Goose Lake Prairie / Heidecke Lake Hunter Fact Sheet
2012 - 2013 Season
5010 North Jugtown Road, Morris, IL 60450
PH: 815/942-6352 Or 815-942-2899
Goose Lake MAP | Morris Wetlands MAP
INTRODUCTION: The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for providing quality outdoor recreation opportunities for the residents of the state. Of particular concern is providing safe hunting areas on public grounds. This hunter fact sheet contains information relating to deer hunting at Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area, Heidecke State Fish and Wildlife Area and Morris Wetlands Unit. These three areas have been combined intro one hunting program for ease of use and administration. Archery deer hunting is only allowed at Heidecke SFWA (Fields D & E), Fields A & B at Goose Lake SNA and the Morris Wetlands Unit. Firearm, muzzle loader and late winter season deer hunting is allowed in parts of Heidecke SFWA (Field D only), Fields A, B & C at Goose Lake SNA and Morris Wetlands Unit. The area is characterized by scrub timber and several marshy grass tracts and prairie areas east of the former Collins Station power plant and prairie on both sides of Jugtown Rd. Areas east of the park are private property, and are homeland security sites. Trespass is strictly enforced. DO NOT wander onto these sites. Morris Wetlands Unit is bottomland timber, early successional habitat and some grasslands, all of which will be flooded during high water levels on the Illinois or Mazon rivers. Access to Morris Unit is by FOOT ONLY from the parking lot located on PineBluff Road .8 miles east of Rt. 47.
DIRECTIONS: Southeast of Morris on Pine Bluff/Lorenzo Road, Six mile from Route 47 & I-55.
All regulations found in the Illinois Wildlife Code of 1971, Administrative Orders, and Federal Regulations apply, unless area regulations are more restrictive.
| Program | Dates & Hours | Other Requirements |
| Deer Archery | Statewide Hours |
Those wishing to participate must obtain a site windshield hunting permit, beginning Sept. 1. These permits are available via the internet at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/programs/windshieldcard/ . Hunters must park in designated areas, and display their permits in their windshield while hunting. Either sex deer may be harvested according to the deer tags in your possession. You may not leave your tree stands up overnight. Harvest data must be reported via the call-in system THE DAY YOU HARVEST YOUR DEER and via the reporting system on you windshield card by Feb. 15th. Failure to do so will result in your loss of hunting privileges at this site. Closed during all seasons in which a firearm is allowed. Hunters hunting at the Morris wetlands must also sign in and sign out at the site parking lot daily. |
| Deer Firearm | Statewide Hours Statewide Dates |
Permits for the firearm deer season are allocated during the spring lottery drawing Select GLSP1 or GLSP2, Permits are valid for first or second season only, Bonus Antlerless only permits may also be purchased during the lottery drawing by checking the Bonus box and submitting the appropriate fee. Hunters must check in by 5 a.m. daily to validate their permit, after that time permits are void for the day; a drawing will be held at 5 a.m. to fill any vacancies. Standby permits are available for a fee of $5.00 for a one day site specific permit. Either sex deer may be harvested according to your deer tags in your possession. You may not leave your tree stands up overnight. All hunters are required to check in and check out and report harvest to the check station attendant in person. In addition, you must check in your deer at the Grundy County Firearm check station at Gebhard Woods S.P. The Morris Wetlands Unit is part of the Goose Lake Complex hunt. |
| Deer Muzzleloader | Statewide Hours |
Permits for the muzzle loader season are allocated during the spring application period. Bonus Antlerless only permits may also be purchased during the lottery drawing by checking the Bonus box and submitting the appropriate fee. Muzzle loader only hunting will be for the second three day period of that season. Hunters must check-in by 5am daily to validate their permit, after that time permits are void for the day. Standby permits are available for a fee of $5.00 for a one day site specific permit. All hunters are required to check in and check out and report harvest to the check station attendant in person. Either sex deer may be harvested according to the permit in your possession. You may not leave your trees stands up over night... You must also report your harvest via the phone in system. Archery deer hunting is not allowed at this time. The Morris Wetlands Unit is part of the Goose Lake Complex hunt. |
| CWD Deer | Statewide Hours |
To participate, you must purchase a Goose Lake SNA/Heidecke SFWA CWD Deer Season firearm deer permit through the “Point of Sale” system located at numerous local vendors. Hunters must check in by 5 a.m. daily to validate their permit, after that time permits are void for the day; a drawing will be held at 5 a.m. to fill any vacancies. Standby permits are available for a fee of $5.00 for a one day site specific permit. You must also check in and check out and report your harvest at the hunter check station. You must also phone in your harvest through the statewide call in system as required. There is no late winter check station for Grundy County. Other rules will be posted at the site. Antlerless only deer may be harvested during this season. Tree stands may not be left up overnight. The Morris Wetlands Unit is part of the Goose Lake State Park hunt. |
Deer hunting stands must be removed daily. Hunters may only park in designated parking areas. Non-hunters are not allowed into areas open to hunting during times when hunting programs are in progress. Blinds are required to have 400 sq. inches of vivid blaze orange on the uppermost portion of the blind which must be visible for 360 degrees.
Equal opportunity to participate in programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and those funded by the U.S. Fish & 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 Opportunity Officer, IDNR, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271; (217) 785-0067; TTY (217) 782-9175.