Location: Henry County - 6 miles north of Kewanee and 6 miles south of Interstate 80 on Highway 78.
Description: Total Acres 1,361. 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) |
Dove | Sept 1 - 5 | Sunrise - 11:30 AM | Statewide | Springfield issued permit. See # 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11 |
Dove | Sept 6 - 30 | Sunrise to Sunset | Statewide | See # 3, 5, 9, 10 |
Squirrel | See # 7 | Statewide | Statewide | See # 5, 7, 8, 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:
- Hunting is restricted to those areas posted as open to hunting. Hunters with weapons are not allowed in the field except during hunting hours.
- Daily hunter quota. Quota refills are allowed.
- Hunters must hunt at assigned stake.
- A manned check station will be operated at the Marian building/restaurant during the first five days of dove season. Dove Permit Hunters must check in and out at that station. If necessay, a drawing will be held at 5:00 AM to assign stakes and to limit hunter numbers to quotas. A second drawing may take place for stand by hunters without permits if stake availability exists. This drawing would take place immediately following the permitted hunter drawing at 5:00 AM.
- When check station is not manned, hunters are to sign in/out at hunter parking lot kiosk and record their harvest.
- Check In: Marain Building Red Earth Cafe at 4:30 AM for the first 5 days. Hunting hours are from sunrise until 11:30 AM.
- Squirrel season begins the day after Labor Day and runs thru the day before archery deer season opens; reopens the day after the archery deer season closes and remains open until the end of the statewide season.
- Only lead, tungsten, or bismuth shot of size #5 or smaller; or size #3 steel or smaller may be possessed while squirrel hunting.
- Non-toxic shot only! Only non-toxic shot (as defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 50 CFR 20), #6 steel shot or #7 bismuth shot or smaller, may be possessed. Bow and arrow not allowed.
- Hunters must obtain a site windshield card at www.dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard/. Complete all fields as necessary and print Windshield Card and accompanying pocket card. This permit (your windshield card) must be displayed under the vehicle windshield, face up, with the permit number visible and the pocket card portion in your possession while hunting at the site. Hunters must report their annual harvest online (even if you did not hunt) by February 15. Hunters shall forfeit their hunting privileges at the site for the following year if they fail to report by the prescribed deadline.
- Permit issued thru Springfield Office for Sept. 1 -5. Applications accepted beginning in June. (See IDNR website, www2.illinois.gov/dnr
- Further restrictions may exist. See posted regulations before hunting.
- To park anywhere on the site except in the designated parking lots & for unauthorized vehicles to enter upon any trail.
- To hunt with other than a shotgun.
- 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, hiking, fishing, boating, and cross-country skiing.
For further information contact: Johnson Sauk Trail State Park; 28616 Sauk Trail Road; Kewanee, IL 61443 Phone: (309) 853-2425
