Illinois Compiled Statutes 520 ILCS 20 — Wildlife Habitat Management Areas Act.

Short title

Short title. This Act may be cited as the Wildlife Habitat Management Areas Act. (Source: P.A. 86-1324.)

When used in this Act: "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources

When used in this Act: "Department" means the Department of Natural Resources. "Director" means the Director of Natural Resources. The term "hunting rights" includes both hunting and trapping in season, unless the latter privilege is specifically reserved by the owner, tenant, or other person in control thereof. (Sourc…

The director, on behalf of the Department, may cancel any such agreement; (a) upon 60 days written notice to the lessor, when in the judgment of the Department the use of the lands is no longer needed or desired; (b) in case the owner or owners desire to sell the property and the sale cannot be consummated subject to t…

Every Wildlife Habitat Management Area shall comprise at least 600 acres of contiguous farm lands, or a combination of tillable lands and farm woodlots suitable for the protection and propagation of species of small game ordinarily found upon, or in the immediate proximity of such lands, and the owners or persons havin…

Not more than one-third of the total acreage of such a project may be set apart as State Game Refuges of such size and number as the Department may determine, wherein no hunting shall be permitted

Not more than one-third of the total acreage of such a project may be set apart as State Game Refuges of such size and number as the Department may determine, wherein no hunting shall be permitted. These safety zones shall be posted as provided for by Section 8 of this Act. The remaining two-thirds or more shall be ope…

In the event the Department deems it desirable to remove surplus game from the property for stocking elsewhere, the Cooperator, or a member of his family, or an employee, shall be given preference as an agent of the Department to trap surplus game in such numbers as determined by the Department, for which the trapper s…

If the Cooperator is willing to leave a strip or strips of grain or hay stand in suitable places for game food, nesting cover, or travel lanes, or to delay mowing of hay, the Department may reimburse the Cooperator at a price mutually agreed upon in advance of the harvest period. (Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

The owner or tenant of a tract of land on which a refuge area safety zone has been established, or any member of his family or duly authorized employee, is privileged to go upon such area any time of the year in connection with the normal and customary management of the farm, without dog, firearm, or bow and arrow prov…

Hunters shall be limited to a number agreed upon as reasonable with respect to the game population

Hunters shall be limited to a number agreed upon as reasonable with respect to the game population. The volume of hunting shall be agreed upon by the Department and the Cooperators. (Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

Hunters shall at all times respect the rights of cooperating farmers, and shall not injure or destroy their livestock or property in any manner

Hunters shall at all times respect the rights of cooperating farmers, and shall not injure or destroy their livestock or property in any manner. Trees or shrubs shall not be mutilated or cut, nor shall berries, fruits or nuts be picked on or within such refuge area, except by permission of the owner or person in legal…

Should a dog inadvertently enter a refuge area, it may be recovered by the owner, or person in control, by entering the refuge area without firearms or bows and arrows

Should a dog inadvertently enter a refuge area, it may be recovered by the owner, or person in control, by entering the refuge area without firearms or bows and arrows. (Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

Should a seriously wounded game bird or game animal enter a refuge area, the hunter who wounded it, if he wishes to retrieve it, shall report to a duly commissioned officer or authorized agent of the Department, who may investigate, accompanied by the hunter without firearms or bows and arrows, and if the bird or anima…

Until clearly evident that rigid supervision is no longer needed, each cooperative area will have at least one supervisory officer, temporary or otherwise, appointed by the Director, on duty at a conveniently located telephone on or adjacent to the area. All participating farmers will be informed of the location and te…

At the Department's discretion, in lieu of other charges, a fee in addition to the regular license may be charged by the Cooperators, in return for which the hunter will receive a permit to hunt on Cooperative areas. Any surplus of funds collected over the cost of the program is to be used for farmer-hunter benefit (di…

Except as otherwise provided in this Act, it is unlawful for any person, except by special permission of a duly authorized representative of the Department, to enter or go upon a Wildlife Habitat Management Area Refuge Safety Zone, during any open season for the hunting of game, or to enter or go upon such a refuge at…

In connection with their official duties, it is lawful for any member of the Department, or any employee or duly appointed agent thereof, to go upon a Wildlife Habitat Management Area, restricted or open, at any time of the year with or without firearms, traps, or dogs. (Source: P.A. 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)

It is unlawful to resist any officer or agent, of the Department when he is attempting to arrest a person for violation of any property damage laws of this State, or any law of this State intended to protect farm livestock, or human life, or for any violation occurring on lands leased by the Department or under its con…

Any person violating any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a petty offense

Any person violating any of the provisions of this Act shall be guilty of a petty offense. (Source: P.A. 77-2519.)