Illinois DNR Extends Controlled Pheasant Hunting Season at Three Controlled Pheasant Hunting Sites
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced that the controlled pheasant hunting season has been extended at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County, the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass County and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Franklin and Jefferson Counties. Three days – Friday, January 10, 2014 through Sunday, January 12, 2014 – have been added to the seasons at Eldon Hazlet and Wayne Fitzgerrell. Four days – Thursday, January 16, 2014 through Sunday, January 19, 2014 – have been added to the season at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.
Hunters are encouraged to use the online Controlled Pheasant Hunting Reservation System at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov to secure permits for these additional hunting opportunities. Reserved permits ensure hunters will have the opportunity to hunt. Standby permits are also available at the site, although standby hunting opportunities may be limited.
To access the reservation system:
- Access the “Hunting/Trapping” drop down list from the toolbar on the IDNR Home Page
- Then click on “Upland Game”
- Then click on “Controlled Pheasant Areas” under the “Quick Links” 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 twenty-four hours before an available hunt date and 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.
Hunters without computers are encouraged to gain access to the controlled pheasant hunting online reservation system by checking with family or friends with internet access or by using a computer at their local public library.
