Hunting Days Added to the Controlled Pheasant Season at Four IDNR Sites

Hunting Days Added to the Controlled Pheasant Season at Four IDNR Sites

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is extending Controlled Pheasant Hunting seasons at four IDNR sites. Hunters can make reservations now for additional hunting opportunities.The four sites with additional controlled pheasant hunting are the Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County, the Iroquois County Conservation Area, the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass County, and the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Franklin and Jefferson Counties. The controlled pheasant hunting season at the Iroquois County site has been extended through January 13; at Eldon Hazlet, Jim Edgar Panther Creek and Wayne Fitzgerrell, the season has been extended through January 31.

Hunters are encouraged to use the online Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation System at www.dnr.illinois.gov to obtain permits for these additional hunt dates. Reserved permits ensure hunters will have the opportunity to hunt. Hunters using reserved permits also ensure that site staff on these sites can release two pheasants per hunter each day, which is the Department’s objective for pheasants released on each hunt date. Standby permits are also available at the sites, although standby hunting opportunities may be limited or unavailable if the hunter quota for a hunt date is filled by reserved permit hunters.

To access the reservation system:
Click on Hunt/Trap on the toolbar on the IDNR website home page;
Then click on Upland Game;
Then click on Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permits, Hunting Areas, Regs., etc. under the Licenses and Permits heading

Hunters are reminded that the daily permit fee for controlled pheasant hunting is $30 for resident hunters and $35 for nonresident hunters. The daily permit fee applies to each hunter. Reserved Permits are paid for via credit card during the application process. Completing a permit reservation online can be accomplished as late as 24 hours before an available hunt date, and securing a permit takes less than five minutes. Standby hunters pay daily permit fees at the site hunter check station on the hunt date. Standby hunters need to be prepared to pay permit fees with cash.