Three sites in Illinois will have an extended controlled pheasant hunting season through January 28, 2018.

The state Department of Natural Resources said the sites are Eldon Hazlet Recreation Area, Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wildlife Area, and Wayne Fitzgerrell Recreation Area.

The reason for the extra hunt time is because a contingency of pheasants is normally kept just in case birds are lost during the season. Terry Musser, with IDNR says years like this with no problems at wildlife propagation centers means the birds can be used for extra hunting.

Musser wants hunters to reserve online before coming out to hunt. He says if the department knows who is coming, he says they can be more precise with how many birds they release.
One-day permit fees are $30 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.