Castle Rock State Park

2022-2023 Season

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Location: Ogle county, 3 miles south of Oregon IL. on IL. Hwy. 2

Description: Huntable acres: Squirrel, archery deer & turkey - approx. 580 acres; shotgun & muzzleloader deer - approx. 1,620 acres. The site is composed mainly of upland forest with wooded ridges and deep ravines interspersed with hill prairie and old fields. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

SpeciesDatesHoursBag LimitHunter QuotaSpecial Regulations
Squirrel8/1 - 9/30StatewideStatewideSee belowSee A, B, C
Deer ArcheryStatewideStatewideStatewideSee belowSee (1), B, C, D, E
Turkey Archery (Fall)StatewideStatewideStatewideSee belowHunt in Zone A Only
See (1) B, C, D
Deer FirearmStatewideStatewideStatewide50 hunters per daySee (2)
Deer MuzzleloaderOnly during muzzleloader season (not 2nd firearm)
StatewideStatewide50 hunters per daySee (2)
Deer - CWDStatewideStatewideStatewide30 hunters at one timeSee (2)

Turkey (Spring)
Statewide
Statewide
Statewide
5 permits per season		See (2) Windshield Card harvest report must be submitted by Feb. 15
Hunt in Zone A Only
​(1) Deer archery & Turkey archery will be closed during both shotgun deer seasons, the muzzleloader deer season and CWD seasons.​
​(2) Hunters must possess a permit issued specifically for Castle Rock S.P., for the season they are hunting, to hunt this site.

Hunting Regulations:
All regulations found in the Illinois Wildlife Code, Federal Regulations, and Administrative Orders will apply unless area regulations are more restrictive. Hunters must obtain a site windshield card online from  dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard. Complete all fields as necessary and print the Windshield Card and accompanying pocket card. Your windshield card must be displayed under the vehicle windshield, face up, with the windshield card number visible and the pocket card portion in your possession while hunting at the site.  Hunters must report their harvest (even if you did not hunt) by February 15. Hunters shall forfeit their hunting privileges at the site for the following year if they fail to report by the prescribed deadline.  

 

It Shall Be Unlawful:

 
  1. To construct or to use any type of tree stand, screw-in steps, spikes, cleats, ladder, climbing aids, etc. using nails, screws, wire, or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree. Stands must be portable and may be left unattended from Sept. 15th through Jan 31st.  Stands left must be marked with the hunter's name, address, and phone number. Only one stand per person allowed.
    2.  
  2. For any person to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the area for the purpose of hunting.
    3.  
  3. To hunt in any area not designated as open to hunting.
    4.  
  4. For any person to park except at a designated parking area.
    5.  
  5. To enter onto any private property, for any reason, without first obtaining permission from the owner of the property.
    6.  
  6. For any person to drive deer, or participate in a deer drive, at any time (includes all deer seasons) on this site.
    7.  
  7. To place or use any bait, attractant, lure, etc. that may be licked or ingested, etc.; or, to use any type of item that generates heat.
 

Area Regulations: Squirrel, Deer Archery & Turkey Archery

 
  1. Squirrel hunting is only allowed in zone A and only with a shotgun or bow and arrow. Squirrel hunters must park in any of the 4 designated parking lots:  Lot 7, along Wilderness Road; Lot 8, along IL Hwy 2; Lot 6 along Ridge Road; or Lot 9 along IL Hwy 2 Wetland lot. Squirrel hunters may only park in these 4 lots.
    2.  
  2. Parking along township roads is not permitted. Squirrel hunting is not allowed in the Nature Preserve, Zone B.
    3.  
  3. Hunters cannot camp overnight in the parking lots.  
    4.  
  4. Archery deer and turkey hunting will be closed during all Deer Firearm Season. 
    5.  
  5. Submission of ALL archery harvested deer heads is required within 48 hours of harvest to test for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease.
 

Area Regulations: Firearm, Muzzleloader & Late Winter Seasons:

 
  1. Hunters may apply by selecting Castle Rock State Park as their choice of hunting area on their Firearm or Muzzleloader Deer permit application. Applications are to be submitted to, and will be processed by, the Springfield Permit Office. All permits will be issued as either sex.
    2.  
  2. Hunters with Castle Rock Firearm and Muzzleloader Deer Permits must check in and deposit their hunting license by 5:00 am or their permit is invalid for that day. Registration will be at the Castle Rock SP workshop and begin at 4:00 am. Vacancies remaining at 5:00am will be filled by a drawing to allocate stand-by permits during Firearm season only. No Stand-by permits will be issued during the Muzzleloader season.​ Stand-by permits are issued as being valid for the day of issuance only; are site specific for Castle Rock. No other permits are required. Non-resident standby hunters are required to have a non-resident hunting license and current habitat stamp.
    3.  
  3. CWD Season: CWD season permits may be applied for only at www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting.The application period will be publicly announced.  A  public announcement will be made as to whether unallocated permits will be available for sale over-the-counter from participating vendors. A maximum or 30 antlerless permits will be sold for the entire season and unfilled permits form any other season will not be valid. Stand-by permits will not be available. Hunter with a site-specific permit must sign in/out daily via self-serve check station at the Castle Rock State Park workshop. Hunters may sign into any available parking lot/area on a first come/first serve basis.
    4.  
  4. Hunting is allowed with any type of weapon that is legal for statewide deer hunting during the specific season you are hunting.
    5.  
  5. All deer harvested must be checked in/reported to the site prior to leaving the site AND checked-in/reported as outlined in the statewide rules and regulations for reporting deer harvested during the regular statewide deer seasons.
  6. All deer stands and marking ribbons/flagging must be removed by February1.
 

For more information about Castle Rock State Park hunting programs contact: Castle Rock State Park, 1365 W. Castle Rd., Oregon, IL. 61061

Phone: (815)732-7329​​​

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.