ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

Public Duck and Goose Hunting Area Permit First Lottery Begins August 16!

Deer

    Season Dates & Limits

    SEASONDATESHOURSLIMITADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
    Archery
    (Counties with a firearm season and west of Route 47 in Kane County)    		1 Oct–16 Nov and
    20-29 Nov and
    4 Dec 2023–14 Jan 2024    		1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunsetOne deer per archery permit** See footnote below
    Archery
    (Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane [east of route 47] Counties)    		1 Oct 2023–14 Jan 2024One deer per archery permit** See footnote below
    Firearm
    (Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Handgun)    		17-19 Nov and
    30 Nov-3 Dec 2023    		One deer per firearm permit** See footnote below
    Muzzleloader only8-10 Dec 2023One deer per muzzleloader permit** See footnote below
    Special CWD28-31 Dec 2023 and 12-14 Jan 2024One deer per valid permitAntlered deer limit in footnote below does NOT apply to this season
    Late-Winter Antlerless-only
    (Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Handgun)    		28-31 Dec 2023 and 12-14 Jan 2024One antlerless deer per permit** See footnote below
    Youth Firearm7-9 Oct 2023One 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. 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 12-month period that begins July 1

    Licenses & Permits

    Licenses & Stamps

    Permits & Lotteries

    • Archery Permits
      • Residents
        • No limit
        • Purchase at vendors or online (no lottery)
      • Non-residents
        • Can apply for and receive only one archery combination permit per license year. A non-resident landowner who has obtained landowner archery permits is also eligible for one combination non-resident archery permit
        • Applications accepted 1-30 June online
        • Any permits remaining after the drawing will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis
    • Firearm/Muzzleloader Deer Permits
      • Over-the-Counter period
        • Permits remaining after the lotteries will be available at vendors on a first-come first-served basis beginning at 8 am on 17 Oct 2023
        • Permits will remain available until reserved permit quotas are depleted or until 72 hours prior to the hunt date.
        • Maximum of 5 permits total
      • To receive a hard copy application for a firearm or muzzleloader deer hunting permit, contact the IDNR Springfield permit office at (217) 782-7305
    • Late Winter Antlerless-only Permits
      • Application dates: 31 Oct-27 Nov 2023
      • Available to: residents only
      • Can use: shotgun, handgun or muzzleloading rifle
        • Hunters with valid, unused permits from the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth seasons may use only the weapons allowed by that permit in those respective seasons
      • Permits are only applicable to Special Hunt Areas (IDNR sites) and counties open to this season
      • Permits remaining after lottery only available to residents over-the-counter at vendors starting early December
      • Apply online
    • CWD Permits
      • Application dates: 31 Oct-27 Nov 2023 (residents only)
      • Can use: shotgun, handgun or muzzleloading rifle
      • Hunters with valid, unused permits from the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth seasons may use only the weapons allowed by that permit in those respective seasons.
      • Permits (either-sex) are only applicable to Special Hunt Areas (IDNR sites) and counties with CWD
      • Some state sites are issued by lottery (see Firearm permits above) but open counties are issued over the counter.
      • Permits (antlerless only) remaining after lottery available to residents and non-residents over-the-counter at vendors in early December
      • Apply online
    • Youth Deer Permits
      • Youth Deer Hunt Permits will be available for sale over-the counter (OTC) from agents beginning the first Tuesday in August through the last day of the Youth Deer Season.
      • Available to: residents and non-residents
      • Youth hunter is limited to one either-sex deer permit that is valid statewide, except the closed area of Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47
    • Outfitter Permits and Regulations
      • See IDNR Law Enforcement information here
    • Landowner Deer Permits:

    Resident Landowner Deer Permits

    Resident landowners or tenants (including those leasing land) of land of 39.5 acres or more can apply for free firearm or archery deer permits. Permits are a combination of one either-sex permit and one antlerless permit.

    • Fee
      • Landowner permits are free to all qualified Illinois residents
    • Application Deadline Dates
      • To receive landowner permits for an upcoming season, the application must be received by February 9 for Spring Turkey permits and September 1 for Fall Turkey and Deer permits.  Due to the large volume of applications received, please assist us by submitting your application 5-6 weeks in advance of the application deadline dates, particularly if you wish to receive an upcoming season’s Fall Turkey and Deer permits. 
    • Eligibility Period
      • Once an application is received, and eligibility approved, Illinois residents remain eligible for 5 years, if there is no change in ownership or residency affecting the permittee’s eligibility for resident landowner permits.  At the end of the 5-year certification period, IDNR will mail a Recertification Application (RC-POH) notice.  If there is any change in circumstance affecting the permittee’s eligibility for resident landowner permits during the 5-year period, the permittee must notify the Department of the change in circumstances by mailing notice to: 
        • Illinois Department of Natural Resources Attn: Permits Dept. One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702
      • Any permits received after a permittee becomes ineligible for resident landowner permits shall be returned by mail – unused – to the Department, along with a note of explanation for return.  
    • Qualified applicants are limited to:
      • Landowners of 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families, resident tenants renting or leasing 40 acres or more of commercial agricultural land and their immediate families, and bona fide current income beneficiaries of a trust that owns 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families. No one may apply for or be issued both a landowner permit and a tenant permit.
      • “Immediate family of a landowner, tenant, or a bona fide current income beneficiary” means, and is limited to, the spouse, children, brothers, sisters and parents permanently residing on the same property as the landowner, tenant, or bona fide current income beneficiary”
      • “Bona fide current income beneficiary” means, an individual who, at the time of application for a permit: is entitled to income (whether income exists or not) from the trust that owns the land the applicant wishes to hunt with no condition precedent (such as surviving another person, reaching a certain age, etc.) other than the trustee distributing the income; and is listed by name in the trust documents as an income beneficiary.
      • Bona fide equity shareholders of corporations, bona fide equity members of limited liability companies or bona fide partners of partnerships owning 40 or more acres of land in a county. Only one permit per 40 acres, for a maximum of 15 permits per county, for corporations and limited liability companies, and a maximum of 3 permits per county for partnerships, shall be issued based on ownership of lands by corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships.
    • Landowners need to submit only one permit application to apply for all permits listed below:
      1. Combination firearm deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit) (available only for counties open to firearm deer hunting);
      2. Combination archery deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit);
      3. 1 fall firearm turkey permit (available only for counties open to fall firearm turkey hunting);
      4. 1 fall archery turkey permit; and
      5. 1 spring turkey permit (valid for all 5 regular spring turkey seasons).
    • For firearm deer and fall firearm turkey hunting seasons, individuals who have received a landowner permit, or who have submitted an application for a landowner permit that is still pending, may not apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Drawing for that season. Landowners who receive permits in the First or Second Lottery Drawing are not eligible for landowner permits. 
    • All landowner permits issued are valid on all properties owned by that permittee, regardless of in which county the property is located, so long as that county is open for the specific hunting season for which the permit is issued. This includes all permits issued to:
      1. A landowner, tenant, bona fide current income beneficiary, or the immediate family of a landowner, tenant, or income beneficiary; or
      2. A bona fide equity shareholder, bona fide equity member, or bona fide equity partner and on all lands owned by the corporation, limited liability company or partnership.
    • All tenant permits issued are valid only on lands rented/leased for commercial agriculture in the counties open for the specified hunting season. “Commercial agriculture” means utilization of land for the raising of hay, grain crops or livestock for profit. A hunting rights lease, or other nonagricultural lease, is not valid as a basis for obtaining a landowner or tenant permit.
    • Landowner deer muzzleloader permits are not issued.  You must apply in either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd deer lottery for a deer muzzleloader permit.
    • For further Resident Landowner application definitions and required documents that must accompany a Resident Landowner Application, please refer to the R-POH Permit Application.

    Non-Resident Landowner Deer Permits

    • Application Available
      • The 2023 Nonresident Landowner Eligibility application will be available on our website beginning 1 November 2022.
    • Application Deadline Dates
      • The 2023 Nonresident Landowner Eligibility application must be received by September 1, 2023, for deer permits. 
      • Due to the large volume of applications received, please assist us by submitting your application 5-6 weeks in advance of the application deadline dates, particularly if you wish to purchase 2024 deer permits. 
    • Eligibility Period
      • Once an application is received, and eligibility approved, nonresidents remain eligible for 1 year, if there is no change in ownership or residency affecting the permittee’s eligibility for nonresident landowner permits.  Any permits received after a permittee becomes ineligible for nonresident landowner permits shall be returned by mail – unused – to the Department, along with a note of explanation for return. 
    • Nonresident Landowner Application Process
      • Nonresident landowners must complete the 2023 Nonresident Landowner Eligibility Application and mail it to the Department along with their required Proof of Land documentation.  Once eligibility is approved by the Department, your application will be placed on your profile for 2023, and you will not be required to submit another application in 2023. You MUST, however, still PURCHASE your 2023 Nonresident Landowner permits. 
    • Qualified applicants may purchase
      • Combination Firearm Deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit) (available only for counties open to firearm deer hunting)  
        Dates to purchase:  March 7, 2023 – Sept. 1, 2023
        Fee:  $175
      • Combination Archery Deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit)
        Dates to purchase:  March 7, 2023 – Sept. 1, 2023
        Fee:  $210
      • Turkey permits as well, see turkey permits and lotteries section for more information.
    • Qualified applicants are limited to
      1. Landowners of 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families, and bona fide current income beneficiaries of a trust that owns 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families.
        • “Immediate family of a landowner or a bona fide current income beneficiary” means, and is limited to, the spouse, children, brothers, sisters and parents permanently residing on the same property as the landowner or bona fide current income beneficiary.
        • “Bona fide current income beneficiary” means, an individual who, at the time of application for a permit: is entitled to income (whether income exists or not) from the trust that owns the land the applicant wishes to hunt with no condition precedent (such as surviving another person, reaching a certain age, etc.) other than the trustee distributing the income; and is listed by name in the trust documents as an income beneficiary.
      2. Bona fide equity shareholders of corporations or bona fide equity members of limited liability companies owning 40 or more acres of land in a county. For applicants eligible for permits under this Part:  A) Only one permit per 40 acres, for a maximum of 15 permits per county, for corporations and limited liability companies shall be issued based on ownership of lands by corporations or limited liability companies. B) Lands leased to corporations, limited liability companies, or trusts shall not be considered a basis for a permit for the shareholders, members, or beneficiaries of the lessee.
    • Individuals who have received a nonresident landowner firearm permit, or who have submitted an application for a nonresident landowner firearm permit that is still pending, may not apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Firearm Drawings for Fall Turkey or Deer.  
    • Nonresident Landowner Deer Muzzleloader permits are not issued.  You must apply in either the 2nd or 3rd Deer Lottery for a Deer Muzzleloader permit.
    • All nonresident landowner permits issued are valid on all properties owned by that permittee, regardless of in which county the property is located, so long as that county is open for the specific hunting season for which the permit is issued. This includes all permits issued to:
      1. A landowner, bona fide current income beneficiary, or the immediate family of a landowner or income beneficiary; or
      2. A bona fide equity shareholder or bona fide equity member, and on all lands owned by the corporation or limited liability company.
    • Please refer to the NR-POH Permit Application for instructions and information on how to purchase your 2023 non-resident landowner permits.

    Season Specific Regulations

    • Be sure to check regulations for the IDNR site(s) you intend to hunt, as some sites have more restrictive regulations on equipment, harvest reporting, etc. You can find site-specific regulations using the Directory or Hunt Planner
    • Full details on deer hunting can be found in the Statewide Hunting Regulations

    Archery Season

    • Can use:
      • Vertical compound bow, traditional bow (recurve or longbow)
        • Minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw
        • Arrows must be at least 20 inches long (not including point)
      • Crossbows
        • Minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds
        • Minimum length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches
        • Has a working safety
        • Fletched bolts or arrows must be at least 14 inches long (not including point)
      • Points (all bows)
        • Broadheads must have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces and a minimum ⅞ inch in diameter when fully opened
        • Broadheads with fixed cutting surfaces must be metal or flint-, chert- or obsidian-knapped; broadheads with expandable cutting surfaces must be metal
    • Clothing requirements: None. But hunters using archery during other seasons should be mindful of blaze clothing requirements
    • Tagging: Immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must detach the appropriate leg tag from the permit to invalidate it and attach the tag to the leg using his/her own fastener through the holes provided. A head tag is also provided to hunters which must be used if the head or antlers is delivered to a taxidermist. Deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in.
    • Harvest Reporting: Successful deer hunters must report their harvest by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken using the toll-free telephone check-in system or accessing the online check-in system as below. Before reporting your harvested deer, please look over the questions listed on the back of your permit and be prepared to answer them.
    • Download Archery Deer Harvest Reporting and Hunting Regulations Information Sheet

    Firearm Season

    • Can use:
      • Shotgun
        • Must use shotgun, loaded with slugs only, of not larger than 10 gauge or smaller than 20 gauge.
        • Barrel length shall not be less than 18 inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches.
        • Must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Any shotgun having a capacity of more than 3 shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
        • Minimum size of the projectile of .44 caliber.
      • Muzzleloader
        • Single- or double-barreled muzzleloading rifles of at least .45 caliber shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least 16 inches in length. Scope is allowed.
        • Definition of what qualifies as a muzzleloader can be found in the Equipment section here.
      • Handgun
        • Centerfire revolvers or centerfire single-shot handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches.
        • Must use a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding 1.4 inches, or a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, both of which must be available as a factory load with at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. There is no case length limit for straight-walled cartridges.
      • Centerfire Rifle
        • a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding one and two-fifths inches OR a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500-foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. No full-metal jacket bullets allowed.
        • Must not be capable of holding more than 1 round in the magazine and chamber combined.
        • Definition of what qualifies as a centerfire rifle can be found in the Equipment section here.
      • Archery
        • Vertical, traditional and crossbows can only be used on private property during this season. See equipment specifications in the archery season section above.
    • Clothing requirements: A solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material must be worn
    Blaze Clothing Graphic
    Blaze Clothing Graphic
    • Tagging: Immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must detach the appropriate leg tag from the permit to invalidate it and attach the tag to the leg using his/her own fastener through the holes provided. A head tag is also provided to hunters which must be used if the head or antlers is delivered to a taxidermist. Deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in
    • Harvest Reporting: Successful deer hunters in counties without CWD surveillance must report their harvest by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken using the toll-free telephone check-in system or accessing the online check-in system as below. Before reporting your harvested deer, please look over the questions listed on the back of your permit and be prepared to answer them
    • Successful hunters tagging a deer with their muzzleloader deer permit during the second weekend of the firearm season may, at their option, report their harvest either electronically or at a designated firearm deer check station by 8 pm on the day the deer was killed
    • Mandatory check stations: Deer harvested during firearm season in counties with CWD surveillance (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago) need to be physically registered at a designated check station on the same day it was killed between 8 am and 8 pm. Check station locations are listed on the map below and can be downloaded in the Firearm Deer Hunting Information for CWD Counties information sheet
    • Firearm Deer Check Stations Map

    Muzzleloader Season

    • Can use:
      • Single or double barreled muzzleloading rifle of at least .45 caliber shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least 16 inches in length. A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or a part of the projectile. Scope is allowed
      • Definition of what qualifies as a muzzleloader can be found in the Equipment section here
      • Legal archery equipment can be used during this season, but archery permits must be used and blaze orange/pink rules apply
    • Clothing requirements: A solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material must be worn
    • Tagging: Immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must detach the appropriate leg tag from the permit to invalidate it and attach the tag to the leg using his/her own fastener through the holes provided. A head tag is also provided to hunters which must be used if the head or antlers is delivered to a taxidermist. The deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in.
    • Harvest Reporting: Successful deer hunters must report their harvest by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken using the toll-free telephone check-in system or accessing the online check-in system as below. Before reporting your harvested deer, please look over the questions listed on the back of your permit and be prepared to answer them. Telephone check-in: 1-866-452-4325 (1-866-IL-CHECK)
    • Online check-in
    • Download a PDF of the Firearm/Muzzleloader Deer Harvest Reporting & Hunting Regulations Information Sheet

    Special CWD Season

    • Can use:
      • Any legal firearms, muzzleloader or handgun as specified in the Firearm Season section above
      • Legal archery equipment can be used during this season, but archery permits must be used and blaze orange/pink rules apply
    • Counties Open: see map here: Late Winter and CWD map
    • Clothing requirements: A solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material must be worn
    • Note: two antlered deer limit does not apply to this season
    • Tagging: Immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must detach the appropriate leg tag from the permit to invalidate it and attach the tag to the leg using his/her own fastener through the holes provided. A head tag is also provided to hunters which must be used if the head or antlers is delivered to a taxidermist. Deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in
    • Harvest Reporting: Successful deer hunters must report their harvest by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken using the toll-free telephone check-in system or accessing the online check-in system as below. Before reporting your harvested deer, please look over the questions listed on the back of your permit and be prepared to answer them.
    • Download a PDF of the Firearm Deer Hunting Information for CWD Counties

    Late Winter Antlerless-only Season

    • Can use:
      • Any legal firearms, muzzleloader or handgun as specified in the Firearm Season section above
      • Youth hunters can only use a shotgun or muzzleloader
      • Legal archery equipment can be used during this season, but archery permits must be used and blaze orange/pink rules apply
    • Clothing requirements: A solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material must be worn
    • Tagging: Immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must detach the appropriate leg tag from the permit to invalidate it and attach the tag to the leg using his/her own fastener through the holes provided. A head tag is also provided to hunters which must be used if the head or antlers is delivered to a taxidermist. Deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in.
    • Harvest Reporting: Successful deer hunters must report their harvest by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken using the toll-free telephone check-in system or accessing the online check-in system as below. Before reporting your harvested deer, please look over the questions listed on the back of your permit and be prepared to answer them.
    • Download Late-Winter Deer Hunting Permit Information

    Youth Firearm Season

    • Eligibility:
      • Youth must be less than 18 years of age on first day of hunt
      • Permit available to resident and nonresident youth, limit of 1 either-sex deer permit
      • Permit is valid on private land statewide, with landowner permission, or on public sites open to this season. See PDF list of open public sites here
    • Can use:
      • Shotgun or muzzleloader following specifications in the Firearm Season section above
    • Supervision: each youth hunter must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult that is in immediate control of the youth hunter at all times during the hunt. The adult must have a current Illinois hunting license if a non-resident or if the youth is using an Apprentice or Youth hunting license
    • Clothing requirements: A solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material must be worn by the youth hunter and the supervisor
    • Tagging: Immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must detach the appropriate leg tag from the permit to invalidate it and attach the tag to the leg using his/her own fastener through the holes provided. A head tag is also provided to hunters which must be used if the head or antlers is delivered to a taxidermist. The deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in
    • Harvest Reporting: Successful deer hunters must report their harvest by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken using the toll-free telephone check-in system or accessing the online check-in system as below. Before reporting your harvested deer, please look over the questions listed on the back of your permit and be prepared to answer them. Telephone check-in: 1-866-452-4325 (1-866-IL-CHECK)
    • Online check-in
    • Download a PDF of the Youth Deer Hunting Information Sheet

    Management & Ecology

    The IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources is tasked with restoring, managing, and protecting white-tailed deer and their habitats. Deer were nearly extirpated from Illinois due to overharvest by the end of the 19th century but today deer are primarily managed via regulated hunting seasons and harvest quotas.

    Management: Wildlife management involves balancing ecological principles with human interests. IDNR incorporates information on harvest trends, hunter success, deer vehicle collisions, and agricultural damage to set county-wide harvest quotas. More information is available here about Illinois deer management.

    • Check historic deer harvest: IDNR Deer Harvest Query
    • Historical Statewide Reports (below; under Management by the Numbers)
    • Deer Harvest Summaries by County (below; under Management by the Numbers)

    Ecology: Effective white-tailed deer harvest strategies require in-depth knowledge of the species’ ecology including behavior, food and habitat preferences, and disease dynamics. More information on these topics, and others, can be found at White-tailed Deer Illinois.

    Disease

    White-tailed deer are subject to several wildlife diseases that vary in their impact on humans, livestock, other wildlife, and deer populations. More information is available here about white-tailed deer diseases and parasites.

    Illinois hunters are encouraged to report sick or dead deer to IDNR. Additionally, if abnormalities are detected while field dressing a harvested deer and there are concerns about consuming the meat, hunters should contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist.

    Hunters should be particularly aware of the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in counties of northern IL. Hunters are required to check their deer during firearm seasons in those counties.  Find more information concerning check stations here.

    Samples can be submitted from any county and will be tested by IDNR for CWD. We partner with taxidermists  and meat processing facilities to encourage statewide testing. Yearly results and an overview of CWD occurrence in Illinois can be found here.

    Deer Management by the Numbers

    Annual Deer Season Harvest Reports

    Deer Harvest Summaries by County

    2021

    2020

    2019

    Additional Resources