Starved Rock / Matthiessen State Park (Deer/Turkey)

2022-2023 Season

Starved Rock Map    Matthiessen Deer/Turkey Map                         

Location: LaSalle County, 4 miles south of Interstate 80, or 1 mile south of Utica, on Ill. Routes 71 and 178.

Description: These sites occupy 4,503 acres. Approximately 4,000 acres are huntable. The sites consist of approximately 3,372 acres of woodlands, 210 acres of grasslands, and 671 acres of agricultural ground which contains both row crop and hay fields. The terrain can be very rugged in the wooded areas. There is no interior vehicle access for the public. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

 

SpeciesSeasonHoursBag Limits
Special Area Regulations
(See Below)
Archery DeerStatewideStatewideStatewideSee #1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Archery TurkeyStatewideStatewideStatewideSee #1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 14, 15
1st Firearm Deer SeasonStatewideStatewideStatewideSee #1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
2nd Firearm Deer SeasonStatewideStatewideStatewideSee #1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Muzzleloader Deer SeasonStatewide
StatewideStatewideSee #1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Special CWD SeasonStatewideStatewideStatewideSee #1, 9 11, 12, 13, 15, 16


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. Zone A (Lots 18 - 21, 23 & 29) Archery only. Archery hunting is allowed in Zone A during all deer firearm seasons.
  2. Antlerless deer only in October. Either sex from November 151 to the end of the season.
  3. Parking lots 3, 5, & 6 closed in October.
  4. Excludes the nature preserves and the Dells area as posted.
  5. Bonus Buck Program. First state issued permit will be for antlerless deer only. After checking deer at the Matthiessen State Park check station, a $5.00 permit may be issued for either sex. Check station closes at 6:00 pm.
  6. All archery hunters must check in and out at the Matthiessen State Park check station prior to hunting. Lots 11 and 32 sign in at lot 11. Lots 33 and 34 sign in at lot 34. The check station at Matthiessen State Park will be manned during the Firearm & Muzzleloader seasons only.
  7. All firearm & muzzleloader hunters must have a site-specific permit and are required to check in before 5:00 AM at the Matthiessen State Park Check-Station. A drawing to allocate standby permits will be held at 5:30 am. Stand-by hunters will be allowed to enter the field after the drawing at 5:30 am & 12:00 pm.
  8. Standby permits are site specific for Starved Rock & Matthiessen, are only valid for the day they are issued, and cost $5 each. No other deer permits are required. A stand-by hunter may purchase up to two (2) one-day only site-specific antlerless only permits each day.
  9. Unless exempt, all hunters will be required to furnish the following on the morning of the hunt: valid FOID card, current hunting license, and current habitat stamp. Non-resident hunters are required to have a non-resident hunting license, and a current habitat stamp.
  10. Hunters who wish to change hunting areas must report to the check station prior to moving.
  11. All firearm hunters are required to wear a cap and upper outer garment of solid and vivid blaze orange of at least 400 square inches. Archery hunters in ZONE A must wear blaze orange during all firearm seasons.
  12. Tree stands must be portable and must be tagged with the hunter's name, address, and phone number. All stands, blinds and accessories must be removed daily.
  13. All deer or turkey harvested must also be checked in/reported as outlined in the statewide rules & regulations.
  14. All hunters MUST attend the safety talk before entering the field.
  15. Further restrictions or closures may exist at short notice. See posted regulations before hunting.
  16. Special CWD season hunters must have a Starved Rock site-specific permit in order to hunt. Hunters are required to self check-in/out at Matthiessen State Park. There will be no stand-by permits sold.

It Shall Be Unlawful:

  • To construct or use any stand, climbing device or accessory using nails, screws, or any device which pierces, cuts, or otherwise damages the bark of the tree on
  • which it is installed.
  • To park or hunt in any area to which you have not been assigned. To be off trails after hunting season.
  • For unauthorized vehicles to enter upon any trail.
  • To hunt with other than a shotgun, handgun or muzzleloader during the firearm deer seasons, a muzzleloader during the muzzleloader deer season, or a bow &
  • arrow during archery deer season.
  • For any person to consume any alcoholic beverage or illegal drugs or to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on the area for the purpose of
  • hunting.
  • To possess weapons in the field except during hunting hours and while engaged in hunting.
  • To remove deer antlers from any State Park, Nature Preserve or Land & Water Preserve.

Other Activities / Facilities Available: Dining, lodge facilities. 

For further information, contact: Site Superintendent; Starved Rock State Park; P.O. Box 509; Utica, IL 61373 Phone: 815/667-4726                                                                                                    

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.