Weinberg-King State Park - Spunky Bottoms Unit Hunter Fact Sheet 

2012 - 2013 Season

MAP

INTRODUCTION: The Spunky Bottoms Unit was acquired by the State of Illinois in the Spring of 2002. The acquisition is part of a joint project between the IDNR, Army Corps of Engineers, and The Nature Conservancy to restore an historic backwater lake of the Illinois River. Restoration efforts call for the eventual retirement of cropland to develop wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands on the site.

LOCATION: Spunky Bottoms Unit is located a little over a mile downstream from the LaGrange Lock and Dam on the Illinois River. The site is located in Brown County about 10 miles southeast of Mt. Sterling.

DESCRIPTION:

Total Acres: 833 Cropland/Open Acres: 528 Water Acres: 5
Huntable Acres: 800 Forested Acres: 300  

SETTING: The area is characterized by river bottom cropland, forested bluffs and river bottoms. Wooded drainage ditches and standing crop food plots are also present on the site. This diversity adds to a habitat matrix which provides a variety of hunting opportunities. Additional management practices such as wetland restoration will be implemented in the future.

SPECIES

SEASON

HOURS

SPECIAL RULES/PERMITS*
Squirrel STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Dove STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Deer (Archery Only)
 STATEWIDE STATEWIDE ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY
Deer (All Firearm Seasons) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Turkey (FALL ARCHERY) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY
Turkey (FALL SHOTGUN) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Turkey (SPRING) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Duck/Goose STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Rabbit/Quail STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Raccoon ** STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE
Crow OCT 15 - FEB 28 STATEWIDE NONE
Woodcock/Snipe/Rail/Teal STATEWIDE STATEWIDE NONE

* All hunters must park in designated parking areas. Parking along roadways is prohibited.
**Trapping is also allowed for furbearing mammals. A special trapping permit is issued through a site drawing.

SITE REGULATIONS:

It Shall Be Unlawful:

  1. For any person to construct or to use any tree stand using nails, screws, wire, steps, or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed. Only one portable stand may be used and must be labeled with the hunter's name, address, and telephone number or a site assigned number.
  2. For any person to possess or consume beer, wine, or alcoholic or intoxicating liquor while hunting on the area.
  3. For any person to use vehicles on internal roads that are posted closed.
  4. To hunt on the area without checking in and out to register and report their harvest.
  5. To hunt in any areas where signage indicates "closed to hunting." These areas may occur at or around building sites.
  6. To use dogs for coyote hunting.
  7. All hunting is to be with shotgun, handgun (deer), .22 rimfire, muzzleloader, and/or archery, state regulations apply.

OTHER SITE FACILITIES: None

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Weinberg-King State Park at (217) 392-2345.

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.