Hidden Springs Hunter Fact Sheet

2012 - 2013 Season

   MAP

NAME: HIDDEN SPRINGS STATE FOREST

LOCATION: Ten miles southeast of Shelbyville, 4 miles W. of Strasburg

DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA: TOTAL ACRES: 1129, OPEN ACRES: 110, HUNTABLE ACRES: 963, TIMBERED ACRES: 819

The area lies along Richland Creek, and is characterized by wooded ravines, conifer and hardwood plantations, prairie openings, small ponds, and wildlife.

1. Rimfire rifles, handguns, shotguns and muzzleloaders are allowed for squirrel hunting.
2. Dove hunters must use only size 7 ½ or smaller bismuth or lead shot, or size 6 or smaller steel shot. Dove hunters not hunting in dove management fields must hunt at least 100 yards from the edge of dove management fields.
3. Restricted areas include 160 acres around the headquarters and 40 acres west of the headquarters.
4. No permanent tree stands or stands/steps which pierce the bark of trees are permitted. Check with Site Superintendent for regulations on use of tree stands. Deer hunters are allowed no more than one stand per hunter. Stands must have the name and address of the hunter visable from the ground. Stands must be put up no earlier than 2 weeks prior to archery deer season and must be removed no later than 2 weeks after archery deer season.
5. Coyote hunting is permitted in open areas and coincides with the statewide fox season.
6. Shotgun, muzzleloader and handgun are allowed during the firearm deer season. All state regulations apply. Consult the Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for caliber and usage restrictions.
7. Crow and groundhog hunting are NOT permitted.
8. The area is closed to all activities other than hunting during the firearm deer seasons and Spring turkey seasons.
9. Dove hunters must use shot size 7 ½ bismuth or lead, or #6 steel, or smaller.
10. Hunters engaged in quail, rabbit, pheasant, or Hungarian partridge hunting must wear a cap and upper outer garment of blaze orange of at least 400 square inches.
11. THERE IS NO FALL TURKEY HUNTING AT THIS SITE.
12. Waterfowl & Trapping Statewide Regulations. Closed during firearm deer seasons.
13. Youth Hunting - both fall firearm and spring turkey require you to contact the site office for additional permitting regulations.

*** IN ALL CASES, ask site personnel about current regulations, special rules, and site conditions.

OTHER SITE FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS: Picnicking, camping, hiking, pond fishing. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT, Site Superintendent at 217-644-3091. For general information about hunting regulations and applications please click here.

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 217-782-7915