Location: Carroll County, 1.5 miles east of Thomson - 2911 Scenic Bluff Road, Thomson, IL 61285
Description: Total Acres: 344, predominately timber. Huntable Acres 342.
The area is Mississippi River Bluff topography characterized by steep hillsides, ridge tops and terrace benches. The area is almost entirely forested with Black Walnut, Black Oak. Red Oak, White Oak, Hackberry, Black Cherry and Mixed Elm the dominate tree species. There are several cedar thickets on the west and south sides of the site. The site is bordered on all four sides by private lands with mixed grain farming, and privately managed woodlands as the dominate land uses. Johnson Creek drains close to but does not bisect the site. 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.
Available Game Species:
Species | Seasons | Hunting Hours | Bag Limits | Special Regulations |
|---|
Squirrel | Statewide | Statewide | Statewide | Closed during firearm deer seasons. |
Deer (Archery) | Statewide | Statewide | Statewide | Closed during firearm and muzzleloading deer seasons. |
Turkey (Fall Archery) | Statewide | Statewide | Statewide | Closed during firearm and muzzleloading deer seasons. |
Deer (Firearm) | Statewide | Statewide | Statewide | Quota of 8 hunters per season. |
Deer (Muzzleloader) | 2nd portion of muzzleloader season. | Statewide | Statewide | Quota of 8 hunters. |
Deer (CWD) | Statewide | Statewide | Statewide | Quota of 8 hunters. |
Turkey (Spring) | Statewide | Statewide | Statewide | Quota of 8 hunters per season. No youth turkey. |
General Area Regulations:
Think safety first! You should be aware that hikers and other non-hunters may be in the area.
All statewide regulations apply.
Hunters must obtain a Windshield Card online at the IDNR website at
dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/. This card must be displayed and visible under the vehicle windshield and the pocket portion in your possession while hunting at the site. Hunters must report their Windshield Card annual harvest online by February 15 (even if the hunter did not hunt) or they forfeit their hunting privileges at the site for the following year.
In addition to Windshield Card reporting, successful deer and turkey hunters are required to record their harvest as instructed on their permit.
Hunting is restricted to those portions of the area posted as open hunting, which excludes the hunter parking area. You may not possess an uncased bow or loaded/uncased firearm outside of the posted hunting zones.
Hunters must park in the designated parking lot. Do not block access to fields or gates.
It shall be unlawful to construct or to use any tree stand that utilizes nails, screws, wire or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed. Only one tree stand or blind is allowed per hunter. Tree stands or blinds may be left unattended from September 15 - January 31 if legibly marked with the owner's name, address, and telephone number.
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or to consume beer, wine, or intoxicating liquors while hunting on the area.
You may not enter a restricted area or trespass on private land for
any reason without first notifying the park staff or the appropriate landowner.
Only permitted hunters are allowed in the area during deer firearm seasons and until 1:00 PM during the turkey firearm seasons.
Spring Turkey Hunting Site Regulations:
- All spring turkey hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit, which will be issued through the Permit Office in Springfield. Permits valid for Carroll Co. will not be valid at French Bluff Natural Area.
Deer Hunting Site Regulations:
- All firearm deer hunters must obtain a Special Hunt Area permit, which will be issued through the Permit Office in Springfield. Permits valid for Carroll Co. will not be valid at French Bluff Natural Area.
- No standby permits available.
- Hunting is allowed with any type of weapon that is legal for statewide deer hunting during the specific season you are hunting.
- A French Bluff muzzleloader permit is not valid for the second season of the regular firearm deer season.
- Stand by permits will not be issued for special CWD season. Left over permits cannot be used.
Squirrel Hunting Regulations
- Shotguns #3 or smaller for steel shot, #5 or smaller for lead, tungsten or bismuth shot. 22 rimfire rifles, .25 air rifles, muzzleloading rifles and archery tackle using flu-flu arrows are permitted for taking squirrels.
Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
For further information contact: Mississippi Palisades State Park, 16327A IL Rte 84, Savanna, IL 61074
Phone: (815) 273-2731
