•July 22, 2015•

Lake Shelbyville ‘s tree stand policy for this year will remain the same as it was last season. The policy allows hunters to leave one stand up for the season (“seasonal tree stand”) and/or utilize a “roving” stand that can be left up for a period not to exceed a break in use greater than 72 hours - the length of a three-day weekend. Seasonal tree stands may be placed two weeks prior to archery season and must be removed within two weeks of archery season ending. The final day of archery season is January 17, 2016.
Hunters wishing to purchase a seasonal tree stand permit must present a valid hunting license before a permit will be issued. Seasonal and roving tree stand permits may be obtained from the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Bo Wood, Coon Creek or Lithia Springs fee booths during operating hours. Roving tree stand permits, which are free of charge, may also be obtained in Sullivan at Ace Hardware or Howy’s Lakeside Gas Station located five miles south of Sullivan on Highway 32.
Hunters utilizing ladder stands are encouraged to purchase a seasonal permit. A roving permit is designed for the mobile hunter and requires the hunter to remove the stand from the woods if there is a break in use greater than 72 hours. While a ladder stand could be utilized in this manner, due to their size and weight they are not considered very portable. Because of this, numerous citations are issued every season to hunters placing roving permit stickers on ladder stands and failing to remove them when not in use. The expense associated with a citation for failure to comply with posted restrictions is $75.00, which is approximately 2.5 years worth of seasonal permits.
For additional information concerning the Lake Shelbyville tree stand policy, contact the Environmental Stewardship Department at (217) 774-3951, ext. 7049.