The Byron Forest Preserve District will be holding a lottery for archery deer hunting at three district preserves this summer for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 archery seasons. The lottery drawing will be held to randomly select eight hunters for archery season hunting permission. The hunters will each be assigned to one of these three district preserves: the district’s Howard Colman Hall Creek Preserve (three hunters), the Barrick Oaks Homestead Preserve (three hunters), and the Bald Hill Prairie Preserve (two hunters). Entrants must be taxpayers of or residents within the Byron Forest Preserve District and at least 18 years of age before Oct. 1, 2026. Please call the Byron Forest Preserve District at 815-234-8535 for more information.