INTRODUCTION: Siloam Springs State Park Buckhorn Unit was acquired by the State of Illinois in the Spring of 2001. The site is characterized by high-quality forest game hunting opportunities. Wildlife habitat enhancement practices such as food plots and rotational mowing improve hunting opportunities. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.
LOCATION: Siloam Springs State Park Buckhorn Unit is located six miles south of Timewell off Route 24 or nine miles north of Route 104 in Brown county.
DESCRIPTION: Total Acres: 2,263; Non-Forested Acres: 1,000; Water Acres: 20; Huntable Acres: 2,200; Forested Acres: 1,243
Total Acres: 2,263
| Huntable Acres: 2,200
| Water Acres: 20
| Non-Forested Acres: 1,000
| Timbered Acres: 2,263 |
SETTING: The area is comprised of a mixture of wooded ravines with crop fields present on the ridges and in the creek bottoms. Many of the crop fields have been idled and established to perennial grasses. In others natural succession of woody plants is occurring at various stages. The woodlands consist of a relatively young stand of oak-hickory timber with some interspersed brushy fallowed pasture areas.
SEASONS, HOURS, SPECIAL RULES:
SPECIES |
SEASON |
HOURS |
SPECIAL RULES/PERMITS* |
| SQUIRREL |
STATEWIDE |
STATEWIDE |
FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED |
| DOVE |
STATEWIDE |
STATEWIDE |
HUNTING IN DOVE FIELDS AT STAKED SITES ONLY THROUGH SEPT 5 (2 HUNTERS PER STAKE) FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED. NON-TOXIC SHOT REQUIRED. |
DEER/TURKEY
(ARCHERY)** |
STATEWIDE ***** |
STATEWIDE |
FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
(ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY) |
| DEER (FIREARM)** |
STATEWIDE |
STATEWIDE |
FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED. SPECIAL SITE PERMIT REQUIRED - SPRINGFIELD DRAWING |
DEER
(LATE-WINTER) |
STATEWIDE |
STATEWIDE |
BROWN CO. PERMIT OR UNFILLED BUCKHORN UNIT FIREARM TAG, SIGN-IN AT PARKING LOT ENTRANCE. OPEN/CLOSED BY PUBLIC ANNOUNCMENT IN THE FALL. FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED |
TURKEY
(FALL SHOTGUN) |
STATEWIDE |
STATEWIDE |
BROWN COUNTY PERMIT; FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED |
| TURKEY (SPRING) |
STATEWIDE |
STATEWIDE |
SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED - SPRINGFIELD DRAWING; FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED |
TURKEY (YOUTH)
| STATEWIDE
| STATEWIDE
| FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED.
|
| RABBIT/QUAIL |
SEE BELOW*** |
STATEWIDE |
FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED |
| RACCOON**** |
STATEWIDE |
STATEWIDE |
SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED - SITE DRAWING; FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED |
* All hunters must park in designated parking areas. Parking along roadways is prohibited.
** Only antlerless deer or antlered deer having at least four points on one side may be harvested.
*** Season opens Dec. 5 through end of season (closed during all late-winter deer seasons)
**** Trapping is also allowed for furbearing mammals. A special trapping permit is issued through a site drawing.
***** Site is closed to archery deer and turkey hunting during regular firearm season dates.
Free windshield cards are required for species as noted. These are available online at dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard. Navigate to "Hunting/Trapping" and then "Public hunting area" to print these permits. Hunters will be required to return to this website prior to February 15th each year to record harvest information.
SITE REGULATIONS:
It Shall Be Unlawful:
- For any person to construct or to use any tree stand using nails, screws, wire, steps, or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed. Only one portable stand may be used and must be labeled with the hunter's name, address, and telephone number or a site assigned number, and must be removed daily.
- For any person to possess or consume any alcoholic beverage while hunting on the area.
- For any person to use vehicles on internal roads that are posted closed.
- To hunt in any areas where signage indicates "closed to hunting." These areas occur at or around building sites.
OTHER SITE FACILITIES: None
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Siloam Springs State Park at (217) 894-6205.
