Deer Firearm & Muzzleloader 1st Lottery opens March 4! Spring Turkey OTC Permits available on March 11!

2025 Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Season Lottery Information:

1st Lottery: March 4, 2025 – April 30, 2025

• Open to Illinois residents only
• Firearm – Limit 1 application
• Muzzleloader – Limit 1 application

2nd Lottery: May 12, 2025 – June 30, 2025

• Open to Illinois residents who did not apply/were not successful in the 1st lottery drawing and nonresidents
• Firearm – Limit 1 application
• Muzzleloader – Limit 1 application

3rd Lottery: July 11, 2025 – August 15, 2025

• Illinois residents and nonresidents
• No application limit for Firearm or Muzzleloader

2025 Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Applications:

Click here to submit an online application

Click here to print and mail a paper application

2025 Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Leftover County Permits will be available over-the-counter (OTC) on a first-come-first-served basis at license vendors beginning October 21, 2025. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the respective deer season, whichever occurs first. Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability.

2025 Spring Turkey Leftover County Permits will be available over-the-counter (OTC) on a first-come-first-served basis at license vendors beginning March 11, 2025. A list of permits available after the 3rd lottery will be posted to the IDNR Spring Turkey Hunting webpage. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted or until the close of the specific turkey season segment that the permit is for. Hunters may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability, except that no one may exceed the limit of three permits.