To meet the primary mission of the McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation, management of natural resources within the Parks is necessary. Today, due to the lack of natural predators, natural resource management of white tail deer herds is necessary to insure and improve natural habitat overall. The use of public hunting at COMLARA Park - Evergreen Lake is recognized as an appropriate population control method. In addition, public hunting provides recreational and leisure opportunities for those that wish to participate.

Deer Populations
Research has documented populations at COMLARA County Park in excess of 60 deer per square mile. The ecological carrying capacity of various natural environments is 15 to 20 deer per square mile. Without active management, the number of deer will continue to increase, possibly dramatically. The deer population levels threaten natural re-generation and environmental reclamation projects, due to browse levels.

Deer Hunt Shotgun Map

Deer Hunt Shotgun Map (pdf)

Hunting Season

Please refer to the Department’s Calendar of Events for current archery and shotgun program dates and application deadlines.

.Hunters are required to complete an antlerless deer permit application for Comlara County Park. Hunters must possess an IDNR SHOTGUN permit for either McLean or Woodford County, prior to applying for a COMLARA Special Shotgun permit. Applications can be obtained at the Visitors Center in Comlara Park during the months of July and August. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE IN THE PARK OFFICE BY AUGUST 31, APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. The lottery drawing for both archery and shotgun hunting will take place during the first week of September.

DISABLED HUNTERS
Disabled hunters are encouraged to apply for both the Archery and Shotguns hunts. Currently, there are two disabled hunting blinds being utilized. As with able-bodied hunters, disabled hunters must possess an IDNR shotgun permit for McLean or Woodford County prior to application for the COMLARA Park special hunt.

Specific Regulations

1. No person shall hunt or enter designated management areas without a permit issued by the Department.
2. Hunters must possess a valid Illinois Hunting License, habitat stamp, and IDNR deer permit (McLean or Woodford Co.)
3. Hunters must hunt in park areas specific to the designated county on their IDNR State Firearms Permit
4. Hunters must comply with all Illinois and Federal game codes.
5. Actual permit must be picked up, in person, at COMLARA Park Visitor Center during hunter orientation meetings.
6. Hunters will be provided pre-hunt information and orientation when they pick up their permit.
7. No permanent tree stands are permitted. It is illegal to use devices that pierce or puncture the bark of trees.
8. Hunters must park in designated hunter parking areas and must clearly display vehicle ID permit.
9. Vegetation should not be cut, broken or removed for any reason.
10. Stands must be removed when the hunter leaves the area for the day.
11. Boundaries of designated hunting areas will be strictly enforced, McLean County Parks and Recreation Department personnel will use signs, flags, posts, or flagging to mark boundaries. It is the hunter's responsibility to recognize and respect those boundaries.
12. Hunters must check out at Visitor Center, whether they are successful or not. Deer must also be taken to an Illinois Department of Natural Resource Check Station for tagging.
13. No vehicles, including ATV's are allowed within the hunting areas.
14. Hunters wanting to track deer after check out time must secure permission from McLean County Department of Parks and Recreation personnel.
15. Any hunter wishing to track a deer outside Park Boundaries MUST first obtain permission from the private landowner.
16. ONLY antlerless deer may be taken.