White Pines State Park

Location: White Pines State Park is located in Ogle County; it lies on the north side of Pines Road, approx. 6 miles east of Polo, IL, and 8 miles west of Oregon, IL.

Hunting Area: The hunting area is comprised of approximately 300 acres and is mostly pines, hardwoods, some open areas and brushy fields.

(1) Archery deer: Hunting allowed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only – excluding official state holidays in October (10/14/19).  Beginning November 1, archery hunting is allowed 7 days a week, excluding the sites special firearm deer season.

(2) No archery hunting during the Site’s special firearm deer seasons (the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to the first [statewide] firearm deer season and the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to the second [statewide] firearm deer season). 

​Hunter Quota: Archery deer hunting - The maximum number of hunters that may be signed-in at any one time is 10.

​Site Firearm Permit: Hunter's must possess a permit issued specifically for White Pines, for the season they are hunting.

Driving Deer:​ It is unlawful to drive deer, or participate in a deer drive, on this area.

HUNTING REGULATIONS:

All regulation found in the Illinois Wildlife Code, Federal Regulations, and Administrative Orders will apply unless area regulations are more restrictive.  Hunters must obtain a site windshield card online from www.dnr.illinois.gov.  To do so, navigate to "hunting/trapping" and then "public hunting areas".  Proceed to "Windshield Card for Public Hunting Areas" and select "Print Windshield Card" tab under the "Upland/Forest Game (and Dog Training) column.   Complete all fields as necessary and print Windshield Card and accompanying pocket card.  Your windshield card must be displayed under the vehicle windshield, face up, with the windshield card number visible 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 15.  Hunters shall forfeit their hunting privileges at the site for the following year if they fail to report by the prescribed deadline.  

IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL:

1. For any person to construct or to use any tree stand using nails, screws, wire, or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree. Stands must be portable and must be removed from the site at the end of the day's hunt. Only one stand per permit holder is allowed.
2.  For any person to consume any alcoholic beverage, including beer and wine, while on the area for the purpose of hunting.
3. To hunt in any "restricted area" or any area not designated as open to hunting.
4. For any person to park except at a designated parking area.
5. For unauthorized vehicles to enter upon any trail or be in any "off road" area.
6. To enter onto private property, for any reason, without first obtaining permission from the landowner.
7. To field dress any deer, or deposit any part(s) of a deer, within 100 feet of any trail or developed area on the site.
8. To archery hunt within 50 yards of a day use area or within 30 yards of any trail.

AREA REGULATIONS - FIREARM DEER HUNTING:

1. Hunters may apply by selecting White Pines S.P. as their choice of hunting area on their Firearm permit application. Applications are to be submitted to the Springfield Permit Office. 
2.  Hunters with White Pines S. P. Firearm or CWD season deer permits must check-in by 5:00 AM or their permit is invalid for that day.  Registration will be at the White Pines State Park office and will begin at 4:30 AM. Vacancies remaining after 5:00 AM will be filled by a drawing to allocate stand-by permits. Stand-by permits are issued as being valid for the day of issuance only; are site specific for White Pines; are either sex; and are $5.00 each. CWD season deer permits may be applied for Online.  Only White Pines CWD Permits issued by Springfield will be valid. Permits will be allocated via lottery drawing, stand-by CWD permits will not be issued. CWD hunters are required to register themselves at the hunter sign-in kiosk near the park office for available parking lots. All hunters (unless exempt) must have a valid FOID card, hunting license, and habitat stamp.
3. Hunting is allowed with any type of weapon that is legal for Statewide deer hunting during the specific season you are hunting.
4. All deer harvested must be checked at the Site Office on the day of harvest PRIOR to leaving the site. No county deer check stations will be open during the sites firearm deer seasons; however, the Site will collect harvest information and tag each deer.
5. Archery hunting permitted during the statewide firearm deer seasons, however, archers must comply with the same blaze orange requirements as firearm deer hunters.

Area Regulations - Archery Deer Hunting:

1. No more than 10 hunters will be allowed on the area at any one time. Please check the sign up sheets at the time of arrival; hunter quota is on a first come - first serve basis.
2. All hunters are required to sign in , sign out, and report all deer harvested on the sign-in/sign-out sheets AND report harvests as outlined in the statewide rules & regulations for reporting deer harvested during the regular statewide seasons. All hunters (unless exempt) must have a valid hunting license, habitat stamp, and archery deer permit.
3. NOTE: Hunters may encounter hikers, picnickers, etc; PLEASE be considerate of each other.