Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area - Marshall Unit Hunter Fact Sheet 

Waterfowl

2012 - 2013 Season

Location: Marshall County; Headquarters located 5 miles south of Lacon on State Rt. 26, or 30 miles north of Peoria on Route 26.

Description: Approximately 3,000 acres of Illinois River backwaters related to waterfowl management at the Marshall Unit.

1. Waterfowl hunting sites are awarded by annual draw.
2. All hunters using this area must report to check station to fill out information cards and turn in hunting licenses or Firearms Owners Identification Card.
3. Awarded blind builders desiring to claim their blinds must report to check station at least one (1) hour before opening shooting hour each day. Blinds not claimed by annual blind builders at this hour will be assigned by draw. Hunters missing this drawing will have a thirty minute grace period from the draw time to claim any unclaimed blind. A second standby drawing will be held from 8 - 11:00 AM, after which time the waterfowl area is closed to further entry.
4. All hunting will be from registered blinds and hunters must occupy blinds within one (1) hour after registering.
5. All hunting will cease at 1:00 PM.
6. Upon vacating a blind, hunters must report to check station within one (1) hour. Ducks, geese, and/or coots bagged must be checked in, at which time licenses will be returned.
7. All parties must hunt over a minimum of twelve (12) decoys, which must be removed upon termination of hunt.
8. At no time are hunters permitted to enter designated waterfowl refuges or rest areas.
9. Hunters 16 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
10. No more than four (4) persons shall occupy a blind at one time.
11. Severe weather and safety conditions can result in closing all or part of Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area.
12. Steel shot is required on this area.
13. It shall be unlawful to possess or consume alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer, while hunting on the area.

Other Facilities Available: Camping, Picnicking, Hiking, and Fishing. See Main Area Fact Sheet for upland hunting information.

Note: LOW WATER conditions due to siltation of the Illinois River backwaters may make access to certain blinds difficult or nearly impossible during segments of the waterfowl season. Please note that airboats, hovercraft, etc. are not allowed at this site. Shallow-water drive or "mud motors" are recommended when conditions warrant. Further information on water levels and blind accessibility can be obtained from the site office.

For further information, contact: Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area, 236 State Route 26, Lacon, IL 61540; Telephone: 309/246-8351.

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.