Johnson Sauk Trail State Recreation Area

2022 - 2023 Season

Map                              

Location: Henry County - 6 miles north of Kewanee and 6 miles south of Interstate 80 on Highway 78.

Description: Total Acres 1361. Huntable Acres: 862. Habitat types: Timber - 100 acres, Brush - 100 acres, Grass or cultivated acres - 650. The area is one of gently rolling topography. Much of the area consists of grassy areas interspersed with cultivated fields, brushy draws, and small woodlots. This area provides excellent hunting opportunity for the common game species found in northwestern Illinois. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

Species

Season

Hours

Bag Limits

Special Area Regulations (See below)

Archery Deer

See # 7

Statewide

Statewide

See #  3, 7

Deer Disabled Hunt

First Thursday & Friday after November 1st

Statewide

Statewide

See # 2

Archery Coyote, Fox, & Fall Archery Turkey

See # 5, 7

Statewide

Statewide

See # 3, 4, 5, 7

Furbearer Trapping

Statewide

Statewide

Statewide

See # 10

 

All regulations found in the Illinois Wildlife Code, Federal Regulations and Administrative Orders will apply unless area regulations are more restrictive.

Special Area Regulations:

  1. Each hunter must obtain a windshield card when deer hunting at this site.  The windshield cards are available at dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/.  If you need assistance in obtaining the card, report to or contact Johnson Sauk Trail at (309) 853-2425. Hunters are required to return to this website to report their harvest no later than February 15th each year.  Failure to submit the data will result in the loss of hunting privileges for the following year.  The survey is required even if you do not hunt or harvest game. 
  2. Hunters in possession of a P2A card are eligible to participate in a special firearm deer hunt held the 1st Thursday and Friday in November.  Each hunter can be accompanied by one (non-hunting) partner or guardian.  Hunters wishing to participate must contact the Johnson-Sauk Trail Office at 309-853-2425 by September 30 to apply and reserve a slot. All other statewide regulations apply.
  3. Deer, fall turkey, fox, and coyote hunting are archery only.  
  4. Any deer or turkey harvested must also be checked in/reported as outlined in the statewide rules & regulations for reporting harvests during the regular seasons.
  5. Coyote, Fox, and Turkey Season open only when the site archery deer season is open. Site fox season begins when the statewide fox season opens, runs concurrently with the site archery deer season, and closes the earlier of either the statewide fox season closing or the site archery deer season closing. Archery turkey closed during firearm deer seasons.
  6. Hunting is restricted to those areas posted as open to hunting and hunters are permitted in those areas only during hunting hours. 
  7. During the site pheasant hunting program (starting November), archery deer and turkey hunting are only permitted Wednesday thru Sunday, 2:00pm thru half hour after sunset, and statewide hours on Mondays and Tuesdays.
  8. Be aware that Lake Shore Road is closed from November 1st thru May 1st.  There is no vehicular access to remove a tree stand if you placed one via using this road.  Walk-in/walk-out access only. 
  9. All statewide regulations apply.  See posted regulations as further restrictions may apply.
  10. Furbearer trapping site permit required. Contact site for information. Only Egg Traps, Dog-Proof Traps, Lil Grizz Get'rz, box traps, cage, traps, and traps of similar design may be used for land sets; only body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of 5 inches or less, square body-gripping traps with a 10 inch jaw spread, or snares may be used for water sets. No foothold water sets allowed.

IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL:

  • To construct or use any tree stand or accessory using nails, screws or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed. Only one stand allowed per hunter. Stands must be portable, may be erected beginning September 15, and must be removed by sunset on January 31. Tree stands left unattended must be marked with the owner's name, address, and telephone number.
  • To park anywhere on the site except in the designated parking lots and for unauthorized vehicles to enter upon any trail.
  • To hunt with other than a shotgun or bow and arrow.
  • For any person to consume any alcoholic beverage or illegal drug or to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on the area for the purpose of hunting.

Other Facilities / Activities Available: Camping, picnicking, fishing, boating, cross country skiing.

For further information contact: Johnson Sauk Trail State Park; 28616 Sauk Trail Road; Kewanee, IL 61443 Phone: (309) 853-2425 


Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source’s civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702; (217)785-0067; TTY (217)782-9175.