Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
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  • Hunting

    Midewin Archery Hunters

    East & Westside Hunting Maps

    EAST Side Hunting Zones
    WEST Side Hunting Zones

    Know Your Location

    When Hunting


    See Real-time Position On Midewin Using Avenza App


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    https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/how-it-works.html


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    GPS Hunting Co-ordinates

    GPS HUNTING COORDINATES

    Day Use Area Open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

    (36 CFR 261.581) 

    Sign-in at trailheads with vehicle license plate #”



    -Taking any game or nongame species other than deer and turkey at Midewin is prohibited. 

    (36 CFR 261.58(v))

    -No hunting is allowed on private inholdings within Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. 

    (36 CFR 261.53(f))

    -If a wounded deer crosses into a closed area of Midewin, the hunter must contact the Forest Service office at (815) 423-6370 between 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to obtain permission to track it. Outside those hours, call (815) 263-4060 to obtain permission. (36 CFR 261.53(f))

    -Access to public lands at Midewin is by non-motorized means only - such as hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, snow shoeing, or cross country skiing (36 CFR 261.54(a))

    -Bicycles and horses are restricted to designated multiple use trails and must stay on the trail. (36 CFR 261.55(c))

    -The Forest Service prohibits shooting in or within 150 yards of any building, developed recreation site, or occupied area; across roads, bodies of water, cemeteries or in any way prohibited by state law and/or federal laws is also prohibited. 

    (36 CFR 261.lO(d))

    -There is no camping at Midewin, including the parking lots. (36 CFR 261.58(e))

    -Construction or use of permanent deer stands is not permitted at Midewin. (36 CFR 261.lO(a))

    -Hunters are not allowed to cut tree limbs, or utilize tree pegs. (36 CFR 261.9(a))

    -Hunting stands may not be left in place overnight at Midewin. (36 CFR 261.lO(e))

    -Building fires is prohibited (36 CFR 261.52(a))

    -Fishing and trapping are prohibited

     (36 CFR 261.58(v))

    -Entering or being in or on a body of water is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.58(k))

    -Collecting National Forest Service products is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.6(h)) .

    -Disturbing or removing any prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resource, site, artifact, property, or structure is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.9(h))

    -Bringing in, or possessing an animal, other than a seeing eye dog, or upon a leash not longer than six feet or otherwise under physical restrictive control is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.53(e))

    -Please keep pasture gates closed. 

    (36 CFR 261.7(c))

    -Cutting of fences is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.9(a))

    -Placing a vehicle or other object in such a manner that is an impediment or hazard to the safety or convenience of any person. (36 CFR 261.10(0)

    -Hunters hunt within 50 yards of designated hunting site posts.

    -ODD-numbered designated hunting sites to be used only on ODD-numbered calendar days.

    -EVEN-numbered designated hunting sites to be used only on EVEN-numbered calendar days.

     -Zone 811 North:   Maximum 8 hunters

    -Zone 811 South:  Maximum 5 hunters

    -Zone 1:  Maximum 12 hunters

    -Zone 2: Maximum 10 hunters

    -Zone 3:  Maximum 10 hunters

    -Zone 4: Maximum 12 hunters

    -Zone 5:  Maximum 12 hunters 

    -Zone 6:  Maximum 8 hunters

    -Zone 7:  Maximum 12 hunters

    -Zone 8:  Maximum 8 hunters

    -Zone 9:  Maximum 5 hunters

    -Zone 10: Maximum 5 hunters