Blinds not legally occupied by builders and /or partners by ½ hour before legal opening may be claimed on a first come basis.

For additional information please contact: William Powers State Fish & Wildlife Area, 12949 S. AVENUE O, CHICAGO, IL 60633, 773/646-3270

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 217/7