Mississippi River State Fish & Wildlife Area Hunter Fact Sheet

2011 - 2012 Season

MAP

Additional MRA MAPS

 

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for providing outdoor recreational opportunities for the residents of Illinois. The Mississippi River Area comprises twelve waterfowl management areas, five of which have check stations. These are located within pools 25 and 26 on the Mississippi and lower Illinois Rivers, in Jersey and Calhoun counties. Headquarters of the Mississippi River Area is located at Rosedale, approximately eleven miles north of Grafton, Illinois on Route 100.

General Regulations:

  1. It is unlawful to trespass on areas designated as waterfowl rest areas 14 days prior to duck season and until the end of duck season at Godar Refuge, Crull Impoundment Refuge, Dan Hudgins Rest Area and Batchtown Refuge. (Areas indicated by dotted line on the maps.)
  2. Fishing is permitted except on waterfowl areas as posted during waterfowl season, on waterfowl rest areas (until the end of waterfowl season) and within 250 yards of an occupied blind on the open river. Commercial fishing is allowed within the management areas by permit only.
  3. There is no restriction on outboard motor size.
  4. Dog training permits are required for training purposes and may be obtained from the Headquarters during regular business hours. The permits are valid from April 1 through March 31 annually.
  5. Hunting of all game species is permitted in all areas according to statewide, Federal and site specific regulations as listed, except in access areas, waterfowl rest areas (see above) and within 200 yards of occupied waterfowl blinds during waterfowl season.
  6. Dove hunting dates are by statewide regulations. However, non-toxic shot is required for dove hunting.
  7. Squirrel hunting with shotgun or .22 rimfire or smaller is allowed.
  8. Raccoon and coyote hunting by statewide regulations is allowed using shotgun, .22 rimfire or smaller rifles and archery equipment.
  9. Trapping is permitted by special drawing. Date of the drawing is typically the first week of waterfowl season. Trapping is restricted to land sets using live traps, egg traps or other dog proof traps during duck season. Water sets are allowed after duck season closes.
  10. No alcoholic beverages in possession while in any hunting area.
  11. ATV use is not allowed on the areas.
  12. No driving off roadway.
  13. Parking allowed along roadways and in parking areas only.
  14. No camping allowed.

Waterfowl Hunting Regulations:

  1. Waterfowl blind sites are allocated by public drawing for a three-year period. Blinds must be built to site specifications and maintained in a safe usable condition. Blind builders are re-registered annually and blinds not registered and/or not constructed are re-allocated.
  2. Season and bag limits will be determined by the state and Federal regulations.
  3. Hunting times will be from legal opening to 3:30 p.m. central standard time at Calhoun Point, Stump Lake, Glades-12 Mile, Batchtown, Godar Diamond, and Fuller Lake. Legal opening to legal close for areas not listed, except Red's Landing Walk-in, and RipRap Walk-in closes at 12:00 pm.
  4. All waterfowl hunting must be done from within a staked and registered waterfowl blind, except at Red’s Landing, RipRap Landing, Turner Island, Kelly Island, and 12 Mile Island where walk-in areas are provided.
  5. No person less than 16 years of age may hunt on this area unless accompanied by an adult.
  6. No more than four persons may occupy a blind at one time.
  7. Each hunting party is required to hunt over a minimum of twelve decoys.

Check Station Areas (Stump Lake, Glades, Godar-Diamond, Batchtown and Calhoun Point):

  1. Hunters must report to the check station, fill out the information card, show hunting license and receive required materials before proceeding to blinds. Registered blind builders must report to the check station one hour before shooting time each day in order to claim their blind. Blinds not claimed by blind builders at this time will be available for assignment by drawing. Additional assignment of vacant or vacated blind will resume at 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Because of budget limitations, this procdure may change. Check with the site office before coming to hunt.
  2. All hunters must occupy their blind within one hour after the blind is assigned.
  3. Upon vacating blinds, all hunters must report within one hour to the check station to complete hunter harvest card and deposit in box provided.

Non-check Station Areas:

  1. Registered blind builders in non-check station areas must occupy blinds by one-half hour before shooting time each day; otherwise the blind will be available to non-blind builders.

Walk-in Hunting:

  1. Red’s Landing is open to all hunting by site and statewide regualtions; access by walk-in or boats without motors only. Hunting from legal opening until 12:00 p.m. C.S.T.daily, no access before 4:00 a.m. C.S.T. daily. No permanent blinds. Hunting parties will not hunt over less than 12 decoys or more than 24. Decoys must be picked up daily. No vehicles allowed.
  2. Walk-in hunting area at RipRap Landing – area is open to all hunting by site and statewide regulations, access by walk-in or boats without motors only. Hunting from legal opening until 12:00 P.M. CST daily, no access before 4:00 a.m. C.S.T. daily. No permanent blinds. Hunting parties will not hunt over less than 12 decoys or more than 24. Decoys must be picked up daily. No vehicles allowed.
  3. Walk-in hunting is provided in all interior lakes and sloughs of Turner, Kelly and 12 Mile Islands.

Deer Hunting Regulations:

  1. Deer hunting is allowed on all areas except access areas, and waterfowl rest areas (which close 15 days prior to duck season) during duck season and within 200 yards of an occupied duck blind, with the appropriate county and/or state permit.
  2. It is unlawful to drive deer or participate in a deer drive on all Department owned or managed properties. A deer drive is defined as a deliberate action by one or more persons (whether armed or unarmed) whose intent is to cause deer to move within firearm range of one or more participating hunters.
  3. Only one tree stand is allowed per deer permit holder. These tree stands must comply with restrictions listed in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10 (c)(3). Stands and steps must not be attached with nails, screws or any fastener that damages the tree in any way. Tree stands may be left unattended from September 15 - January 31 at the risk of the owner. Any tree stand left unattended overnight must be legibly marked with the owner’s name, address and telephone number or site assigned identification number.
  4. To track deer with dogs on any Department owned or managed site during hours when deer hunting is being conducted is unlawful. Dogs must be certified as deer tracking dogs by a national dog tracking organization.
  5. Hunting from a ground blind is allowed provided at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange is attached to the upper portion and a substantial portion is visible for 360 degrees around the blind during any firearm deer season.
  6. During duck season only deer hunters may not access the designated duck hunting areas by launching a boat at certain specifically posted boat ramps; boat ramps reopen to deer hunters the day after duck season closes.
  7. Parking allowed along roadways and in parking areas only.
  8. Deer hunting in red's Landing Walk-in Area and ripRap Landing Walk-in Area opens at 12:00 p.m (Noon) daily and runs to legal closing time. During duck season, statewide regulations during remainder of season.

Turkey Hunting Information:

Permit for the appropriate county required.

All of the areas within the Mississippi River Area are subject to spring flooding and could be under water during turkey season.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Mississippi River State Fish and Wildlife Area, 17836 State Highway 100 N, Grafton, Illinois 62037. Telephone: (618) 376-3303.

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.