Pheasant hunting reservations can be placed online with IDNR

SPRINGFIELD — Green River State Wildlife Area in Lee County will have 15 days of controlled pheasant hunting in early November through mid-December, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources reported.

Across the state, there are 18 sites dedicated to pheasant hunting in different capacities. Sixteen are run by the IDNR, two by concessionaire T. Miller Inc.

The online permit reservation system opens Monday, Aug. 2. At dnr.illinois.gov, the daily fee for permits is $30 for residents, $35 for nonresidents. Credit card payments are accepted and there is a transaction fee. Chain O’Lakes and Silver Springs are operated by tmillerinc.com.

Online permit reservations for the first lottery period at IDNR sites will be accepted until 1 p.m. Aug. 9. Two additional lottery periods will be scheduled later. Standby hunting will be limited this year. Online permits are available until 9 a.m. the day prior to the hunt.

Hunters at Green River and other sites will be required to use nontoxic shotshells. Possession of any other ammunition is a violation.

Hunters with disabilities will have opportunities to hunt from special vehicles at Des Plaines, Moraine View and Eldon Hazlet.