The U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service would like to remind everyone about”Closed Areas” and “No Hunting Zones” on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge, in Pools 12, 13, and 14. These areas cover a small percentage of the Refuge and are subject to special regulations, relating to access and waterfowl hunting. The following areas are included.
Pool 13: Pleasant Creek near Bellevue, IA – closed to all migratory bird hunting year round and voluntary avoidance for all public access, from October 15 to the end of the Iowa duck hunting season (December 6.)
Lost Mound Unit (formerly Savanna Army Depot) near Savanna, IL – the main channel of Crooked Slough is closed to all hunting. All land and water east of Crooked Slough is closed to all public access.
Lost Mound Unit – Upland areas around office and along west side of River Road Wildlife Drive up to the Observation Deck is closed to all hunting and trapping.
Spring Lake Sanctuary near Savanna, IL – closed to all migratory bird hunting year round and closed to all public access, from October 1 to the end of the Illinois duck hunting season (December 20.) The public is allowed to walk or bicycle to the Observation Deck during this time. In addition, the Refuge would like to emphasize that no migratory bird hunting is allowed in the Spring Lake Sanctuary at any time of the year. The Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center area lies within the Spring Lake Sanctuary and is closed to all hunting and trapping year round.
Frog Pond Recreation Area near Savanna, IL – closed to all hunting year round.
Elk River Sanctuary near Sabula, IA – closed to all migratory bird hunting year round and closed to all public access, from October 1 to the end of the Iowa duck hunting season (December 6.)
Potters Marsh Waterfowl Hunt Area near Thomson, IL – during the regular waterfowl hunting season, migratory bird hunting is only allowed at 49 designated hunt sites. These sites have special permits, but if no one is present half-an-hour before shooting time, the site is open for hunting.
