Newton Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area Hunter Fact Sheet

2012 - 2013 Season 

MAP

Location: 12 miles southwest of Newton

Description: Total acres: 7600 Huntable acres: 6500

The area is generally rolling, with the more or less flat areas being cultivated or occupied in weedy, brushy fields. Cropped fields include tenant farmed cash crop, site staff food patches, and hay fields. The property is owned by Ameren/CIPS, and the hunting programs are managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Approximately 800 acres of land are managed by IDNR for wildlife. 260 acres in the northeast corner has been dedicated to the preservation of the state-endangered Prairie Chicken. About 540 acres on the west side of the lake has been developed for public access fishing, picnicking, hiking, equestrian and bike trails. The headquarters is located on the west side management area, two miles north of the boat ramp and lake access area. A second ramp is available for waterfowl hunter and fisherman access to the east arm of the lake.

Legal Game Species: Squirrel   Mourning Dove   Archery Deer    Quail

Rabbit    Pheasant    Firearm Deer    Waterfowl (ducks, geese)   Spring Turkey    Fall Archery Turkey

Other Facilities Available: Fishing and boating (25 h.p. maximum); picnic areas; hiking, biking and equestrian trails.

Area Regulations: Statewide rules and regulations apply at this site, unless otherwise specified. Hunting is permitted in those areas posted as open to hunting. Restricted areas are marked by signs.

1. Free Site Hunting Permits (windshield cards) are required for all species except youth deer and youth turkey hunters. These are available online at www.dnr.illinois.gov. Navigate to "hunting/trapping: and then "public hunting areas" to print these permits. Hunters will be required to return to this website prior to February 15th each year to record harvest information. Failure to submit data will result in loss of hunting privileges for the following year.
2. Firearm Deer, Dove, and Waterfowl hutners are required to check in and out and report harvest. (Spring & fall Shotgun Turkey hunters must apply for a site specific permit in the statewide lottery. Successful applicants will be mailed a Turkey Hunter Harvest Report to be returned at season's end.)
3. Hunters must park in designated areas only. No OFF-ROAD vehicle use allowed.
4. No permanent tree stands may be constructed, nor may any hunting be done from a permanent stand. Any tree stand used must be portable and removed at the end of each day. No screw-in steps allowed.
5. Deer drives are not allowed.
6. All hunting must be done with shotgun, muzzle-loading rifle, or bow and arrow only. NO OTHER RIFLES OR PISTOLS ARE PERMITTED while hunting on this area.
7. No muzzle-loader only or handgun deer hunting is allowed at this time.
8. Site squirrel season closes during site deer hunting seasons.
9. Blaze orange is required while upland game hunting and during firearm deer season.
10. Dove hunters are required to use size 7 1/2, 8, or 9 lead or bismuth shot, or #6 or smaller steel shot. Hunting hours are 12 noon to 5 pm, September 1 - 5.
11. No night hunting is allowed on this site.

For further information contact Site Superintendent, Newton Lake FWA, 3490 E. 500th Ave., Newton, IL 62448, phone 618/783-3478; or District Wildlife Biologist, 129 N Kennedy Blvd, Vandalia IL 62471, 618/283-3070.

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 nonmerit factors. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact the funding source’s civil rights office and/or the Equal Opportunity Officer, IDNR, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; 217/785-0067, TTY 217/782-9175