Turkey Bluffs

2022-2023 Season

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LOCATION:

2 miles S of Chester on Illinois Hwy 3

DESCRIPTION:

Total acres: 2,265, General Habitats: Open acres: 350, Huntable acres: 2,250,  Timbered acres: 1,700, Water (Mary's River) acres: 10

TBFWA is located on the Mississippi River bluffs in southwestern Illinois. The topography varies from level flood plains to steep hills. Cultivated fields, along with hay fields and brushy areas, are interspersed with extensive stands of mature bottomland and upland timber.

This site conducts a prescribed fire program for the restoration and maintenance of some native woodland and grassland habitats, and an agricultural program for the production of wildlife food and cover. While beneficial to wildlife, these programs may occasionally create a temporary inconvenience to some hunting activities. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

SEASONS, HOURS, LIMITS:

SPECIES SEASON HOURS SPECIAL RULES/PERMITS
Deer Statewide Statewide
Turkey Statewide Statewide 
Rabbit/Quail Statewide Statewide 
Squirrel Statewide Statewide .17 and.22 caliber rimfire and .25 caliber or smaller air rifles allowed
Dove Statewide Statewide 
Snipe/Rail/Woodcock Statewide Statewide 
Duck/Teal/Goose/Coot Statewide Statewide No permanent blinds.
Raccoon/Opossum Statewide Statewide  .17 and .22 caliber rimfire allowed-sunset to sunrise
Skunk/Fox/Coyote Only during Statewide Fox Statewide.17 and .22 caliber rimfire allowed-sunsret-sunrise
Trapping Statewide Statewide Water sets only, quota of 2; permit and harvest report required.

This site is open for the Youth Deer Hunting and Youth Spring Wild Turkey Hunting seasons - certain area restrictions apply.

SITE REGULATIONS:

  1. All hunters must sign in and check out, reporting their harvest each day following hunting.

  2. 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).

  3. Firearm deer 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.

  4. 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 SITE FACILITIES: Picnic areas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Site Superintendent, 4301 South Lake Drive, Chester, IL 62233 or 618-826-2706​​​​


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.