State of Illinois

Department of Natural Resources

Illinois Digest of
Hunting and Trapping
REGULATIONS 2024-2025

Use through July 31, 2025 or until the 2025-2026 digest is printed. www.instagram.com/illinoisdnr/
Photo of two Eastern Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) flying courtesy of Leroy Buckley
 Message From the Director Digest Purpose
This publication is a summary of Illinois hunting and trapping
Greetings from the Illinois Department regulations prepared for your convenience. It is designed as a
of Natural Resources. Thank you for guide to the laws and regulations for hunting and trapping in
taking time to review the annual Illinois. It also provides information such as seasons, harvest limits,
Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping and required permits for these opportunities in Illinois. It is not
Regulations. This informative guide a legal document and is not intended to cover all hunting and
includes a detailed review of trapping laws and regulations. This document does not contain
Illinois’ hunting and trapping season the exact wording of the Illinois’ Adopted Administrative Rules
dates, possession limits, hunting available at dnr.illinois.gov/adrules.html or the Wildlife Code
zone boundaries, statewide hunting of the Illinois Compiled Statutes available at www.ilga.gov/
regulations, license and permit details, legislation/ilcs/ilcs2.asp?ChapterID=43.
and other helpful information.
Table of Contents
New or amended regulations for 2024-2025 are noted in 2024-2025 Illinois Hunting Information
shaded print, so please be sure to familiarize yourself with
all the updated guidelines before heading to the field. New Regulations for 2024-2025 – New laws and new programs
are indicated by yellow shading. Prior to undertaking activities
This digest also contains helpful information about Illinois’ subject to change, review information published at dnr.illinois.
public hunting areas, property laws, harvest reporting gov, your local newspaper’s outdoor writer’s column or check with
requirements, and efforts to maintain healthy wildlife your local IDNR office for more information. Any conflict arising
populations. between this digest and the statutes or administrative code of the
State of Illinois, the statutes or administrative code of the State of
Hunter heritage runs deep in Illinois. Introducing new Illinois shall control.
generations of friends and family members to hunting is an
important part of the experience. With that in mind, the Message from Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. . . . . . .Inside Front
Illinois Department of Natural Resources continues to work Cover Digest Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover
on improving hunting opportunities, recruit new hunters and New Regulations/Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover
trappers, and expand public access throughout Illinois. IDNR Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Hunters and trappers are essential partners in conservation Hunting Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
and management of Illinois’ wildlife, and we appreciate Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
the input we receive from you on ways to improve outdoor
Statewide Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
opportunities throughout the state. Thank you for taking part
in these activities and for buying the licenses and permits Conservation Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
that fund habitat enhancement and wildlife management Deer Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
programs.
Turkey Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to a new hunting and Waterfowl Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
trapping season in Illinois. Best wishes for a safe and Upland and Small Game Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
successful season.
Furbearer Trapping and Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Season Dates - Rules of Thumb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Natalie Phelps Finnie, Director
Road-killed Deer and Nuisance Wildlife Information . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Public Hunting Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
New Regulations/Information for 2024-2025
3-year License Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4
County Specific Restricted Archery Zone Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Deer CWD Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Firearm Regulations for Spring Turkey Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Federal Migratory Bird Electronic Stamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Federal Aid Project
Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Funded by your purchase of Upland and Small Game Season Dates and Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
hunting equipment
Public Hunting Areas Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54, 59
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources receives Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, and the U.S.
Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program,
activity, or facility, or if you need more information, please write to: Chief, Public Civil Rights Office of Civil Rights U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20250. This
information may be provided in an alternative format if required. Contact the DNR Clearinghouse at 217-782-7498 for assistance. Printed on recycled paper.
Printed by the Authority of the State of Illinois • DNR-ORC-HY24-25 • 150,000 • 07/24
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
IDNR Regional Offices For Further Information Contact
Headquarters Target Illinois Poachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (877) 2DNRLAW (236-7529)
One Natural Resources Way Springfield Offices:
Springfield, IL 62702-1271 Permits Office (Lottery/Landowner) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (217) 782-7305
217-782-6302 License Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (217) 782-2965
Wildlife Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (217) 782-6384
Region 1 Office Law Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (217) 782-6431
1510 46th Avenue Telecommunications Device for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Rock Island, IL 61201 (TTY) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (217) 782-9175
309-788-0418
IDNR Website Index
Region 2 Office
2050 West Stearns Road Illinois Department of Natural Resources
dnr.illinois.gov
Bartlett, IL 60103
847-608-3100 Hunting/Trapping Information
huntillinois.org
Region 3 Office Hunting/Trapping Licenses
dnr.illinois.gov/lpr/licenseandpermitfees
None
Public Hunting Sites
huntillinois.org/directory
Region 4 Office
None Hunter Safety Certification
dnr.illinois.gov/safety
Region 5 Office Trapper Safety Certification
dnr.illinois.gov/safety/trapping
11731 State Highway 37
Benton, IL 62812 Conservation Police
dnr.illinois.gov/lawenforcement
618-435-8138
Office of the Director
dnr.illinois.gov/director

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dnr.illinois.gov
 2024-2025 Hunting Timeline
Animal 24-Aug 24-Sep 24-Oct 24-Nov 24-Dec 25-Jan 25-Feb 25-Mar 25-Apr 25-May 25-Jun 25-Jul
Coyote/Striped Skunk Closed 22-24 Closed 5-8
Woodchuck Closed 22-24 Closed 5-8 Ends 31 Opens 1
Squirrels Opens 1 Closed 22-24 Closed 5-8 Ends 15
Doves See page 38 for specific dates
Canada Goose See page 31 for specific dates
Snipe (Wilson’s Snipe) Opens 7 Ends 22
Rails Opens 7 Ends 15
Teal Duck 7-22
Deer See page 13 for specific dates
Turkey See page 25 for specific dates See page 25 for specific dates
Ducks/Mergansers/Coots See page 30 for specific dates
Light Geese/Brant See page 31 for specific dates
White-fronted Goose See page 31 for specific dates
Crow Opens 28 Ends 28
Woodcock Opens 19 Ends 2
Rabbits Opens 2 Ends 15
Ends 8 (N)
Pheasant/Quail/Partridge Opens 2
Ends 15 (S)
Opens 10
Bobcat/Foxes/Opossum/Raccoon Closed 5-8 Ends 15
Closed 22-24
Conservation Order Light Goose See page 31 for specific dates
2024-2025 Trapping Timeline
Woodchuck Ends 30 Opens 1
Badger/Bobcat/Coyote/Foxes/
Mink/Muskrat/Opossum/ Opens 10 Ends 15
Raccoon/ Striped Skunk/Weasels
Beaver/River Otter Opens 10 Ends 31

Permit Lotteries Timeline (dates are inclusive, see species sections for full details)
Species Lottery Jul-24 Aug-24 Sep-24 Oct-24 Nov-24 Dec-24 Jan-25 Feb-25 Mar-25 Apr-25 May-25 Jun-25 Jul-25
1st lottery Opens 4 Closes 30
Youth lotteries See page 18 and 23 for specific dates
2nd lottery Opens 12 Closes 30
Deer
3rd lottery Opens 11 Closes 16
OTC Opens 15 until gone
Late Winter SHA Opens 29 Closes 25
Fall Gun-1st lottery Closes 1 Opens 6 Closes 7
Fall Gun-2nd lottery Opens 12 Closes 19
Fall Gun-OTC Opens 16 until gone
Spring-1st lottery Opens 1 Closes 1
Turkey Spring-2nd lottery Opens 11 Closes 13
Spring-3rd lottery Opens 23 Closes 10
Spring-OTC Opens 11 until gone
Spring-Youth OTC Opens 4 Closes 6
Spring Youth SHA Opens 21 Closes 17
1st lottery 16-31
Youth Opens 1 Closes 1
Waterfowl 2nd lottery 1-15
3rd lottery 16-28
As available Opens 1 until gone
Upland One-time lottery 1-31
1st lottery 1-30
Doves 2nd lottery 6-20 6-20
As available Opens 27 Closes 25
Bobcat One-time lottery 1-30

2
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 HUNTING LICENSE INFORMATION
• Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a • Annual hunting licenses and state stamps go on sale 1 March and are
hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide valid through 31 March of the following year.
evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state • For online license sales, please visit www.exploremoreil.com
in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply,
see Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/3.2). • For Residency restrictions see definition on page 5.
• All residents and nonresidents will need an applicable base hunting • Every person holding a hunting license shall have it, including all
license. For exemptions see Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/3.1). appropriate stamps, in his/her possession for immediate presentation
for inspection to any authorized law enforcement officer while hunting.
• Additional licenses, permits and stamps required to hunt or trap
particular species are listed in sections covering those species in this
digest.
Base Hunting Licenses (does not include vendor or transaction fees)
License Type Fee 3-year Option* Online Vendors Specifications
Resident $12.00 X X X
Resident Senior $6.00 X X X Only available to hunters age 65 to 74 (inclusive).
Resident Super Senior $1.00 X X X Only available to hunters age 75 or older.
Illinois veterans who served overseas or were mobilized by the
President of the United States and have a form DD214 can submit
Illinois Veteran $6.00 X X X their form to IDNR’s Springfield office at DNR.License@illinois.gov and
ask to be certified as qualifying for half priced licenses. Please redact
your SSN before emailing your DD214.

Apprentice hunters must be supervised by a validly licensed Illinois

STATEWIDE REGULATIONS
Apprentice $7.00 X X resident or nonresident hunter who is 21 years of age or older. A
hunter safety course is not required to purchase this license.
Any hunter/trapper under 18 years of age may purchase this license.
Hunters/trappers with this license must be supervised by an adult who
is 21 years of age or older and has the appropriate Illinois hunting
Youth Hunt/Trap $7.00 X X or trapping license. The youth hunter shall not hunt or trap or carry a
hunting device, unless the youth is accompanied by and under close
personal supervision of that adult. See Wildlife Code (520 ILCS
5/3.1-9) for supervisory requirement exemptions.
Resident Lifetime $360.00 X X
Resident Sportsman $25.50 X X X
Combo Hunt/Fish
Illinois Veteran
Sportsman $12.75 X X X See specification on veteran license above.
Combo Hunt/Fish
Resident Senior
Sportsman Combo $12.75 X X X Only available to hunters age 65 to 74 (inclusive).
Hunt/Fish
Resident Super Senior
Sportsman Combo $2.00 X X X Only available to hunters age 75+.
Hunt/Fish
Resident Lifetime
Sportsman Combo $765.00 X X
Hunt/Fish
Nonresident $57.00 X X
Nonresident (5 day) $35.00 X X
Illinois residents with a disability may hunt without a license if they have an Illinois Driver’s License or Illinois Disability
Identification Card indicating that they have a Type 1 or Type 4, Class 2 disability. Veterans with a disability (both
Disabled resident and nonresident) may hunt without a license if they possess an Affidavit of Disability Card (resident) from the
IL Department of Veteran’s Affairs or documentation (nonresident) that they are at least 10% disabled with service-
related disabilities. Certain stamps are still required.

A person on active duty in the Armed Forces, who entered the service from Illinois and is an Illinois resident, may, while
Active Duty - Armed on ordinary or emergency leave, hunt without a license. Illinois resident military, guard or reserve members who served
Forces overseas within the last 2 years may be eligible for the Illinois Resident Armed Forces Special Pass, which waives fees
for fishing, hunting and camping. See details at dnr.illinois.gov or call (217) 782-2965.
*3-year License Option - llinois residents may obtain three-year hunting, sportsmen and trapping licenses for three times the cost of an annual one.

3
dnr.illinois.gov
 Resident License/Stamps Guidelines (X = Applicable)

Disabled Active Duty -

License/Stamp Under 16 16-17 18-64 65-74 75+ Disabled Former POW Landowner
Veteran Armed Forces

Resident* X X X See page 3

Senior* X See page 3

Super Senior* X
Apprentice X X X X X X
Sportsman
Combo* X X X
Senior
Sportsman X X
Combo*
Super Senior
Sportsman X
Combo*
Lifetime X X X X X
Youth Hunting
& Trapping X X
STATEWIDE REGULATIONS

Trapping* X X X X X
Federal Migratory
Waterfowl Stamp X X X X X X X X X
State Migratory
Waterfowl Stamp X X X See page 3

State Habitat Stamp X X X X X X

HIP Certification X X X X X See page 3

*3-year License Option - Illinois residents may obtain three-year hunting, fishing, sportsmen and trapping licenses for three times the cost of an annual one.

Nonresident License/Stamps Guidelines (X = Applicable)

License/Stamp Under 16 16-17 18-64 65+ Disabled Disabled Veteran Former POW Landowner

Nonresident X X X X X X
Nonresident 5-Day X X X X X X
Apprentice X X X X X X
Youth Hunting
& Trapping X X X
Trapping X X X X X X
Federal Waterfowl
Stamp X X X X X X X
State Migratory
Waterfowl Stamp X X X X

State Habitat Stamp X X X X

HIP Certification X X X X X X

4
lllinois Department of Natural Resources
 Hunting Times Table Definitions
Use government sources such as www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/ Resident: “Resident” means a person who in good faith makes
solcalc/ or https://www.weather.gov/dvn/sunrise-sunset for application for any license or permit and verifies by statement that he or
accurate sunrise/sunset times. she has maintained his or her permanent abode in this state for a period
of at least 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the person’s
application, and who does not maintain permanent abode or claim
Windshield Cards residency in another state for the purposes of obtaining any of the same
or similar licenses or permits covered by Wildlife Code (520 ILCS/5). A
Windshield Cards For Public Land Hunting/Trapping person’s permanent abode is his or her fixed and permanent dwelling
Free “Windshield Cards” are required to hunt certain species and place, as distinguished from a temporary or transient place of residence.
record hunting effort/harvest at many Illinois Public Hunting Areas. Domiciliary intent is required to establish that the person is maintaining
Cards are available at: dnr2.illinois.gov/Windshieldcard/. Print a his or her permanent abode in this State. Evidence of domiciliary intent
card for each site you intend to hunt and place on the dashboard of includes, but is not limited to, the location where the person votes, pays
your vehicle when hunting the site. Each hunter will need to display a personal income tax or obtains a drivers license. Except for the purposes
windshield card. For information or assistance, contact the site where of obtaining a Lifetime License, any person on active duty in the Armed
you intend to hunt. Forces shall be considered a resident of Illinois during his or her period
of military duty.
Hunters are required to return to this website prior to Feb. 15 Sale: To sell, barter or otherwise offer goods to another for
each year to record harvest information. consideration. The term sale includes serving the same as a part of a
meal by any restaurant, hotel or other commercial establishment.
Firearm Owner’s I.D. Card Scull boat: a boat propelled by means of an oar fixed in a notch in the
transom of a boat and worked in a turning or sculling motion.
For legal possession of firearms and ammunition, see Public Safety Take: To hunt, shoot, pursue, lure, kill, destroy, capture, gig or spear, trap
Code (430 ILCS 65/ and 66/). or ensnare, or harass or attempt to do so.
IDNR does not issue F.O.I.D. cards. To obtain a F.O.I.D. card Transport or Ship: To convey by means of parcel post, express, freight
visit this site https://www.ispfsb.com/Public/FOID.aspx or baggage or shipment by common carrier of any description; or by
call the Illinois State Police at (217) 782-7980. automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle of any kind; or by water or
aircraft of any kind or by any other means of transportation.
Definitions Trap: To capture, or attempt to capture, by setting or placing a leg-hold

STATEWIDE REGULATIONS
trap, cushion-hold trap, body-gripping trap, cage or box trap, snare
Bow and Arrow: Means a longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, or or other similar device permitted by Wildlife Code (520 ILCS/5) to
crossbow. capture, hold or kill any protected wildlife.
Case: Any case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or container Vehicle: Any device capable of transporting a person on land, on ice,
acceptable under Article 24 of the Criminal Code of 2012. www.ilga. on water, in water or in the air.
gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050k24-1.htm Wildlife: Any bird or mammal living in a state of nature without the care
Daily Limit: The maximum number or amount of species that can be of man, including all protected wildlife.
lawfully taken by one person in one calendar day.
Floating Blind: Any watercraft or floating structure that is capable
of carrying a person and which is camouflaged, disguised or altered
in appearance to offer a place of concealment. Such floating blind
may be mechanically powered as long as such power is used only for
movement to and from the place of hunting and no attempt is made to
hunt during such movement.
Freshly Killed: Any carcass, remains or parts of the body of any dead
mammal or bird that has not been prepared for immediate consumption
or storage for later consumption.
Furbearing Mammals: Mink, muskrat, raccoon, striped skunk, weasel,
opossum, beaver, red fox, gray fox, badger, bobcat, river otter and
coyote.
Game Birds: Bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge, chukar partridge,
ring-necked pheasant and wild turkey.
Game Mammals: Eastern cottontail and swamp rabbits, white-tailed
deer, fox squirrel, gray squirrel and woodchuck (groundhog).
Green Hide: Any hide or pelt which has not been tanned.
Gun: Shotgun, rifle, handgun or airgun.
Hunt: act of a person possessing a weapon or being accompanied by
a dog or a bird of prey for the purpose of taking species protected by
this Act in any location such species may inhabit.
Hunting: the lawful pursuit, trapping, shooting, capture, collection, or
killing of wildlife or the attempt to pursue, trap, shoot, capture, collect,
or kill wildlife.
Hunting License: an electronic or physical license authorizing the person
to take a certain type of animal during a specified period of time.
IDNR: Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Lead Ammunition: A projectile containing one or more percent lead by
weight.
Migratory Game Birds: Mourning dove, white-winged dove, sora rail, Shooting Safety and Skills Clinics
Virginia rail, American woodcock, snipe (Wilson’s snipe), American coot, The IDNR and partners offer “wingshooting” clinics that teach shooting
ducks, geese, swans and American crow. safety, fundamentals and hunting skills using shotguns and moving clay
Possession Limit: Maximum number or amount of species which can be targets. Clinics are held for novice to advanced shooters on weekends
lawfully held or possessed by one person at any time. throughout Illinois during spring through early fall of each year. Visit the
Protected Species: Wild birds and wild mammals, including parts, which following website for more information, including a calendar of clinics:
shall include their nests, eggs and green hides, in the State of Illinois, dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/wingshooting.html
or which may be brought into the state. See Wildlife Code (520 ILCS
5/2.2) for details.
5
dnr.illinois.gov
 Statewide Regulations Hunting Devices and Ammunition Restrictions
Hunting Hours Restrictions You cannot legally:
Hunting shall only occur during times specified for those game species • hunt or trap any protected species except with a gun, bow and arrow,
in reference to official sunrise-sunset times for the location. Some IDNR or trap that is authorized for a specific species and season. See the
sites may have more restricted hunting times. Please refer to the Hunting specific species sections for additional information. .
Site Information (Hunter Fact Sheet) on huntillinois.org for site specific • use any shotgun larger than 10 gauge while taking or attempting to
regulations. harvest any protected species. Barrel length shall not be less than 18
Possession and Daily Limits inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches.
You cannot legally possess wild game birds, wild game mammals or • hunt with, or have in your possession while hunting, a shotgun shell with
wild fur-bearing mammals or any parts thereof in excess of the legally shot larger than lead shot size BB, steel shot size T or number BBB of
established daily limit or possession limit, whichever applies. any other non-toxic shot. Except: Shot size is unrestricted for furbearer
Maintaining Separate Bag hunting and deer may be harvested with a shotgun no larger than 10
gauge or smaller than 20 gauge loaded with slugs.
You cannot legally possess wildlife for which there is a daily or
possession limit unless each hunter maintains his/her “bag” of such • harvest any species of wild game except deer and furbearers with a
species separately and distinctly from those of all other hunters. shotgun loaded with slugs.
Possessing Another’s Wildlife • use a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells in the
magazine and chamber combined. Any shotgun having a capacity
You cannot legally receive or have in custody any protected game of more than three shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is
belonging to another person, except in the personal abodes of the irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to
donor or recipient, unless such protected species are tagged with the render it incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine
hunter’s or trapper’s name and address, the total number of individuals and chamber combined. Except: This does not apply on licensed
by species and the date such species were harvested. See “Possession hunting preserves unless hunting wild migratory game birds and does
and Tagging” in the Waterfowl Hunting section of this digest. not apply during Conservation Order light goose (snow, blue and Ross’
Retrieving Killed/Crippled Wildlife (Wanton Waste of Game) geese) seasons.
You cannot legally kill or cripple any species protected by Wildlife • use a rifle, handgun or airgun to harvest game birds or migratory
Code (520 ILCS/5) for which there is a harvest limit without making a game birds.
reasonable effort to retrieve such species and include it in the harvest • discharge a rifle, handgun or airgun on, over or into water or ice.
limit. It is also unlawful for any person having control over harvested • use a gun equipped with a silencer.
game mammals, game birds, or migratory game birds for which there
is a harvest limit to wantonly waste or destroy the usable meat of the • use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field while
hunting white-tailed deer except as listed in the “Firearm and
STATEWIDE REGULATIONS

game, except this shall not apply to wildlife harvested by means of Muzzleloader Deer Hunting” section on page 18 or as provided in the
a nuisance wildlife removal permit or wildlife harvested by means of Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Note: The lawful possession of rifles to
a scientific collection permit. “Usable meat” means the breast meat harvest furbearing mammals and game mammals other than white-
of a game bird or migratory game bird and the hind ham and front tailed deer shall not be prohibited during the youth deer season,
shoulders of a game mammal. It shall be unlawful for any person to muzzleloading rifle deer season, special CWD season and the late
place, leave, dump, or abandon a wildlife carcass or parts of it along winter antlerless-only deer season.
or upon a public right-of-way or highway or on public or private
property, including a waterway or stream, without the permission of
the owner or tenant. It is lawful to properly discard game meat that is
determined to be unfit for human consumption.
Possession of Illegally Harvested Wildlife
You cannot legally possess any species of wildlife or wildlife parts
harvested unlawfully in Illinois or any other state or country, whether or
not the wildlife or wildlife parts is indigenous to Illinois.
Possession of Freshly Killed Game Out of Season
You cannot legally possess any freshly killed game when the season is
closed for taking (see Wildlife Conflicts section for Deer Accidentally
Killed).
Selling Wildlife, Feathers etc.
You cannot legally buy, sell, or offer to sell or barter game birds or
migratory game birds, or parts thereof, including feathers, nests or
eggs (including wild turkey parts) or the edible parts of game mammals
except as provided by specific permits.

Hunting Near Inhabited Dwellings

You cannot legally hunt or allow a dog to hunt within 300 yards of an
inhabited dwelling without first obtaining permission of the owner or
tenant of the dwelling. Except: A 100-yard restriction shall apply while
trapping, hunting with bow and arrow, or hunting with shotgun using
shotshells only, or on licensed game breeding and hunting preserve
areas, on federally owned and managed lands, on IDNR-owned,
-managed, -leased or -controlled lands.

Hunter Interference
You cannot legally:
• interfere with or disturb another person engaged in the lawful taking
of a wild animal with intent to prevent the taking, or disturb or engage
in an activity that will disturb wild animals, with intent to prevent their
lawful taking.
• use a drone in a way that interferes with another person’s lawful
taking of wildlife or aquatic life. “Drone” means any aerial vehicle
that does not carry a human operator.
6
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 THANK YOU!
To all of you who have completed and returned surveys about your harvest and hunting and
trapping activities in Illinois, we thank you. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources
has partnered with the Illinois Natural History Survey for 30 years to gather important
input on hunting and wildlife management in Illinois. Information from you and your
fellow hunters and trappers helps guide the management of Illinois’ wildlife resources and
evaluate changes to hunting and trapping regulations.

Michael Wefer
Chief, Wildlife Resources Division
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

STATEWIDE REGULATIONS
Hunting From Vehicles, Boats, and Use of Drones Transporting Shotguns on Boats
It is unlawful to take, pursue or intentionally harass or disturb in any You cannot legally place, carry, possess or transport a shotgun on a
manner any wild birds or mammals by use or aid of any vehicle, boat of any type in an area under the jurisdiction of IDNR from 1 Feb
conveyance, or unmanned aircraft [drone] except as permitted by the to 31 May inclusive, except a person having a valid, unfilled turkey
Code of Federal Regulations for the taking of waterfowl. Exception: permit and licensed or authorized hunters legally hunting wildlife in
Paraplegics or other disabled persons, with a permit from the Office season.
of Law Enforcement, may hunt from any stationary motor vehicle or Transporting Firearms and Bow and Arrow Devices in
stationary motor-driven land conveyance. Note: It is legal to hunt game
birds and game mammals (except deer and furbearing mammals) Vehicles
from a boat not camouflaged or disguised to alter its identity or You cannot legally:
further provide a place of concealment and not propelled by sail or
mechanical power. A boat merely painted in a camouflage pattern is • have or carry a shotgun, rifle, handgun or airgun in or on any vehicle,
not considered camouflaged and may be used to hunt under conditions conveyance or aircraft unless the firearm or airgun is unloaded and
specified above. See exceptions to boat use in the Waterfowl Hunting completely enclosed in a case except as noted in the Blinds section of
section of this digest. Waterfowl Hunting in this digest. Also see Hunting From Vehicles and
Boats and “FAQs” hereafter.
• carry a bow or bow and arrow device in or on a vehicle, conveyance
Hunting from Roads or aircraft unless it is unstrung or enclosed in a case, or otherwise
made inoperable.
You cannot legally hunt, trap or discharge a gun or bow and arrow
device along, upon, across or from a public roadway, highway or right-
of-way. Highway (right-of-way) means the entire width between the Concealed Carry
boundary lines of every public road. Roadway means the portion of
the public road that is improved or ordinarily used for vehicle travel, For questions involving Concealed Carry, please reference Public
excluding the berm or shoulder. Safety Code (430 ILCS 66/ Firearm Concealed Carry Act).

Night Hunting with Lights, Shining Wildlife

It is unlawful to take, pursue or intentionally harass or disturb in any
manner any wild birds or mammals by use or aid of any vehicle, or
conveyance, or unmanned aircraft [drone]. It is unlawful to use the lights
of any vehicle or conveyance, any light connected to any vehicle or
conveyance, or any other lighting device or mechanism from inside or
on a vehicle or conveyance in any area where wildlife may be found.
This does not prohibit normal use of headlamps for driving upon a
roadway. Other lighting device or mechanism shall include, but not be
limited to, any device that uses infrared or other light not visible to the
naked eye, electronic image intensification, active illumination, thermal
Hunting Near Fires imaging, or night vision except: skunk, opossum, red or gray fox, coyote
You cannot legally hunt adjacent to or near any peat, grass, brush or and raccoon may be harvested during the open season using a small
other flammable substance when it is burning. hand-operated light by a person who is on foot and not in any vehicle.

7
dnr.illinois.gov
 Property Laws Dogs - Deer and Turkey
Purple Paint Law You cannot legally allow your dog to chase, harass or kill deer or
Landowners or lessees can mark trees or posts on private land with turkey. Dogs may be used for hunting, except for deer and turkey. See
purple paint as a “no trespassing” notice. See Criminal Code (720 ILCS section “Hunting Deer with Dogs, Horses, Vehicles, Boats and Aircraft.”
5/21-3) for further information.
Field Trial and Dog Training
Damaging Property while Hunting
You cannot legally damage or destroy another person’s property while If using live birds in training area, the operator must obtain a wild
hunting or trapping on his/her land. game breeder’s permit (217-785-3423) and dog training area permit
(217-785-8129) from IDNR. Complete information about field trials
Private Land Permission and Access and dog training is available at dnr.illinois.gov.
It is unlawful for any person to take (see definition of “take”) or attempt
to take any species of wildlife or parts thereof or allow a dog to You cannot legally:
hunt, within or upon the land of another, or upon waters flowing over • hold a field trial, organized night hunt, water race or other
or standing on the land of another, or to knowingly shoot a gun or competitive event involving sporting dogs without first obtaining a
bow and arrow device at any wildlife physically on or flying over the IDNR permit. Applications must be submitted 4 weeks prior to the
property of another without first obtaining permission from the owner or event.
the owner’s designee. For the purposes of this law, the owner’s designee • possess any firearm or ammunition other than a pistol loaded with
means anyone whom the owner designates in a written authorization blank cartridges while training dogs when hunting seasons are
and the authorization must contain (i) the legal or common description closed, except on an authorized field trial or dog training area.
of property, (ii) the extent that the owner’s designee is authorized to When training dogs from sunset to sunrise, no person in, along with,
make decisions regarding who is allowed to take or attempt to take or accompanying the dog training party shall be in possession of a
any species of wildlife or parts thereof, and (iii) the owner’s notarized firearm or live ammunition, except pistols capable of firing only blank
signature. cartridges, unless in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry
Act.
Illinois law does not grant the right of trespass for the purpose of
retrieving wounded or crippled wildlife or hunting dogs. Secure Feeding Wildlife
permission from the landowner or tenant before entering any property.
Your conduct while hunting and trapping can influence the landowner’s
decision to allow future hunting or trapping. Note: Railroad rights-of- You cannot legally make available food, salt, mineral blocks or other
way are private property and permission from the owner is needed products for ingestion by wild deer or other wildlife. An area is
STATEWIDE REGULATIONS

before hunting or trapping. considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive
days following the removal of the bait.
Possession of Captive-Reared Except:
• elevated bird/squirrel feeders providing seed, grain, fruit, worms
Game Mammals and Birds or suet for birds or squirrels located within 100 feet of a dwelling
You cannot legally hold, possess or engage in the raising of game devoted to human occupancy.
mammals, game birds or migratory game birds without obtaining a • incidental feeding of wildlife within active livestock operations.
Class A Noncommercial or Class B Commercial Game and Game Bird • feeding of wild animals, other than wild deer, by hand as long as a
Breeders Permit. Permit holders must keep detailed records of the reasonable attempt is made to clean up unconsumed food.
acquisition and disposal of each species. Class B permit holders must
keep records of sales. Records must be available for inspection by IDNR • feeders for wildlife other than deer so long as deer are excluded
and peace officers. See Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/3.23) for complete from the feed in and around the feeder by fencing or other barriers.
regulations. • grain or other feed scattered or distributed solely as a result of
normal agricultural, gardening or soil stabilization practices.
• standing, flooded or manipulated natural vegetation or food/seed
Taxidermy Laws deposited by natural vegetation.
• grain or other feed distributed or scattered solely as the result of
Any person who engages in the business of taxidermy must obtain an manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where
IDNR permit. Persons taking animals to a taxidermist must be able to grown, for purposes of dove hunting.
prove that the animal was legally harvested. Taxidermists are required
to keep written records of all animals received. All animals in their • food material placed for capturing or killing wildlife pursuant to
possession must be properly tagged or labeled. For further information Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/1.3, 2.30, and 270).
contact an IDNR office. • scientific permits issued pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 520 that allow
food to attract wildlife.
• any other special permits issued by IDNR that require the attraction
Outfitter Regulation Information of wildlife for purposes of management, research or control.
The development of outfitter regulations was initiated by concerned
hunters and outfitters. Their interests were to ensure hunters utilizing
outfitters were provided the proper services and treatment, to
strengthen the reputation of the outfitting industry in Illinois, and to
ensure the proper management of the state’s deer herd, wild turkey
flock, and waterfowl resource. To apply for an Outfitter Permit or obtain
a complete copy of the regulations contained in 17 Ill. Admin. Code.
640 go to dnr.illinois.gov or contact the Office of Law Enforcement
(217) 782-6431.

Falconry
State falconry permits, issued in accordance with federal regulations 50
CFR 21.29, are required to take, possess and transport hawks, falcons
and great horned owls for falconry purposes. Call the Office of Law
Enforcement for details at (217) 782-6431 or email Brian.Clark@
illinois.gov.
Photo: Chris Young

8
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Releasing Wildlife and Possessing Live Wildlife
You cannot legally:
• release from captivity any wildlife except as authorized by IDNR or
as authorized by permits for a field trial, dog training area, game
breeding and hunting preserve area, or wild game and bird breeder
permits.
• carry into this state alive or possess alive any species of protected
wildlife taken outside of this state without first obtaining IDNR
permission, except licensed game breeders, as permitted by Wildlife
Code (520 ILCS/5).
• take wildlife and retain it alive (except as provided in 17 Ill. Adm.
Code 970).

Hawks, Eagles, and Owls Protected Authority of Conservation Police Officers (CPOs)
You cannot legally harvest, or attempt to harvest, molest or disturb All Conservation Police Officers are empowered, pursuant to law,
any hawk, eagle, or owl or parts thereof (including feather, nests, and to enter all lands and waters to enforce the provisions of the Illinois
eggs), at any time, except as provided by falconry regulations. Wildlife Code and Administrative Rules.
If You Find an Injured or Orphaned Animal Serving Since 1885 Illinois Conservation Police
To be a vigilant guardian of the natural resources, public safety and
• Most wild birds and mammals in Illinois are considered a protected homeland security of Illinois.
species and picking up or possessing the animal outside of a legal The Illinois Conservation Police would like to thank YOU, the sportsmen
hunting season is unlawful. and women of Illinois, for your continued support over the last 139
• If you suspect an animal is injured or orphaned, do not attempt to years. It’s your passion for conservation that has enabled us to protect
rescue the animal, call a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. the natural resources of this great state while providing a safe place
• Go to: www.wildlifeillinois.org/list-of-licensed-wildlife- to enjoy the outdoors. Our unique partnership will continue to provide
rehabilitators/ for a rehabilitator in your area. future generations with lifelong outdoor recreational opportunities.

STATEWIDE REGULATIONS
• Stay calm and quiet when you are around the animal and leave it
alone to minimize stress. Contacting a Conservation Police Officer
• Do not feed or provide fluids to the animal.
The Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Law Enforcement
developed the Target Illinois Poachers program to encourage any
Protection and Care of Wildlife concerned citizen who witnesses a poaching offense to report the
violation, such as poaching or polluting.
• All wild birds (except the house sparrow, European starling, domestic Good law enforcement is everybody’s responsibility. If you see a
pigeon, Eurasian-collared dove and ringed turtle dove) and parts violation, report it. Let’s Target Illinois’ Poachers and Polluters!
thereof (their nests and eggs) are protected. Wild turkey, purple
swamphen, muscovy duck and game birds listed in this digest are legal Internet:
to harvest. dnr.illinois.gov/lawenforcement/target-poachers
• Wild mammals and parts thereof, including their green hides, are
protected except as authorized by a hunting or trapping season, REPORT VIOLATIONS TO:
and include: woodchuck, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, eastern cottontail
rabbit, swamp rabbit, white-tailed deer, muskrat, beaver, raccoon, 1-877-2DNRLAW (236-7529)
opossum, least weasel, long-tailed weasel, mink, striped skunk, red fox, Operates 24 hrs./day, 7 days a week.
gray fox, river otter, bobcat, badger and coyote.
Contact a CPO: dnr.illinois.gov/lawenforcement
• All white white-tailed deer, grey/timber wolves, flying squirrel, red
squirrel, white squirrel, eastern woodrat, golden mouse, rice rat, Ameritech Relay 1-800-526-0644 for the deaf and hearing impaired.
bats, mountain lion and black bear and parts thereof, including their For all other requests for an Illinois Conservation Police Officer after
green hides, are protected throughout the year and cannot legally be regular business hours, contact your Illinois State Police district HQ
harvested. Note: piebald deer are legal to harvest. dispatch center.
• You cannot legally take, possess, sell or offer for sale any such wild
birds (dead or alive) and parts thereof (including their nests and Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
eggs), or such wild mammals (dead or alive) and parts thereof,
including their green hides, contrary to the provisions of the Wildlife Illinois is a participating member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator
Code (520 ILCS/5). Compact.
How the IWVC works:
• You cannot legally bring into Illinois for the purpose of holding, • Compact membership applies to aquatic life and wildlife violations.
releasing, propagating or selling any other living wild animal not listed • Anyone that receives an aquatic life or wildlife privilege suspension in
as a protected species in Wildlife Code (520 ILCS/5) without first a compact state will also be suspended in Illinois for the duration of
obtaining an IDNR permit. Contact the Division of Wildlife Resources the out of state suspension.
at (217) 782-6384 for more informaiton.
• A violator who fails to comply with the terms of a citation issued in a
participating state faces the possibility of the suspension of his/her
Duty to Report Hunting and Trapping Accidents privileges in his/her home state until the terms of the citation are met.
• The Compact provides for the reciprocal recognition of the suspension
Every hunting or trapping accident involving serious personal injury of license privileges by participating states. (Illinois has recognized
including falls from elevated tree stands or a gunshot or archery wound suspensions imposed by other states for several years. Membership in
must be reported to IDNR within 5 days. Persons involved in a hunting the Compact allows other states to recognize Illinois’ suspensions.)
or trapping accident must render assistance to persons affected by the
accident provided they can do so without serious danger to themselves • The Compact provides that information on convictions in participating
and others. Accidents must be reported on forms obtained from the states may be forwarded to the home state of the violator.
Safety Education Section at 1-800-832-2599 or dnr.illinois.gov/ • IWVC not only assures equal treatment of residents and nonresidents
safety/incidentreportsummaries.html of participating states, but also enhances the law enforcement services
and deterrent value of time spent patrolling by uniformed officers.
The reciprocal recognition of suspensions between states is intended to
address the problems associated with the mobility of many violators.
9
dnr.illinois.gov
 Public Access
on Private
Property
with the
ILLINOIS
RECREATIONAL
ACCESS
PROGRAM
IRAP is funded by the NRCS Voluntary
Public Access and Habitat Incen�ve
Program. IRAP leases private land for
semi‐controlled public access ac�vi�es.

Addi�onal
Ac�vity Who Can Apply How When to Apply IRAP Ac�vity Date
Informa�on
Licensed youth hunters Complete online Online applica�on Must hunt with a
Youth TURKEY Hun�ng Youth Spring Turkey Season
age 17 and under applica�on available November 20 non‐hun�ng adult

Spring TURKEY Complete online Online applica�on North/South zones 3rd and
Any licensed hunter
Seasons 3 & 4 applica�on available November 20 4th spring seasons

Register and reserve a Online reserva�ons April 1—September 30

SPORTFISHING Any licensed angler Bank Fishing Only
site online available March 25 Friday—Monday

Register and reserve a Online reserva�ons

SQUIRREL Hun�ng Any licensed hunter August ‐ September 15 Up to 4 in hun�ng group
site online available July 25

Youth Firearm DEER Licensed youth hunters Complete online Online applica�on Second 3‐day weekend in Must hunt with a
hun�ng age 17 and under applica�on available July 1 October non‐hun�ng adult

Complete online Online applica�on Month of October and

Archery DEER Hun�ng Any licensed hunter
applica�on available July 1 December 16‐31

Blinds or stakes on site;

Complete online Applica�on available
WATERFOWL Hun�ng Any licensed hunter November 1 ‐ December 31 Dogs allowed; up to 4 in
applica�on August 15
hun�ng group

UPLAND GAME with Complete online Applica�on available 2‐day weekend hunts; Dogs allowed; Up to 4 in
Any licensed hunter
RABBIT Hun�ng applica�on October 1 Last 3 weekends of December hun�ng group

Register and reserve a Online reserva�ons Dogs Allowed; up to 4 in

RABBIT Hun�ng Any licensed hunter December 10‐31
site online available November 25 hun�ng group
IRAP is available to Illinois residents and non‐residents. A par�cipant must have an IRAP site permit and reserva�on prior to using any site. Par�cipants must follow all laws and obtain
necessary permits and licenses as outlined in the Illinois Digest of Hun�ng and Trapping and Fishing Regula�ons.
Addi�onal informa�on can be found at:: h�ps://dnr.illinois.gov/conserva�on/irap.html or by calling 217‐782‐0137
 Photo: Chris Young

DEER SEASON DATES AND LIMITS

DATES
SEASON HOURS LIMITS ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
(inclusive)

DEER HUNTING
Archery 1 Oct-21 Nov and
One deer per
(Counties with a firearm season and 25 Nov-4 Dec 2024 and **See footnote below
archery permit
west of Route 47 in Kane County) 9 Dec 2024-19 Jan 2025

Archery
One deer per
(Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane 1 Oct 2024-19 Jan 2025 **See footnote below
[east of route 47] Counties) archery permit

Firearm
22-24 Nov and ½ hour One deer per
(Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Handgun **See footnote below
5-8 Dec 2024 firearm permit
and Single Shot Centerfire Rifle) before
sunrise
One deer per
to ½
Muzzleloader 13-15 Dec 2024 muzzleloader **See footnote below
hour after
permit
sunset
Antlered deer limit in footnote
26-29 Dec 2024 One deer per below does not apply to this
Special CWD and 17-19 Jan 2025 valid permit season. See Special CWD Deer
Hunting section for open counties.

Late Winter Antlerless

26-29 Dec 2024 One antlerless Counties open during this season
(Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Handgunand and 17-19 Jan 2025 will be posted online in October.
deer per permit
Single Shot Centerfire Rifle)

Youth Firearm 12-14 Oct 2024 One deer **See footnote below

**No hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her possession, may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year, including the youth,
archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons except as allowed during the special CWD season. For this harvest limit, deer seasons are in the same year if their
opening dates are within the same 12-month period that begins July 1.
13
dnr.illinois.gov
 Deer Hunting Credentials (does not include vendor or transaction fees)
Price How to apply for or purchase
License/Permit/Stamp Resident Nonresident Lottery Online Vendors Paper App Specifications
See Statewide Regulations section for
Hunting License Variable Variable x x license types.
Purchasers of a lifetime hunting license
prior to Jan 1, 1993 and legally disabled
State Habitat Stamp $5.00 $5.00 x x veterans and former prisoners of war are
exempt from this stamp.
Super Senior Habitat Stamp Free n/a x x Must be 75 or older and pay vendor fees.
Deer Firearm Permits
Either-Sex (ES) Permit $25.00 $300.00 x x x x
Nonresident applicants must possess an
Antlerless-Only (AO) $25.00 or ES permit to be eligible for a discounted
Permit $17.50 $100.00 x x x x ($25) AO permit. The nonresident $100
permit is only available at license vendors.

Deer Muzzleloader Permits

Either-Sex Permit $25.00 $300.00 x x x x
Nonresident applicants must possess an
$25.00 or ES permit to be eligible for a discounted
Antlerless-Only Permit $17.50 $100.00 x x x x ($25) AO permit. The nonresident $100
permit is only available at license vendors.

Deer Archery Permits

DEER HUNTING

Nonresidents may obtain permits online

Combination Archery from 6/1 until 6/30, after which permits
are only available over-the-counter at
Permit (1 either-sex & 1 $25.00 $410.00 x x vendors. Nonresident youth (<18 yrs.)
antlerless permit) may purchase a resident Combination
Archery Permit for $25.
Single Either-Sex Permit $15.00 n/a x
Single Antlerless-Only $25.00 or Nonresident applicants must possess an
Permit $17.50 $100.00 x archery ES permit to be eligible for a
discounted ($25) single AO permit.
Deer Landowner Permits
Combination Firearm Landowners and resident tenants (of
Permit (1 either-sex & 1 Free $175.00 x commercial agricultural leases) must have
antlerless permit) at least 39.5 acres of land to qualify
for landowner permits. Permits are only
Combination Archery valid on the owned/leased land. See
Permit (1 either-sex & 1 Free $210.00 x 17 IL Adm. Rule 528 at dnr.illinois.gov/
antlerless permit) adrules.html.
Deer Youth Firearm Permits
Either-Sex Permit $10.00 $10.00 x
Deer Late Winter Firearm Permits
County-specific
Antlerless-only $17.50 n/a x Open counties to be publicly announced;
see our website at dnr.illinois.gov/
Special Hunt Area hunting/deerhunting.html.
Antlerless-only $17.50 n/a x
Special Chronic Wasting Disease Season Deer Permits
County-specific $5.00 $5.00 x
Antlerless-only See SPECIAL CWD DEER HUNTING
Special Hunt Area section for open counties.
Antlerless-only $17.50 n/a x

14
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 HUNTING CREDENTIALS AND REQUIREMENTS
• To hunt deer, residents and nonresidents will need a hunting license, a habitat stamp, and at least one pertinent deer permit listed in the Deer
Hunting Credentials table. Exemptions to these requirements are specified in the table. For residency qualification, see Resident definition in
Statewide Regulations.
• ES = deer of either sex; AO = antlerless-only deer.
You cannot legally:
• hunt deer without an IDNR permit.
• hunt deer unless the permit is properly signed and in the hunter’s possession while hunting.
• transfer, loan, use, possess or falsify any license, permit, tag, or harvest record issued to another person.
• harvest an antlered deer with an antlerless-only permit. An antlered deer is defined as a deer having at least one antler of a length of 3 inches or
more. An antlerless deer is defined as a deer without antlers or a deer having antlers less than 3 inches long.
• hunt deer in a county or area other than specified on the permit.
• move, transport or field dress a deer upon kill before properly attaching the temporary harvest tag as instructed on the permit. Deer must be
tagged immediately upon kill.

Ta k e I t • Ta g I t • R e p o r t I t • E n j o y I t
General Tagging and Harvest Reporting Guidelines:
Deer permits must be signed and in the hunter’s possession while hunting to be valid.
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pg!zpvs!qfsnju!up!uif!bojnbm!)tff!efqjdujpot!cfmpx /
Gps!Boumfsmftt!effs;!buubdi!mfh!ubh
Gps!Boumfsfe!effs;!buubdi!cpui!ubht!jg!ifbe0boumfst!bsf!up!cf!tfqfsbufe!gspn!uif!cpez!gps!efmjwfsz!up!b!ubyjefsnjtu!ps!nfbu!
qspdfttps/!Ubht!nvtu!sfnbjo!xjui!uif!effs!qbsut!voujm!uifz!nblf!ju!up!uif!ivoufs t!mfhbm!sftjefodf/
Sfqpsu!zpvs!ibswftu!cz!dbmmjoh!2.977.563.5436!ps!pomjof!bu! www.exploremoreil.com/wildlife/harvest !cz!21!q/n/!po!uif!ebz!pg!ibswftu!
ps!jnnfejbufmz!uif!ofyu!ebz-!jg!ibswftu!jt!opu!sfusjfwfe!cz!21!q/n/!

DEER HUNTING
ATTACH HEAD TAG HERE

Over-the-counter (OTC) permits from a vendor are plastic- Lottery permits issued through the lottery system are
like and require a zip tie or piece of cord to attach. sticker-like with adhesive backing for easy attaching.

ATTACH LEG TAG HERE

NOTCH HERE IMMEDIATELY

UPON HARVEST

Deer Tagging and Harvest Reporting in CWD Counties:

For 1st and 2nd Deer Firearm Seasons Only:
• Immediately upon harvest and before moving your deer, attach the L“ eg/Antler Tag” to either the leg of an antlerless deer, or the
antler of an antlered deer.
• Retain the C
“ heck Station Tag” portion of your permit to give to check station staff. For over-the-counter permits, retain either the
head or leg tag to give to check station staff.
• Effs!ivoufst!nvtu!qiztjdbmmz!ublf!uifjs!effs!fjuifs!xipmf!ps! fme.esfttfe!up!b!eftjhobufe! sfbsn!difdl!tubujpo!)uif!tbnf!ebz!ju!
was killed) between 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Jg!b!ivoufs!jt!opu!bcmf!up!mpdbuf!b!ibswftufe!effs!jo!tvg djfou!ujnf!up!difdl!ju!jo!cz!9!q/n/-!uif!ivoufs!nvtu!ublf!uifjs!effs!up!uif!
check station upon its opening at 8 a.m. or immediately upon retrieving it the following day.
• Bu!uif!difdl!tubujpo-!JEOS!tubgg!xjmm!buubdi!bo!psbohf!qmbtujd!ubh!up!uif!mfh!pg!zpvs!effs-!xijdi!tfswft!bt!zpvs!ibswftu!dpo snbujpo/!
Do not attempt to call or check in a deer online during the 1st or 2nd Deer Firearm seasons in a CWD County.
• For a list of counties with check stations and their locations, visit huntillinois.org/cwdmap/
For deer seasons outside of the 1st and 2nd Deer Firearm seasons in CWD counties, harvest registration should be completed by
following the general guidelines listed above.
 Deer Harvest Limit You cannot legally:
• use or occupy a ground blind during any firearm deer season on
• No hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her IDNR-owned or -managed land unless at least 400 square inches of
possession, may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year, solid, vivid blaze orange or blaze pink material is securely attached
including the youth, archery, firearm and muzzleloader seasons. to the uppermost portion of the blind and a substantial amount of
orange or pink is visible for 360 degrees. Camouflage blaze orange
• No hunter may harvest more than one deer per permit during any or camouflage blaze pink does not meet clothing or ground blind
deer hunting season. requirements.
• For the purpose of this harvest limit, deer seasons are considered
to be in the same year if their opening dates are within the same Deer Hunting with a Single Shot Centerfire Rifle
12-month period that begins July 1.
• Deer harvested during the special CWD deer season (select counties • “Centerfire” means a gun that will only fire a round that contains
only) do not count toward the antlered buck limit. the primer in the center of the cartridge and not in the rim of the
• No hunter may harvest any all-white white-tailed deer at any time. cartridge.
Piebald deer are legal to harvest. • “Single shot” means a gun that is either manufactured or modified
to only be capable of holding a total of one round in the magazine
Deer Hunting Regulations and chamber combined. “Single shot” does not include: (a) a rifle
(in addition to Statewide Regulations) in the possession of a person who is also in possession of or in close
proximity to a magazine that would allow the rifle to be capable
Firearm and Archery Equipment Regulations of holding more than one round or (b) a revolver. A gun shall be
considered single shot if there is no magazine in the possession of or
You cannot legally: in close proximity to a hunter in the field and the gun can only hold a
• use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field, unless legal total of one round.
for that season, while hunting white-tailed deer except as provided in • You cannot legally take deer except with a shotgun, handgun, single
the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. shot centerfire rifle, muzzleloading rifle, or bow and arrow as
• carry a loaded gun or bow with a nocked arrow in the field except authorized for the season that is being hunted.
during legal hunting hours or in accordance with the Firearm • The only legal ammunition for a centerfire handgun or rifle is a
Concealed Carry Act. bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case
Tree Stand Requirements length not exceeding one and two-fifths inches, or a straight-walled
centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, both of which must be
You cannot legally: available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the
• use more than one tree stand or ground blind at an IDNR owned or manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of
managed site. energy at the muzzle. Full metal jacket bullets may not be used to
• construct or use any tree stand using nails, screws or any device which harvest deer.
pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed on an IDNR • Further information visit: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/law-change-that-
DEER HUNTING

owned or managed site. Tree stands must be portable and removed affects-hunting-season.html
at the end of each day, unless otherwise specified in site-specific
regulations.
Clothing Requirements
A solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer
garment displaying at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or
blaze pink material must be worn:
• to hunt deer during all firearm deer seasons in counties open for
firearm deer seasons.
• to track wounded deer with a dog during all firearm deer seasons.
• by individuals accompanying youth during youth firearm deer hunts.

Photo: Learn To Hunt Photo: Lexi Hoffman

16
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Tracking Deer with Dogs Importation of Animal Carcasses and Parts
You cannot legally use a dog, horse, automobile, aircraft, boat or other Importation of hunter-harvested deer and elk carcasses into Illinois is
vehicle to harvest deer with a firearm or bow and arrow. Dogs may, prohibited except:
however, be used to track wounded deer if the following conditions are • deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to skull caps, hides, upper
met: canine teeth (also known as “buglers,” “whistlers,” or “ivories”). Skull
• Any person using a dog for tracking wounded deer must maintain caps shall be cleaned of all brain and muscle tissue;
physical control of the dog at all times by means of a maximum 50 • finished taxidermy mounts;
foot lead attached to the dog’s collar or harness.
• carcasses or parts of carcasses with the spinal column or head attached
• Tracking wounded deer is permissible at night, but at no time outside may be transported in the state only if they are submitted to a licensed
of legal deer hunting hours or seasons shall any person handling or meat processor or a licensed taxidermist for processing within 72 hours
accompanying a dog being used for tracking wounded deer be in after entry; licensed meat processors and taxidermists shall dispose of
possession of any firearm or archery device. all inedible tissue not listed in the first dot point in a properly permitted
• Persons tracking wounded deer with a dog during the firearm seasons landfill or with a renderer; tissues can be imported into the state for
shall wear blaze orange or blaze pink as required. use by a diagnostic or research laboratory.
• Dog handlers tracking wounded deer with a dog are exempt from Nothing in this Part shall prevent renderers regulated under the Illinois
hunting license and deer permit requirements so long as they are Dead Animal Disposal Act (225 ILCS 610) with Class A or B licenses from
accompanied by the licensed deer hunter who wounded the deer. You transporting cervid carcasses or parts into the state for the purpose of
cannot legally track deer with dogs on any IDNR-owned or -managed rendering.
site during hours when deer hunting is open on the site.
Mandatory Deer Harvest Registration
Hunting Deer Over Salt, Mineral or Bait
• All deer harvested during muzzleloader, youth, archery, late winter
antlerless-only, special CWD season and during firearm season in
• You cannot legally feed deer at any time and/or take deer by the counties without CWD surveillance must be registered by 10 p.m. on
use or aid of bait or baiting of any kind. Despite their widespread the same calendar day the deer was harvested by calling the toll-free
availability, deer baits and attractants commonly sold in stores are also telephone check-in system at 1-866-452-4325 (1-866-ILCHECK) or
illegal to use at any time except for use by properly licensed owners by accessing the online check-in system at www.exploremoreil.com/
of captive cervids while feeding captive animals. For the purpose of wildlife/harvest
this section, “bait” means any material, whether liquid or solid, including
food, salt, minerals and other products that can be ingested, placed • In non-CWD surveillance counties the harvest confirmation number must
or scattered in such a manner as to attract or lure white-tailed deer. be written by the hunter onto the temporary harvest tag (leg tag). If
“Baiting” means the placement or scattering of bait to attract deer. the condition of the tag precludes writing on the tag in the appropriate
An area is considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 space (i.e., bloody, etc.), the confirmation number shall be written else

DEER HUNTING
consecutive days following the removal of the bait. where on the tag, or onto a piece of paper and attached to the deer
along with the temporary harvest tag.
• For the purposes of taking white-tailed deer, nothing in this section
shall be construed to prevent the manipulation, including mowing or • The deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been
cutting, of standing crops as a normal agricultural or soil stabilization checked in. In instances where deer are checked in while the hunter
practice, food plots or normal agricultural practices, including planting, is still afield, the deer may not be dismembered while afield beyond
harvesting and maintenance, such as cultivating, or the use of products quartering the animal. If quartered, all parts of the carcass (except the
designed for scent only and not capable of ingestion, solid or liquid, entrails removed during field dressing) must be transported together
placed or scattered, in such a manner as to attract or lure deer. and evidence of sex must remain naturally attached to one quarter.
Evidence of sex is:
• For a buck: head with antlers attached to carcass, or attached
Driving Deer on IDNR-Controlled Properties testicle, scrotum or penis.
• For a doe: head attached to carcass or attached udder (mammary)
You cannot legally “drive deer”, or participate in a deer drive, on IDNR- or vulva.
owned or IDNR-managed properties during all deer seasons. A deer
drive is defined as a deliberate action by one or more persons (whether • The temporary harvest tag (leg tag) and confirmation number or
armed or unarmed) whose intent is to cause deer to move within firearm permanent leg tag must remain attached to the deer until it is at the
range of one or more participating hunters. legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer,
the deer has been checked in, and final processing is complete.
• Deer harvested in CWD surveillance counties (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb,
Transportation Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston,
McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago) during firearm
deer seasons must be physically registered at any designated check
• To taxidermist – if the head/antlers are delivered to a taxidermist for station and receive a permanent leg tag, see pg. 20 for more details.
processing, the confirmation number/temporary harvest tag must be
recorded on the ‘head tag’ portion of the permit and both must remain
with the deer at the taxidermist.
• To meat processor – if the carcass is taken to a meat processor, the
permanent tag or temporary harvest tag (leg tag) with confirmation
number must remain with the deer while it is processed, and until it is
at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the
deer.
• To tanner – persons delivering deer/parts of a deer to a tanner for
processing must supply the tanner with their deer permit number to
verify lawful acquisition. In the absence of a permit number, the tanner
may rely on the written certification of the person from whom the deer
was received that the specimen was legally harvested or obtained.

Exportation of Deer by Nonresidents

Nonresident hunters who harvest a wild deer in Illinois should contact the
state wildlife agency in states they will be traveling through, including
their home state, to inquire about regulations related to possession/
transportation of deer carcasses and/or parts of carcasses through the
state in question as regulations vary from state to state.
Photo: Bryan Eubanks

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dnr.illinois.gov
 Firearm and Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Legal Ammunition
• For shotguns and muzzleloading firearms, the minimum size of the
Counties Open projectile shall be .44 caliber. A wad or sleeve is not considered a
• All counties except Cook, DuPage, Lake and that portion of Kane projectile or a part of the projectile.
County east of State Route 47, are open to firearm/muzzleloader • For handguns and single shot centerfire rifles, a bottleneck centerfire
deer hunting. cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding
Legal Hunting Equipment 1.4 inches, or a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or
• Shotguns, loaded with slugs only, of not larger than 10 nor smaller larger, both of which must be available as a factory load with the
than 20 gauge, not capable of firing more than three consecutive published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of
slugs; or at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. There is no case
• Single or double barreled muzzleloading rifles of at least .45 caliber length limit for straight-walled cartridges.
shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least 16 inches in • Non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used
length; or to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding bullets
• Single shot centerfire rifle (see page 16 for more details); or (including copper/copper-alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal
• Centerfire revolvers or centerfire single-shot handguns of .30 caliber ammunition.
or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches. Permit Requirements
• A muzzleloading rifle is defined as a rifle into which the projectile is • Firearm deer hunters must have a current, valid Firearm Deer Permit or
incapable of being inserted from the breech end. unfilled Property-Only Landowner/Tenant Firearm Deer Permit, even if
• Only blackpowder or a “blackpowder substitute” such as Pyrodex hunting with archery equipment during the firearm season.
may be used. Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose-based) are • Muzzleloading rifle deer hunters must have a current, valid
an approved blackpowder substitute only in muzzleloading firearms Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit, or an unused Property-Only
specifically designed for their use. Landowner/Tenant Deer Permit valid for that year’s firearm deer
• Percussion caps (shotgun primers are legal percussion caps), season.
wheellock, matchlock or flint type ignition only may be used, except a • A hunter with a Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit may also hunt during
muzzleloader with an electronic ignition is legal to use. the second firearm deer season providing the hunter must use only a
• A muzzleloading firearm is considered unloaded when: removal of legal muzzleloading rifle.
percussion cap or removal of prime powder from frizzen pan with • Unfilled Property-Only Landowner/Tenant Deer Permits used during
frizzen open and hammer all the way down or removal of prime the muzzleloader season are valid only on lands owned/ leased by
powder from flashpan and wheel unwound or removal of prime the permit holder, and the holder must use a muzzleloading rifle.
powder and match with match not lit, or removal of the battery from
the electronic ignition.
• During firearm deer season hunters with a valid, unfilled Firearm Deer Deer Permit Application Process
Permit may, on private land only, use archery equipment meeting all • Apply for a deer permit: dnr.illinois.gov/lpr/deerpermitsfees.html
legal requirements as outlined in the Archery Deer Hunting section
hereafter. • To receive hardcopy application forms for a firearm or muzzleloader
• Use of a suppressor/silencer of any type is not permitted. deer hunting permit, contact the permit office at (217) 782-7305.
DEER HUNTING

• Scopes may be used on any legal firearm for hunting deer. • Applicants please allow approximately 4 weeks after the respective
application deadline dates for Lottery Drawing results.

Deer Permit Applications

Application Period/Location Methods Hunt Period Lottery Opens Lottery Closes Notes
Firearm and Muzzleloader Season
First lottery (residents only) Internet/Hardcopy 5 Mar 2024 30 Apr 2024
Second lottery Internet/Hardcopy 22-24 Nov and 13 May 2024 30 Jun 2024
Third lottery Internet/Hardcopy 5-8 Dec 2024 11 Jul 2024 16 Aug 2024
Over-the-counter Vendors 15 Oct 2024 As available County-specific permits
26-29 Dec 2024
Late Winter/CWD SHA Lottery Internet and 17-19 Jan 29 Oct 2024 25 Nov 2024 Limit 1 SHA application
2025
Site-specific Youth Opportunities (Hunters age 17 or younger)
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge Internet/Hardcopy 22-24 Nov 2024 Same as lotteries above
Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park Internet/Hardcopy 22-24 Nov 2024 Same as lotteries above Site-specific permit required
Site Contact Information:
Lost Mound Unit FL Internet/Hardcopy Contact Site Contact Site
815-273-3184
Unfilled Youth Deer Permits may be used on public sites that do not require regular site-specfic lottery permits. See lottery webpage for list of sites.
Disabled Hunter Opportunities
See the following link for opportunities: dnr.illinois.gov/DOO Additional hunts may be available, for more information contact jay.d.williams@illinois.gov
• First Lottery: Only resident hunters may apply for firearm season permits and special muzzleloader season permits during the first lottery. Permits
are issued using a computerized lottery. Applicants wanting to determine whether they were successful before the second lottery deadline can check
online at dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer/onlinedeerpermitinquirysystem.html
• Second Lottery: Resident hunters who were rejected for a deer permit during the first lottery, who are applying for their first permit, or who are
nonresidents may apply for firearm and muzzleloader deer permits during this lottery. Applicants may apply for one either-sex deer permit
and one bonus antlerless-only deer permit to be allocated from permits remaining after the first lottery. Illinois residents have preference over
nonresidents in this lottery.
• Third Lottery: Residents and nonresidents may apply for additional firearm or muzzleloader permits left over from the county/SHA quotas. Anyone
(regardless of other deer permits they may have) may apply for one or more permits in this lottery.
• Over-the-Counter Sales Period: Permits remaining after the Third Lottery Drawing will be available to residents and nonresidents over-the-counter
from license vendors throughout the state on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the
firearm deer season, whichever occurs first.
• Permit Limit: Prior to the Third Lottery Drawing in August, no hunter may receive, or attempt to receive, more than one either-sex permit and one
antlerless-only permit for the firearm or muzzleloader deer season.
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dnr.illinois.gov
 County-specific Deer Archery Change Mandatory Firearm Harvest Reporting and
Transportation in Counties with CWD Surveillance
To grow deer populations to their appropriate county goals, only
antlered deer may be harvested during the 1–31 October period of Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee,
archery season in the following counties: Champaign, Douglas, Macon, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will and
Moultrie, Piatt. After October 31, archery regulations are the same Winnebago
as the rest of the state. Firearm deer permits have already been • Successful firearm season hunters must take their deer either whole
decreased considerably in these counties and archery harvest, which or field-dressed to a designated firearm deer check station on the
accounts for half or more of deer harvest, must be managed to allow same day it was killed. Find your nearest check station location at:
deer to increase. huntillinois.org/cwdmap/
• Daily check station hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Archery Deer Hunting • A permanent harvest tag will be attached to the leg of the deer upon
registration at the check station.
Legal Archery Equipment
• If not able to locate a harvested deer in sufficient time to enable
• A long, recurve or compound bow with a minimum pull of 30 pounds at checking it in by 8 p.m., the hunter must take the deer to the
some point within a 28-inch draw. Minimum arrow length is 20 inches. appropriate check station upon its opening at 8 a.m. the following
• A crossbow with minimum draw weight of 125 pounds; minimum morning, or immediately upon retrieving it if that occurs later than the
overall length of 24 inches; a working safety; and used with fletched opening of the check station. If this situation occurs on a Sunday, the
bolts or arrows of not less than 14 inches. hunter must contact the appropriate regional IDNR Law Enforcement
• Broadheads must be used and may have fixed (must be metal or flint-, office by 10 a.m. Monday morning for instructions on checking the
chert- or obsidian-knapped) or expandable (must be metal) cutting deer.
surfaces, but they must have a minimum 7/8 inch diameter when fully • Successful hunters using their muzzleloader deer permits during the
opened. second weekend of the firearm season may, at their option, register
• Electronic tracking systems utilizing radio-telemetry are illegal. their harvest either electronically (via phone or online registration) or
at a designated firearm deer check station by 8 p.m. on the day the
• Archery equipment use is legal on private land ONLY during firearm deer was killed.
deer season, provided the hunter has a valid county Firearm Deer
Permit. Archery hunting is not allowed using an Archery Deer Permit • Aside from deer harvested with a muzzleloader permit during the
during the firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer second firearm season, all deer harvested during the firearm seasons
hunting. in counties with CWD surveillance must take their deer to a designated
firearm deer check station. Check station locations and other
• You cannot legally have any firearm in possession while hunting deer information can be found at: huntillinois.org/cwd-sampling/
with a bow and arrow or crossbow (but see Statewide Regulations on
concealed carry handguns).
Special CWD Deer Hunting Seasons
DEER HUNTING

Resident Archery Permits and Limits Counties Open to Hunting (all harvest reported electronically via
phone or online registration)
Resident antlerless-only and combination archery deer permits can be • Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kankakee, Kendall,
purchased without limit from your local hunting license vendor beginning LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, Winnebago
1 August. counties, and the portion of Kane County west of State Route 47.
Information and a map of counties composing the CWD hunting zone
Nonresident Archery Permits and Limits for 2024/2025 will be available around 1 Oct at: dnr.illinois.gov/
hunting/deerhunting
• Nonresidents may apply for and receive only one archery combination CWD Permit Requirements
permit per license year. A nonresident landowner who has obtained • Hunters must have an unfilled deer permit valid for the previous
landowner archery permits is also eligible for one combination firearm, youth or muzzleloader deer season and valid for one of the
nonresident archery permit. open counties; or a valid Special CWD Deer Permit (issued for one
• Applications are accepted 1-30 June at www.exploremoreil.com county and valid only in the county stated on the permit).
• The number of permits is limited to 25,000, with clients of outfitters • Unfilled Firearm or Muzzleloader Deer Permits are valid only for
licensed by IDNR given preference in the drawing for the first the county for which they were originally issued, except that unfilled
7,500. Clients of licensed outfitters should contact the outfitter prior Property-Only Landowner/Tenant Deer Permits are valid only for the
to applying to receive a certification number to be used in the lands which the person to whom it was issued owns, leases or rents
application process to verify their outfitter client status. Permits will be within the open counties/portion of counties. Unfilled firearm, youth or
allocated using a computerized, random lottery drawing conducted muzzleloader deer permits originally issued for special hunt areas are
after June 30. If the number of eligible outfitter clients in the drawing not valid during the CWD season unless the hunter is redrawn to hunt
is less than 7,500, all remaining permits will be allocated to the at the same site at a special site lottery, or if the special hunt area is
remaining applicants until the quota is reached. If the number of open to persons with a county permit without conducting a lottery.
eligible outfitter clients in the drawing exceeds 7,500, those outfitter • Special CWD Deer Permits are available over-the-counter from
clients unsuccessful in obtaining one of the first 7,500 permits will participating license vendors beginning 10 Dec. These permits are
compete against non-client applicants for the remaining 17,500 antlerless-only.
permits. • Unfilled youth deer hunting permits will be valid in any open county.
• Nonresident archery deer permits issued to outfitter clients who Special Harvest Regulations
received a permit based on the preference given to outfitter clients
are valid only on property controlled by the outfitter used to gain • Persons using unfilled permits from the previous firearm, youth or
preference; all other archery permits are valid statewide. muzzleloader deer season may harvest only the type of deer
• Any permits remaining after the drawing will be sold over-the-counter specified on that permit (either-sex or antlerless-only).
on a first-come, first-serve basis. • The harvest limit is one deer per legally authorized either-sex or
• Nonresidents who have previously obtained either a Nonresident antlerless-only permit.
Combination Archery Deer Permit or a Nonresident Landowner • Deer harvested during the special CWD season are not subject to the
Archery Deer Permit may purchase single antlerless-only archery deer antlered deer harvest limit restrictions imposed during the firearm,
permits for a fee of $25. Nonresidents without one of those permits muzzleloader, youth and archery deer hunting seasons.
will be charged a fee of $100. There is no limit for single antlerless- Legal Firearms
only permits. • Hunters with valid, unused permits from the firearm, youth or
• Nonresidents may not purchase a combination archery deer permit muzzleloader seasons may use only the weapons allowed by that
after 30 September if they have previously purchased any single permit in those respective seasons.
antlerless-only archery deer permit. • Hunters with a valid Special CWD Deer Permit may use any of the
weapons allowed during the late winter antlerless-only season.

20
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD) IN ILLINOIS
Neurological disease of deer • All deer are susceptible • CWD is always fatal
There is no treatment or cure • Caused by a misfolded protein known as a prion
CWD is transmitted by:
If CWD is not controlled:
• This disease will likely spread over large portions of the state.

• Infection rates are expected to increase to high levels.

• Deer populations will likely be reduced, if not eliminated, by this

disease. Direct contact with an infected deer Ingestion of residual body fluids
from a sick deer shed into the
environment

Illinois CWD Infected Sections

Lower
Deer
Density
=
Less

DEER HUNTING
CWD
Risk

Reducing deer populations within 2 miles of

where CWD has been found has kept infection
levels low and minimized spread.

Additional Deer Seasons Minimize Spread Through Proper Carcass Disposal

Carcass parts (especially the head and spinal column) can carry
Additional deer seasons were established with low cost permits in CWD CWD agents
counties. • Carcass parts should be buried under 6” of soil or landfill.
Hunters are encouraged to harvest as many deer as possible in CWD • This is critical for deer harvested in CWD areas and moved to other
areas and have them tested. Samples provided by hunters contribute parts of the state.
toward disease management goals. Health Concerns
Testing is free and available at: CWD is not known to be a threat to human health, livestock or pets, but
• Check stations in CWD counties during firearm deer season. recent research is raising the level of concern.
• Select processors, taxidermists and drop-off stations statewide and Health authorities recommend that:
during all seasons. • Deer should be tested, especially when harvested from known CWD
areas.
• List is available at: huntillinois.org/cwd-sampling/
• Deer should be handled and processed in a way to minimize exposure
CWD test results can be found at: dnr.illinois.gov/programs/cwd/ to CWD causing agents.
testresults.html • No part of any CWD positive animal should be consumed by humans
or other animals.
Cull Additional Deer Additional Information
Where needed, IDNR staff will cull additional deer: Health Concerns IDNR is responsible for proper management and conservation of
• Only on land with permission of owner in close proximity to known deer, with an eye toward long term benefit and sustainability. In CWD
infection. affected areas, hunters and managers are being asked to sacrifice
• After hunting seasons are completed. some deer abundance today to ensure the prosperity of deer resources
Suitable venison is returned to landowners or donated to local food statewide in the future. Additional information about CWD in Illinois is
pantry networks. available at huntillinois.org/cwdmap/
21
dnr.illinois.gov
 Late Winter Antlerless Deer Hunting Legal Firearms
Hunters using:
Counties Open to Hunting (all harvest reported electronically via
phone or online registration): Information and a map of counties • unfilled Firearm Deer or Late Winter Deer Permits may use all
composing the late winter antlerless-only deer hunting zone for firearms described in the “Firearm and Muzzleloader Deer Hunting”
2024/2025 will be available around 1 Oct at: dnr.illinois.gov/ section on page 18, as well as single-shot muzzleloading handguns
hunting/deerhunting.html (blackpowder handguns incapable of being loaded from the
breech end) of .50 caliber or larger capable of producing at least
During the 2023/2024 hunting season, 23 counties were open for the 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle according to published
late winter antleress-only deer season and 16 northern Illinois counties ballistic tables of the manufacturer. Single-shot muzzleloading
were open to CWD deer season. Even though the seasons are held handguns must use a projectile of .44 caliber or larger with
concurrently, and all harvest in each is reported via phone or online sufficient blackpowder or “blackpowder substitute” (such as
registration, different regulations may apply for the two seasons. See Pyrodex) to produce at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the
FAQs hereafter regarding both seasons. muzzle. A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or part of a
projectile.
Permit and Application Information • unfilled Muzzleloader Deer Permits may use only muzzleloading
• Resident Late Winter Deer Permits will be available for sale over-the- rifles.
counter from license vendors beginning 10 Dec 2024 through the last • unfilled Youth Deer Permits may use all firearms described in the
day of the late winter antlerless-only deer season. Youth Hunting section.
• Illinois resident hunters must have a current, valid Late Winter Deer
Permit, or an unfilled Firearm, Youth, Muzzleloader or Property-Only
Landowner/Tenant Firearm Deer Permit valid for the previous firearm,
youth or muzzleloader deer season and valid for one of the open
counties.
• Nonresident hunters must have an unfilled firearm or muzzleloader
deer permit valid for the previous youth, firearm or muzzleloader
deer season and valid for one of the open counties.
• Unfilled youth deer hunting permits are valid in any open county.
• Unfilled firearm, youth or muzzleloader deer permits that were
originally issued for special hunt areas are not valid during the late
winter antlerless-only deer season unless the hunter is redrawn to hunt
at the same site at a special site lottery, or if the special hunt area is
open to persons with a county permit without conducting a lottery.
• Persons using an unfilled firearm, youth or muzzleloader deer permit
valid for the previous firearm, youth or muzzleloader deer season
DEER HUNTING

(including landowner permits) may harvest only antlerless deer even

when using an either-sex permit.
Photo: Chris Young

22
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Youth Deer Hunting Deer Hunting FAQs
• Only young hunters (resident or nonresident) who have not reached Can I use mechanical deer decoys or electronic calls for deer
their 18th birthday before the first day of the hunt may participate in hunting?
the Youth Deer Hunt. Unfilled Youth Permits are also valid during the A: Yes. (Note: Electronic turkey decoys and electronic calls are illegal
first weekend of firearm deer season. for turkey hunting).
• Participants must have a current, valid Youth Deer Hunt Permit.
• Each hunter participating in the youth deer hunting season while using Which counties are open for hunting during the late winter antlerless-
an Apprentice Hunter License or Youth Hunting and Trapping License only and the CWD deer seasons?
must be accompanied by a non-hunting, validly-licensed (Illinois A: IDNR will announce in October the counties open to the late winter
hunting license) adult who is 21 years of age or older. All other hunters antlerless-only deer season. Hunters should watch for news releases
(using other types of hunting licenses or license-exempt) participating or check dnr.illinois.gov. Counties open to the special CWD deer
in the youth deer hunting season must each be accompanied by a season are Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kankakee,
non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian or responsible adult). A Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will
nonresident supervisor must have a valid Illinois hunting license. and Winnebago counties, and the portion of Kane County west of
• Permits will be available for sale over-the-counter from license State Route 47.
vendors beginning 6 August through the last day of the youth deer
season in October. Can I kill an antlered deer during the late winter antlerless-only or
the special CWD deer seasons?
• Hunters may purchase only a single permit (either-sex) that is valid
statewide. A: Hunters hunting in counties open for the late winter antlerless-
• All counties except Cook, DuPage and Lake counties, and that portion only deer season are limited to shooting “antlerless deer only,”
of Kane County east of State Route 47, are open to youth deer regardless of the type of firearm permit held by the hunter. Hunters
hunting. hunting in counties open to the special CWD deer season may
• Legal firearms are limited to shotguns, single shot centerfire rifles and harvest an antlered deer if they have a leftover unused Either-sex
muzzleloading rifles as described in the “Firearm and Muzzleloader Permit from the current year firearm, muzzleloader or youth deer
Deer Hunting” section on page 18. seasons; but hunters may only harvest an antlerless deer when
utilizing the Special CWD Deer Permit.
How many deer can I harvest during the late winter antlerless-only
or the special CWD deer seasons?
Integrated Hunting Opportunities
A: Hunters hunting during the late winter antlerless-only season
Site-specific Youth Deer Hunts: (hunters age 17 or younger) may harvest one “antlerless” deer per Late Winter Deer Permit.
• Crab Orchard NWR: Hunting occurs 22-24 Nov 2024. Apply via Hunters also may fill any unused leftover current year Firearm,
paper lottery or online lottery application. Muzzleloader, Property-Only Landowner/Tenant Firearm or

DEER HUNTING
• Lake Le-Aqua-Na SP: Hunting occurs 22-24 Nov 2024. Apply via Resident Youth Firearm Deer Permits provided they were issued for
paper lottery or online lottery application. an open county. Leftover permits may be used to harvest “antlerless
deer only,” regardless of whether the permit is stamped “antlerless”
• Lost Mound Unit FL: Please contact site at 815-273-3184 for hunt or “either-sex.” Late winter antlerless deer hunters must use the
information. weapon specified on the permit.
• Unfilled Youth Deer Permits are not valid for hunting during the first
firearm deer season on public land sites that limit the number of Hunters hunting in open counties of the special CWD deer season
hunters during the firearm season using the site-specific lottery permit may only harvest one “antlerless” deer per Special CWD Deer
system. But, public sites that allow unrestricted access with no lottery Permit, and also can use any unused leftover current year firearm
permits may be hunted. permits, as above. Hunters in the CWD counties also can harvest an
Disabled Hunter Deer Hunts: (qualified disabled persons only) antlered deer if they have an unfilled “either-sex” permit left over
from the regular firearm, muzzleloader or the youth firearm deer
• Clinton Lake SRA; Crab Orchard NWR; Horseshoe Lake; Johnson- seasons issued for an open CWD season county.
Sauk; Jubilee College SP; Lost Mound Unit FL; Rend Lake WMA (U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers); Rock Cut SP; Spoon River; Starved Rock SP, Can I archery deer hunt during the late winter antlerless-only and
Wayne Fitzgerrell; Wolf Creek SP/ Shelbyville FL (U.S. Army Corps the special CWD deer seasons, and if so, do I have to wear orange
of Engineers) clothing?
• Physically Challenged Archery Deer Hunt: Kankakee River SP A: Yes. Even though archery season is closed during the regular firearm
• Additional deer hunt locations for disabled individuals may be season, archery season is still open during the youth, muzzleloader,
available. Contact IDNR Disabled Outdoor Opportunities Coordinator late winter antlerless-only and the special CWD deer seasons. If
Jay Williams at jay.d.williams@illinois.gov for further details. you are archery hunting in a county open to one of the firearm deer
seasons, you must wear a solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink hat
and a solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink outer upper garment
of at least 400 square inches.
If I am archery deer hunting during the days when the late winter
antlerless-only or the special CWD deer seasons are open, can I shoot
an antlered deer?
A: Yes, archers are subject to the archery deer season regulations, so
you may shoot an antlered deer with a bow when archery deer
hunting concurrently with the late winter antlerless-only or the special
CWD deer seasons if you possess a valid Either-Sex Archery deer
permit and if you have not previously reached the limit of two
antlered deer.
Can I firearm deer hunt and archery hunt at the same time during the
late winter antlerless-only or the special CWD deer seasons or use a
bow to fill a Firearm Deer Permit?
A: Archery hunters cannot be in possession of a firearm while archery
deer or turkey hunting. However, you can legally possess a bow and
firearm at the same time while firearm deer hunting as long as you
have a Firearm Deer Permit.

Photo: Chris Young

23
dnr.illinois.gov
Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris)

Photo by: Dan Brown

The wild turkey is a large, ground-dwelling gamebird native to North America. It is the largest member
of the Galliformes order, which also includes pheasants, grouse, and chickens. Historically, wild turkeys
were abundant in Illinois, thriving in the state’s diverse habitats of forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
However, by the early 1900s, overhunting and habitat destruction led to their near extirpation in the
region. Conservation efforts, including habitat restoration and reintroduction programs, began in the
mid-20th century, successfully reestablishing wild turkey populations across Illinois. Today, they are
commonly found in wooded areas, with the largest populations near river corridors. For more information
visit: huntillinois.org/turkey

Length: 30 - 50 inches
Wingspan: 36 - 60 inches
Weight: Males average 17 - 22 lbs; Females average 8 - 12 lbs
Call: Gobbles, yelps, clucks, and purrs
Habitat Preference: Mixed forests, especially those with mature hardwoods like oak; also open
areas with weeds, shrubs, and bare ground for nesting and brood rearing
Food Preferences: Acorns, seeds, berries, insects, and agricultural grains like corn and soybeans
Illinois Abundance: Abundant throughout Illinois; some areas have seen declines in the last 15 years
Illinois Status: Game bird
 TURKEY HUNTING
Photo: Leroy Buckley

TURKEY SEASON DATES AND LIMITS

DATES ADDITIONAL
SEASON HOURS LIMIT
(inclusive) REGULATIONS

Season 2025
Segment North South
1 14-18 Apr 7-11 Apr
Spring ½ hour One tom, jake or bearded See map of turkey hunting
(shotgun and 2 19-24 Apr 12-17 Apr before sunrise hen per permit, maximum of zones for specific season
archery) to 1 p.m. 3 Spring permits segments in each zone
3 25-30 Apr 18-23 Apr
4 1-7 May 24-30 Apr
5 8-15 May 1-8 May

One tom, jake or bearded Permit is valid to

½ hour
Youth Spring hen per permit, counts hunt individual counties or
29-30 Mar and 5-6 Apr 2025 before sunrise
(1 permit per year) toward maximum of IDNR sites during
to 1 p.m.
3 Spring permits season dates

One either-sex turkey per

½ hour
Fall permit, maximum See map of fall firearm
(shotgun) 19-27 Oct 2024 before sunrise
of 2 Fall Turkey Shotgun turkey hunting
to sunset
permits

Season open in all counties,

½ hour One either-sex turkey per
statewide. Closed during
Fall before sunrise permit, maximum
(archery) 1 Oct 2024–19 Jan 2025 firearm deer season in
to ½ hour after of 2 Fall Turkey Archery
counties open to firearm
sunset permits
deer hunting

25
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Turkey Hunting Areas
TURKEY HUNTING

Spring Turkey Zones (2025): Fall Firearm Turkey Zone:

North Zone includes that portion of Illinois north of Counties shaded in gray are those open
Crawford, Jasper, Effingham, Fayette, Bond and Madison to fall firearm turkey hunting.
counties. South Zone includes the remainder of the state.

Hunting Credentials and Requirements

To hunt turkey, residents and nonresidents will need:
• a valid hunting license
• a state habitat stamp
• at least one valid turkey permit
Exemptions to these requirements are specified in the tables on page 3 and 4. For residency qualification, see resident definition on page 5.
See above turkey hunting maps for associated spring and fall zones.

You cannot legally:

• hunt wild turkey without first obtaining an IDNR permit.
• hunt wild turkey unless the permit is signed and is in the hunter’s possession while hunting.
• harvest in Illinois, or have in possession, more than one wild turkey per legally authorized permit.
• leave in the field or transport a wild turkey without first immediately attaching the leg tag securely around the leg as instructed on the permit.
Note: Leg tag must be affixed to the wild turkey immediately upon kill. The leg tag must remain attached to the leg of the turkey until it is at the
legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the turkey and the turkey has been checked in.
• butcher a turkey until it has been checked in.
• possess, while in the field during wild turkey seasons, any wild turkey permit issued to another person.
• hunt wild turkey in a county or area other than specified on the permit.

26
dnr.illinois.gov
 Turkey Hunting Credentials (does not include vendor fees)
Price How to apply for or purchase

License/Permit/Stamp Resident Nonresident Lottery Online Vendors Paper Application Specifications

Hunting License Variable Variable X X See Statewide Regulations section for license
types.
Purchasers of a lifetime hunting license prior to
State Habitat Stamp $5.00 $5.00 X X 1993 and legally disabled veterans are exempt
from this stamp. Exempt under 18.

Super Senior Habitat Stamp Free n/a X X Must be 75 or older, and pay vendor fees.

Turkey Permits
Spring $15.00 $125.00 X X X X
Spring Youth Special
$10.00 X X
Hunt Area (SHA)
Spring Youth OTC $10.00 $10.00 X OTC = over-the-counter at vendors

Landowner Spring Free $37.50 X Landowners and resident tenants (of

commercial agricultural leases) must have at
Landowner Fall Gun Free $37.50 X least 39.5 acres of land to qualify for landowner
permits. Permits are only valid on the owned/
Landowner Fall Archery Free $25.00 X leased land.

Fall Archery OTC $5.00 $75.00 X OTC = over-the-counter at vendors

Fall Gun $15.00 $125.00 X X X X

TURKEY HUNTING
Firearm and Archery Equipment Regulations Mandatory Turkey Harvest Reporting
Firearm Regulations Successful hunters must register their harvest by 10 p.m. on the same
The only firearm that can be used to hunt wild turkeys is a shotgun: calendar day the turkey was harvested by calling toll-free 1-866-
• For the 2024 Fall Gun Season 20 gauge to 10 gauge shotguns only 452-4325 (1-866-ILCHECK) or by accessing the online check-in system
(no .410s allowed). at www.exploremoreil.com. Hunters must provide all information
• For the 2025 Spring Season .410s to 10 gauge are allowed requested by the telephone check-in system and will be provided with
(pursuant to Public Act 103-0622). a confirmation number to verify that they checked in their harvest. The
• You may not possess any other type of firearm for the purpose of confirmation number must be written by the hunter onto the leg tag.
hunting wild turkeys unless in accordance with the Firearm Concealed
Carry Act. Decoys and Other Attractants
• No. 4 shot is the largest shot that may be used while hunting turkeys
with a shotgun. You cannot legally:
Archery Regulations • use live or electronic decoys, dogs or recorded calls.
• Legal vertical bow types are long, recurved or compound bows with • possess or use any net or trap for harvesting turkeys.
a minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw. • harvest wild turkeys by the use or aid of bait or baiting of any kind.
Minimum arrow length for all vertical bow types is 20 inches (not “Bait” means any material, whether liquid or solid, including food, salt,
including point). minerals and other products that can be ingested, placed or scattered
• To use a crossbow it must have a minimum draw weight of 125 in such a manner as to attract or lure wild turkeys. “Baiting” means
pounds; minimum overall length of 24 inches; a working safety; and the placement or scattering of bait to attract wild turkeys. An area is
used with fletched bolts or arrows of not less than 14 inches (not considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive
including point). days following the removal of the bait.
• Broadheads must be used for archery turkey hunting. Broadheads
may have fixed (must be metal or flint-, chert or obsidian-knapped) For the purposes of taking wild turkeys, nothing in this Section shall be
or expandable (must be metal) cutting surfaces, but they must have a construed to prevent the manipulation, including mowing or cutting, of
minimum 7/8 inch diameter when fully opened. standing crops as a normal agricultural or soil stabilization practice,
• All other bows and arrows, including electronic arrow-tracking systems food plots, or normal agricultural practices, including planting,
utilizing radio-telemetry, are illegal. harvesting, and maintenance such as cultivating.
• Hunters can legally carry a shotgun and bow and arrow during
spring season.
• Hunters cannot legally have any firearm in possession while hunting
turkey with any type of bow and arrow during fall season (see page
7 on concealed carry handguns).

Turkey Permit Process

• Apply online at www.exploremoreil.com or with a hardcopy
application. To receive hardcopy applications for a wild turkey hunting
permit, contact the Springfield Permit Office at (217) 782-7305. See
sections on the permit application process for spring and fall hereafter.
• Applicants please allow approximately 4 weeks after the respective
application deadline dates for Lottery Drawing results. Photo: Learn to Hunt
27
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Turkey Permit Applications
Application Period/Location Methods Lottery Opens Lottery Closes Notes
Spring Season
First lottery (residents only) Internet/Hardcopy 1 Oct 2024 1 Dec 2024
Second lottery Internet/Hardcopy 11 Dec 2024 13 Jan 2025
dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turkeyhunting.html
Third lottery Internet/Hardcopy 23 Jan 2025 10 Feb 2025
Over-the-counter Vendors 11 Mar 2025 As available
Spring Youth Season
Special Hunt Area Lottery Internet Only 21 Jan 2025 17 Feb 2025
County-specific Permits dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turkeyhunting.html
Vendors 4 Mar 2025 6 Apr 2025
(Over-the-Counter)
Fall Gun Season

First lottery (residents only) Internet/Hardcopy 7 May 2024 1 July 2024

Second lottery Internet/Hardcopy 12 July 2024 19 Aug 2024 dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/turkeyhunting.html

Over-the-counter Vendors 16 Sep 2024 As available

Disabled Hunter Opportunities
See the following link for opportunities: dnr.illinois.gov/doo Additional hunts may be available, contact Jay Williams at jay.d.williams@illinois.gov

Want To Help IDNR Monitor

TURKEY HUNTING

Wild Turkey Reproduction?

It’s now easier than ever to help IDNR monitor reproductive
success and population trends in Illinois’ wild turkey population!

All that is required from you is to report all the turkeys you see during
June, July, and August through an online survey form that can be accessed
through your internet browser or the Survey123 app, which allows for
offline use. Navigate to arcg.is/05bSD0 (or scan the QR code above) to
access the survey form. Detailed instructions on downloading and using
the mobile Survey123 app can be found at HuntIllinois.org/turkey.

We hope the new format will make it more convenient to report turkey
sightings while allowing a broader pool of volunteers to participate.
For more information or to request traditional paper postcards to
record your sightings, email us at DNR.Turkey@illinois.gov.

28
dnr.illinois.gov
 Turkey Hunting Season Information (Additional to Statewide Regulations)
Spring Season Regulations Fall Gun and Archery Season Regulations
Turkeys Legal to Harvest Clothing Requirements
• Only toms and jakes (males) or a hen with a visible beard are legal to • While not required, hunters are encouraged to wear at least a
harvest during the spring season. blaze orange or blaze pink hat or vest when not actively hunting to
maximize visibility to other hunters.
Clothing Requirements
• While not required, hunters are encouraged to wear at least a
Turkeys Legal to Harvest
blaze orange or blaze pink hat or vest when not actively hunting to • Turkeys of any sex are legal to harvest during the fall gun and fall
maximize visibility to other hunters. archery seasons.
Spring Permit Application Process Fall Gun Permit Application Process
• First Lottery: Only resident hunters may apply for one turkey hunting • First Lottery: Residents may apply for one turkey hunting permit. This
permit. This excludes hunters who have received or will receive a excludes applicants who have received or will receive a landowner
landowner property-only hunting turkey permit for the spring season. property-only hunting turkey permit for the fall gun season.
Applications are accepted through 1 December. • Second Lottery: Residents who were rejected for a wild turkey
• Second Lottery: All hunters are eligible to apply for one turkey permit during the first lottery, who are applying for their first permit,
hunting permit, but hunters who have not already been awarded a or nonresidents may apply for one permit. Eligible Illinois residents
permit will receive preference. Applications are accepted through the have preference over nonresidents in this lottery. This excludes
first working day after 11 January. applicants who have received or will receive a landowner property-
only hunting turkey permit for the fall gun season.
• Third Lottery: All hunters are eligible to apply. Hunters may apply
for up to three permits during this period, except that no one may • Over-the-Counter Sales Period: Permits remaining after the
exceed the maximum number of three permits in total for spring turkey Second Lottery Drawing will be available over-the-counter from
hunting. Applications are accepted through the first working day after license vendors throughout the state on a first-come, first-served basis
9 February. beginning the 4th Monday after the 2nd Lottery deadline. Permits
will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the Fall
• Over-the-Counter Sales Period: Permits remaining after the Gun turkey season. Hunters may purchase one or more permits during
Third Lottery Drawing will be available over-the-counter from license this period, subject to availability, except that no one may exceed
vendors throughout the state on a first-come, first-served basis the limit of two permits in total for fall gun turkey hunting, including

TURKEY HUNTING
beginning the second Tuesday in March. Permits will be sold until landowner permits.
quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the specific turkey season
for which the permit is being requested. Hunters may purchase one Fall Gun Permit
or more permits during this period, subject to availability, except that • A limit of two wild turkey hunting permits may be obtained for the fall
no one may exceed the limit of three permits in total for spring turkey gun season, subject to availability.
hunting.
• Permits are issued for a specific county or area and are valid only in
• Permit Limit: Three wild turkey hunting permits may be obtained for the county or area designated on the permit.
the spring season, including regular, youth, and landowner permits,
subject to availability. Archery Permit Application Process and Limit
Turkey Calling Prior to Season • Fall archery permits do not require lottery drawing and are available
over-the-counter from license vendors only. Two wild turkey hunting
• You cannot legally use a turkey call that imitates sounds made by a permits may be obtained for the fall archery season.
turkey, or attempt to call a turkey by making these sounds, while in
the field in the Southern Zone from 15 March through the day before Shooting Turkeys in Trees
turkey season, and in the Northern Zone from 22 March through the • You cannot legally shoot a wild turkey while it is in a tree before 7
day before turkey season. This prohibition applies only in counties a.m.
open to spring turkey hunting and does not apply to hunters while
participating in the youth turkey season. Note: This does not prohibit
the use of locator calls that imitate other species such as owls, crows,
hawks, etc.
Shooting Turkeys in Trees
• You cannot legally shoot a wild turkey while it is in a tree before 7
a.m.
Non-Hunting Activities During Spring Seasons
• At IDNR sites offering spring wild turkey hunting, mushroom hunting
and other non-hunting activities are prohibited during legal shooting
hours for wild turkey hunting (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 p.m.).
Youth Wild Turkey Hunting Season
• The spring youth turkey hunt is open only to young hunters (resident or
nonresident) who have not reached their 18th birthday before the first
day of the hunt.
• Participants must have a current valid Youth Turkey Hunt permit and a
valid hunting license or apprentice hunting license.
• Each hunter participating in the Illinois Youth Turkey Hunt while using
an Apprentice Hunter License or Youth Hunting License must be
accompanied by a non-hunting, validly-licensed (Illinois hunting license)
adult who is 21 years of age or older.
• All other hunters (using other types of hunting licenses or license-
exempt) participating in the Youth Turkey Hunt must each be
accompanied by a non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian or
responsible adult). If the youth is hunting with a firearm, a nonresident Photo: IRAP
supervisor must have a valid Illinois hunting license.
29
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Photo: Leroy Buckley

WATERFOWL SEASON DATES AND LIMITS

DATES DAILY
SPECIES ZONE HOURS POSSESSION LIMIT ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
(inclusive) LIMIT

Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and

cinnamon teal are the only legal duck
Teal species during this season. Daily and
Statewide 7-22 Sep 2024 6 18
(early season) possession limits are for all teal species
Sunrise to combined (in the aggregate).
Sunset
Rail
WATERFOWL HUNTING

7 Sep - Daily and possession limits are for both

Statewide 15 Nov 2024 25 75 rail species combined (in the aggregate).
(Sora and Virginia only)

Snipe Statewide 7 Sep -

22 Dec 2024 8 24
(Wilson’s snipe)

19 Oct -
North 17 Dec 2024 Basic daily limit is 6 ducks of any species.
However, daily limit can consist of no more
26 Oct - than the following: 4 mallards (of which no
Central 24 Dec 2024 more than 2 can be hen mallards), 3 wood
Ducks 6 18 ducks, 2 Scaup for the first 45 days in
(but see Scaup below) 16 Nov 2024 - each zone, 1 Scaup for the last 15 days in
South Central 14 Jan 2025 each zone, 2 redheads, 2 canvasback,
2 black ducks, 1 pintail and 1 mottled
30 Nov 2024 - duck. Possession limit for ducks is three
South 28 Jan 2025 times the daily limit by species and sex.

Mergansers do not count toward your

duck bag limit, but only 2 can be hooded
Mergansers Same as ducks Same as ducks 5 15 mergansers. Possession limit of hooded
mergansers is 6.

Coots Same as ducks Same as ducks 15 45

19 Oct-2 Dec 2024

North and
3 Dec-17 Dec 2024

2/day
First 45 First 45 days
26 Oct-9 Dec 2024
Central and days 6
10-24 Dec 2024
Federal regulations require 45 days with
Scaup 2/day bag limit and 15 days with 1/day
(Bluebills) bag limit.
16 Nov-30 Dec 2024 1/day Last 15 Days
South Central and Last 15 3
31 Dec 2024-14 Jan 2025
days

30 Nov 2024-13 Jan 2025

South and
14-28 Jan 2025

30
dnr.illinois.gov
 WATERFOWL SEASON DATES AND LIMITS
DATES
SPECIES ZONE HOURS DAILY LIMIT POSSESSION LIMIT ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
(inclusive)

North and 5 15
Canada Geese Central
1-15 Sep 2024
(early season) South Central
and South 2 6

North 19 Oct 2024 -

16 Jan 2025
26 Oct 2024 -
3 Nov 2024
Central &
12 Nov 2024 -
Canada Geese 31 Jan 2025 3 9

South Central 16 Nov 2024 -

31 Jan 2025

South 30 Nov 2024 -

31 Jan 2025

North 19 Oct 2024 - ½ hour

16 Jan 2025
before sunrise
Central 26 Oct 2024 - to sunset
Light Geese 31 Jan 2025 Daily bag limit is for both species
20 Unlimited

WATERFOWL HUNTING
(Snow and Ross’s Geese) 16 Nov 2024 - combined (in the aggregate).
South Central 31 Jan 2025

South 30 Nov 2024 -

31 Jan 2025
Same as light Same as light
Brant geese geese
1 3

North 21 Oct 2024 -

16 Jan 2025

White-fronted Central 5 Nov 2024 -

31 Jan 2025
Geese 2 6
(Specklebellies) South Central 16 Nov 2024 -
31Jan 2025

South 30 Nov 2024 -

31 Jan 2025
The following apply to the
North 17 Jan - Conservation Order only: 1)
30 Apr 2025
Conservation ½ hour unplugged shotguns may be used
Order Light before sunrise and there is no limit to the number
Unlimited Unlimited of shells that may be placed in a
Geese Central,
to ½ hour after shotgun, 2) electronic calling devices
South Central, 1 Feb -
(Snow and Ross’s Geese) 30 Apr 2025 sunset may be used, 3) federal duck stamp
South not required, 4) Illinois duck stamp
and hunting license are required.

North 12-13 Oct The following apply to the Youth

2024 season only: 1) youth hunters must
be 17 years of age or younger
Central 19-20 Oct and have a hunting license and
2024 HIP registration/certification unless
Same as
during hunting on property they reside; 2) no
Youth Waterfowl South Central 9-10 Nov regular stamps are required for youth under
2024 ½ hour before Same as during age 16; 3) federal waterfowl stamps
seasons,
(Ducks, Coots, Mergansers sunrise to sunset regular seasons are required for all hunters age 16
except and older; 4) an adult at least 18
and Geese)
scaup limit years of age must accompany the
is 2/day youth hunter into the field; 5) hunters
South 16-17 Nov aged 18 years and older may not
2024 hunt waterfowl and/or coots during
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, even
if hunting with a Youth License.

31
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
WATERFOWL HUNTING

Waterfowl Hunting Zone Descriptions

North Duck Zone: That portion of the state north of a line extending
west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois Goose Zones
Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, North Goose Zone: That portion of the state north of a line extending
west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road west from the Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I-39, south along
to Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29,
Road, west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route
along Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi River to
I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route the Iowa border.
29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois
Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi Central Goose Zone: That portion of the state south of the North Goose
River to the Iowa border. Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, west
Central Duck Zone: That portion of the state south of the North Duck along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west along
Zone line to a line extending west from the Indiana border along I-70
to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 161, Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route 159 to
west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and west Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo’s Road, south along
along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois Route St. Leo’s Road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc Ferry
159 to Illinois Route 3, south along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo’s Road, Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast
south along St. Leo’s Road to Modoc Road, west along Modoc Road along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry entrance Road),
to Modoc Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc Ferry Road to Levee south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry Route and southwest
Road, southeast along Levee Road to County Route 12 (Modoc Ferry on the Modoc Ferry Route across the Mississippi River to the Missouri
entrance Road), south along County Route 12 to the Modoc Ferry border.
Route and southwest on the Modoc Ferry Route across the Mississippi
River to the Missouri border. South Goose Zone: Same zones as for ducks.
South Duck Zone: That portion of the state south and east of a line South Central Goose Zone: Same zones as for ducks.
extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate 70, south
along U.S. Highway 45, to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route Hunting Credential Requirements
13 to Greenbriar Road, north on Greenbriar Road to Sycamore
Road, west on Sycamore Road to N Reed Station Road, south on N To hunt migratory waterfowl, residents and nonresidents will need:
Reed Station Road to Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois Route 13
to Illinois Route 127, south along Illinois Route 127 to State Forest a hunting license, State Waterfowl Stamp, Federal Waterfowl Stamp
Road (1025 N), west along State Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north and HIP Certification. Exemptions to these requirements are specified in
along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank of the Big Muddy River, west table. For residency qualification, see Resident definition in Statewide
along the south bank of the Big Muddy River to the Mississippi River, Regulations (page 5) hereafter.
west across the Mississippi River to the Missouri border. See waterfowl hunting maps for associated zones.
South Central Duck Zone: The remainder of the state between the
south border of the Central Zone and the North border of the South
Zone.
32
dnr.illinois.gov
 Waterfowl Hunting Credentials (does not include vendor fees)
How to apply for or
Price purchase
License/Permit/Stamps Resident Nonresident Lottery Online Vendors Specifications

Hunting License Variable Variable X X See Statewide Regulations section for license types.

Required for any person 18 years of age or older, including lifetime

license holders, to hunt migratory waterfowl except toe-clipped, hand-
State Migratory $15.00 $15.00 X X reared mallards on licensed Game Breeding and Hunting Preserve
Waterfowl Stamp Areas. Disabled individuals, servicemen, and landowners may be
exempt from this stamp. See table on page 4.

Required for any person 16 years of age or older, including lifetime

license holders, to hunt migratory waterfowl except toe-clipped, hand-
Federal Migratory reared mallards on licensed Game Breeding and Hunting Preserve
Bird Hunting and $25.00 $25.00 X X Areas. Physical stamp must be signed in ink across the face of the
Conservation stamp. Electronic stamps are available from many states and are
Stamp legal nationwide. E-stamps are valid for the entire hunting season.
www.fws.gov/service/buy-duck-stamp-or-e-stamp

To hunt migratory birds, all licensed hunters, including lifetime license

holders, must register with HIP and have their proof of registration
HIP Certification Free Free X X
with them while migratory bird hunting, see HIP Registration description
hereafter. Not required to hunt crows in Illinois.
Site-specific Duck See Permit Applications hereafter for details. Some Permits require in-
and Goose Hunting Variable Variable X X
person drawing. Fee may be charged at sites.
Permits

WATERFOWL HUNTING
Illinois stamps affixed to hunters’ licenses were discontinued in 2011
and now only appear as a line item on printed licenses. Half of the
funds generated annually are used within Illinois to manage, maintain
and acquire waterfowl and wetland habitat and hunting areas. The
remaining funds are used to conserve critical grassland and wetland
habitat on the Canadian breeding grounds, where many of the ducks
that visit Illinois and the Mississippi Flyway originate.

HIP Registration
Free registration with HIP (National Migratory Bird Harvest Information
Program) is required by law every year to hunt migratory game birds.
Any licensed hunter who plans to hunt any species of migratory game
bird must register with HIP before hunting. Get your HIP certification
when purchasing your hunting or sportsman license or register for HIP by
calling 1-866-716-6550 (record the transaction number on your license).
Lifetime license holders also need to register with HIP on an annual
Eujean Lim basis. HIP is a nationwide program and you must register separately
Fleeting Swans in every state where you hunt waterfowl, coots, doves, rails, snipe,
Illinois Best of Show Junior Duck Stamp Competition Winner woodcock and other migratory game birds except American crow.
These data are important to estimate the annual harvest of migratory
Federal Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp game birds nationwide. Cooperation and support from hunters make
these estimates accurate and ensure sound management of migratory
Each year waterfowl hunters purchase Migratory Waterfowl Stamps, game birds into the future. For more information see www.fws.gov/
or “duck stamps” as a requirement to hunt migratory waterfowl. program/migratory-bird-harvest-surveys.
Authorization for a federal duck stamp came in 1934 from passage
of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, which was largely driven by
waterfowl hunters’ concern over habitat loss and declining waterfowl Waterfowl Bands
populations. Funds from the purchase of these stamps are directed
towards the purchase or lease of lands for inclusion in the National The U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory maintains a
Wildlife Refuge System, providing critical breeding, migration and website for reporting all migratory bird bands, including waterfowl.
wintering habitat for waterfowl and a variety of other species, and If you harvest a banded bird, please visit www.reportband.gov and
recreation opportunity in many areas. With an initial cost of $1 and provide information about when and where you shot the bird. The
current cost of $25, Federal Duck Stamp funds to date have totaled 1-800 call-in number is no longer available for reporting bird bands.
over $1.1 billion to protect more than 6 million acres of wildlife habitat The phone number will direct you to the www.reportband.gov website.
nationwide. All federal bird bands, even those without a web address printed on
them, can be reported online. Old bands with numbers worn off may
State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp still be reported by emailing: bandreports@usgs.gov for instructions.
The band may need to be sent in, but the process does not destroy the
band, and it will be returned to you. Band reporters will be emailed a
Similar to the federal duck stamp, Illinois hunters initiated the Illinois Certificate of Appreciation with information about when and where the
Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Fund, which was established in 1975. bird was banded. Your cooperation on reporting band numbers gives
The stamps originally cost $5, increasing to $15 in 2011. Over the life waterfowl biologists a wealth of information useful in managing the
of the fund, stamp purchases have led to over $29 million deposited resource to provide hunters with maximum recreational opportunities
in this fund, with current average sales of about 60,000 stamps while protecting waterfowl populations.
annually, leading to nearly $1 million annual revenue. Physical paper
33
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Don’t Forget Your HIP
HIP Certification is required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
for anyone intending to hunt migratory birds.
Use this quick guide to see if you need HIP!

SIGN UP SKIP THE HIP

WATERFOWL HUNTING

ROBERT H. TORSTENSON
FAMILY FOUNDATION

34
dnr.illinois.gov
 Public Duck and Goose Hunting Area Permit Applications
Application Period Methods Opens Closes Notes
Regular Season
First (residents only) Internet 16 Aug 31 Aug
Second Internet 1 Sep 15 Sep
Third Internet 16 Sep 28 Sep dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/waterfowl/onlinepermitapplication.html
First-come-first-served Internet 1 Oct See Website
Youth (Ages 10-17) Paper Application 1 Sep 1 Oct

Site-Specific Hunting Permits Waterfowl and Wetland Management

Waterfowl hunting permits for specific dates on several IDNR sites See the Waterfowl Management and Ecology section on Hunt Illinois at:
are available through a lottery system. A total of 5 permits for ducks huntillinois.org/waterfowl/
and five permits for geese may be obtained through the lotteries and
unfilled quotas system. Applications from Illinois residents only will be Other Hunting Opportunities
accepted for inclusion in the first lottery. A second lottery will be held
for unsuccessful resident applicants, nonresidents or anyone who did not
apply in the first lottery. A third lottery will be held for applicants to Public waterfowl hunting opportunities exist at over 100 sites in Illinois
receive either a first and/or second permit. Additional permits may be covering a broad range of access and management. Please see the
obtained from unfilled quotas on a first-come, first-served basis ending regional site maps at the end of this digest for sites offering waterfowl
72 hours prior to the hunt date by visiting dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/ hunting, check public hunting site information (hunter fact sheet) on
waterfowl/onlinepermitapplication.html beginning Oct. 1. huntillinois.org or call sites directly for details on hunting opportunities
and regulations.
Waterfowl Hunting Outlook

WATERFOWL HUNTING
See the IDNR Waterfowl Hunting website here: huntillinois.org/water-
fowl/

TOM ROSTER’S 2016 NONTOXIC SHOT LETHALITY TABLE©

Typical Shooting Range

Proven Nontoxic Loads

Most Effective Choke(s)

NOTE: The pellets in the steel
Most Effective
During Activity (Yards)

shot loads listed in this table

Areas for Clean Kills

Pellets in 30” Circle)

Minimum Pellet Hits

Nontoxic Shot

in Lead Shot Choke

Observed Hunters’

For Waterfowl, Doves, were traditional, highly

at Distance (Given
Needed on Lethal

Minimum Pattern

Size(s) For Birds

Weight (Ounces)

Any Distance for

Count Needed at
spherical ball-shaped pellets
Clean Kills (# of
Minimum Load

& Upland Game Birds1

Designations)
of  7.86 g/cc density and 90-
Listed Under 95 DPH hardness. The HEVI-
Vel. Range Tested: 1,225 – 1,700 FPS ACTIVITY At The Shot pellets were of 12.0 g/cc
Distances Listed In density and are harder than
traditional steel pellets.
ACTIVITY The Second Column
Large Geese At Long Range 50-65 Steel BBB to T 1-1/4 1-2 50-55 Improved Modified
Giant, Western, Atlantic and Interior Canadas 50-70 HEVI-Shot 2 to B 1-1/2 1-2 50-55 Improved Modified, Full
Large Geese Over Decoys 35-50 Steel BB to BBB 1-1/4 1-2 50-55 Improved Cylinder, Modified
35-50 HEVI-Shot 2 to B 1-1/2 1-2 50-55 Improved Cylinder, Modified
Medium/Small Geese Long Range 50-65 Steel BB to BBB 1-1/4 1-2 60-65 Improved Modified
Snow, White-fronted, Lesser Canadas 50-65 HEVI-Shot 2 1-1/2 1-2 60-65 Improved Modified, Full
Medium/Small Geese Over Decoys 35-50 Steel 2 to BB 1-1/8 1-2 60-65 Light Modified, Modified
35-50 HEVI-Shot 4 to 2 1-1/4 1-2 60-65 Improved Cylinder, Modified
Large Ducks At Long Range 45-65 Steel 2 to 1 1-1/8 1-2 85-90 Improved Modified, Full
Mallard, Black, Pintail, Goldeneye, Gadwall 45-65 HEVI-Shot 4 1-1/4 1-2 85-90 Improved Modified, Full
Large Ducks Over Decoys 20-45 Steel 6 to 2 ¾-1 1-2 85-90 I.C. (20-35 Yds), Mod. (35-45 Yds)
20-45 HEVI-Shot 6 to 4 1-1/8 1-2 85-90 I.C. (20-35 Yds), Mod. (35-45 Yds)
Medium Ducks Over Decoys 20-45 Steel 6 to 3 1 1-2 115-120 I.C. (20-35 Yds), Mod. (35-45 Yds)
Wigeon, Scaup, Shoveler 20-45 HEVI-Shot 6 to 4 1-1/8 1-2 115-120 I.C. (20-35 Yds), Mod. (35-45 Yds)
Small Ducks Over Decoys 20-45 Steel 6 to 4 1 1-2 135-145 Mod. (20-35 Yds), Full (35-45 Yds)
Teal, Ruddy, Bufflehead 20-45 HEVI-Shot 6 1-1/8 1-2 135-145 Mod. (20-35 Yds), Full (35-45 Yds)

Ring-Necked Pheasants 20-50 Steel 3 to 2 1 2-3 90-95 I.C. (20-30 Yds), Mod. (30-50 Yds)
20-50 HEVI-Shot 6 to 4 1-1/8 2-3 90-95 I.C. (20-30 Yds), Mod. (30-50 Yds)
Turkeys (Head and Neck Shots) 20-40 Steel 4; HEVI-Shot 6 1-1/4 3-4 210-230 Full or Extra Full
Mourning Doves 20-45 Steel 8 to 7 ⅝ -¾ 1-2 200-210 IC-8’s/LM-7’s (20-30 Yds);Mod>30 Yd
20-45 HEVI-Shot 7½ 1-2 200-210 I.C. (20-30 Yds); Light Mod (30-45 Yd)
3/4
Northern Bobwhite Quail 20-30 Steel 8 to 7 ⅝ -¾ 1-2 200-210 Imp. Cyl., Light Modified
Swatter Load For Wounded Birds 20-30 Steel 7 to 6 1 1 175 Improved Modified, Full
This table summarizes Tom Roster’s analyses to date of the lethality data bases for certain of the 16 U.S. steel vs lead waterfowl & dove shooting tests published between 1968 & 2014 & one
steel-only pheasant shooting test (1999) plus lethality data bases owned by ammunition companies for birds taken with nontoxic shotshell loads Roster tested for them & the CONSEP Org.
Note: Steel #BBB (.190") & HEVI-Shot #2 (.150”) have exhibited the best all-around performance for taking geese; steel #3 (.140") & HEVI-Shot #4 (.130”) the best all-around performance
for taking ducks; steel #2 & HEVI-Shot #4 (.130”) the best all-around performance for taking ring-necked pheasants; & steel 7’s (.100”) the best all-around performance for taking doves.
1
These findings are derived from testing 2¾” 28 gauge; 3” 20 ga.; 2¾", 3” & 3½" 12 ga.; & 3½” 10 ga. steel loads; plus 2¾” 28 ga.; 2¾” & 3” 20 ga.; and 2¾” & 3” 12 ga. HEVI-Shot loads.
© Copyright 2016 by Tom Roster. For answers to questions on this table contact: Tom Roster, 1190 Lynnewood, Klamath Falls, OR, USA 97601. tomroster@charter.net

35
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Migratory Waterfowl Regulations
The following state and/or federal rules apply to the taking, possessing, shipping, transporting and storing of migratory birds. This material is
only a summary and hunters also should consult Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 www.ecfr.gov, 17 Ill. Adm. Code 590, Wildlife
Code (520 ILCS 5/) or contact their local Conservation Police Officer at dnr.illinois.gov/lawenforcement.html
Prohibited Devices and Methods Possession and Tagging
You cannot legally: You cannot legally:
• use a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10 • possess more than one daily limit while in the field or while returning
gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison, drug, from the field to one’s car, hunting camp, home, etc.
explosive or stupefying substance to harvest waterfowl. • at any time, or by any means, possess or transport live migratory game
• hunt by driving, rallying or chasing waterfowl with any motorized birds. Every migratory game bird wounded by hunting and reduced
conveyance or any sailboat to put them in the range of the hunters. to possession by the hunter shall be immediately killed and become a
part of the daily bag limit.
• hunt with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, • completely field dress any migratory waterfowl and then transport the
UNLESS it is plugged with a one-piece filler which limits total birds from the field. The head or one fully-feathered wing must remain
shell capacity to three and which is incapable of removal without attached to all such birds while being transported from the field to
disassembling the gun. This does not apply during Light Goose one’s home or to a commercial preservation facility.
Conservation Order seasons (snow and Ross’ geese). • give, put or leave any waterfowl at any place other than his/her
personal abode, or in the custody of another person, unless the birds
Non-toxic Shot Requirements for Waterfowl, Snipe & Rail are tagged by the hunter with the hunter’s signature and address, the
total number of birds involved, by species, and the dates such birds
You cannot legally: were killed.
• have in possession while attempting to harvest waterfowl (including • receive or have in custody any waterfowl belonging to another person
coots and captive-reared mallards), snipe or rail any shotgun shells unless such birds are properly tagged. Tags available at: huntillinois.
not approved as non-toxic by federal regulations. Most commercially org/waterfowl/
available shot shells from major manufactures are approved non-toxic • receive, possess or give to another any freshly-killed waterfowl as a
options. A list of non-toxic shot currently approved by the USFWS gift, except at the personal abode of the donor or donee, unless such
can be found at: www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/nontoxic-shot- birds have a tag attached (see tagging requirements above).
regulations-hunting-waterfowl-and-coots-us. Also see Tom Roster’s • consider termination of bird possession by the hunter, until the hunter
Nontoxic Shot Lethality Table© on page 35. delivers the birds to another person as a gift or to a post office,
common carrier or migratory bird preservation facility and consigned
Blinds for transport by the Postal Service or a common carrier to some person
WATERFOWL HUNTING

other than the hunter.

You cannot legally:
• hunt from a floating blind that is not anchored except a scull boat Exporting and Importing
may be used on certain public waters and waterfowl may be
harvested from a boat not mechanically powered (see Hunting From You cannot legally:
Vehicles and Boats in Statewide Regulations) and not camouflaged or • ship migratory waterfowl unless the package is marked on the outside
disguised. with the name and address of the person sending the birds, the name
• hunt waterfowl from a moving watercraft propelled by mechanical and address of the person to whom the birds are being sent and the
power or sails. number of birds, by species, contained in the package.
• hunt from a sink box (a low floating device, having a depression • import migratory waterfowl killed in any foreign country, except
affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of Canada, unless such birds are dressed (except one fully-feathered
the water). wing must remain attached to all migratory waterfowl being
transported between a port of entry and one’s home or to a migratory
Attractants bird preservation facility), drawn and the head and feet are removed.
For information regarding the importation of migratory waterfowl
You cannot legally: killed in another country, consult 50 CFR 20.61 through 20.66.
• hunt waterfowl with the use or aid of live decoys. All live, tame • import migratory waterfowl belonging to another person.
or captive ducks and geese shall be removed for a period of 10
consecutive days prior to hunting and confined within an enclosure Federal Baiting Regulations
which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally This is a summary of the federal regulations regarding baiting. Please
conceals such tame birds from the sight of migratory waterfowl. see www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-20 for
• use a recording or electronic calling device to hunt migratory greater detail.
waterfowl. Such electronic calling devices may be used to hunt snow
and Ross’ geese during Light Goose Conservation Order seasons. You cannot legally:
• take migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on or over any
Retrieval of Downed Birds (Wanton Waste) baited area, where a person knows or reasonably should know that
the area is or has been baited (see www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/
You cannot legally: chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-20). An area is considered as baited
• fail to retrieve, if possible, and retain in the custody of the hunter in during the presence of and for 10 consecutive days following the
the field, all waterfowl killed or crippled. Note: You need permission removal of the bait. However, nothing prohibits the taking of any
to enter private property. migratory game bird, including waterfowl and coots, on or over the
• have or carry an uncased or loaded shotgun in a motorized boat. following lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas:
Waterfowl hunters may have an uncased and unloaded gun in their i. Standing crops or flooded standing crops (including aquatics);
boats for pursuing crippled waterfowl incapable of normal flight to standing, flooded or manipulated natural vegetation; flooded
reduce said bird to possession, provided that the attempt is made harvested croplands; or lands or areas where seeds or grains
immediately upon downing the bird and is done within 400 yards of have been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural
the blind from which the bird was downed. The gun cannot be loaded planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation or normal soil
unless the motor has been completely shut off and crippled birds may stabilization practice;
not be shot from the boat until the motor has been completely shut off
and the boat’s progress has ceased. ii. From a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with
• wantonly waste or destroy the useable meat (defined as the breast natural vegetation;
meat of a migratory game bird) of any game bird or migratory iii. From a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with
game bird that has a bag limit, and to leave, dump or abandon a vegetation from agricultural crops, as long as such camouflaging
wildlife carcass or its parts along or upon a public right-of-way or does not result in the exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering
highway or on public or private property, including a waterway or of grain or other feed; or
stream without permission. iv. Standing or flooded standing agricultural crops where grain is
inadvertently scattered solely as a result of a hunter entering or
36 exiting a hunting area, placing decoys or retrieving birds.
dnr.illinois.gov
Hunters MAY:
• hunt ALL legal migratory game birds, including waterfowl and coots.
Don’t Shoot a Swan!
• hunt ALL legal migratory game birds over standing crops, standing Don’t make a mistake!
flooded crops and flooded harvested croplands. All wild swans are protected in Illinois.
• use natural vegetation to conceal a blind.
Trumpeter Swans have made a substantial comeback throughout the
• hunt over natural vegetation that has been mowed or manipulated in Midwest region. These native swans are migrating through and wintering
other ways. There is no restriction on when manipulation may occur. In in Illinois. You can help bring back this magnificent swan by:
other words, the manipulation may occur before, during or after any
season where seeds or grains have been scattered solely as the result • Learning the difference between swans and snow geese.
of “normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation • Reporting observations of swans having wing tags, neck collars or leg
or normal soil stabilization practice.” bands.
• hunt over surface-mined lands being reclaimed where seeds or • Protecting wetland habitat.
grains are scattered solely as a result of a “normal soil stabilization • Reporting any harassment of trumpeter swans.
practice.”
• use vegetation from agricultural crops to conceal a blind provided Report Swan Sightings to:
that the crop seed is not exposed, deposited, distributed or scattered Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Waterfowl Program
in the process. For example, corn stalks may be used to camouflage a
blind as long as the attached ears remain tightly in the husk. 700 South 10th Street, Havana, IL 62644 (309) 543-3065
• continue hunting over standing or flooded standing agricultural crops
if they inadvertently scatter grain solely as a result of entering or Trumpeter Swan
leaving the field, placing decoys or retrieving downed birds.
• be charged with hunting over bait or a baited area if they “know or
Protected Species
reasonably should know” that the area is baited. Long neck
With respect to federal prohibitions, hunters MAY NOT: Length: ~4 ft.
• place, expose, deposit, distribute, or scatter salt, grain or other feed Wingspan: ~7 ft.
that could lure or attract migratory game birds, except crows, to, on or
over an area where hunters are attempting to harvest them. Weight: 20-30 lbs
• hunt migratory game birds, except crows, with the aid of bait or on or Caution - White Pelicans
over any baited area.
have black wing tips, but
• hunt over any baited area until all salt, grain or other feed has
been completely removed for at least 10 days. their wingspan is 8-9 ½ ft.

WATERFOWL HUNTING
• hunt waterfowl and coots over manipulated planted millet. Planted
millet is not considered natural vegetation unless it becomes
naturalized and grows (volunteers) on its own in subsequent years.
Snow Goose
• hunt waterfowl and coots over seed or grain from manipulated Legally Hunted
agricultural crops or normal agricultural operations except where seed Short Neck
or grain is present solely as a result of “normal planting, harvesting Length: ~1 ½ ft.
or post-harvest manipulation” or “normal agricultural soil stabilization
practices.” Wingspan: ~3 ½ ft.
• hunt migratory game birds, other than crows, if the use of vegetation Weight: 3-6 lbs
from agricultural crops to conceal a blind exposes, deposits, distributes
or scatters grain or other crop seed. White plumage, but
Hunters also should remember that: BLACK WING TIPS
• they are responsible for ensuring that the hunting area has not been
baited before they start hunting.
• they should physically inspect the field or marsh; question landowners,
guides and caretakers; and take other reasonable steps to verify the
legality of the hunting area.
• they must know and obey all applicable federal and state hunting
regulations.
• when making agricultural determinations, the Fish and Wildlife Service
relies on the official recommendations of state extension specialists of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service.

Photo: Nikki White Photo: Marshall White

37
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Definitions

Upland Game: Bobwhite Quail, Hungarian Partridge,

Ring-necked Pheasant, Eastern Cottontail and Swamp
Rabbit.

Small Game: for purposes of this digest are defined

as Doves (migratory), Woodcock (migratory), Crows
(migratory), and Squirrels.

Non-toxic shot: Any shot type that does not cause sickness
and death when ingested by animals or humans. Shot
types: www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/nontoxic-shot-
regulations-hunting-waterfowl-and-coots-us

Lead Ammunition: A projectile containing one or more

percent lead by weight.

Photo: Dave Jenkins

UPLAND AND SMALL GAME SEASON DATES AND LIMITS

DATES DAILY POSSESSION
SPECIES ZONE HOURS ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
(inclusive) LIMIT LIMIT
UPLAND AND SMALL GAME HUNTING

Protections for the Eurasian-collared

dove and ringed turtle dove have
been removed, as they are non-
native, invasive species. They can be
Doves 1 Sep - 14 Nov 2024 harvested year-round with no limits,
(mourning and Statewide and 15 45 but during dove season, hunters may
white-winged) 26 Dec 2024 - 9 Jan 2025 not remain in the field for taking
Eurasian-collared doves or ringed
turtle doves after they reach their
daily limit for mourning/white-
winged doves.

Until the 3rd day of the hunting

2 Nov 2024 - 8 Jan 2025 season, you may not possess more
(North Zone) than twice the daily limit. Hen
Pheasants See 2 6
(roosters only) zones map sz pheasants are illegal to harvest
2 Nov 2024 - 15 Jan 2025
(South Zone) or possess, except as specified on
Sunrise to controlled hunting areas.
Sunset
2 Nov 2024 - 8 Jan 2025
(North Zone) Until the 3rd day of the hunting
Quail See 8 20 season, you may not possess more
(Bobwhite) zones map
2 Nov 2024 - 15 Jan 2025 than twice the daily limit.
(South Zone)

2 Nov 2024 - 8 Jan 2025

Hungarian (North Zone) Until the 3rd day of the hunting
See 2 6 season, you may not possess more
Partridge zones map
2 Nov 2024 - 15 Jan 2025 than twice the daily limit.
(South Zone)

Until the 3rd day of the hunting

Rabbits Statewide 2 Nov 2024 - 15 Feb 2025 4 10 season, you may not possess more
(cottontail and swamp)
than twice the daily limit.

Woodcock Statewide 19 Oct - 2 Dec 2024 3 9

½ hour Closed Nov 22-24 and 5-8 Dec 2024

Squirrels before sunrise in counties open for firearm deer
Statewide 1 Aug 2024 - 15 Feb 2025 5 10
(gray and fox) to ½ hour hunting. Bag limits are for both species
after sunset combined.

½ hour
Crow Statewide 28 Oct 2024 - 28 Feb 2025 before sunrise No limit No limit
to sunset

38
dnr.illinois.gov
 Hunting Credentials and Requirements
• To hunt upland and small game, residents and nonresidents will
need a hunting license and a habitat stamp listed below. Individuals
intending to hunt doves or woodcock will also need HIP Certification.
Exemptions to these requirements are specified in table. For residency
qualification, see Resident definition in Statewide Regulations.
• Individuals wanting to hunt upland birds and/or rabbits on specific
IDNR sites may also need to apply for a Free Upland Game Permit.
• See upland and small game hunting map for associated upland bird
and rabbit hunting zones.
Types of Hunting Opportunities
There are different opportunities for hunting upland game on state,
federal and private lands. The primary types of upland hunting include:
1. Open hunting on state sites - some IDNR sites do not require a
lottery permit to hunt upland and small game but may require a
windshield card or signing in and out when you hunt. Check public
hunting site information (hunter fact sheet) on huntillinois.org or
call site for hunting opportunities and regulations in your area.
2. Upland Game Permit for IDNR sites – FREE permit issued by a
lottery that takes place in August, see Upland Game Permit Process
section hereafter.
3. Controlled Pheasant hunting on IDNR sites – application period and
stand-by hunt info found in the ‘controlled pheasant hunting’ section

UPLAND AND SMALL GAME HUNTING

4. Open hunting on federal sites – see Hunting Areas Information
section for links to potential opportunities.
5. Open hunting on private lands – provided permission from
landowner.

Non-toxic Shot and HIP Registration Requirement

Non-toxic Shot Requirement:
• Hunters should be aware that several IDNR sites now require use of
non-toxic shot, such as steel.
• For ease of this conversion, note that steel shot #3 is ballistically
similar to lead shot #5, and steel shot #6 is ballistically similar to
lead shot #7.5 or #8.
• For comparison of shot size and effectiveness, see Tom Roster’s
Nontoxic Shot Lethality Table© (page 33).
HIP Registration:
• Free registration with HIP (National Migratory Bird Harvest
Information Program) is required by law every year to hunt mourning
doves and woodcock in Illinois. Crow hunting does not require HIP
Certification. Get your HIP certification when purchasing your hunting
Upland and Small Game Zones: or sportsman license or register for HIP by calling 1-866-716-6550
Zones for rooster pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge are divided by (record the transaction number on your license). Lifetime license
U.S. Route 36 from the Indiana state line to Springfield, Illinois Route 29 holders also need to register with HIP on an annual basis. HIP is a
from Springfield to Pekin, and Illinois Route 9 from Pekin to Dallas City, nationwide program and you must register separately in every state
then due west to the Mississippi River. where you hunt migratory birds. Cooperation and support from
hunters make sound resource management possible.

Upland and Small Game Hunting Credentials (does not include vendor fees)
Price How to apply/purchase
License/Permit/Stamps Resident Nonresident Lottery Online Vendors Specifications
Hunting License Variable Variable X X See Statewide Regulations section for license types.
Required for all hunters 18+ years old. Not required
to hunt hand-reared game birds on licensed game
breeding and hunting preserve areas, as well as
State Habitat Stamp $5.00 $5.00 X X hand-reared pheasants on Department-controlled
Pheasant Hunting Areas. Purchasers of a lifetime
hunting license prior to 1993 and legally disabled
veterans are exempt from this stamp.
Super Senior Habitat Stamp Free n/a X X Must be 75 or older, and pay vendor fees.
Before hunting Dove or Woodcock, all licensed
hunters, including lifetime license holders, must
HIP Certification Free Free X X
register with HIP. See the HIP Registration section on
page 32.
Upland Game Management Areas Free Free X X
See Upland Game Permit Process section for details.
Controlled Pheasant Areas Site Fee Site Fee X Fee may be charged at controlled hunting sites.
Dove Management Areas Free Free X X

39
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Upland and Small Game Hunting Regulations Dove and Woodcock Banding
(Additional to Statewide Regulations) If you harvest a leg-banded dove or woodcock, we encourage you to
Legal Firearm and Archery Equipment report information about when and where you harvested the bird. You
will be emailed a Certificate of Appreciation with information about
• Upland birds, including migratory species, can be hunted with when and where the dove or woodcock was banded. Your cooperation
shotgun or bow and arrow (flu-flu arrows only; no broadheads) under on reporting band numbers gives biologists a wealth of information
regulations outlined in Statewide Regulations. useful in managing the resource to provide hunters with optimal
• Rabbits and squirrels can only be hunted with a gun or bow and arrow, recreational opportunities while protecting dove populations.
but equipment regulations vary by site.
• Many IDNR sites require non-toxic shot, such as steel, but some do not. Report banded birds at: www.reportband.gov
Check public hunting site information (hunter fact sheet) on huntillinois.
org or call the site for site-specific regulations. Lead Poisoning in Game Birds
Clothing Requirements The hazards of lead poisoning in game birds consuming spent shotgun
• A solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer pellets have been well-publicized. Research has determined that doves
garment displaying at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange and other birds also are at risk from acute lead poisoning due to
or solid blaze pink material must be worn while hunting pheasant, consuming spent shotgun pellets in hunted fields, and that many more
quail, partridge, woodcock or rabbits on IDNR lands or when doves may be dying each year than waterfowl did prior to the lead
accompanying youth on controlled pheasant or firearm deer hunts. shot ban. While non-toxic shot is not required on all hunting areas,
upland and small game hunters are encouraged to use steel or other
• On non-IDNR land, a solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink hat/cap non-toxic shot types to spare doves and other wildlife from potential
must be worn to hunt upland birds (except doves) or rabbits with a lead poisoning. No. 6 or 7 steel shot used with shotgun chokes one size
firearm. more open than typically used for lead are very effective in harvesting
• Camouflage blaze orange or camouflage blaze pink material does doves. Improved cylinder or skeet is the best choke to use with steel
not meet the solid orange or solid pink requirement. shot for doves. For pheasant, No. 2 or 3 steel will perform like lead No.
• No blaze orange or blaze pink clothing is required for hunting doves, 4 or 5 lead shot. Even though non-toxic shot is a little more expensive
UPLAND AND SMALL GAME HUNTING

crows and squirrels, unless simultaneously hunting other types of upland than lead, the cost is justified to help conserve our valuable wildlife
birds or rabbits which requires blaze orange or blaze pink clothing resources.
noted above.
Upland Permit Process
Additional Hunting Regulations
Below are several pertinent regulations when hunting upland birds in • Apply for FREE site-specific upland game and dove hunting permits
Illinois. Numerous other state and/or federal regulations apply to the (see tables on the next page for drawing information and website link
taking, possessing, shipping, transporting and storing of upland and and sites offering hunting opportunities). Residents receive application
small game birds, especially migratory species. Hunters should also preference.
consult Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 www.ecfr.gov, • Permit holding hunters can bring a number of hunting partners
and Wildlife Code (520 ILCS/5) or talk with a Conservation Police depending on the site but hunting partners cannot hunt without the
Officer for questions on specific regulations. permit holder being present to hunt.
• Hunting dates depend on each site. Check the IDNR Upland and Small
You can legally: Game webpage or contact the site directly for details.
• Tables hereafter show permit application information and a list of
• use dogs to hunt upland birds. IDNR sites with Upland Game or Dove Hunting Permits.
• use all types of non-toxic shot, such as steel and bismuth at all IDNR
sites.
• use stationary or spinning-wing decoys.
You cannot legally:
• use lead shot at many IDNR sites, but some allow lead shot. Check
public hunting site information (hunter fact sheet) on huntillinois.org
or call the site for site-specific regulations.
• use a recording or electronic calling device to hunt migratory birds
other than crows.
• possess or use any net or trap for harvesting upland birds.
• trap rabbits or squirrels.
• attempt to harvest any other squirrel species besides gray and fox
• harvest doves or woodcock by the use or aid of bait or baiting of
any kind. “Bait” means any material, whether liquid or solid, including
food, salt, minerals and other products that can be ingested, placed or
scattered in such a manner as to attract or lure upland birds. “Baiting”
means the placement or scattering of bait to attract upland birds. For
the purposes of harvesting upland birds, nothing in this section shall be
construed to prevent the manipulation, including mowing or cutting, of
standing crops as a normal agricultural or soil stabilization practice,
food plots, or normal agricultural practices, including planting,
harvesting, and maintenance, such as cultivating, or the use of products
designed for scent only and not capable of ingestion, solid or liquid,
placed or scattered, in such a manner as to attract or lure upland
birds. An area is considered as baited during the presence of and for
10 consecutive days following the removal of the bait.
• harvest upland birds, unless they are flying, except for harvesting
pheasants that are not flying when crippled and not capable of
normal flight and otherwise irretrievable. However, doves, woodcock
and crows may be harvested while not in flight.
• remove plumage of pheasants in the field or while being transported
to one’s home, taxidermist or food processor.
• transport woodcock unless the head or one fully-feathered wing is
attached.

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 2024 Upland and Small Game Permit Applications
Application Period/Location Methods Hunt Period Opens Closes Specifications
Upland Game Hunt Permits (Free)
These free hunts limit the number of hunters, via permit, pursuing wild birds and
rabbits on habitat areas and select state sites. Upland Game Hunting is for rooster
One Drawing Only Internet Varies by Site 1 Aug 31 Aug
pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge, and rabbits. Applicants can receive only one
(1) permit per year. dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/uplandgame1.html
Site-specific Dove Permit Hunts (Free)
First (Residents Only) Internet 1-5 Sept 1 June 30 June The permit holder only hunts on IDNR managed dove fields. Applicants can apply for
up to five (5) different sites and can apply with a partner who will receive a permit
Second Internet 1-5 Sept 6 July 20 July for the same site and date. Nonresidents can apply for the second lottery and also
Over-the-counter Internet 1-5 Sept 27 July 25 Aug receive over-the-counter permits. Applications accepted for first or second permit
during over-the-counter period. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a supervising
Youth (ages 10-17) Internet 1 Sept Same as above adult. dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/uplandgame1.html
Controlled Pheasant Hunts (Fee Charged)
First Internet Varies by Site 5 Aug 12 Aug
Second Internet Varies by Site 12 Aug 19 Aug These application-based hunts allow a controlled number of hunters to pursue
released, captive-raised pheasants on state and public/private partnership sites.
Third Internet Varies by Site 19 Aug 26 Aug dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/controlledpheasanthunting.html

UPLAND AND SMALL GAME HUNTING

Youth (ages 10-17) Internet Varies by Site 5 Aug 26 Aug

Upland and Small Game Permit Sites

Check public hunting site info (hunter fact sheet) and regulations by visiting huntillinois.org
Site Name County Non-toxic shot required
Birkbeck PHA DeWitt No
Bradford PHA Stark Yes
Burning Star Jackson Yes
Chatsworth PHA Livingston Yes
Clifton PHA Iroquois No
Coffeen Lake SFWA Montgomery No
Dublin Highlands PHA Stephenson No
Edward R. Madigan SP Logan Yes
Finfrock SHA DeWitt No
Freeman Mine SWA Montgomery No
Gifford PHA Champaign No
Green River SWA Lee Yes
Hallsville PHA DeWitt No
Herschel Workman PHA Vermilion No
Hindsboro PHA Douglas No
Ilo Dillin HA Tazewell Yes
Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA Cass Yes
Larry D. Closson HA Douglas No
Little Rock Creek HA Carroll No
Loda PHA Iroquois No
Mackinaw River SFWA Tazewell Yes
Manito PHA Tazewell No
Mautino SFWA Bureau Yes
Maxine Loy LWR Marion Yes
Maytown PHA Lee No
Milks Grove PHA Iroquois No
Nachusa Prairie c/o Franklin Creek SNA Ogle No
Paul C. Burrus HA Coles No
Perdueville PHA Ford/Champaign No
Pyramid SP Perry No
Ramsey Lake SP Fayette Yes
Sand Prairie PHA Lee No
Sand Ridge SF Mason Yes
Sangchris Lake SP Christian/Sangamon No
Saybrook PHA McLean No
Sibley PHA Ford No
Steward PHA Lee No
Victoria PHA Knox Yes
Whitefield PHA Marshall Yes
Willow Creek HA Edgar No

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Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Dove Hunting Permit Sites
Site County Specifications
Big Bend SFWA Whiteside
Des Plaines SFWA Will
Note: This site list pertains to the online
Edward R. Madigan SP Logan lottery. Other sites may conduct special
Green River SWA Lee onsite draws for permits.
Horseshoe Lake SP Madison For all sites listed to the left:
Iroquois County SWA Iroquois
Lottery permit required first 5 days of season
Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA Cass
Johnson Sauk Trail SP Henry See hunting site information (hunter fact sheet)
Kankakee River SP Kankakee/Will
on huntillinois.org for check-in times.
Mackinaw River SFWA Tazewell Many of these sites require Non-Toxic
Matthiessen SP LaSalle Shot. Please check the current hunting
Sangchris SP Christian site regulations at HuntIllinois.org before
Silver Springs SFWA Kendall hunting.
Snakeden Hollow SFWA Knox

Youth Dove Permit Hunting Areas (Supervisor Hunt)

UPLAND AND SMALL GAME HUNTING

Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA Cass

Jubilee College SP Peoria
Youth hunts at these sites occur the first weekend
Kankakee River SP Kankakee/Will
day of the season or Labor Day, whichever
Mackinaw River SP Tazewell comes first, with a supervisor allowed to hunt.
Mt. Vernon Game Farm Jefferson
Check-in 10-11 a.m.
Ramsey Lake State Park Fayette No standbys available
Sam Parr SFWA Jasper
Non-Toxic Shot required at all sites
Sangchris Lake SP Christian/Sangamon
Silver Springs SFWA Kendall

Youth Dove Permit Hunting Areas (No Supervisor Hunting)

Horseshoe Lake SP Madison
Same regulations as above, but only youth is
permitted to hunt. Supervisor may not hunt.

Photo: Learn To Hunt Photo: Learn To Hunt

42
dnr.illinois.gov
 How do I check on the status of my Controlled Pheasant Hunting
Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permit?
A: You may check the status of your Controlled Pheasnt hunting permit
• On controlled pheasant hunting areas State Habitat Stamps are here: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/controlledpheasanthunting.html
not required when hunting captive-reared pheasants. State Habitat
Stamps are required when hunting quail, Hungarian partridge and Can I use an air rifle to take upland/small game?
woodcock on controlled pheasant hunting areas where these species A: An air rifle can only be used to take rabbits and squirrels.
can be harvested during the controlled pheasant hunting season. What do I do if I was drawn for a permit?
• Information about controlled pheasant hunting permit reservations is A: A link to download and print your permit will be provided in your
available at: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/controlledpheasanthunting. email confirmation
html
• Thanksgiving Day hunting hours at all controlled pheasant hunting sites Why aren’t there as many pheasant, quail and rabbits as there used
are 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. to be?
A: Changes in habitat are the primary reasons and includes a decrease
in the quantity and quality of habitat. There is less suitable habitat
because of changes in the landscape including fewer fencerows,
Permits Required for Leased Lands & Commercial Clubs pastures, hayfields, small grains (wheat, oats, etc). Second, the
existing habitat quality has decreased because of introduced
See Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/3.27) for more information on permits. grasses like fescue and brome that are too thick for upland game.
On some of your Habitat Areas, there is nothing but ‘weeds’, why
Disabled Hunters doesn’t the IDNR plant more food plots?
A: The limiting factor of upland game is quality habitat, not a lack of
Disabled hunters with Standing Vehicle Permits may obtain Controlled food. Many annual weeds like ragweed, crabgrass, and foxtail are
Pheasant Hunting Permits for Eldon Hazlet, Des Plaines and Moraine all consumed by upland species. The focus in our habitat areas is
View where special vehicles are available to assist with the hunt. production and sustainability of grassland species by providing all
Disabled hunters, as defined by Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/2.33), may their habitat and resource needs.
apply to the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement (217-782-6431) for a Is it true that hawks and coyotes are killing all the upland game?

UPLAND AND SMALL GAME HUNTING

Standing Vehicle Permit. Information about controlled pheasant hunting A: While predators do eat some game birds and rabbits, this is not
permit reservations for disabled hunters is available at: dnr.illinois. what is causing our long-term decline. If we had adequate habitat
gov/doo (quantity and quality), there would be more game on the landscape.
Why did the IDNR add more sites to the list requiring non-toxic shot?
Upland and Small Game Hunting FAQs A: Lead shot is highly toxic to most bird species when ingested. Birds do
How do I check on the status of my Free Upland Permit? not seem to be able to distinguish small weed seeds from small shot
pellets. We are making these changes to reduce the amount of lead
A: Check the status of your Free Upland Permit here: dnr2. being deposited (and subsequently ingested by wildlife) on hunting
illinois.gov/OnLineHuntingApplication/UplandGame/ areas with a high volume of shooting and/or sensitive areas.
SearchUplandPermit.aspx
Is there a second lottery for leftover permits for the Free Upland
Game Permit sites?
A: No, there are rarely any permits leftover.

43
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Photo: Blake Ruebush

FURBEARER TRAPPING SEASON DATES AND LIMITS

SPECIES ZONE DATES LIMIT ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS

Raccoon
FURBEARER TRAPPING AND HUNTING

Opossum
Striped Skunk
Weasel (Least and Long-tailed)
Mink Statewide None

Muskrat
Fox (Red and Gray) 10 Nov 2024 - 15 Feb 2025
Coyote
North 2 per trapper per season
Badger
South 1 per trapper per season
Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and
Trapping Permit BEFORE attempting to
See Bobcat One by harvest a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat
Bobcat
Zone map permit only Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking
a bobcat. Taking a bobcat in the closed
zone is prohibited.
Beaver Statewide 10 Nov 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 None
Must purchase River Otter Registration Permit
River Otter Statewide 10 Nov 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 5 per trapper per season
within 48 hours of taking each river otter.
Woodchuck (Groundhog) Statewide 1 Jun - 30 Sep 2024 None

FURBEARER HUNTING SEASON DATES AND LIMITS

SPECIES DATES HOURS ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
Raccoon Open 24 hours and season begins ½ There is no limit on foxes, coyote, opossum,
hour before sunrise on opening day raccoon, striped skunk and woodchuck.
Opossum 10 Nov 2024 - 15 Feb 2025 and closes ½ hour after sunset on
Closed during first and second Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping
Fox closing day except; during archery
Permit BEFORE attempting to harvest a bobcat.
(Red and Gray) firearm deer seasons in counties deer season, archery hunting hours
open to firearm deer hunting. Limit one bobcat per permit. Must purchase
for raccoon, opossum, fox, coyote, Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of
and striped skunk will be ½ hour harvesting a bobcat. Taking a bobcat in the
Bobcat before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. closed zone is prohibited.

1 Jun 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 Hunters with unfilled firearm deer permits may
harvest coyotes during firearm deer seasons
Closed during first and second ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour with weapons legal for deer hunting ½ before
Woodchuck firearm deer seasons in counties after sunset sunrise to ½ after sunset.
open to firearm deer hunting.

Coyote Year round

½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour
Closed during the first and second
after sunset. No time restriction 10
firearm deer seasons in counties
Striped Skunk open to firearm deer hunting.
Nov 2024 - 15 Mar 2025

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dnr.illinois.gov
 FURBEARER TRAPPING AND HUNTING
Bobcat Zones:
Furbearer Zones:
It is prohibited to take a bobcat in an area bounded by Interstate 39/
Trapping (Badger): Divided by U.S. Route 36. Route 51 on the west side and U.S. Route 36 on the southside. Bobcat
may be harvested with a valid permit in the remainder of the state.
Trap Tagging and Checking Requirements
You cannot legally:
Illegal Traps
• fail to mark or tag with metal tags or inscribe in lettering the name You cannot legally:
and address of the owner or customer identification number issued by • use any trap with saw-toothed, spiked or toothed jaws.
the Department of Natural Resources, all traps used in the taking of
furbearing mammals. • use or possess a deadfall, net or pit trap to take any protected
wildlife.
• fail to visit and remove all animals from traps at least once each
calendar day. • use any colony traps or cage, box or stove-pipe trap designed to
harvest more than one mammal at a single setting. Single catch cage
or box traps are legal.
Trap Size Restrictions
You cannot legally: Snares
• on land use a foothold trap that has a jaw spread larger than 6 ½ You cannot legally:
inches or a body-gripping trap that has a jaw spread larger than 7
inches on a side, if square, and 8 inches, if round. • place, set, use or maintain a snare unless at least half of the loop is
• in water use a foothold trap that has a jaw spread larger than 7 ½ underwater at all times. When set, the snare loop must be 15 inches
inches or a body-gripping trap that has a jaw spread larger than 10 or less in diameter. Snares must be constructed of cable that is at
inches on a side, if square, and 12 inches, if round. least 5/64 inch, but no more than 1/8 inch in diameter, and must
be equipped with a mechanical lock, anchor swivel and stop device
• trap beaver or river otter with a foothold trap or one of similar that prevents the snare loop from closing to less than 2 ½ inches in
construction having a jaw spread of less than 5 ½ inches or more than diameter.
7 ½ inches , except that these restrictions shall not apply during the
open season for trapping raccoons. • use or possess cable or wire snares constructed of stainless steel metal.
• trap beaver or river otter with a body-gripping trap or one of similar
construction having a jaw spread of less than 7 inches or more than Dens, Nest and Feed Beds
10 inches on a side, if square, and 12 inches, if round, except that
these restrictions shall not apply during the open season for trapping You cannot legally:
raccoons. • molest or destroy any feed bed (a mound, pile or mat of branches,
Note: diameter of traps is measured from the inside edges of the jaws. cattails or other vegetation gathered and piled by muskrats or
beaver), nest, den, house or other animal cavity (except that this shall
not apply to individuals who are removing beaver lodges/dams
Closed Trapping Season pursuant to a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit or Nuisance Wildlife
Control Operator’s Permit as provided by administrative rule or
You cannot legally: statute).
• set or place any trap in the field, set or unset, during the closed • set traps closer than 10 feet from any hole or den which may be
trapping season. Setting out stakes or floats before the season opens, occupied by a game mammal or furbearing mammal except that this
if no traps are attached to them, is permissible. restriction does not apply to water sets. Traps may be legally set
within 10 feet of dens in water, but such sets are unlawful on land.
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Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Credentials (does not include vendor fees)
Price How to apply for or purchase
License/Permit/Stamps Resident Nonresident Lottery Online Vendors Specifications
First-time trappers born on or after Jan. 1, 1998
are required to complete a trapper education
Trapping Variable X X
course before purchasing a license. 3-year license
option available.

Any hunter/trapper under 18 years of age may

purchase this license. Hunters/trappers with this
license must be supervised by an adult who is 21
years of age or older and has the appropriate
Illinois hunting or trapping license. The youth shall
Youth Hunting and Trapping $7.00 X X
not hunt or trap or carry a hunting device, unless the
youth is accompanied by and under close personal
supervision of that adult. See Wildlife Code
(520 ILCS 5/3.1-9) for supervisory requirement
exemptions.

Trapping $175.00 X X
Reciprocity means your state of residence allows
(with state reciprocity) Illinois residents to trap.
FURBEARER TRAPPING AND HUNTING

Trapping $250.00 X X See reciprocity specification above.

(without state reciprocity)
Variable for veterans, seniors, etc. See Statewide
Hunting License Variable Variable X X
Regulations section for license types.

State Habitat Stamp $5.00 $5.00 X X

Species-specific Permits
River Otter Registration Permit $5.00 $5.00 X X Purchase within 48 hours after river otter harvest

Bobcat Hunting & Trapping $5.00 $5.00 X X

Lottery applications accepted Sept 1-30.
Lottery Application See lottery section for details

Bobcat Registration Permit $5.00 $5.00 X Purchase within 48 hours after bobcat harvest

General Furbearer Regulations Possession of Furbearers and Parts

(Additional to Statewide Regulations)
• Road-kill - Furbearing mammals that are found dead or unintentionally
Definitions killed by a vehicle along a roadway may only be salvaged if the
• Furbearing Mammals: badger, beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, season for that species is open and you possess all appropriate
mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, red fox, river otter, striped skunk licenses, stamps and permits required to salvage that species. (see
and weasel. credentials table above) Note: Bobcat may only be salvaged by permit
• Trap: To capture, or attempt to capture, by setting or placing a holders during the open season. Salvage of weasel, mink, muskrat,
foothold trap, cushion-hold trap, body-gripping trap, cage or box beaver, badger and river otter requires a trapping license and
trap, snare live-trap or other similar device permitted by Wildlife state habitat stamp if required; salvage of all other species requires
Code (520 ILCS/5) to capture, hold or kill any protected wildlife. a hunting or trapping license and state habitat stamp if required.
Salvaged badger, bobcat and river otter become part of your harvest
• Water Set: Any trap or similar device that is placed or set in contact limit. River otter and bobcat are subject to registration and tagging
with flowing or impounded water. requirements.
• Land Set: Any trap or similar device not placed or set in contact with • Green Hides - Green hides may be possessed year-round with a valid
flowing or impounded water. hunting or trapping license.
• Green Hide: Any hide or pelt which has not been tanned. • Live - Contact IDNR for more specific regulations regarding possession
of live furbearing animals under Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/3.25).
Trapping and Hunting Credentials and Requirements • Breeding - Persons within Illinois who hold, possess or engage in the
breeding or raising of live furbearing mammals protected by Wildlife
• To trap furbearers, residents and nonresidents will need an Code (520 ILCS/5) must have a valid Furbearing Mammal Breeder
appropriate trapping license and habitat stamp listed in the chart Permit. No permits will be issued for the breeding or raising of striped
above. Exemptions to these requirements are specified in the table. skunks or coyotes. Furbearers cannot be taken from the wild and kept
For residency qualification, see Resident definition in the Statewide or bred with this permit.
Regulations section.
• To hunt furbearers, residents and nonresidents will need an applicable • Furbearing mammal breeders shall keep a record for two years from
hunting license and state habitat stamp, as listed in the Statewide the date of acquisition, sale or other disposition of each live furbearing
Regulations section. mammal or its green hide so raised or propagated. Contact IDNR
for more specific regulations regarding possession of live furbearing
animals under Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/3.25).

Clothing Requirement Rabbits and Squirrels Cannot Be Trapped

Trappers in the field during the firearm deer seasons must wear a It is only legal to trap furbearing mammals and woodchucks. No other
cap and 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink game mammals or birds may be trapped.
outer clothing.

46
dnr.illinois.gov
 River Otter Harvest and Possession • NOTE: Bobcat Registration Permits are not available at license vendors.
• A federal CITES tag must be permanently affixed to each bobcat pelt
• No more than five river otters may be harvested during the season. before it is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur
Possession limit is twice the season limit. Possession limits do not apply buyer, taxidermist, fur tanner, or garment manufacturer. If you plan
to fur buyers, tanners, manufacturers or taxidermists nor do they apply to have a bobcat mounted, we recommend making a slit between the
to tanned pelts, mounted specimens or manufactured products. inner lip and eye hole then placing a piece of wood or plastic in the
• Trapping is the only legal method of harvest. Licensed trappers may slit before freezing the bobcat. This will make it easier to insert the
salvage river otter found dead along a roadway during the open federal tag when you receive it.
season; such animals become part of the person’s harvest limit and are • Applicants who did not receive a permit the previous year will have
subject to permit and tagging requirements. preference by being part of the initial random drawing. If any
• Trappers must purchase a River Otter Registration Permit within 48 additional permits remain to be allocated after that drawing, a
hours after harvesting a river otter. The cost of a permit is $5 plus second drawing will take place for all of the individuals who received
a vendor’s fee. Permits are available anywhere you can purchase a permit the previous year.
a hunting or trapping license, including www.exploremoreil.com.
You will be mailed an official CITES pelt tag within 2-3 weeks after Furbearer Trapping and Reporting Requirements
purchasing a permit. Otter registration permits must be purchased by
the individual who captured the otter and cannot be transferred to The Department conducts an annual survey of trappers to estimate the
another person. Note: Do not purchase a permit before you harvest an number of furbearing mammals trapped and sold during the regular
otter. trapping season. Approximately 20% of trappers are surveyed
• An official CITES tag must be permanently affixed to the green hide annually and if you receive a survey form, you are highly encouraged
of each otter (including a whole, un-skinned carcass) before it is to complete and return it. For survey results visit: www.human-

FURBEARER TRAPPING AND HUNTING

exported outside the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, fur dimensions.inhs.illinois.edu/trapper/
tanner, taxidermist or manufacturer (a manufacturer is an individual
who dresses and fabricates green hides into fur garments or products).
Unsealed CITES tags cannot be transferred to another person.
Beaver, Badger, River Otter, Weasel, Mink, and Muskrat
Bobcat Hunting and Trapping (Trapping Only)
You cannot legally:
Hunters and trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping
Permit BEFORE taking or attempting to harvest a bobcat. Applications • harvest beaver, badger, river otter, weasel, mink or muskrat except by
will be available online only at www.exploremoreil.com during 1-30 trapping. However, beaver, river otter, weasel, mink, and muskrat can
Sep. Applicants must submit a $5 non-refundable fee. Available permits be shot with a firearm, pistol, or airgun of a caliber not larger than a
will be allocated during a lottery and mailed to successful applicants. .22 long rifle to remove the animal from the trap.
• If you receive a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit, you may harvest
one bobcat by hunting, trapping or salvaging a road-kill during Tree Climbing or Cutting Devices
open seasons. Examples of legal methods of hunting include archery,
predator calling, stalking, and treeing with dogs. The hunting season You cannot legally:
for bobcat is closed during firearm deer seasons. • use or possess any tree climbing or tree cutting device (i.e., saw or
• Unsealed CITES tags cannot be transferred to another person. axe) when hunting furbearing mammals. Certain exceptions apply to
• Taking a bobcat in the closed zone is prohibited. coyote hunting; see “Coyote Hunting” section.
• If you harvest a bobcat, you must purchase a $5 Bobcat Registration
Permit at www.exploremoreil.com within 48 hours. (Code 306
under “Permits”) The Department will mail you a federal CITES tag
within 2-3 weeks.

In 2016, the bobcat became the

14th species of furbearer that has a
regulated hunting or trapping season.
The bobcat and many other game
mammals in Illinois were nearly
extirpated from the state in the early
1900’s because of habitat loss and
unregulated harvest. Bobcats, like
white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, river
otters, and beavers made remarkable
recoveries as habitat quantity and
quality improved and conservation
strategies were implemented by
wildlife managers. Much of this
work was funded by hunters and
trappers through license fees and
the Pittman-Robertson Act, which
taxes sporting goods, firearms,
and ammunition. Funds are used
for wildlife conservation including:
research, habitat improvements, and
acquisition of habitat.
47
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Exposed Bait Written Authorization to Handle Traps of Another Person
You cannot legally: You cannot legally:
• place, set or maintain any foothold trap within 30 feet of bait placed • remove mammals from, move, or disturb in any manner, traps owned
in such a manner or position that is not completely covered and by another person without written authorization of the owner to do so.
concealed from sight, except that this shall not apply to water sets.
• bait means any bait composed of mammal, bird or fish flesh, fur, hide,
entrails or feathers. Foothold traps set on land may not be placed Coyote Hunting
around exposed bait, such as animal carcasses. • Coyotes can be hunted 24 hours a day from 10 November through
midnight on 15 March.
Permission from Landowner • During the rest of the year, hunting hours for coyotes are 1/2 hour
before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Closed during firearm deer
You cannot legally: seasons - see restrictions below.
• trap furbearers on another person’s property without his or her • Hunters need a hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt.
permission. This includes waters flowing over and/or standing on the • Coyotes may be hunted on private property using dogs, archery
land of another person. devices, any type and caliber of handgun, any type of legal rifle
including semi-automatic rifles, and shotguns using any type of shell.
During firearm deer seasons, coyotes may be harvested only by
Damaging Property While Trapping hunters with valid, unfilled deer permits using the same types of
You cannot legally: firearms that are allowed for deer. When hunting with a shotgun, make
sure that the magazine has been fitted with a plug which makes the
• destroy or damage another person’s property while trapping on his or shotgun incapable of firing more than three consecutive shots.
her land. • Electronic calling devices are legal for coyote hunting.
• It is legal to bait coyotes for hunting as long as any wild game used
Trapping Near Dwellings was legally harvested.
FURBEARER TRAPPING AND HUNTING

• Illinois does not restrict the type of sights or scopes used for coyote
You cannot legally: hunting (including laser sights and night vision scopes).
• trap within 100 yards of an inhabited dwelling without first obtaining • Lights with any color of lens can be used while hunting coyotes as
permission from the owner or tenant. long as the lights are not used from or connected to any vehicle or
conveyance (including ATVs, unmanned aircraft, and horses).
Furbearer Running Season • It is illegal for a coyote hunter to wantonly allow a dog to hunt
on another person’s land without first obtaining permission of the
Furbearers may be pursued or chased with dogs, but not killed, during landowner or tenant. If a hunting dog crosses onto property in which
the running season. The running season for coyote, gray and red fox, the coyote hunter has no permission to hunt, the hunter has no legal
opossum, raccoon and striped skunk is open year-round. Exception: right to follow the dog. Illinois Animal Control Laws or other local
animal control ordinances could apply to dogs running at large.
You cannot legally pursue any furbearer with a dog or dogs between
the hours of sunset and sunrise during the 10-day period preceding • Coyote hunters are required to keep their guns unloaded and in a case
the opening date of the raccoon hunting season and the 10-day while in a vehicle or on a conveyance (including but not limited to ATVs
and horseback) unless exempt by special IDNR permit.
period following the closing date of the raccoon hunting season. Note:
Competitive hunts licensed by U.K.C., N.K.C., P.K.C. or A.K.C./A.C.H.A. • Guns must remain unloaded until the hunter is clear of the road and
right-of-way alongside the road.
may be held during the 10-day closed periods under authority of a
IDNR Field Trial Permit. • Deer hunters with an unfilled firearm deer permit may hunt coyotes
during the first and second firearm deer seasons, but must wear a cap
When training dogs from sunset to sunrise, no person in, along with and 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink outer
or accompanying the dog training party shall be in possession of a clothing when hunting.
firearm or live ammunition, except pistols capable of firing only blank • Before coyote hunting at public hunting areas, please check
cartridges except as provided in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. huntillinois.org for updated regulations and site contact information.
Check with the site office if more information regarding site specific
Nonresidents are prohibited from hunting furbearers or running their regulations is needed.
dogs in Illinois during any time when Illinois residents would not be • It is legal to hunt coyotes while using or possessing a tree climbing
allowed to hunt furbearers or run dogs in the nonresident’s state. device. However, coyotes may not be hunted utilizing these devices
You cannot legally: during open season for deer except by properly licensed deer hunters.
• possess any firearm or ammunition other than a pistol loaded with
blank cartridges while training dogs during the time when hunting
seasons are closed except on an authorized field trial or dog training
Don’t Shoot a Wolf
area except as provided in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act

Coyotes are very common in Illinois and often get mistaken for gray
wolves. Gray wolves rarely visit Illinois and are currently listed as
federally and state endangered. They may not be killed or harassed
Photo: Ryan Askren unless they pose an immediate threat to ones life. Help us teach others
the physical differences between a coyote and wolf.

48
dnr.illinois.gov
LAND SALES & AUCTIONS
Jo Daviess Stephenson Winnebago Boone McHenry Lake

TODD HENRY
Broker, Land Specialist Carroll Ogle
815.997.2256 Kane
MARK LEONARD
Dekalb Dupage Broker, Land Specialist
Cook
Whiteside Lee 630.746.8468
Kendall

Will
Rock Island Bureau
Henry Grundy
Mercer
BRENT RENEAU Putman
La Salle
Kankakee
Broker, Land Specialist Stark
Marshall
309.337.0348 JASON ENDRES
Henderson

Knox
Warren Broker, Land Specialist
Peoria
Iroquois
309.224.9135
Livingston
Woodford
Ford

Fulton Tazewell McLean

Vermilion
TYLER SELLENS Hancock
McDonough Champaign
Broker, Land Specialist
217.440.4624 Schuyler
Mason
De Witt
& Logan Douglas
Menard ADAM CRUMRIN
MARLEE JO SCHULTZ Adams
Brown Cass Platt
Edgar
Broker, Land Specialist
Country Home & Land Specialist Macon Coles 217.276.2334
217.617.2194 Morgan Sangamon
Scott Moultrie Clark
Pike Cumberland
Christian
Ca Greene Shelby Jasper
lho Crawford
un Macoupin Montgomery
JOE CEBUHAR
Broker, Land Specialist Jersey Lawrence
309.333.5133 Effingham

Bond
Fayette ROD SHEPARD
Madison Broker, Land Specialist
Clay Richland 217.801.5730
Clinton
CLYDE HUTCHINSON Marion
Edwards

Broker, Land Specialist

sh

Saint Clair Wayne

ba

618.581.6265 JOSHUA MALONE

Wa

Washington
Monroe Broker, Land Specialist
Jefferson
White
618.292.9183
Hamilton
Randolph Perry Franklin
JEFF HEIL
Broker, Land Specialist
573.880.6150 Jackson CLYDE HUTCHINSON
Williamson Saline Gallatin Broker, Land Specialist
618.581.6265
Union Hardin &
Johnson Pope
JOSHUA MALONE
Broker, Land Specialist
JUSTIN MASON & CHAD WILKINSON Mas
Ale

sac 618.292.9183
ki

Broker, Land Specialist

xan

las

Country Home & Land Specialist

Pu

618.638.5031 618.263.8376
der

W H I T E T A I L P R O P E R T I E S . C O M

A DIVISION/TRADE NAME OF
WHITETAIL PROPERTIES REAL ESTATE
Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC DBA Whitetail Properties, DBA Whitetail Properties Real Estate. In the States of Nebraska & North Dakota DBA Whitetail Trophy Properties Real Estate LLC. In Ohio, DBA Whitetail Properties Ranch & Farm Auctions. Licensed in CO, MN, ND, SD, TN & WI - Jeffrey Evans, Broker. Licensed in FL, KS & MO - Jefferson
Kirk Gilbert, Broker. Licensed in TX & NM - Joey Bellington, Broker. Licensed in IN - Dan Bates, Broker. Licensed in AL, GA, LA, & MS - Sybil Stewart, Broker. Licensed in TN - Tim Burnette, Broker. Licensed in TN & MS - Josh Monk, Broker. Licensed in AR - Anthony Chrisco, Broker. Licensed in NC, SC, VA - Chip Camp, Broker. Licensed in IA, NC - Richard
F. Baugh, Broker. Licensed in MI - Edmund Joel Nogaski, Broker. Licensed in IL, MD, WV - Debbie S. Laux, Broker. Licensed in ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY & NV - Aaron Milliken, Broker. Licensed in NY - John Myers, Real Estate Broker. Licensed in OK - Dean Anderson, Broker. Licensed in KY, ME & NH - Derek Fisher, Broker. Licensed in OH - Jeremy Schaefer,
Principal Broker. Licensed in NE & SD - Jason Schendt, Broker. Licensed in MS - Chipper Gibbes, Broker. Licensed in PA - Jack Brown, Broker.
 Season Dates - Rules of Thumb
Many hunters need to plan vacations and hunting trips in advance of the annual distribution of the Digest
of Hunting and Trapping Regulations. For such planning purposes, here are the general rules of thumb
used for setting annual season dates. Although there are no guarantees that these season dates will be
used in future years, this is the best information available for those who must make plans well in advance
of announcements of official season dates. Actual season dates may vary from year to year. Please refer
to the specific hunting season sections for season start and end dates for the hunting year that this digest
covers.

ӹ Coyote & Striped Skunk – Open year-round, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
ӹ Crow - Oct. 28 - Feb. 28.
ӹ Deer Archery - Oct. 1 through the first Sunday after Jan. 13 (closed during firearm deer season except in
Cook, DuPage, Lake, and Kane (East of Rt 47) counties).
ӹ Deer Firearm - The Friday, Saturday and Sunday immediately before Thanksgiving and the first four-day
weekend (Thursday-Sunday) after Thanksgiving.
ӹ Deer Late Winter Antlerless and Special CWD - The first Thursday-Sunday after Dec. 25; and the first
Friday-Sunday after Jan. 11.
ӹ Deer Muzzleloader - The third three-day weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) following Thanksgiving.
Hunting also allowed during the second firearm deer season.
ӹ Deer Youth Firearm - The Saturday, Sunday, and Monday that includes the second Monday of October.
ӹ Dove - 90-day season. Split season opens Sept. 1 and runs approximately 75 days; reopens the day after
Christmas and runs the remainder of the 90 days.
ӹ Early Canada Goose - Sept. 1 – 15.
ӹ Furbearer Hunting - Nov. 10 – Feb. 15 for raccoon, opossum, gray and red fox, bobcat (with permit),
except closed during firearm deer seasons.
ӹ Furbearer Trapping - Nov. 10 – Feb. 15 for everything except river otter, beaver (Nov. 10 – Mar. 31)
and woodchuck (June 1 – Sept. 30). Must wear blaze orange/pink during firearm deer seasons.
ӹ Pheasant, Quail and Partridge – North - First Saturday in November through Jan. 8. South - First
Saturday in November through Jan. 15.
ӹ Rabbit - First Saturday in November through Feb. 15.
ӹ Rail - Opens with teal season and runs for 70 days.
ӹ Snipe - Opens with teal season and runs for 107 days.
ӹ Squirrel - Aug. 1 - Feb. 15, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
ӹ Teal - Opens on the first or second Saturday in September and runs for 16 days.
ӹ Turkey Fall Archery - Oct. 1 through the first Sunday after Jan. 13, except closed during firearm deer
seasons.
ӹ Turkey Fall Gun - The nine days beginning on Saturday of the second complete two-day weekend
(Saturday and Sunday) after Oct. 10.
ӹ Turkey Spring South Zone - Begins on the first Monday in April after April 2 and ends 32 days later.
Lengths for each season (in days) are 5, 6, 6, 7 and 8, respectively.
ӹ Turkey Spring North Zone - Begins on the second Monday in April after April 2 and ends 32 days later.
Lengths for each season (in days) are 5, 6, 6, 7 and 8, respectively.
ӹ Turkey Youth Spring - The two consecutive weekends prior to the opening of South Zone’s first season.
ӹ Waterfowl - Varies, see 5 year season plans online: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/waterfowlhunting.html
ӹ Woodchuck - June 1 – Mar. 31, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
ӹ Woodcock - 45 days beginning on the third Saturday in October.
 Get Your QUGA Covey Together!
The Quail and Upland Game Alliance will donate the following
to NEW chapters that have a QUGA fundraising and
membership event in the fall of 2024 or the spring of 2025:

• Henry Golden Boy 22 Long Rifle with a QUGA logo

• $200 Banquet Hall Rental and $200 Advertising Expense
• $250.00 towards any youth event WE
• $1000.00 gift certificate from Wild Wings SUPPOR
T
• Quail Unlimited numbered and signed framed print by Terry Redlin OUR
CHAPTE
• The Sandy Run Hunt Club-Bluff City, IL. – 3-4-person RS!
10 quail and 2 pheasants ½ day hunt. (Your chapter cost only $100.00)

• Macedonia Game Preserve, Macedonia, IL (Chapter cost $100)

3-4 person, ½ day hunt, 10 quail and 2 pheasants.

• Wild Rural Park Hunting & Fishing Preserve

Waggoner, IL
(chapter cost $100) Call Wild Wings for
10 quail and 2 pheasants banquet merchandise
and packages
• Quail Point Preserve
(800-628-4608)
Winchester, KY
(chapter cost $100)
2-3 person, ½ day hunt
QUGA
10 quail and 2 pheasants 157 600th Ave
Middletown, IL
• 12 QUGA hats, 2 gun cases, (812) 536-2272
10 knives with the QUGA logo,
and 5 QUGA Habitat Vinyl Signs bobwhite@psci.net
• 2 - $100.00 gift certifi cates from
Roundstone Seed for prairie grass
and wild fl owers
• 20 Food Plot Seed Bags from QUGA
at the Du Quoin, IL warehouse.
• Lucas gun oil products

Quail and Upland Game Alliance - QUGA

 Deer Accidentally Killed/Injured by Motor Vehicles and Feral Swine in Illinois
Methods Other Than Lawful Hunting Feral swine (wild pigs) are escaped animals from free range livestock
To report and claim road-killed deer online, visit: dnr.illinois.gov/ operations, dumped pets and/or illegal releases. Feral swine negatively
hunting/deer/claim-a-road-kill.html impact wildlife and wildlife habitat. These animals have a high
reproductive potential and populations must be reduced by 70 percent
There is no limit to the number of deer that may be possessed under each year simply to keep them from expanding.
these circumstances. No part of a deer so killed can be bartered or
sold. Except for law enforcement officers in the performance of their The Department regulates the transport, release, and harvest of
duties it is illegal to kill a deer: feral swine. Specifically:
• crippled by a collision with a motor vehicle. • Hunters may only shoot feral swine during the firearm, muzzleloader,
• crippled by methods other than lawful hunting unless permission has late winter, and CWD deer seasons if the hunter possesses a valid
been obtained from a Conservation Police Officer (see phone numbers firearm, muzzleloader, late winter, or CWD deer permit. It is illegal
on page 1). to harvest feral swine outside of those dates, unless the individual
Motorists are reminded to report deer-related traffic accidents to has been issued a Nuisance Wildlife Permit from a District Wildlife
appropriate law enforcement agencies when such reporting is required. Biologist. Pigs are considered feral swine if they are unrestrained and
have adapted to living in a wild or free-roaming environment. Hunters
Collision with a motor vehicle who mistakenly or purposely shoot a domestic pig or someone’s pet
An Illinois resident/driver of a motor vehicle involved in a vehicle-deer may be subject to civil and/or criminal charges.
collision has priority in legally possessing white-tailed deer killed/ • Hunter-killed feral swine must be reported to the Department by
injured as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle. If the driver does contacting the Wildlife Disease and Invasive Animals Program
not take possession of the deer before leaving the collision scene, any Manager at (773) 636-0819. Hunters may keep the legally harvested
citizen of Illinois who is not delinquent in child support may possess and feral swine.
transport the deer. Nonresidents may not claim a road-killed deer. • It is illegal to provide outfitting or guide services for feral swine
Individuals claiming such a deer must report the possession within 24 hunting in Illinois.
hours at dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deer/claim-a-road-kill.html • It is illegal to hunt feral swine in an enclosure.
Killed/injured by methods other than lawful hunting or a • It is illegal to release, transport, and/or possess feral swine.
vehicle/deer accident Successful deer and turkey hunters who check in their harvest will be
Any individual finding a dead or crippled deer, other than those killed/ asked to report the number of feral swine they had observed during
injured in a vehicle/deer collision or legally harvested by hunting the hunting season in the county in which they were successful. These
methods, may not transport said deer parts until permission is obtained data will assist wildlife biologists in determining where feral swine
from a Conservation Police Officer. Permission will be granted if it are located and allow for removal of these animals before extensive
is determined that the person requesting possession did not illegally agricultural and environmental damage occurs. The Department and the
kill or injure the deer. When retained, the head/antler and hide United States Department of Agriculture are working to eliminate feral
WILDLIFE CONFLICTS

shall be properly tagged with an irremovable tag obtained from a swine populations in Illinois. Report feral swine sightings to:
Conservation Police Officer. The salvage tag shall remain attached to wildlifeillinois.org/report-sightings/report-feral-swine-sightings/
the deer until its parts are consumed or no longer possessed by any
person.
Rare Visitors: Large Carnivores
Nuisance Wildlife Issues Black bears, gray wolves, and mountain lions (also known as cougars
and pumas) were once common across the Midwest. Today, there are no
As much as we all love wildlife, there are times when some individual known breeding populations of these large carnivores in Illinois, though
animals can cause a threat to human health and safety or cause individual animals occasionally move through the state. A change
property damage. There are things you can do to try and resolve the in legal status following an amendment to Wildlife Code (520 ILCS
issues legally and responsibly: 5/2.2b) permits the taking of black bears, gray wolves, and mountain
1. Wildlife Illinois website wildlifeillinois.org provides information on lions only under certain circumstances, and in turn provides IDNR the
ways to mitigate conflict. authority to manage these animals and associated conflicts in the state.
2. If the suggestions on Wildlife Illinois are tried and not effective, you Gray wolves are currently listed as Endangered under the Federal
may speak with a District Wildlife Biologist or Conservation Police Endangered Species Act, and also by the State of Illinois. As such, it
Officer to see if there are other ways to reduce the conflict or apply is illegal for any person to take gray wolves unless in defense of their
for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit at wildlifeillinois.org/narp/. own life or the lives of others per Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations,
3. The Wildlife Illinois website has a list of Nuisance Wildlife Control Part 17:2. “Take” is defined in the Statewide Regulations section of this
Operators that specialize in resolving conflict and may be hired to Digest. For more information, visit wildlifeillinois.org/rare-visitors-
help resolve wildlife issues (these are private businesses that are large-carnivores/.
permitted by the Department and will charge for their services).
Nutria in Illinois
Do Not Spread Exotic Invasive Plants Nutria are semi-aquatic mammals native to South America that have
been reported sporadically from various locations across southern Illinois
Wildlife habitat throughout Illinois is being degraded and destroyed by since the early 2000s. In the spring of 2022, two nutria were caught by
invasive plants such as Russian olive, multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle a beaver trapper in southern Pope County. The Department is interested
and garlic mustard. Native vegetation supports a much greater variety in nutria sightings in southern Illinois. If you trap, photograph or find a
of wildlife than a habitat of exotic plants. Invasive plants reduce the dead nutria, please report your sightings to wildlifeillinois.org/report-
number and variety of forest wildlife by reducing the availability of sightings/report-unusual-animal-sightings. Reports should be limited
food and suitable cover. For instance, bush honeysuckle will shade out to those that include a carcass or photos of reasonable quality.
oak tree seedlings and, over time, reduce the oak component of a
forest. Fewer acorn-producing trees mean lower food availability and Birds Doing Damage
reduced habitat quality for white-tailed deer, squirrel, and turkey.
Invasive plants in wetland areas and along lake shores, such as common
reed, have a negative effect on a host of water birds. If invasive plants In Illinois, almost all birds and their nests with eggs, including Canada
win, native plants and wildlife lose, and so do the people who enjoy geese, are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and
them. Wildlife Code (520 ILCS/5). If birds are causing damage, non-lethal
methods are typically encouraged first. If those methods do not abate
Here is what you can do to help: the damage, a removal permit may be issued at the discretion of an
1. Clean your boots and gear after each hunting trip to ensure you are IDNR wildlife biologist, in conjunction with federal permits coordinated
not spreading invasive seeds to new locations. by USDA APHIS-Wildlife Services and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
2. Do not plant invasive plants for wildlife. Native species provide much Pigeons, house sparrows and European starlings are not protected
better food and cover for native wildlife. in Illinois and may be removed without a permit. Please consult
wildlifeillinois.org for further information including permit requirements
3. Do not use exotic plants for cover on blinds. This can spread them to regarding human-wildlife conflict.
new areas.
4. Learn to identify invasive plants and report any new sightings to local
land managers.
52
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Public Hunting Areas
Hunting regulations on the public hunting areas listed on the following • track deer with dogs on any Department owned or managed site
pages are often more restrictive than the statewide regulations. Check during hours when deer hunting is being conducted on the site.
public hunting site information (hunter fact sheet) on huntillinois.org • use or occupy a ground blind during any firearm deer season, unless
or from the site. Hunting may be allowed for species not listed in the at least 400 square inches of solid, vivid blaze orange or blaze pink
following tables. Consult huntillinois.org or contact the site directly material is securely attached to the uppermost portion of the blind and
for information on opportunities to hunt additional species. Some site- a substantial amount of orange or pink is visible for 360 degrees.
specific regulations that apply to all state sites are as follows:
General IDNR Site Regulations Non-Hunting or Non-Trapping Partners
Non-hunting or non-trapping partners may accompany hunters and
You cannot legally: trappers on their hunting or trapping trips. Partners must be unarmed
• possess any alcoholic beverage or illegal drug or be under the and remain with the hunter or trapper throughout the trip. On sites
influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or intoxicating compounds while in where special permits are required, each permit holder or party is
any hunting/ trapping area for the purpose of hunting or trapping. limited to one non-hunting or non-trapping partner per trip. On sites
with waterfowl blinds, non-hunters count towards the blind’s maximum
• hunt or trap on any site with a manned check station without first occupancy.
declaring game killed on a previous hunt and in possession either on
the hunter’s person or in his vehicle. Public Hunting Site Windshield Cards
• construct or use any tree stand using nails, screws or any device which
pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed. Free Public Hunting Site Windshield Cards are required to hunt and/
• hunt or trap in a restricted area. or trap at many Illinois Public Hunting Areas. Cards are available at:
dnr2.illinois.gov/windshieldcard/. Print a card for each site you intend
• occupy in any manner designated hunting areas during the permit dove to hunt and/or trap and place on the dashboard of your vehicle when
hunting season and controlled pheasant hunting season at sites holding hunting or trapping the site. Each person hunting or trapping the site will
such seasons, or during any hunting season where such restrictions are need to display a windshield card. For information or assistance, contact
so posted at the site, when authorized hunting is in progress, unless you the site where you intend to hunt and/or trap. For most species, hunters
are authorized to do so. are required to return to this website prior to Feb. 15 each year to
• enter a refuge, restricted area or waterfowl rest area unless record harvest information.
authorized by the Department.
• hunt or trap on any Department owned or managed land that is not Additional Hunting Access Opportunities
designated area pursuant to applicable species rules (17 Ill. Adm.

PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

Code 530, 550, 570, 590, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 710, 715, 720, • Shawnee National Forest: See the following USDA Forest Service
730, and 740). website for hunting and trapping regulations:
• buy, sell or commercialize hunting or trapping rights, directly or www.fs.usda.gov/activity/shawnee/recreation/hunting
indirectly, except that this does not apply to Department of Natural • US Army Corps of Engineers Lands: www.mvs.usace.army.mil/
Resources hunting or trapping fees or to the operation of controlled Missions/Recreation/
pheasant hunting on Department lands pursuant to a written concession • Numerous counties and local municipalities offer hunting access that are
agreement. not listed in this digest, check for potential access in your area.
• hunt or trap without a valid permit where permits are required. • US Fish and Wildlife Service has numerous opportunities as well.
• hunt with any weapon except shotgun or vertical bow and arrow or
crossbow unless otherwise specified.

Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife?

There are two options if control methods have failed
and the animal must be removed:

1 Hire a Nuisance Wildlife Control

Operator (NWCO) 2 Request a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit
(NARP) & remove the animal yourself

You can request a permit from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) at:

www.wildlifeillinois.org/narp
After completing the free online NARP application, some permits will be automatically issued.
Others will require review by the local IDNR Wildlife Biologist before a permit is issued.

Bat photo by Andrew King, USFWS. Red fox photo by Karen Laubenstein, USFWS.

Willdife Illinois and the NARP application are collaborative efforts of the National Great Rivers
livingwithwildlifeillinois
ILLINOIS

Research and Education Center and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of
Wildlife. Funding was made available through Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-147-T.
WILDLIFE &
FISH FUND

53
dnr.illinois.gov
 Public Hunting Areas|Region 1

Turkey - Fall Archery

Public hunting site information (hunter fact

Deer - Muzzleloader

Raccoon/Opossum
Deer - CWD Season
Deer - Late Winter

Turkey - Fall Gun

sheet) and regulations may be obtained by

Huntable Acres

Turkey - Spring
Deer - Archery
Deer - Firearm
visiting huntillinois.org. Please visit HuntIllinois

Gray/Red Fox
to obtain site contact information, address,

Waterfowl

Woodcock
Antlerless

Pheasant

Trapping
and current site regulations prior to hunting.

Squirrel

Coyote
Rabbit

Quail
Dove
Site Name
1 Anderson Lake SFWA 1900 X/@ X X C X X X X X X X X X E
2 Apple River Canyon SP - Salem & Thompson Units 1157 X X S X S S S S X X X X X
3 Argyle Lake SP 950 X S X !/C C C X X X X X X X E
4 Banner Marsh SFWA 3000 D/@ X X X X X X E
5 Big Bend SFWA 2338 @ X X S X X S X X X X X X E
6 Big River SF 2970 X S X !/C S C X X X X X X X X X
7 Bradford PHA 103 X @ @ @
8 Buffalo Prairie PHA 300 X X X E
9 Buffalo Rock SP 310 X
10 Castle Rock SP 1620 X S X S S S X
11 Coleta Ponds 11 E
12 Donnelley SFWA 676 X/D
13 Double “T” SFWA 460 @ X X E
14 Dublin Highlands PHA 122 X @ @ @
15 Franklin Creek SNA 635 S X !/X X
16 Franklin Creek - Nachusa Prairie SNA 72 @ @ @
17 French Bluff SNA 342 X S X S S S X
18 George S. Park SNA 80 C X C !/C
19 Green River SWA 2515 X S X !/C X S X @ S/D @ @ X X X
20 Hanover Bluff SNA 332 X S X S S S C X X X X X E
PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

21 Henderson Creek SFWA 800 X X E

22 Hennepin Canal ST 350 X X X X X E
23 Ilo Dillin SHA 75 X @ @ @ E
24 Johnson-Sauk Trail SRA 862 X D X S X X S X X X X E
25 Jubilee College SP 2900 X D/S D S S X X X X ☒ X X E
26 Ken Russell “T” Lake SHA 188 X X X X
27 Kishwaukee River SFWA 484 S X S S X E
28 Lake Depue SFWA 1700 X
29 Lake Le-Aqua-Na SP 560 S X S X E
30 Little Rock Creek SHA 148 X @ @ @ E
31 Lost Mound Unit FL 6000 S/C/D
32 Lowden-Miller SF 2225 X S X S S X
33 Lowden SP 80 X
34 Mackinaw River SFWA 1400 X S X S S X @ X @ @ X X X X E
35 Manito PHA 70 @ @ @
36 Marseilles SFWA 2239 X S X S S S X X X X X X
37 Marshall SFWA 5804 X/@ X S X C !/C S X X X X ☒ X X E
38 Matthiessen SP 1500 X X S X S S S X X
39 Mautino SFWA 891 X X X @ X @ @
40 Maytown PHA 159 X @ @ @
41 Miller Anderson Woods SNA 524 C X C !/C
42 Mississippi Palisades SP 1500 S X S D/S X
43 Mississippi River Pool 12 FL* 7990 X X C X C C C C X X X X X X X X X X
44 Mississippi River Pool 13 FL* 10482 X X C X C C C C X X X X X X X X X X
45 Mississippi River Pool 14 FL* 1472 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X X
46 Mississippi River Pool 16 FL* 4492 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X X
47 Mississippi River Pool 17 FL* 2883 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X X
48 Mississippi River Pool 18 FL* 5173 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X X
49 Mitchell’s Grove SNA 185 S X S S
50 Morrison-Rockwood SP 950 X S X S X E
51 Pekin Lake SFWA 1200 X X E
52 Powerton Reservoir SFWA 855 X
53 Rall Woods SNA 283 X S X S S S C X X X X X
54 Rice Lake SFWA 2500 X/@ X X X E
55 Rock Cut SP 2570 D D E
56 Rockton Bog SNA 150 X S X
57 Sand Prairie PHA 316 @ S @ @
58 Sandy Ford SNA 203 X S X S S S X
59 Shabbona Lake SP 776 X/D X/D X/D X/D E
60 Sinnissippi Lake SFWA 700 X E

54
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Public Hunting Areas|Region 1
Public hunting site information (hunter fact

Turkey Fall Archery

Raccoon/Opossum
sheet) and regulations may be obtained by

Deer Muzzleloader

Deer CWD Season

Deer Late Winter

Turkey Fall Gun

Huntable Acres
visiting huntillinois.org. Please visit HuntIllinois

Gray/Red Fox
Turkey Spring
Deer Archery
Deer Firearm
to obtain site contact information, address,

Waterfowl

Woodcock
Antlerless
and current site regulations prior to hunting.

Pheasant

Trapping
Squirrel

Coyote
Rabbit

Quail
Dove
Site Name
61 Snakeden Hollow SFWA 2497 D/@ X X D/@ X E
62 Spoon River SF 1680 X D/S X S !/C S C X X X X X X X X X E
63 Spring Lake SFWA 1500 X/@ X X X E
64 Starved Rock SP 2817 X D/S X S S S X X
65 Steward PHA 80 @ @ @
66 Tapley Woods SNA 259 X S X S S S C X X X X X
67 Victoria PHA 241 X @ @ @ @ X E
68 Ward’s Grove NP 337 S X S S
69 White Pines SP 300 S X
70 Whitefield PHA 117 X @ @ @
71 Winston Tunnel SNA 207 X S X S S S C X X X X X
72 Witkowsky SFWA 1069 X S X S S S S X X X
73 Woodford SFWA 1350 X X X X

Symbol Key:
X Available at site
☒ Rare on site, but legal to take cocks only

PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

Open only if county is included in late winter antlerless-only season.
! Announced by 1 Oct. each year. See pg 22 for more details.
* Mostly boat accessible only
** Deer and/or turkey hunting for residents only
Lottery permit required for waterfowl & upland hunting. See section on
@ special hunts at public sites. Standby waterfowl hunting may be available.
C County Permit Required
D Opportunities for Disabled Hunters
E Contact site office for site-specific permit
S Special Hunt Area permit required from Springfield permit office

Site Classification:
CA Conservation Area SHS State Historic Site
FL Federal Lands SNA State Natural Area
NWR National Wildlife Refuge SP State Park
PHA Pheasant Habitat Area SRA State Recreation Area
SF State Forest ST State Trail
SFWA State Fish and Wildlife Area SWA State Wildlife Area
SHA State Habitat Area SWMA State Wildlife Management Area

55
dnr.illinois.gov
 Public Hunting Areas|Region 2

Turkey - Fall Archery

Public hunting site information (hunter fact

Deer - Muzzleloader

Deer - CWD Season

Raccoon/Opossum
sheet) and regulations may be obtained by

Deer - Late Winter

Turkey - Fall Gun

visiting huntillinois.org. Please visit HuntIllinois

Huntable Acres

Turkey - Spring
Deer - Archery
Deer - Firearm

Gray/Red Fox
to obtain site contact information, address,

Waterfowl

Woodcock
Antlerless
and current site regulations prior to hunting.

Pheasant

Trapping
Squirrel

Coyote
Rabbit

Quail
Dove
Site Name
1 Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach SP 900 E
2 Black Crown Marsh SNA 136 @
3 Braidwood Lake SFWA 1100 X
4 Chain O’ Lakes SP 2578 X X S X S X X X X
5 Des Plaines SFWA 3500 X S X X X X D X
6 Des Plaines Game Propagation Center 134 X E
7 Fox River - Kendall County 260 X
8 Goose Lake Prairie SNA 3127 S X S S
9 Heidecke Lake SFWA 1800 X X S X S S Y
10 I & M Canal ST 1100 E
11 James Pate Phillip SP 415 E
12 Kankakee River SP 2017 X X S/D S X X X X X X X E
13 Mazonia SFWA 2250 X X X X X X X X E
14 Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie 9117 S X S S
15 Momence Wetlands 460 X X S X S X X X
16 Moraine Hills SP 2400 S E E
17 Redwing Slough/Deer Lake SNA 155 X X
18 Silver Springs SFWA 900 X X X X X
19 Vesely/Wilmington Shrub Prairie SNA 300 S X S
PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

20 Volo Bog SNA 1000 E E

21 William W. Powers SRA 442 X E

Symbol Key:
X Available at site
☒ Rare on site, but legal to take cocks only
Open only if county is included in late winter antlerless-only season.
! Announced by 1 Oct. each year. See pg 22 for more details.
* Mostly boat accessible only
** Deer and/or turkey hunting for residents only
Lottery permit required for waterfowl & upland hunting. See section on
@ special hunts at public sites. Standby waterfowl hunting may be available.
C County Permit Required
D Opportunities for Disabled Hunters
E Contact site office for site-specific permit
S Special Hunt Area permit required from Springfield permit office

Site Classification:
CA Conservation Area SHS State Historic Site
FL Federal Lands SNA State Natural Area
NWR National Wildlife Refuge SP State Park
PHA Pheasant Habitat Area SRA State Recreation Area
SF State Forest ST State Trail
SFWA State Fish and Wildlife Area SWA State Wildlife Area
SHA State Habitat Area SWMA State Wildlife Management Area

56
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Public Hunting Areas|Region 3
Public hunting site information (hunter fact

Turkey - Fall Archery

Deer - Muzzleloader

Deer - CWD Season

Raccoon/Opossum
sheet) and regulations may be obtained by

Deer - Late Winter

Turkey - Fall Gun

visiting huntillinois.org. Please visit HuntIllinois

Huntable Acres

Turkey - Spring
Deer - Archery
Deer - Firearm

Gray/Red Fox
to obtain site contact information, address,
and current site regulations prior to hunting.

Waterfowl

Woodcock
Antlerless

Pheasant

Trapping
Squirrel

Coyote
Rabbit

Quail
Dove
Site Name
1 Birkbeck PHA 80 @ @ @ E
2 Butterfield Trail SRA 120 X S X S S X X E
3 Chatsworth SHA 240 @ @ @
4 Clifton PHA 79 @ @ @
5 Clinton Lake SRA 4125 X/D X D/S X S S X X E/X X X X X X X E
6 Eagle Creek SRA 520 D S X X X X X X X
7 Finfrock SHA 365 X @ @ @ E
8 Fox Ridge SP 1082 X X S X S X X X X X X X X
9 Gifford PHA 100 @ @ @ X
10 Hallsville PHA 87 X @ @ @ E
11 Harry “Babe” Woodyard SNA 1150 X S X S S X X X X X X X X X E
12 Herschel Workman PHA 141 @ @ @ X
13 Hidden Springs SF 963 X X S X S S X X X X X X X X X E
14 Hindsboro PHA 88 X X @ @ @ X
15 Iroquois County SWA 2185 X S X S X X X X X X X X X
16 Kickapoo SRA 1253 X X S X S S X X X X X X X X X E
17 Larry D. Closson SHA 130 @ X X @ @ @ X
18 Lincoln Trail SP 875 X X X X E
19 Loda PHA 160 @ @ @

PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

20 Middle Fork SFWA 2628 X X S X S S X X X X X X X X X E
21 Milks Grove PHA 78 @ @ @
22 Moraine View SRA 1191 X X S X X X X E/X X E E X E
23 Paul C. Burrus SHA 376 X S X S @ @ @ X
24 Perdueville PHA 282 @ @ @ E
25 Salt Creek WMA 60 D/@
26 Saybrook PHA 646 @ @ @ E
27 Shelbyville FL 9000 X D/S X X S X X X X X X X X X X
28 Shelbyville SFWA 6343 X X S X S S X X X X X X X X X E
29 Sibley SHA 637 @ @ @ E
30 Walnut Point SP 571 X X/D X X
31 Weldon Springs SP 500 E
32 Weldon Springs - Piatt County Unit 770 X S X S X X X
33 Willow Creek SHA 197 X X @ @ @ X
34 Wolf Creek SP 920 D/S X S X X X X E

Symbol Key:
X Available at site
☒ Rare on site, but legal to take cocks only
Open only if county is included in late winter antlerless-only season.
! Announced by 1 Oct. each year. See pg 22 for more details.
* Mostly boat accessible only
** Deer and/or turkey hunting for residents only
Lottery permit required for waterfowl & upland hunting. See section on
@ special hunts at public sites. Standby waterfowl hunting may be available.
C County Permit Required
D Opportunities for Disabled Hunters
E Contact site office for site-specific permit
S Special Hunt Area permit required from Springfield permit office

Site Classification:
CA Conservation Area SHS State Historic Site
FL Federal Lands SNA State Natural Area
NWR National Wildlife Refuge SP State Park
PHA Pheasant Habitat Area SRA State Recreation Area
SF State Forest ST State Trail
SFWA State Fish and Wildlife Area SWA State Wildlife Area
SHA State Habitat Area SWMA State Wildlife Management Area

57
dnr.illinois.gov
 Public Hunting Areas|Region 4

Turkey - Fall Archery

Deer - Muzzleloader

Deer - CWD Season

Raccoon/Opossum
Public hunting site information (hunter fact

Deer - Late Winter

Turkey - Fall Gun

sheet) and regulations may be obtained by

Huntable Acres

Turkey - Spring
Deer - Archery
Deer - Firearm

Gray/Red Fox
visiting huntillinois.org. Please visit HuntIllinois

Waterfowl

Woodcock
to obtain site contact information, address,

Antlerless

Pheasant

Trapping
Squirrel
and current site regulations prior to hunting.

Coyote
Rabbit

Quail
Dove
Site Name
1 Batchtown SFWA* 2436 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
2 Beaver Dam SP 430 X D/X S D/X X X X X
3 Bohm Woods NP 90 E
4 Cahokia Mounds SHS 702 E
5 Calhoun Point FL 2215 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
6 Carlyle Lake SFWA 9868 X X C X C S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
7 Cedar Glen SNA 1150 S X S
8 Clear Lake SWMA* 200 X
9 Coffeen Lake SFWA 3063 X X S X S X @ X @ @ X E
10 Copperhead Hollow SFWA 1351 X X S X C C C X X X X X X E
11 East Fork Management Unit SFWA 394 X S S S X X X X X E
12 Edward R. Madigan SFWA** 220 X S @ S @ @
13 Eldon Hazlet SRA 1699 X X D !/C D/S X/D X X X D X X X X E
14 Freeman Mine SHA 24 X X @ @ @ @
15 Ft. DeChartres SHS (muzzleloading only) 800 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X E
16 Ft. Kaskaskia SHS 140 X X
17 Frank Holten SP 300 E E E
18 Fuller Lake SWMA* 1817 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
19 Glades - 12 Mile Island SWMA* 1814 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
20 Goode’s Woods NP 40 E
PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

21 Godar-Diamond/Hurricane Island SWMA* 2617 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E

22 Henry A. Gleason NP 220 S X
23 Horseshoe Lake SP (Madison County) 2000 X E S S S/X X X X/E E
Horseshoe Lake SP
24 2329 X X X C C X X X X X X X E
(Gabaret, Mosenthein, & Chouteau Island Unit)
25 Jim Edgar Panther Creek SFWA 16400 X X S X S S S X @ S/X @ @ X X X X E
26 Kaskaskia River SFWA 14000 D X C/S X C !/C C C X X X X X X X E
27 Kidd Lake SNA 465 @ X E
28 Meredosia Lake 690 X
29 Mississippi River (Pool 21)* 8536 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X
Mississippi River (Pool 21)*
30 Great River NWR (Long Island & Bear Creek) 6300 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X E
Mississippi River (Pool 22)*
31 6861 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X
Saverton Pool FL
Mississippi River (Pool 24)*
32 10211 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X
Clarksville Pool FL
33 Nauvoo SP - Max Rowe Unit 30 X X C C X X X X
34 Oakford SHA 115 X X C X C C X X X X X X X X X
35 Peabody River King SFWA 1500 X E X C X X X X X X X X E
36 Pere Marquette SP 5000 X C X C C/S C X X E E E E
37 Piasa Island SWMA* 400 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
38 Randolph County SRA 820 X X S X X X X X X X X E
39 Ray Norbut SFWA 1290 X X S X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X E
40 Ray Norbut SFWA - Dutch Creek Unit 410 X S X C !/C S C X X X X X X E
41 Ray Norbut SFWA - East Hannibal Unit 46 X X E
42 Red’s Landing SWMA 737 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
43 Revis Springs Hill Prairie 420 S X
44 Riprap Landing SWMA 2949 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
45 Sand Ridge SF 6300 X S X C S S X @ X @ @ X X X X E
46 Sangamon County State CA 178 X S X S S X X X X X X X X X
47 Sanganois SFWA 7000 D/@ X S X S C/S X X X X X X X X X E
48 Sangchris Lake SP 2480 X X X S S X @ S/X @ @ X X E
49 Siloam Springs SP 3255 X D/S D/X D/S D/S C X X E E
50 Siloam Springs SP - Buckhorn Unit** 2272 X D/S D/X D/S !/D/C S C X X X X E E
51 Siloam Springs SP - Fall Creek Unit 190 X E
52 Sparks Pond 400 X X @ @ @
53 Stump Lake SWMA* 3580 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
54 Turkey Bluffs SFWA 2250 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X E
55 Washington County SRA 750 X X S X X X X X X X X E
56 Weinberg-King SP 760 X S X C !/C C C X X X X X X E
57 Weinberg-King SP - Cecil White Unit 30 X X C C X X X
58 Weinberg-King SP - Spunky Bottoms Unit 822 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X E
59 Weinberg-King SP - Scripps Unit** 747 X S X C !/C S C X X X X X X X E
60 Zoeller SNA 160 E E E

58
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 Public Hunting Areas|Region 4

Symbol Key:
X Available at site
☒ Rare on site, but legal to take cocks only
Open only if county is included in late winter antlerless-only season.
! Announced by 1 Oct. each year. See pg 22 for more details.
* Mostly boat accessible only
** Deer and/or turkey hunting for residents only
Lottery permit required for waterfowl & upland hunting. See section on
@ special hunts at public sites. Standby waterfowl hunting may be available.
C County Permit Required
D Opportunities for Disabled Hunters
E Contact site office for site-specific permit
S Special Hunt Area permit required from Springfield permit office

Site Classification:
CA Conservation Area SHS State Historic Site
FL Federal Lands SNA State Natural Area
NWR National Wildlife Refuge SP State Park
PHA Pheasant Habitat Area SRA State Recreation Area
SF State Forest ST State Trail
SFWA State Fish and Wildlife Area SWA State Wildlife Area
SHA State Habitat Area SWMA State Wildlife Management Area

PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

Public Hunting Areas|Region 5
Public hunting site information (hunter fact

Turkey - Fall Archery

Deer - Muzzleloader

Deer - CWD Season

Raccoon/Opossum
sheet) and regulations may be obtained by
Deer - Late Winter

Turkey - Fall Gun

visiting huntillinois.org. Please visit HuntIllinois
Huntable Acres

Turkey - Spring
Deer - Archery
Deer - Firearm

Gray/Red Fox
to obtain site contact information, address,
and current site regulations prior to hunting.
Waterfowl

Woodcock
Antlerless

Pheasant

Trapping
Squirrel

Coyote
Rabbit

Quail
Dove
Site Name
1 Alvah Borah SHA 87 X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X X
2 Beall Woods SP 516 X E
3 Big Grand Pierre Glade SNA 318 X C X C !/C C C X X X X
4 Bluff Lakes FL 516 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X
5 Burning Star SFWA 4508 X S X S S X X X X X X X
6 Cache River SNA 15505 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
7 Campbell Pond SHA 520 X X C X C !/C C X X X X ☒ X X X X
8 Cape Bend SFWA 1380 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
9 Carlyle Lake SFWA 9868 X X C X C S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
10 Cedar/Draper Bluff HA 1315 X C X C !/C C C X X X X E
11 Cave-in-Rock SP - Kaegi Tract 175 X X C X C !/C C C X X X ☒ X X X X
12 Chauncey Marsh SNA 1314 X X S X C !/C S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
13 Crab Orchard NWR 23000 X X D/S X/E C/E C/S C X X X X X X X X E
14 Crawford County SFWA 1129 X C X C !/C S S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
15 Cretaceous Hills SNA 254 X C X C !/C C C X X X ☒ X X X X
16 Cypress Creek NWR 16000 X X C X C C C X X X X X X X X E
17 Cypress Pond SNA 1047 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
18 Deer Pond SNA 190 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
19 Devil’s Island SWMA 2741 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
20 Dixon Springs SP 567 X D/S X C !/C D/S C X X X X X
21 Dog Island SWMA 220 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
22 Dug Hill SFWA 272 X X X X C !/C X X X X ☒ X
23 Embarras River Bottoms SHA 535 @ X S X S S S X X X ☒ X X X X E
24 Ferne Clyffe HA 450 X S X C !/C S C X X X X ☒ X
25 Flag Pond SNA 255 X S X C C X
26 Fort Massac SP 1287 X X S X S !/C D/S C X X X X ☒ X
27 Fox Creek SFWA 2000 @ X S X S X X X E
28 Giant City SP 2891 X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
29 Hamilton County SFWA 1530 X C X C !/C S S X X X X ☒ X X X X X

59
dnr.illinois.gov
 Public Hunting Areas|Region 5

Turkey - Fall Archery

Public hunting site information (hunter fact

Deer - Muzzleloader

Deer - CWD Season

Raccoon/Opossum
Deer - Late Winter
sheet) and regulations may be obtained by

Turkey - Fall Gun

Huntable Acres

Turkey - Spring
visiting huntillinois.org. Please visit HuntIllinois

Deer - Archery
Deer - Firearm

Gray/Red Fox
to obtain site contact information, address,

Waterfowl

Woodcock
Antlerless
and current site regulations prior to hunting.

Pheasant

Trapping
Squirrel

Coyote
Rabbit

Quail
Dove
Site Name
30 Horseshoe Lake SFWA (Alexander County) 4190 @/D X C/S X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
31 Kinkaid Lake SFWA 3700 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X X
32 Lake Murphysboro 1022 E
33 LaRue Swamp FL 1000 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X
34 Maxine Loy LWR 213 X S S ☒
35 Meeker SHA 72 X C X C S S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
36 Mermet Lake SFWA 2000 D/@ X C X C !/C D/S C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
37 Mt. Vernon Game Propagation Center 600 X X S X X X E
38 Newton Lake SFWA 6500 X X S X S S X X X X ☒ X E
39 Oakwood Bottoms FL 3400 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X
40 Prairie Ridge SNA 2614 S X S
41 Pyramid SRA - Park Unit 2754 X C X C !/C S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
42 Pyramid SRA - East Conant Unit 2824 X X C X C !/C S X @ X @ @ X X X X E
43 Pyramid SRA - Denmark Unit 4385 X X C X C !/C S X @ X @ @ X X X X E
44 Pyramid SRA - Galum Unit 2520 X X C X C !/C S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
45 Pyramid SRA - Captain Unit 6105 X X C X C !/C S X @ X @ @ X X X X E
46 Ramsey Lake SRA 1610 X X S X @ X @ @ X E E E E
47 Rauchfuss Hill SRA 150 X X C C X X X X
48 Red Hills SP 736 X X S X X X X ☒ X X E
☒
PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS

49 Rend Lake SFWA 7690 D X C X C C C X X X X X X X X X

50 Rend Lake FL 7740 D X D X C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X X
51 Sahara Woods SRA 3800 X S X S !/C S C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
52 Saline County SFWA 1000 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
53 Sam Dale Lake SFWA 950 X X X S X X X X X X X X X
54 Sam Parr SFWA 840 X X S S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
55 Shawnee National Forest FL 284726 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X X X X X X
56 Sielbeck Forest SNA 385 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X X
57 Skinner Farm SHA 100 X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X
58 Stephen A. Forbes SRA 2580 X X X S X X X X ☒ X X X X E
59 Ten Mile Creek SFWA 4995 X X C X C !/C S S X X X X X X X X X X
60 Trail of Tears SF 4784 X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E
61 Union County SFWA 2800 D/@ X C/S X C C C X X X X X E
62 Wayne Fitzgerrell SRA 1800 X D X S X X
63 Wildcat Hollow SHA 675 C X C !/C C X X X X ☒ X X X X
64 Wise Ridge SNA 550 X X C X C !/C C C X X X X ☒ X X X X E

Symbol Key:
X Available at site
☒ Rare on site, but legal to take cocks only
Open only if county is included in late winter antlerless-only season.
! Announced by 1 Oct. each year. See pg 22 for more details.
* Mostly boat accessible only
** Deer and/or turkey hunting for residents only
Lottery permit required for waterfowl & upland hunting. See section on
@ special hunts at public sites. Standby waterfowl hunting may be available.
C County Permit Required
D Opportunities for Disabled Hunters
E Contact site office for site-specific permit
S Special Hunt Area permit required from Springfield permit office

Site Classification:
CA Conservation Area SHS State Historic Site
FL Federal Lands SNA State Natural Area
NWR National Wildlife Refuge SP State Park
PHA Pheasant Habitat Area SRA State Recreation Area
SF State Forest ST State Trail
SFWA State Fish and Wildlife Area SWA State Wildlife Area
SHA State Habitat Area SWMA State Wildlife Management Area

60
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
 WINCHESTER: THE LEADER IN STRAIGHT-WALLED AMMUNITION
Winchester 350 Legend & 400 Legend,
Legal for Deer Hunting in Illinois

The World’s Fastest Straight-Walled Hunting

Cartridge:

• More energy than 30-30 Win., 300 Blackout

and 223 Rem

• Approximately 20% less recoil than 243 Win

ALSO AVAILABLE IN: COPPER IMPACT® & POWER-POINT® with 20% more penetration

• Less recoil than 450 Bushmaster

*Deer Season XP bullets used to generate all data

The 400 Legend is built to deliver

incredible ballistics for the most demanding
hunting situations including:

• Energy Equivalent to 450 Bushmaster with 20%

Less Recoil

• Over 20% More Energy than a 30-30 and 25%

More Energy than 350 Legend, with Greater
Penetration

• 100% More Energy & 55% Less Recoil than a

12-gauge slug
*Power Point bullets used to generate all data at 100 yards

WHERE CAN I BUY WINCHESTER AMMUNITION?

Visit Winchester.com to find a dealer near you!
© 2024 Olin Winchester, LLC