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Sand Ridge State Forest: Rules, Seasons and Permits
State forest in Mason County, about 6,600 acres and 23 seasons.
Hunting gear
Photo: Curtis Abert (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Sand Ridge State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Sand Ridge State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 0.0 mi from the centreDirections
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- TrailheadTrailhead · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
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- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
What to know before you enter Sand Ridge State Forest
Rules written for Sand Ridge State Forest itself, from the fact sheet, are below.
- The site requires the use of a windshield card , displayed on the vehicle dashboard, to report hunting effort and harvest by 15 February.
- Hunters must remove tree stands or ground blinds from the area at the end of the day's hunt.
- Only one tree stand or ground blind per hunter.
- The site's 10 waterfowl blinds at Clear Lake SWMA are allocated at an annual drawing held on the last Sunday in July at the site office.
- Site-specific rules apply at the Clear Lake Public Blinds. Contact the site for details.
Illinois-wide rules still bind you at Sand Ridge State Forest; the short list is below.
| Applies here | In brief |
|---|---|
| Firearm deer clothing | 400 square inches orange |
| Ground blinds, firearm season | 400 square inches orange |
| Hunter safety card | Born on or after 1980 |
| Habitat stamp | Required to hunt |
| Baiting or feeding deer | Illegal |
| Sunday hunting | Not stated in sources |
Digest rules from the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); orange rule at IDNR hunter orange page; baiting at IDNR baiting page; Sunday rule: IDNR Sunday page. Site rules from the record source. Checked November 13, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Sand Ridge State Forest
Sand Ridge State Forest: owner, acreage and counties
IDNR manages Sand Ridge State Forest, a state forest. 6 state forests carry a Hunt Illinois fact sheet, and this is one of them. Its published size is 6,600 acres, the figure from the Hunt Illinois fact sheet. Its ground is in Mason County, which the West Central region of IDNR covers. For Mason County, IDNR's Lux wildlife district applies (biologist Jake Lux).
The fact sheet on habitat: This site is characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain with a mix of hardwoods and pine with open prairie areas and wildlife management fields. Site office contact: 25799 E. Co. Rd. 2300 N., P.O. Box 111, Forest City, IL 61532 Phone 309-597-2212. On site you will find archery range, camping, hiking trails and hunting, per IDNR.
IDNRManager
6,600Acres
MasonCounty
West CentralIDNR region
23 of 25Seasons open here
Yes, lotterySite permit
3,957Hunter trips
Season availability at Sand Ridge State Forest
Open count for Sand Ridge State Forest: 23 of 25 lines. The open seasons divide as 8 upland and small game, 5 waterfowl, 4 deer, 4 turkey and 2 furbearers. IDNR marks late winter antlerless and special cwd as unavailable.
| Game | Season | Here |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Open here |
| Deer | Firearm | Open here |
| Deer | Late Winter Antlerless | Not offered |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Open here |
| Deer | Special CWD | Not offered |
| Deer | Youth Firearm | Open here |
| Turkey | Fall Archery | Open here |
| Turkey | Fall Shotgun | Open here |
| Turkey | Spring | Open here |
| Turkey | Youth Spring | Open here |
| Waterfowl | Ducks, Coots, & Mergansers | Open here |
| Waterfowl | Teal | Open here |
| Waterfowl | Goose | Open here |
| Waterfowl | Snipe & Rail | Open here |
| Waterfowl | Youth Waterfowl | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Controlled Pheasant | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Dove | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Rabbits | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Squirrels | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Upland Birds | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Woodcock | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Youth Upland Birds | Open here |
| Upland and small game | Falconry | Open here |
| Furbearers | Hunting | Open here |
| Furbearers | Trapping | Open here |
The fact sheet attaches these conditions to open lines:
- Firearm: A site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Muzzleloader: The season is closed during the second firearm season.
- Fall Shotgun: A site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Spring: A site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Youth Spring: A site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Ducks, Coots, & Mergansers: This only applies in the Clear Lake SWMA area.
- Teal: This only applies in the Clear Lake SWMA area
- Goose: This only applies in the Clear Lake SWMA area
- Snipe & Rail: This only applies in the Clear Lake SWMA area
Availability and exceptions from the IDNR Hunt Illinois fact sheet (record source); statewide dates in the Digest; checked November 13, 2026.
Permits, drawings and reservations for Sand Ridge State Forest
The record flags a site permit, lottery or drawing at Sand Ridge State Forest; this is the basis in the source's own words.
- Deer – Firearm: Statewide regulations apply, except that a site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Turkey – Fall Shotgun: Statewide regulations apply, except that a site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Turkey – Spring: Statewide regulations apply, except that a site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Turkey – Youth Spring: Statewide regulations apply, except that a site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required.
- Rabbit: Statewide regulations apply, except: Requires a lottery-based Free Upland Game Permit that you can apply for online between Aug 1 and Aug 31.
- Rabbit: Check-in is between 8 and 8:30 am . When the daily quota is not met during the controlled hunting season, a drawing will occur at the site after check-in hours.
County deer permits are sold through the statewide lottery rounds, while a site permit has its own application. Deer and turkey lotteries.
Quota basis from the record source; lottery rounds from the IDNR lottery page; checked November 13, 2026.
What Mason County allows near Sand Ridge State Forest
One county, Mason County, supplies the deer permit, CWD and spring turkey rules for Sand Ridge State Forest. No confirmed CWD finding is recorded for Mason County.
| County | Shotgun deer | Either-sex permits | Chronic wasting | Turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason | Open | 16 | None found | North |
Go deeper with the county guide: Mason County.
County rules from the Digest, IDNR CWD counties and the leftover permit list (IDNR permit page); checked November 13, 2026.
2025-26 results for Sand Ridge State Forest
IDNR's report for 2025-26 logged 3,957 hunter trips at Sand Ridge State Forest. It places 13th out of 218 areas in the trip count. Hunters reported 1,259 animals in all, led by squirrel (504). Divide trips by harvest and you get roughly 3 trips per animal. Reported deer total 136, a rank of 12th out of 218.
| Season | Count |
|---|---|
| Archery deer | 85 |
| Firearm deer | 51 |
| Spring turkey | 32 |
| Fall turkey (archery) | 2 |
| Fall turkey (shotgun) | 0 |
| Squirrel | 504 |
| Rabbit | 62 |
| Dove | 4 |
| Pheasant | 491 |
| Quail | 28 |
Dove hunters made 10 of those trips.
IDNR Public Hunting Areas Report 2025-26 (report PDF), row Sand Ridge; ranks are counted across the 218 areas with a report. Checked November 13, 2026.
Closest public hunting land to Sand Ridge State Forest
Henry Allen Gleason NP is the closest neighbour, 3 miles west of the Sand Ridge State Forest point. Within reach: 2 fish and wildlife areas, 1 nature preserve and 1 land and water reserve.
| Name | Kind | Size (ac) | County | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Allen Gleason NP | Nature preserve | 120 | Mason | 3 miles | west |
| Sparks Pond L&W Reserve | Land and water reserve | 230 | Mason | 3 miles | east |
| Spring Lake SFWA | Fish and wildlife area | 1,500 | Tazewell | 5 miles | north |
| Manito Pheasant Habitat Area | Habitat area | 70 | Tazewell | 7 miles | northeast |
| Rice Lake SFWA | Fish and wildlife area | 2,500 | Fulton | 7 miles | northwest |
| Chautauqua NWR | National refuge | 809 | Mason | 8 miles | west |
Point: Hunt Illinois fact sheet "Site coordinates". Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
When each season runs in Mason County
Archery deer, spring turkey and furbearer dates run well beyond the November shotgun weekends, so most of Mason County's calendar is outside the gun seasons.
| Species | Hunt | Permit or stamp | Area | Opening day | Final day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Firearm | Deer permit | Youth counties | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearm – first season | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Nov 20, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearm – second season | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Dec 3, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Dec 11, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall archery | Archery turkey permit | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall shotgun | Turkey permit | Map counties | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Turkey permit | Statewide | Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 1 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 12, 2027 | Apr 16, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 2 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 22, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 3 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 23, 2027 | Apr 28, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 4 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 29, 2027 | May 5, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 5 | Turkey permit | North Zone | May 6, 2027 | May 13, 2027 | |
| Ring-necked pheasant | Upland bird | License | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | |
| Ring-necked pheasant | Upland bird | License | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Upland bird | License | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Upland bird | License | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Upland bird | License | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Upland bird | License | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Eastern cottontail and swamp rabbit | Rabbit | License | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray and fox squirrel | Squirrel | License | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Waterfowl stamps | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Regular duck season | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Regular duck season | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Regular duck season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Scaup | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Scaup | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Scaup | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Early season | Waterfowl stamps | North and Central Zones | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese (snow and Ross's) | Regular season | HIP and license | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 | |
| Light geese (snow and Ross's) | Regular season | HIP and license | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese (snow and Ross's) | Regular season | HIP and license | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese (snow and Ross's) | Conservation Order | HIP and license | North Zone | Jan 27, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Light geese (snow and Ross's) | Conservation Order | HIP and license | Central and South Zones | Feb 1, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | HIP and license | All zones | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Rails (sora and Virginia) | Rails | HIP and license | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| Wilson's snipe | Snipe | HIP and license | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | HIP and license | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 9, 2027 | |
| American woodcock | Woodcock | HIP and license | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| American crow | Crow | License | Statewide | Oct 28, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | License | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | License | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | License | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | License | Statewide (except closed zone) | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Woodchuck (groundhog) | Hunting | License | Statewide | Jun 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 |
From the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
Not huntable near Sand Ridge State Forest
IDNR also manages places near Sand Ridge State Forest where hunting is not offered; they are listed as closed in our records and never shown as open.
| Closed row | Type | Miles off | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery | Fish hatchery | 3 miles | Mason |
| Mason State Tree Nursery | IDNR site | 5 miles | Mason |
| Manito Prairie | Natural area | 11 miles | Tazewell |
| Illinois River Biological Station | IDNR site | 12 miles | Mason |
| Havana Field Headquarters | IDNR site | 12 miles | Mason |
| Dickson Mounds | IDNR site | 13 miles | Fulton |
Closed rows are IDNR sites with no Hunt Illinois fact sheet and no hunting flag on the land-use layer; see the full closed list. Checked November 13, 2026.
Nearest towns and an IDNR site for Sand Ridge State Forest
Goofy Ridge is the nearest town with a page here, 4 miles from Sand Ridge State Forest in a straight line. Havana (2,826 people in 2024) is the larger service town in the list. Sand Ridge State Forest appears on the town pages of Goofy Ridge and Manito. IDNR staff or drop-off boxes nearest Sand Ridge State Forest: Jubilee College State Park, 29 miles.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goofy Ridge | Mason | – | 4 miles | west |
| Manito | Mason | 1,488 | 5 miles | northeast |
| Dunfermline | Fulton | 252 | 11 miles | northwest |
| Havana | Mason | 2,826 | 12 miles | southwest |
| Glasford | Peoria | 849 | 13 miles | north |
Jubilee College State Park IDNR site
Brownfield Farms guide or outfitter
Gobbler's Knob Hunting Preserve guide or outfitter
MidWest Tactical Il. sporting goods
Havana Outdoors sporting goods
Mound Lake Farm guide or outfitter
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); IDNR sites from the CWD sampling list and the IDNR contact page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 13, 2026.
Truck and pack list for Sand Ridge State Forest
Picked for cornfields, creek bottoms and river backwaters; nothing loads until you tap.
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Hang-on stand
Cornfield edges give little cover, so most hunters climb into a hardwood draw in Illinois.
A sunrise and sunset table for Sand Ridge State Forest
Regular duck and goose hours end at sunset, a full half hour earlier than deer hours, and the Sand Ridge State Forest columns show that gap on each date.
| Day | Note | Sunup | Sundown | Deer day | Goose day | Turkey day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Bow season opens | 6:54 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:14 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. | Not in season |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth deer weekend | 7:04 a.m. | 6:29 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 6:59 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Pheasant and quail | 6:35 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens | 6:51 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Muzzleloader weekend | 7:12 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 5:03 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 4:33 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:19 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. | Not in season |
| Apr 12, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:27 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 8:04 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula on Central Time; checked November 13, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Sand Ridge State Forest shooting range
Part of Sand Ridge State Forest is a range for archery, hand trap and shotgun, according to IDNR.
From the IDNR archery and hand-trap page, the Sparta complex pages, club sites and directory listings, checked November 13, 2026.
Snow geese lifting off the water at Chautauqua National Wildlife RefugePhoto: Jacob Randa (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
A huge flock of snow geese in the sky over Chautauqua National Wildlife RefugePhoto: Jacob Randa (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Sand Ridge State Forest hunting questions, answered from the sources
Do hunters need anything beyond a license at Sand Ridge State Forest?
Yes, the record flags a site permit, lottery or reservation. Deer – Firearm: Statewide regulations apply, except that a site-specific permit, issued via statewide lottery, is required. Lottery guide.
Which game species does Sand Ridge State Forest list?
IDNR or the federal source lists deer, turkey, ducks, teal, geese, snipe, rails, pheasant, dove, rabbit, squirrel, upland birds, woodcock, furbearers and trapping. Statewide limits apply.
Which seasons are open at Sand Ridge State Forest?
23 season lines are open, 2 are not. Deer: archery, firearm, muzzleloader and youth firearm. Turkey: fall archery, fall shotgun, spring and youth spring. See the table.
How large is Sand Ridge State Forest, and which counties does it cover?
The record puts Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County at 6,600 acres. IDNR region: West Central.
Who do I contact about Sand Ridge State Forest?
IDNR is the managing agency. Phone 309-597-2212. Address: 25799 E. Co. Rd. 2300 N., P.O. Box 111, Forest City, IL 61532. Official page.
How popular is Sand Ridge State Forest with hunters?
Hunters made 3,957 trips in 2025-26 and reported 1,259 animals. It ranks 13th of 218 areas by trips.
Where do hunters stay or eat near Sand Ridge State Forest?
Supplies are closest in Goofy Ridge, 4 miles off. Next: Manito (5 miles) and Dunfermline (11 miles). Goofy Ridge hunting page.
What are the blaze orange rules for Sand Ridge State Forest?
In firearm deer seasons the Digest calls for a solid blaze cap and an upper garment with 400 square inches of orange or pink. IDNR land adds a rule for ground blinds. Source.
Does CWD affect hunting near Sand Ridge State Forest?
In Mason County, firearm deer is open to firearm deer; no confirmed chronic wasting disease finding is on the list. Leftover either-sex firearm permits after round 3: 16. Mason County page.
What does the Digest say about Sunday hunting at Sand Ridge State Forest?
The sources we read state no Sunday rule, so we do not say it is allowed or banned. IDNR page.
Are there closed IDNR sites near Sand Ridge State Forest?
Several are closed: 6 sites within 25 miles, Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery among them. Do not hunt them.
What time must I stop hunting at Sand Ridge State Forest?
Deer hours run from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; regular ducks and geese stop at sunset; spring turkey ends at 1 pm. Site rules can be tighter. Hours for every county.
The last things to check for Sand Ridge State Forest
Recheck your permit, county rules and season dates for Sand Ridge State Forest before packing up.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4; statewide seasons from the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest. Checked November 13, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Joseph Gage (CC BY-SA 2.0).