Image is from the April 1999 cover of "Outdoor Illinois" by IDNR chief photographer (retired) Ben Linkhart. Image features a field trial horseback gallery at the Illinois Open
Shooting Dog Championship at the Green River State Wildlife Area in Lee County, Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) issues Field Trial Permits for the following types of trials:

• Coon Hound Field Events
  
• Field Trials on Private property
  
• Field Trials on Department properties (see Class A and Class B Field Trial sites below)

To view the Field Trial Schedule on IDNR Properties click on the Calendar Button:

Field Trial Newsletters Click on this heading to view the most current and past newsletters.

Field Trial Permit Applications: (files are in the .pdf format, which requires Acrobat Reader to view)

Coon Hound Field Event Application - (Competitive Wild Coon Hunts/Nite Hunts, Field Trials, Treeing Contests & Water Races)

Non-Department Property Field Trial Permit Application - (Field Trials & Hunt Tests)

Department Owned Sites Field Trial Permit Application - (Field Trials & Hunt Tests)

Non-resident Waiver Form Letter - (Non-resident dog handlers, scouts and gunners participating in Illinois field trials either must have a valid Illinois Non-resident Hunting or Sportsmen's License and a Habitat Stamp or the organization sponsoring the field trial must possess a waiver from the IDNR waiving the license and stamp requirements for these non-resident participants.)

Regulations:

Field Trials (IL Admin. Code 910)

Field Trials on Private Land (IL Admin. Code 930)

Dog Trials/Dog Training (IL Compiled Statues, Chapter 520, Act 5 Wildlife Code)

Operation of ATV's During Field Trials (Office of Land Management & Education Policy)

IDNR Properties where Field Trials are conducted:

Class A Field Trial Sites - IDNR owned or managed sites that accommodate a variety and substantial number of sporting dog field trial types. The types of field trials include horseback and walking pointing dog field trials, horseback fox hound field trials, retriever field trials, spaniel field trials, beagle hound field trials, and competitive coon hound field events. These sites include the requirements of field trials in the planning and implementation of wildlife and resource management. Facilities necessary to support field trials (e.g., field trial headquarters building, stable, adequate parking, dog kennels, corral, pasture) are often available at these sites.

Class A Sites: Information and Location Map

Class A Site List: Click on the site for more information.

Des Plaines Conservation Area
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area
Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area
Moraine View State Park
Pyramid State Park
Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park

Class B Field Trial Sites - IDNR owned or managed sites that accommodate a variety but smaller number of field trial opportunities. Field trial requirements are not included in wildlife and resource management planning and implementation at these sites. Facilities to support field trials are typically not developed at these sites.

Class B Site List: Click on the site for more information.

Chain O’Lakes State Park
Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area
Beaver Dam State Park
Eldon Hazlet State Park - North of Allen Branch
Kickapoo State Park
Peabody River King State Park
Randolph County Conservation Area
Sangchris Lake State Park
Stephen Forbes State Park
Weinberg-King State Park