Landowners in the counties throughout the traditional pheasant range will often give permission for hunting to sportsmen who approach them properly and politely. Hunters frequently locate the best areas to hunt when they look at the most recent harvest success data. That data was not available at press time and will be examined in the December 2007 issue of Illinois Game & Fish magazine.

Hunters who do not gain access to private lands can be limited in their wingshooting. Nonetheless, the IDNR works hard to provide as much pheasant hunting opportunity as possible.

Most of the public-access pheasant hunting in Illinois takes place on state-operated/maintained Pheasant Habitat Areas (PHA). PHA locations are noted in the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2007-2008 or by visiting the IDNR Web site at

Also, several properties that hold controlled hunts for captive-reared pheasants are located throughout the state. These put-and-take hunts give some solace to those not fortunate enough to find adequate hunting for wild birds. Some of these areas also hold special controlled pheasant hunts for youth and disabled hunters.

The official IDNR pheasant-hunting forecast was not yet available when Illinois Game & Fish magazine went to press. However, early indications point toward bird numbers being up some from the previous assessment.

"Pheasant numbers will probably be up a little from 2005-2006 -- probably around 200,000 birds," Cole predicted.

The 2007 Illinois pheasant-hunting season opens Nov. 3 in both the North Zone and the South Zone. The season closes Jan. 8, 2008, in the North Zone and Jan. 15, 2008, in the South Zone. Hunters in both zones may take two roosters per day, with no more than six in possession after the third day of the season. Hunting hours statewide are from sunrise to sunset.

For out-of-state pheasant hunters coming, non-resident hunting licenses are priced at $50.75 for a full year, and a five-day license costs $28.75. Habitat stamps for both residents and non-residents costs $5.50 per hunter.

To find out more about the CRP, landowners should contact their local United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office or consult the Web site at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/crp. Guidance is also available by contacting your local Pheasants Forever chapter or visiting Illinois PF online at www.dnr.state.il.us or in the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2007-2008, which is available from the IDNR or wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. The IDNR may also be reached at (217) 782-6384.

Watch for more pheasant hunting information coming next month, right here in Illinois Game & Fish magazine!