Location: 3 miles N of Chester, 1 mile E of Palestine Road
Description: Randolph County SRA is located in the scenic rolling hill-country of southwestern Illinois. Woods are generally found along streams, draws, and on adjacent slopes too steep for cultivation. Some of the upland area and gentler slopes are "open," devoted to wildlife food plots or maintained in a fallow condition. Grasslands, brushy areas, and hedgerows are interspersed throughout the area providing a diverse wildlife habitat. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
| Total acres: 1,117 | Open acres: 210 | Huntable acres: 820 |
| Water acres: 68 | Timbered acres: 626
|
Seasons, Hours, Limits:
| Species | Season | Hours | Special Rules/Permits |
| Deer* | Statewide | Statewide | Bow hunting only. During firearm deer seasons, blaze orange required. |
| Turkey* | Statewide (spring) | Statewide | Hunter quota -- site permits issued via Springfield drawing. * |
| | Statewide (fall) | Statewide | Bow hunting only. During firearm deer seasons, blaze orange required. |
| Rabbit/Quail | Statewide | Statewide | |
| Squirrel* | Statewide | Statewide | |
| Dove | Statewide | 12n-5p, Sept. 1-5 then Statewide | Drawing, if needed. |
| Woodcock | Statewide | Statewide | |
| Raccoon/ Opossum | Statewide | Statewide | .17 and .22 caliber rimfire allowed
sunset - sunrise. |
| Skunk/Fox/ Coyote | Only during Statewide Fox | Statewide | .17 and .22 caliber rimfire allowed
sunset - sunrise. |
| Trapping | Statewide | Statewide | Water sets or box traps only, quota of 2; permit and harvest report required. |
*handicapped hunting facility available (to use handicapped hunting facility, handicapped turkey hunters do not need a site permit, only a county permit)
Site Specific Regulations:
- All hunting is by shotgun or bow and arrow only, except as noted above.
- All hunters must sign in (and indicate license plate #) and check out and report their harvest each day following hunting.
- No hunting or trapping is permitted in posted areas, developed recreation areas, and WITHIN 100 YARDS of construction sites, residences, and developed recreation areas (e.g. picnic and camping areas).
- Hunters must wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches while hunting rabbit, pheasant, quail, and/or woodcock (and bow deer hunting during firearm deer seasons).
- Construction or use of any tree stand using nails, screws, or wire or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed is unlawful. Any tree stand (portable and one per hunter) can be left unattended overnight September 15 - January 31, and must be legibly marked with the owner's name, address, and telephone number.
Site Hunting Regulations (Administrative Rules) can be viewed at: www2.illinois.gov/dnr/adrules
Other facilities available: Camping, picnic areas, and boat ramp.
For further information, contact: Site Superintendent (618) 826-2706
