(520 ILCS 20/0.01)

(from Ch. 61, par. 217.9)

Sec. 0.01.

Short title.

This Act may be cited as the

Wildlife Habitat Management Areas Act.

(Source: P.A. 86‑1324.)

(520 ILCS 20/1)

(from Ch. 61, par. 218)

Sec. 1.

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.

(Source: P.A. 89‑445, eff. 2‑7‑96.)

(520 ILCS 20/10)

(from Ch. 61, par. 227)

Sec. 10.

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 shall be paid a price per head as may from time to time be agreed upon. In the event no such person desires appointment as an agent to trap surplus game, the Department shall have the right to make other arrangements as deemed advisable.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/11)

(from Ch. 61, par. 228)

Sec. 11.

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.)

(520 ILCS 20/12)

(from Ch. 61, par. 229)

Sec. 12.

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 providing no attempt is made to drive or disturb game.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/13)

(from Ch. 61, par. 230)

Sec. 13.

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.)

(520 ILCS 20/14)

(from Ch. 61, par. 231)

Sec. 14.

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 control of the property. Springs and streams shall not be contaminated or polluted in any manner.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/15)

(from Ch. 61, par. 232)

Sec. 15.

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.)

(520 ILCS 20/16)

(from Ch. 61, par. 233)

Sec. 16.

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 animal is found to be seriously crippled it may be secured by the officer or agent and turned over to the hunter.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/17)

(from Ch. 61, par. 234)

Sec. 17.

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 telephone number of the officer. These facts are to be posted at each parking area to inform hunters or other interested parties. Check in stations may be located with the supervisory officer, and the station may be used to control the number of hunters on any Cooperative Area and to collect a nominal fee for operation of the area.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/18)

(from Ch. 61, par. 235)

Sec. 18.

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 (directly or indirectly to the hunter) by benefiting the farmer and creating good will for the hunting program.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/19)

(from Ch. 61, par. 236)

Sec. 19.

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 any time of the year with firearms, or bows and arrows, or traps, or dogs, or to permit a dog or dogs under his control to enter any refuge. The Department, however, is hereby empowered, by adopting a suitable regulation to prohibit a person or persons from entering or going upon any such refuge, or all such refuges, at any or all times of the year should it deem such action advisable.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/2)

(from Ch. 61, par. 219)

Sec. 2.

In order to cooperate with private land owners and others who desire to aid in the conservation of game and other wildlife, the Department may create and maintain Wildlife Habitat Management Areas on suitable lands owned or controlled by individuals, corporations, associations, or municipalities. The hunting rights for such land shall be controlled by the property owners in mutual agreement with the Department, by written contract with the landowner or person having legal control and authority to grant such rights for an uninterrupted period of 5 years or more. When properly signed, the Department may authorize and empower the director to execute such agreements on its behalf.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/20)

(from Ch. 61, par. 237)

Sec. 20.

In connection with their official duties, it is lawful for any member of the Department, or any employe 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: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/21)

(from Ch. 61, par. 238)

Sec. 21.

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 control.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/22)

(from Ch. 61, par. 239)

Sec. 22.

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

(Source: P. A. 77‑2519.)

(520 ILCS 20/3)

(from Ch. 61, par. 220)

Sec. 3.

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 the agreement, provided the director is satisfied; the principal object of such sale is not to convert to private use hunting rights which have been made more valuable through the utilization of the property for the purposes herein stipulated; and (c) in case the lessor becomes dissatisfied with the project and files a written request to the director for such cancellation.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/4)

(from Ch. 61, par. 221)

Sec. 4.

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 having legal control thereof have agreed to cooperate in the establishment and maintenance of such a project thereon.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/5)

(from Ch. 61, par. 222)

Sec. 5.

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 open to hunting and trapping.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/6)

(from Ch. 61, par. 223)

Sec. 6.

The Department has the right to develop and improve game food and habitat conditions on the area, provided such improvements shall not interfere with the normal operations of the tract and shall meet with the approval of the cooperator.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/7)

(from Ch. 61, par. 224)

Sec. 7.

The Department is hereby empowered to formulate, adopt, post, and enforce such rules and regulations for the management and government of lands acquired for Wildlife Habitat Management as it may deem necessary or advisable for their proper use and administration.

(Source: Laws 1961, p. 2296.)

(520 ILCS 20/8)

(from Ch. 61, par. 225)

Sec. 8.

All cooperative areas shall be posted by the Department on the perimeter at reasonable intervals. Signs used for posting shall be distinctive and shall briefly indicate the purpose of the area. The Department shall mark the boundary of any safety zone by posting notices 150 yards from buildings on the tract, warning that it is unlawful, without specific advance permission of the owner or occupant, to discharge any firearm or other deadly weapon, or to shoot at, hunt for, pursue, disturb or chase any wild animal or bird within the safety zone.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)

(520 ILCS 20/9)

(from Ch. 61, par. 226)

Sec. 9.

The Department shall furnish such protection as lies within its power to the lands, fences, livestock and other property of the Cooperator during the hunting season; and shall cooperate and aid in the enforcement of safety zone restrictions.

(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1409.)