Weinberg-King State Park - Spunky Bottoms Unit

2022-2023 Season

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Introduction: The Spunky Bottoms Unit was acquired by the State of Illinois in the Spring of 2002. 

Location: Spunky Bottoms Unit is located a little over a mile downstream from the LaGrange Lock and Dam on the Illinois River. The site is located in Brown County about 10 miles southeast of Mt. Sterling.

Description: The area is characterized by river bottom cropland, forested bluffs and river bottoms. Wooded drainage ditches are also present on the site. This diversity adds to a habitat matrix which provides a variety of hunting opportunities. Additional management practices such as wetland restoration will be implemented in the future. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site, including prescribed burning. 

Total Acres: 833 Cropland/Open Acres: 528 Water Acres: 5
Huntable Acres: 778 Forested Acres: 300  

Species

Season

Hours

 Special Regulations/Permits*
Squirrel STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Dove STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Deer (Archery Only)
 STATEWIDE STATEWIDE ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY. FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Deer (All Firearm Seasons) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Turkey (FALL ARCHERY) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY.  FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Turkey (FALL SHOTGUN) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Turkey (SPRING) STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Duck/Goose STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD  REQUIRED
Youth Waterfowl  STATEWIDE  STATEWIDE  FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED 
Rabbit/Quail STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Raccoon ** STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED; SPECIAL PERMIT FOR HUNTING REQUIRED THROUGH SITE DRAWING
Crow OCT 15 - FEB 28 STATEWIDE FREE WINDSHIELD CARD REQUIRED
Woodcock/Snipe/Rail/Teal STATEWIDE STATEWIDE FREE  WINDSHIELD CARD  REQUIRED

* All hunters must park in designated parking areas. Parking along roadways is prohibited.
**Trapping is also allowed for furbearing mammals. A special trapping permit is issued through a site drawing.

Free windshield cards are required for species as noted. These are available online at www.dnr.illinois.gov. 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.

General Site Regulations:

It Shall Be Unlawful:

  1. 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.
  2. For any person to possess or consume any alcoholic beverage while hunting on the area.
  3. For any person to use vehicles on internal roads that are posted closed.
  4. To hunt in any areas where signage indicates "closed to hunting." These areas may occur at or around building sites.
  5. To use dogs for coyote hunting.
  6. All hunting is to be with shotgun, handgun (deer), .22 or smaller rimfire, muzzleloader, and/or archery. No center fire rifles allowed.

Other Site Facilities: None

For more information contact: Weinberg-King State Park at (217) 392-2345. ​​

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.