Affects number of permits available in the northern part of Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is announcing a reduction in permits for controlled pheasant hunting for the 2024 season, which means some sites will have reduced permits available in the northern part of the state.
Hunters should check the permit calendar on the controlled pheasant hunt website for permit availability. Sites with reduced permits for controlled pheasant hunting include:
- Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area in Will County
- Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area in Kendall County
- Iroquois County State Fish and Wildlife Area
- Kankakee River State Park in Kankakee County
- Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area in Henry County
- Green River State Fish and Wildlife Area in Lee County
Due to a pheasant die-off at the Des Plaines Game Propagation Center, there are no longer enough birds to fulfill the original quotas established for the sites at the beginning of the season. IDNR has reduced the number of permits per site to ensure there are enough birds to release for each permit sold for the controlled pheasant hunts.
The birds have been tested for disease vectors, and treatment is underway. The disease found in the birds has no effect on humans or dogs.
Pheasant hunters will need to acquire a reserved controlled pheasant hunting permit to hunt on controlled pheasant hunting sites.
Special note: Non-toxic shotshells are required when hunting at Des Plaines, Johnson Sauk Trail, Silver Springs, and Green River. Hunters are reminded when hunting at any of these sites that only non-toxic shotshells may be in their possession.