Snakeden Hollow

LOCATION: One mile east of Victoria on Illinois Route 167.

DESCRIPTION: Total area - 2,497 acres. Strip mining history reclaimed in a diverse mix of grassland, wetlands, ponds, lakes, and ag fields. 75% of site is waterfowl refuge in the fall/winter with permit hunting around the perimeter. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

Available Game Species:  

Site Regulations - General:

1. All statewide regulations apply unless there are more restrictive site-specific regulations.

2. The site closes to all use except permit and archery deer hunting starting two weeks before and continuing through the close of the Central IL Goose season

3. Hunters under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

4. Severe weather and safety conditions can result in closing all or part of the area.

5. All hunters EXCEPT for archery deer, snipe, and rail using these areas must report to the check station to complete information cards. If the check station is not manned all hunters must register in the box provided. Archery deer, snipe, and rail hunters must obtain a free windshield online from dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard.  This windshield card must be displayed in your windshield 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 15th.  Hunters shall forfeit their hunting privileges at the site for the following year if they fail to report by the prescribed deadline.

Site Regulations - Waterfowl:

1. Goose permit reservations will be allocated starting in September. Information for making reservations will be publicly available in July. Hunting applications are available here. 
   

2. Registration:

• Opening day – Nov. 30: all hunters must register by 5:00 a.m.

•  Dec. 1 – Dec. 31: all hunters must register by 5:30 a.m.

• Jan. 1 – season end: all hunters must register by 6:00 a.m.

3. Permits are void after the draw begins. No one may register after draw time.

4. Unfilled blinds may be filled until shooting time. There will be no refills.

5. Hunters will choose their blinds as their name is drawn.

6. Hunters must be at least 16 years old to draw for a blind.

7. A $15 Daily Usage Stamp must be purchased by everyone 16 and older. Under 16 are not required to purchase a Daily Usage Stamp.

8. All hunters must present a hunting license, or equivalent, at draw-time.

9. One blind (G2) will be available by priority claim to disabled persons daily. Hunters must present an Illinois I.D. card showing a P2, P2a, H2, or H2a disability to establish priority.

10. All goose hunting will be from designated blind sites and hunters must occupy sites within (1) hour after registering at the check station.

11. Only two hunters allowed per blind.

12. Central Zone Goose hunting will cease at 1:00 p.m.

13. Upon vacating the blind sites, hunters must report to the check station within one (1) hour.

14. All goose hunting parties must hunt over a minimum of 6 decoys of at least standard size.

15. The site will be open to any goose hunting seasons that occur after the Central Zone Goose season and closed for any seasons that occur before the Central Zone goose season.

16. No Central Zone Goose Season hunting on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Dec. 24, 25, or 26.

17. Hunters may not possess more than 5 shot shells for every Canada goose allowed in the daily bag limit.

18. During goose seasons held after the Canada goose season all restrictions regarding the use of the number of shotgun shells that hunters can possess are no longer in force. 

19. All pits are accessed by foot. Pits are brushed with camo cloth. Most pits are located in fields on the perimeter of the site. Several have water nearby, with three shooting over water. No motorized vehicles allowed beyond the parking lots. Blind trails are marked with arrows and reflectors. Hunters should bring at least a flashlight and suitable footgear for finding blinds in the dark in muddy fields. Hunters can and should bring their own decoys. Site decoys (23" shells) may be available for use, but site decoys are being phased out. At blinds B-2, C-1, and D-1, chest waders and/or a retrieving dog are recommended.
    

20. An updated message is recorded daily during goose season. Late season hunters should be aware that local conditions can impact hunting success considerably.

21. Teal hunting is not restricted to designated blind sites.  Non-toxic shot only, equal to steel 4 or smaller.
    

Site Regulations - Upland, Forest Wildlife and Trapping:

1. Tree stands and ground blinds must be removed at the end of each day with the exception that they may be left unattended from September 15 through January 31. Any tree stand or ground blind left unattended must be legibly marked with the owner's name, address, and telephone number, or site assigned identification number.

2. Dove hunting is non-toxic shot only, equal to steel 6 or smaller. A drawing will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sept. 1 - 5 at the site office if there are more hunters than can be accommodated. Hunt from designated stakes only Sept. 1 - 5.
   

3. Trapping permits to be allotted annually by site drawing on opening day of goose season at 10 am.  

Other Facilities:

• Fishing and hiking

For further information please contact: Site Superintendent, 1936 IL Route 167, Victoria, IL 61485

Phone: (309) 879-2607