goose zone · Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Central Zone
Illinois, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About Central Zone
Central Zone is a goose zone in Illinois, United States, set by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 79,772 km² (30,800 mi²). Towns inside it include Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, Bloomington, Decatur and Normal.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Illinois Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for Canada goose, Cackling goose, Snow goose, Ross's goose and Greater white-fronted goose.
- Unit code
- Central
- Area
- 79,772 km²
- Area (miles)
- 30,800 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,506 km² of public or protected land inside it, 2% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Department of Natural Resources | 626 | under 1% |
| Private owners (names not shown) | 159 | under 1% |
| Forest Service Region 09 Eastern | 74 | under 1% |
| Rock Island | 68 | under 1% |
| The Nature Conservancy | 50 | under 1% |
| Camp Ellis Grounds | 36 | under 1% |
| Peoria Park District | 28 | under 1% |
| Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge | 27 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 516 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Illinois Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Brant (brent goose) | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Oct 31, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Brant (brent goose) | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Feb 1, 2027 to Apr 30, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Feb 1, 2027 to Apr 30, 2027 | shotgun source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Special CWD Deer Season counties (CWD deer season area)
- Central Zone (duck zone)
- Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Deer Season counties (late-winter deer season area)
- North Zone (spring turkey zone)
- North Zone (upland game zone)
- Fall shotgun turkey counties (fall gun turkey season area)
- Restricted Archery Zone
- South Zone (upland game zone)
- South Zone (spring turkey zone)
What HuntGrid shows for Central Zone
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is Central Zone (goose zone)?
About 79,772 km² (30,800 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Illinois Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Central Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,506 km² of public or protected land, 2% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Central Zone?
This page lists 14 seasons a person has checked against Illinois Department of Natural Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to Central Zone?
In the same unit system: North Zone and South Zone.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Illinois DNR (zone definition); U.S. Census Bureau. Licence: Zone defined in the 2026-2027 Illinois Digest and the federal frameworks; geometry public domain (U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.