Location: This site is located between DeSoto, Hurst and Elkville bordered by Route 149 to the south and east, Elkville blacktop to the north, and US Highway 51 to the west in Jackson County, Illinois.
Description:
Total Acres: 4,508
| Huntable Acres: 4,508
| Habitat Type Acres: Forest 1,524
|
Cropland Acres: 1,126
| Shrubland Acres: 795
| Lake Acres: 551
|
Grassland Acres: 287
| Wetland Acres: 163
| Roads and Service Area Acres: 52
|
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources purchased 4,508 acres from Consolidation Coal Company in December 2014 and designated it as the state's first Quail Focal Area in 2018. The area is dominated by large tracts of forestland which are interspersed with cropland, lakes, wetlands, shrubland and grassland. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
Available Game Species: Squirrel, White-tailed Deer (Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader, Youth), Turkey (Spring Firearm Only), Dove, Teal (Early Season), Woodcock, Snipe, Rail, Crow, Furbearer Trapping, and Furbearer Hunting
Site Specific Regulations:
- Hunters are advised that Windshield Cards are required to hunt all species which are available from the IDNR Homepage https://dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/. ALL hunters are required to have a state hunting permit. Hunters are required to return to this website prior to February 15 to record harvest information. Failure to submit harvest data will result in loss of hunting privileges for the following year. Hunters must maintain accurate records of each hunt.
- The site is a Restricted Hunting Area November 1- March 1. Only vehicles with a Hunter Windshield Card are allowed on site.
- Deer (Archery) - Statewide regulations. Tree stands and tents which are used for deer hunting must be removed from the area at the end of each day's hunt.
- Deer (Firearm and Muzzleloading) – Firearm deer hunters, except youth hunters must apply for a site specific permit which is available through the statewide lottery. Tree stands and tents which are used for deer hunting must be removed from the area at the end of each day's hunt.
- Deer (Late-Winter) – CLOSED
- Turkey (Spring) – Regular season and youth season hunters must apply for a site specific permit which is available through the statewide lottery. Excluding fishing (boat and shoreline), the site is closed to all persons not turkey hunting with a valid site permit until 1pm each day of the spring wild turkey hunting season.
- Turkey (Fall Gun and Archery) – CLOSED
- Squirrel - Hunting with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms, .25 caliber or smaller air rifles, or muzzleloading black powder rifles.
- Upland Game (Bobwhite Quail and Rabbit) - CLOSED
- Waterfowl (Duck, Goose and Coot) - CLOSED
- Dove - Sunrise to sunset, non-toxic shot only, size 6 or smaller.
- Teal (Early Season), Woodcock, Rail and Snipe – Statewide regulations. Sunrise to sunset, non-toxic shot.
- Crow- Statewide regulations.
- Furbearer Hunting – (No hunting on Island Lake from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28). Site closed to furbearer hunting until after 1pm each day during spring turkey season, unless hunting with a valid site turkey permit. Statewide regulations
- Furbearer Trapping – (No trapping on Island Lake from Nov. 1 to Feb. 28) Statewide regulations
- Do not park in front of gates and barriers.
- The area will be CLOSED to fishing November 1 through last day of February.
For further information, please contact: Site Superintendent at Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area, 483 Mine Road, DeSoto, Illinois 62924. Phone: (618) 521-8873.
