goose zone · Illinois Department of Natural Resources
South 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 South Zone
South Zone is a goose zone in Illinois, United States, set by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 34,636 km² (13,373 mi²). Towns inside it include Carbondale, Marion, Mount Vernon, Effingham, Herrin and Centralia.
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
- South
- Area
- 34,636 km²
- Area (miles)
- 13,373 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 2,640 km² of public or protected land inside it, 8% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Service Region 09 Eastern | 1,159 | 3% |
| Private owners (names not shown) | 653 | 2% |
| Illinois Department of Natural Resources | 472 | 1% |
| Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge | 184 | under 1% |
| CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE | 184 | under 1% |
| CYPRESS CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE | 68 | under 1% |
| Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge | 68 | under 1% |
| Rend Lake Conservancy District | 27 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 102 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cackling goose | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 7, 2026 | shotgun source |
| Brant (brent goose) | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Cackling goose | Jan 30, 2027 to Jan 30, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Canada goose | Jan 30, 2027 to Jan 30, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Ross's goose | Jan 30, 2027 to Jan 30, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Snow goose | Jan 30, 2027 to Jan 30, 2027 | shotgun source |
| Greater white-fronted goose | Jan 30, 2027 to Jan 30, 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
What HuntGrid shows for South 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 South Zone (goose zone)?
About 34,636 km² (13,373 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Illinois Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in South Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 2,640 km² of public or protected land, 8% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Forest Service Region 09 Eastern. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for South Zone?
This page lists 18 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 South Zone?
In the same unit system: Central 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.