Dublin Highlands Pheasant Habitat Area

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the preservation and restoration of wildlife and their associated habitats. The Dublin Highlands Pheasant Habitat Area was purchased with revenue generated through the sale of the Illinois Habitat Stamp and developed with the cooperation of the Highland Chapter of Pheasants Forever. This area provides high quality permanent habitat for ring-necked pheasants and hunting opportunities for Illinois sportsmen. This site is owned and managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Management activities on this site may occur throughout the year, including the hunting seasons.​

Location: Stephenson County, three miles east of Route 73 at the intersection of Dublin and Heitter Road. Sign in station is at Heitter Road.

Description: Total Huntable Areas - 122 acres.

Available Game Species:

Area Regulations:

1. Hunting is by permit only.
2. All hunters must have a valid permit for the date on which they are hunting. Hunters must sign in before hunting and harvest numbers must be recorded when finished at the sign in station on Heitter Road.
3. Permit holders may bring three hunting partners to the area to hunt with them.
4. Hunters must wear a cap and upper outer-garment of solid blaze orange, of at least 400 square inches.
5. Permit applications will be available at Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park or on the IDNR web site in August, prior to the hunting season.
6. All hunting must be with shotgun or bow and arrow.
7. Archery hunters must register with name and date prior to hunting and sign out and record harvest upon completion of the hunt. Registration will be at the site parking lot. No more than 2 hunters can hunt concurrently at Dublin Highlands Habitat Area. It shall be unlawful to construct or use any tree stands that utilize nails, screws, wire, or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed. Tree stands must be removed at the end of the hunting day. Archery season closes at the end of shooting hours on the day preceding the opening of the upland hunting season for the north zone and will re-open at legal shooting hours the day following the close of the north zone upland season.  All successful deer hunters must provide a CWD sample within 48 hours of harvest. 

Hunting Regulations:

ALL regulations found in the Illinois Game code, Federal Regulations and Administrative Orders will apply unless area regulations are more restrictive.

Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

Further information can be found in the Illinois Hunting Digest or by contacting 217-782-6384; or Lake-Le-Aqua-Na State Park, 8542 North Lake Road, Lena, IL 61048. Phone 815-369-4282.