Iroquois County State Wildlife Area

LOCATION: The Iroquois County State Wildlife Area (ICSWA) is located 2 miles north and 3 miles east of Beaverville in northeast Iroquois County.

DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA: The ICSWA is characterized by major habitat areas consisting of grassland (44%); forest (40%); cropland (7%) wetland (5%) and shrubs (4%).

SEASONS, HOURS, LIMITS:

Most programs require the possession of a Windshield Card.  These track harvest and hunters trips. You must obtain the windshield card prior to hunting, if required, by going to the following site.  https://dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/ Display the card in the windshield in plain view.  Carry the wallet card on your person. YOU MUST report your harvest and hunter trips by Feb. 15th, even if you DID NOT HUNT.  Failure to do so will forfeit your privileges the following year at this site. These cards are important to track hunter trips. In an effort to keep up with much needed resource work, the site will be having resource work days. If you are interested in participating, please contact the site for further details. Chronic Wasting Disease has been found in Kankakee County. A drop station for samples is located at this site. Please have all deer (including Iroquois Co.) sampled. Please follow directions for drop off.

Ongoing habitat management including:  spring, summer and fall burning, tree and brush removal.  These are part of a long-term habitat improvement program at the park. Please watch for signs of field work and plan accordingly, when you see them.

SITE REGULATIONS:

1. Pheasant hunting is by permit and fee on a Wednesday through Sunday basis during the scheduled permit season. Daily limit is 2 pheasants of either sex. No other species may be taken during the controlled pheasant season. Permit reservations are available on line  www.dnr.illinois.gov   Standby vacancies filled by drawing at 8:30 a.m. For standby hunting the quota for standby hunters will only be for the number of permit holders that do not show up, you are for strongly encouraged to get a permit in advance to participate in this program.  Standby hunters must register by 8:25 a.m. No hunters will be allowed to sign up after the initial drawing.     
2. Dove hunting day 1 - 5 is by permit. Statewide bag limits apply. Hunters must use size 7 1/2 or smaller shot for dove hunting (lead is allowable). Day 1 -5 the quota of hunters will be by permit issued by Springfield lottery. Vacancies will be made by random drawing at 11 A.M.. Hunters must check in and check out to report harvest. Hunting hours are 12 NOON to 5 P.M. September 1 to 5 and Sunrise to Sunset, September 6 to September 30. Dove hunting is only allowed in the Dove and Ag. Field unit from staked locations north of the Check Station. To participate days 6-30 you must self issue a permit through the Windshield card permit system listed above.
3. Squirrel hunting requires a windshield permit, from August 1 to September 30, reopens day after archery deer closes until statewide closing. Statewide bag limits apply. Rimfire .22 firearms, or black powder muzzleloaders and shotguns may be used for squirrel hunting. A windshield card permit is required.  The Red Squirrel, a protected species is found on the area. DO NOT SHOOT this small tree squirrel! The Dove and Ag. Field unit north of the check station is closed to squirrel hunting in September. 
4. Deer (Archery) To participate you must first obtain a free windshield card permit on-line from the following website:  https://dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard/  Open from October 1 to the Tuesday before the opening of controlled pheasant season, each Monday and Tuesday during the controlled pheasant season and 7 days after the close of the controlled pheasant season to the end of the statewide season. Statewide bag limits apply. No permanent tree stands are allowed, but non-bark piercing portables may be left up through the season if tagged with your name, address and phone.  The Dove/Ag field area will be closed to bow hunting during the October Youth Firearm Season. 
5. Deer (Firearm) is with site specific lottery permit during statewide firearm season. Hunters must check in and out to report harvest, and must call in harvest results according to statewide permit rules. A drawing on site will be conducted to determine hunting areas.  
6. Clean-up Pheasant, Quail and Rabbit hunting is from 2 days after the close of the controlled pheasant season for five consecutive days. Statewide bag limits apply. Hunters must check in and check out and report harvest. Closed Christmas and New Years' Day. Spectators not allowed. 
7. Rail, and woodcock hunting is from the opening of the statewide seasons to the Tuesday before opening of controlled pheasant season. Statewide bag limits apply. Hunters must check in and check out to report harvest. Windshield card required.
8. Furbearer (Raccoon, Opossum, Skunk, Fox and Coyote) hunting is from the close of the controlled pheasant season to the close of the statewide season (Northern Zone). Hunters must obtain a Windshield Card prior to hunting and submit a seasonal harvest report at the end of the season. Rimfire .22 or smaller firearms, may be used sunset to sunrise.
9. No trapping of furbearers is permitted.
10. Hunters engaged in quail, rabbit, pheasant, woodcock, and rail hunting must wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid blaze orange (at least 400 square inches).
11. Turkey (Spring) site specific lottery permit, Windshield card required.
12. Turkey (Fall Archery) statewide regulations apply. Windshield card required.
13. Deer (Youth Firearm) Mail-in drawing. Mail Youth name, guardian name (hunting mentor), and customer number, address, and phone to Iroquois Co. SWA, Youth Deer Hunt, 2803 East 3000 N. Rd., Beaverville, IL 60912, by the last Saturday in August.  A random drawing for positions will be made. Successful applicants will be contacted and sent a permit, rules and map. Only the dove/ag field area will be open for this program. You must hunt from designated areas as drawn. You will also be required to purchase a Youth Firearm Deer Permit at an Over The Counter permit vendor, such as the ICSWA, to participate. 

 *** IN ALL CASES, ask site personnel about current regulations, special rules and site conditions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Site Office at (815) 435-2218.For general information about hunting regulations and applications please click here.