Marshall State Fish & Wildlife Area - Sparland Unit

Hunter Fact Sheet - Waterfowl

2012 - 2013 Season

MAP

Location: Marshall County; 1 mile north of Sparland on Route 29; or 1 mile northwest of Route 17 bridge at Lacon.

Description: Total: 1,280 acres, consisting of 1,100 acres water and 180 acres land.

1. Legal Hunting hours will prevail each day in accordance with Federal and State Regulations.
2. Waterfowl hunting sites are awarded by annual draw.
3. A check station will NOT be operated on this unit. Hunters are required to fill our a hunter harvest card located at the hunter registration box at the Lacon boat ramp marina. Blind builders and/or partners must occupy blinds by one-half hour before opening shooting time each day in order to claim their blind.
4. Attempts to claim blinds by any manner other than actual occupation shall be considered in violation and shall be cause for arrest. The insertion of a boat into the boat hide an/or the spreading of decoys before a blind shall not be considered legal occupation of a blind.
5. BLINDS NOT LEGALLY OCCUPIED BY ONE-HALF (1/2) HOUR BEFORE OPENING SHOOTING TIME EACH DAY MAY BE CLAIMED BY ANY LICENSED WATERFOWL HUTNER.
6. No person shall buy or sell hutning rights.
7. Hunters 16 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
8. No more than four (4) persons shall occupy a blind at one time.
9. No person may lock a blind
10. All parties must hunt over a minimum of twelve (12) decoys, which must be removed upon termination of hunt.
11. At no time are hunters permitted to enter designated waterfowl refuges or rest areas.
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 available near Headquarters.

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 are allowed at the Sparland Unit ONLY. 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.