Springfield, IL – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced that the controlled pheasant hunting seasons have been extended at Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area in Clinton County and Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area in Franklin and Jefferson counties. Five days - Wednesday, January 11, 2012 through Sunday, January 15, 2012 – have been added at both Eldon Hazlet and Wayne Fitzgerrell. These season extensions are possible because the IDNR Wildlife Propagation Centers have had a better than expected pheasant production season in 2011. 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 each site, although standby hunting opportunities may be limited. To access the reservation system:

1. Click on the "Hunting/Trapping" button on the toolbar on the IDNR Home Page
2. Then click on the Pheasant Icon
3. Then click on "Controlled Pheasant Areas" under the “Quick Links” heading

Hunters are reminded that the daily permit fee for controlled pheasant hunting is $25 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 who have computers with internet access or by using a computer at their local public library. Completing a permit reservation online takes less than five minutes. For complete details, check the controlled pheasant hunting website at http://www.dnr.illinois.gov