Plenty of coyotes at Green River wildlife area
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HARMON, Ill. — With only a couple precious weeks left to hunt coyotes in Illinois, if you don't have a good spot ironed out, here's one to consider: Green River SWA. This 2,515-acre public hunting site has plenty of 'yotes to hunt, and better yet, minimal hunting pressure on them.
With the season closing on Feb. 28, there is still time to get out for a few tries at calling some in to the gun.
Site superintendent Scott Loomis (815-379-2324) says that it's common to hear area coyotes serenading during nighttime hours within the park boundaries.
The park itself is mainly comprised of gently rolling topography, offering plenty of brush, prairie grass and patches of timber. It's a perfect backdrop from which to hunt these predators.
Early hunting
Unlike some other public sites, hunting is permitted at night here. From one half-hour after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, hunters may use a .22 rim-fire (for raccoon, opossum, fox, coyote and skunk).
After these hours, however, hunters are restricted to hunting only with a shotgun or bow and arrow.
That means bringing coyotes in the daytimes to within shotgun range — 50 yards at the outside, and preferably 30 yards or less.
Rules to hunt
To hunt, a site permit is required from the site office. The permit is good for the whole season. Also, hunters must sign in and out at a registration box each day that they hunt.
The entire SWA is open, except for a 50-acre belt around the site residence.
There is no bag limit on coyotes, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll burn up your barrels here.
Coyotes are incredibly intelligent and a difficult quarry to hunt. Still, there are plenty of dogs here, and little pressure.
With luck from now to the close of the season, upland game bird hunters will be thanking you come next fall.
Contact
Green River SWA can be reached at (815) 379-2324. The SWA is located 13 miles south of Dixon, on Route 26 (3 miles west of Route 26 on Maytown Road).
Material from Fishing & Hunting News
published 24 times a year.
Visit them at www.fishingandhuntingnews.com.
