Jim Edgar Panther Creek

The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for providing outdoor recreation opportunities. The use of wildlife populations, whether it be for hunting or observation, is one aspect of this role. This Hunting Fact Sheet is provided to ensure that the regulations governing the use of our wildlife resources are available and understood. In addition, it is useful in acquainting visitors with common species and habitats on the area. In all cases, ask site personnel about additional rules, regulations and site information.

Location: Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (JEPC) is located between Ashland and Chandlerville, Illinois, 25 miles Northwest of Springfield, Illinois, in Cass County.

Description: JEPC is characterized by rolling to steeply rolling uplands; 3,615 acres of crop land; 6,500 acres of timberland; with the balance of acres in native grass, food plots, or idled farmland. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site. 

Available Game Species:

Statewide regulations:

1. Windshield Cards are required for species as noted. These are available online at https://dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/. Hunters will be required to return to this website prior to February 15th each year to record harvest information. Failure to submit data for two consecutive years will result in loss of hunting privileges for the following year.
2. For Free Upland Game Permit area, a Free Upland Game Permit Application must be submitted online for a lottery drawing to be held in August. The application is available at www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/uplandgame. Hunters will be required to return their harvest card prior to February 15th each year. Failure to submit card will result in loss of hunting privileges for the following year. Permit holders may bring up to three hunting partners.
3. For the Controlled Hunting program applications must be submitted on-line starting August 3rd by going to https://dnr2.illinois.gov/controlledhunt/. Only non-toxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may be possessed and only non-toxic shot shells with a shot size ballistically equivalent to No. 5 lead or smaller may be used or in possession. The non-toxic ammunition regulations also apply to any Youth upland game hunting. Rabbit hunting (ONLY) to open in the Controlled Hunting Unit on the day after the controlled pheasant season closes and remain open until the end of the statewide rabbit hunting season.
4. Firearm deer hunting and turkey hunting permits are available through the permit lottery system at www.exploremoreil.com. Firearm deer and both spring and fall turkey permits are site specific, not county-based permits. 
5. Trapping in one of 6 zones by special permit only; determined by drawing held at site office. Contact site office for details.
6. Hunting with a special permit first 10 days (Sept 1 - 5 permit through the Permit Lottery System, https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/Pages/DoveHunting.aspx Sept 6 - 10 site permit through special daily drawing. From 9/11 through 10/31 all areas open, see number 1 above. Only U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved non-toxic shot, such as bismuth, of size #7.5 or smaller, or steel shot size #6 or smaller may be used or possessed for taking of doves. Hunting locations (stakes) during permit-only hunting period distributed by daily drawing to hunters with appropriate, State-issued permit. Check in for drawing at Hunter Check-In Building from 8 am-10 am.
7. Hunting in Controlled Unit and Quail Game unit 8/1 through 10/31.  Quail Game Management Unit closed to squirrel hunting from 11/1 until close of rabbit season unless in possession of special permit; contact site office for details.  Controlled Unit open to rabbit hunting only after close of controlled pheasant program. 
8. Non-Residents are required to obtain a special permit to hunt during the period 28 days before the first statewide firearm deer season (permit can be found by following link located at the top of this page). Statewide regulations prior to and following these dates. Contact site office for details.
9. Hunting with special permit from site office.  Youth hunters must submit their name, address and birth date to the site office for a drawing by August 31.  Permits are available over the counter at  License Vendors.
   
10. Waterfowl hunting on Prairie Lake will be allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays, beginning the opening day of the controlled pheasant hunting season until the close of the controlled pheasant hunting season. Blind sites shall be allocated from the hunter check station at 5:10 AM. Doors will open at 5:00 AM.  Closed on Christmas Day (December 25).
11. Conservation Order Snow Goose hunting is allowed after the close of the regular Canada goose season.
12. Both Open Units closed to archery hunting during three-day Youth Firearm Deer season.
13. Only non-toxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of size #3 steel or tin, #4 bismuth shot, or #5 tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix or smaller may be used or possessed.

Parking allowed in designated parking areas only; no road-side parking allowed. No motorized vehicles allowed off-road and/or off designated trails at site (including no vehicles with electric motors)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Site Superintendent, 10149 County Highway 11, Chandlerville, IL 62627 or at (217) 452-7741.​