Vogt_51

I was wondering if anyone new the regulations on a food plot here in Illinois. I was thinking about planting one next year but someone told me that you have to be at least 100 yards away from it during hunting season. Is this true? I checked the guidelines in the regulations handbook, but its somewhat confusing. If anyone knows anything for sure, just pass the info this way please. Thanks in advance!

bob d

from what i have read on the subject the rules say that food plots are not allowed , i need to stop and ask the game warden i would like to plant some for next year too

Vogt_51

Thanks bob, I hope you find something out. If they aren't legal I would probably just see if I could pay the landowner, my grandfather, a little bit of money to plant some corn, or let us plant it ourselves in the preferred area and just let it stand. I'm pretty sure I read that that type of food plot is allowed...


Feeding Wildlife
It is unlawful to make available food,
salt, mineral blocks or other products
for ingestion by wild deer or other wildlife
in areas where wild deer are present.

Except:
• elevated bird/squirrel feeders providing
seed, grain, fruit, worms, or suet for
birds or squirrels located within 100 feet
of a dwelling devoted to human occupancy.
• incidental feeding of wildlife within
active livestock operations.
• feeding of wild animals, other than wild
deer, by hand as long as a reasonable
attempt is made to clean up unconsumed
food.
• feeders for wildlife other than deer so
long as deer are excluded from the
feed in and around the feeder by fencing
or other barriers.
• standing crops planted and left standing
as food plots for wildlife.
• grain or other feed scattered or distributed
solely as a result of normal agricultural,
gardening, or soil stabilization
practices.
• standing, flooded, or manipulated natural
vegetation or food/seed deposited by
natural vegetation.
• grain or other feed distributed or scattered
solely as the result of manipulation
of an agricultural crop or other feed
on the land where grown, for purposes
of dove hunting.
• food material placed for capturing or
killing wildlife pursuant to 520 ILCS
5/2.37, 2.30, and 1.3.
• scientific permits issued pursuant to
17 Ill. Adm. Code 520 that allow food
to attract wildlife.
• any other permits issued by the
Department of Natural Resources that
require the attraction of wildlife for
purposes of management, research
or control.
• Violation of the provisions of this part
is a Petty Offense with a maximum
fine of $1,000.

-------------------------------------------------------------
So, while this makes it look like it is illegal to plant a designated food plot, it still looks like you could pass it off as crops as long as it is something like corn, beans, winter wheat, alfalfa or most other ligume and you could just say you were using it as no-till as well. I don't know for sure, but I am hopeful. Again, thanks for the reply bob, always a help.

tom green

A few freinds and I have been planting food plots for several years. Clover, oats, turnups, ect. When the hole CWD came out and they made the rule of no salt licks at all, because it use to be don't hunt over it unless you have removed it 10 days befor. When it came out we asked if these food plots are crops, and we were told yes. And some of the food plots that my 2 buddys have are paid for by the state for there CRP programs. One is in north-west IL. (whiteside)and the other is in southern IL. (Franklin & Hamilton) Also after 2-3 years of food plots and passing on smaller 2 1/2 year olds, on my 600 acres of creek tree lines and no tiber wider than 60-70 yards,I have taken 130 to 160 in. bucks every year. And it all had to do with food and letting them get older.
I hope this helps you out.

Vogt_51

Thanks tom....great first post. Its nice to see someone actually make their first post, and since signing up over 3 years ago, helping someone out, instead of a lot of people who make their first post to argue or scorn someone. Thanks again..

And by the way, do you and your fellow hunters actually hunt over, or bordering, the food plots...that is the main question. Thanks again!

tom green

Yes, it is the same as hunting on or near a corn or bean crop.

Thanks for the good words on first post.I haveweeded through the bad post and argueing, and found any info I have needed without posting. I guess it was time to give back.

Wolfhound76

I emailed the DNR a while back with this question.

It is legal to hunt over a food plot as long as it is not manipulated (like mowing).

I email the DNR with qestions every now and then. This email addy goes to the law enforcement office. [email protected]


EDIT: Found the email.

Yes it is legal. A food plot that has not been manipulated (mowed,
etc.) is not considered to be bait.

Officer Jason Sherman

>>> "XXXXXXXX" <XXXXXXXXXXX> 02/10/06 6:45 PM >>>
Is it legal to hunt over a food plot planted to help wildlife?

SuperRedHawk

Nothing wrong with food plots or hunting over them, (or IN them) . Why are the regs confusing? Is states right there "it is unlawful,except" standing crops planted and left standing
as food plots for wildlife.
You can't throw food on the ground, but you can grow whatever you want. (except marijuana!)[8D]

Vogt_51

Thanks for the replies everyone....I guess the main part I was confused about was the "crops" part. I mean, I might have a hard time passing some of the food plots off as a crop in the terms I think of a crop as.

But now I am pointed in the right direction and I really do appreciate the help from everyone, especially the actual email from the DNR. You guys are great.