Woodford Hunter Fact Sheet

Waterfowl

2012 - 2013 Season

Location: Woodford County; Headquarters located 5.5 miles north of Spring Bay on State Rt. 26, or 12 miles south of Lacon, IL off State Rt. 26.

Description: Waterfowl hunting is permitted on two backwater lakes of the Illinois River: Goose Lake; and the upper part of Upper Peoria Lake. Total area: 2,900 acres -- 1,200 acres for waterfowl hunting; 1,200 acres set aside as waterfowl refuge.

Other Facilities Available: Camping, Picnicking, Hiking, and Fishing. See Main Area Fact Sheet for upland hunting information.

1. Waterfowl hunting sites are awarded by annual draw.
2. All hunters using this area must report to check station to fill out information cards and turn in hunting licenses or Firearms Owners Identification Card.
3. Awarded blind builders desiring to claim their blinds must report to the check station at least one (1) hour before opening shooting hour each day. Blinds not claimed by annual blind builders at this hour will be assigned by draw. Hunters missing this drawing will have a thirty minute grace period from the draw time to claim any unclaimed blind. A second standby drawing will be held from 8 - 11:00 am, after which time the waterfowl area is closed to further entry.
4. All hunting will be from registered blinds and hunters must occupy blinds within one (1) hour after registering.
5. All hunting will cease at 1:00 PM.
6. Upon vacating a blind, hunters must report to check station within one (1) hour. Ducks, geese, and/or coots bagged must be checked in, at which time licenses will be returned.
7. All parties must hunt over a minimum of twelve (12) decoys, which must be removed upon termination of hunt.
8. At no time are hunters permitted to enter designated waterfowl refuges or rest areas.
9. Hunters 16 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
10. No more than four (4) persons shall occupy a blind at one time.
11. Severe weather and safety conditions can result in closing all or part of Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area.
12. Steel shot is required on this area.
13. It shall be unlawful to possess or consume alcoholic beverages, including wine and beer, while hunting on the area.

For further information, contact: Woodford State Fish & Wildlife Area, 2009 Rt. 26, Low Point, IL 61545; Telephone: 309/822-8861.

Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies is available to all individuals regardless of race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, or other non-merit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source’s civil rights office and/or the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, IDNR, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702; 217/785-0067, TTY 217/782-9175.