INTRODUCTION: The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for providing outdoor recreation opportunities for the residents of the State. Of particular concern in providing safe hunting areas on public lands throughout the State. This Hunter Fact Sheet contains information relating to the hunting programs at the Vesely Land & Water Reserve/Wilmington Shrub Prairie N.P. The majority of the area is open habitats such as native prairie, cool season grasses and agricultural fields. Woodlands and wetlands account for the balance of the site.
DIRECTIONS: 3 miles south of Wilmington on Custer Park Road
DESCRIPTION: Total Acres - 305
Huntable Acres - 300
Habitat Types: Timber - 95, Grasslands - 70, Wetlands - 20, Agriculture - 115
Program |
Season |
Hours |
Special rules/permit requirements |
Deer - Archery |
Statewide |
Statewide |
Windshield card required. See below. |
Deer - Firearm |
Statewide |
Statewide |
State lottery Permit required. Windshield card required. See below. |
Turkey -Spring Firearm |
Statewide |
Statewide |
State lottery Permit required. See below. |
SITE REGULATIONS: (Shotguns cannot be capable of firing more than three consecutive shots.)
(Further restrictions may exist. See posted regulations before hunting.)
Deer - Archery Maximum number of 4 hunters at any given time. A free (Windshield Card) must be obtained online at dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard/ and displayed in the windshield while on site. Hunter trips and harvest must be reported to the windshield card system. Harvest must also be checked according to statewide regulations. Only portable non-piercing tree stands/steps allowed, and must be removed daily.
Deer - Firearm Permits allocated through state lottery. First and second firearm season only. All hunters must possess a site specific firearm deer permit for Vesely Land & Water Reserve/Wilmington Shrub Prairie N.P. for the specific season they are hunting on the site. A free (Windshield Card) must be obtained online at dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard/ and displayed in the windshield while on site. Hunter trips and harvest must be reported to the windshield card system. Harvest must also be checked according to statewide regulations. Only portable non-piercing tree stands/steps allowed, and must be removed daily.
Turkey - Spring Firearm Permits allocated through state lottery. All hunters must possess a site specific turkey permit for Vesely Land & Water Reserve/Wilmington Shrub Prairie N.P. for the specific season they are hunting on the site. Harvest must be checked according to statewide regulations. No turkey hunting is allowed on the Nature Preserve portion of the site.
