upland game 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 upland game zone in Illinois, United States, set by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 75,468 km² (29,138 mi²). Towns inside it include Springfield, Belleville, Quincy, O'Fallon, Granite City and Edwardsville.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Illinois Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for Common pheasant, Northern bobwhite and Grey (Hungarian) partridge.
- Unit code
- South
- Area
- 75,468 km²
- Area (miles)
- 29,138 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 3,440 km² of public or protected land inside it, 5% 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 | 2% |
| Illinois Department of Natural Resources | 845 | 1% |
| Private owners (names not shown) | 727 | under 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% |
| Rock Island | 46 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 505 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern bobwhite | Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | source |
| Grey (Hungarian) partridge | Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | source |
| Common pheasant | Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | males 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)
- Central Zone (goose zone)
- Late-Winter Antlerless-Only Deer Season counties (late-winter deer season area)
- North Zone (spring turkey zone)
- Fall shotgun turkey counties (fall gun turkey season area)
- South Zone (spring turkey zone)
- South Zone (duck zone)
- South Zone (goose zone)
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 (upland game zone)?
About 75,468 km² (29,138 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 3,440 km² of public or protected land, 5% 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 3 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: North 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 (IDNR regulations); 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.