Frank Holten

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources manages the site for picnicking, fishing, golfing, hiking, observing wildlife, bow hunting, and trapping. ALL HUNTING IS BY MEANS OF BOW AND ARROW ONLY.

Location: North of State Highway 15 and west of State Highway 157, via Pocket Road or Lake Drive.

Description: Total acres: 1,080 acres; Huntable acres: 300 acres
General Habitats: Open acres: 470 acres; Water: 210 acres; Timbered acres: 400 acres

The park is located within the Mississippi River floodplain immediately below the bluffs. While mostly open habitat, picnic areas and a golf course - a large part of the site is thickly wooded, shrubby habitat, very conducive to white-tailed deer. Bisected by both Harding Ditch and Interstate Highway 255, the site provides both a challenge and an opportunity for the determined bow hunter. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

*Site is open during firearm deer season. Bow hunters must comply with blaze orange outer garment and cap requirement.

Site Regulations:

Deer/Fall Turkey Archery - A total of 10 bow hunters will be permitted to hunt the designated hunting area of Frank Holten State Park, during each of the designated hunts. Statewide hunting hours and regulations will apply, with the following site specific regulations in effect:

1. A drawing will be held to determine the eligible hunters for the 11 hunts available. Hunting begins on November 1. Persons interested in participating in the drawing should contact Frank Holten State Park to request an application, or one can be downloaded above.  Hunters will need to prioritize the hunting date selections they are interested in hunting. Only 1 hunt will be awarded per hunter.
2. Permits are not transferable. Applications will be accepted through September 30th. Only successful applicants will be notified by Email once the drawing is complete.
3. Successful applicants will be instructed to download a windshield card by going to the IDNR website at https://dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/. Hunters will be required to return to this website prior February 15 each year to record harvest information. Failure to submit data will result in the loss of hunting privileges for the following year. No daily check-in/out will be necessary.
4. Hunting is allowed only in the designated bow hunting area (see map). Developed recreation areas (e.g. picnic and other mowed areas) are closed to hunting. Access to the designated hunting area is permitted from designated parking areas on the Hunter Map or via boat launched from the boat ramp. Parking is permitted on the park side (northeast side) shoulder of Pocket Road .
5. Construction or use of any tree stand using nails, screws, wire or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed is unlawful.
6. Tree stands may be left unattended from October 15 - January 31. Stands must be legibly marked with the owner's name address and telephone number.
7. If deer being tracked leaves the designated hunting area, go to site office for instructions before retrieval.
8. Hunters are required to wear a blaze orange vest and hat during all firearm seasons (shotgun, muzzleloader). There is no firearm hunting allowed at FHSP.

Trapping

1. Two (2) trapping permits will be awarded per season. One for each designated trapping area. A drawing will be held at the Horseshoe Lake State Park one week prior to the trapping season. Interested parties should register at the site office before this time. Late registrants will be taken on a first come first served basis and can take the remaining designated area if available. Traps are limited to water sets only. Trappers must report their harvest to the site office at the end of the trapping season.

Other Site Facilities: Fishing, picnic areas, boat ramps, golf course

For more information, contact: Site Superintendent (618) 931-0270

Site Hunting Regulations (Administrative Rules) can be viewed here. ​​