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2nd Dove Lottery

Definitions & Statewide Regulations

Definitions

Administrative Rules: Rules that provide specific details, procedures, or criteria that carry out the provisions of broader statutes. A binding, written regulation adopted by a state agency—under authority from the General Assembly—to interpret, implement, or prescribe law or policy. These rules are filed with the Secretary of State and carry the full force of law.

Archery: Vertical compound bow, recurve bow, longbow, and crossbow are legal archery equipment, but specifications for archery equipment differ by species. Specifications for each species can be found in the Information by Species section on the home page

Blind builder: Person who has been assigned a blind site as a result of the drawing.

Blind partner: Persons chosen by the builder to assist in construction and maintenance of the blind and to share its blind claiming and hunting privileges.

Blind registration card: Card issued by the Department and tacked inside each blind, or carried on the hunter for claiming hunting sites, listing names and addresses of blind builders.

Blind site: A position within 10 feet of a marked location where blind must be constructed. Sites shall be located and marked by the Department.

Bow and Arrow: Means a longbow, recurve bow, compound bow, or crossbow.

Case: Any case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or container acceptable under Article 24 of the Criminal Code.

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. Both must be 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. Full-metal jacket bullets may not be used to harvest a deer. It is unlawful to use a centerfire rifle capable of holding more than 1 round in the magazine and chamber combined. A rifle is considered a legal, single shot firearm if there is no magazine in possession of or in close proximity to a hunter in the field and the gun can only hold a total of one round. For more information, visit IDNR’s FAQs for Single-shot rifles page. For more information regarding the use of centerfire rifle for hunting deer in Illinois see Administrative Rule 17-650.30.

Concealed Carry: A validly licensed concealed carry licensee can possess a concealed carry firearm while hunting or trapping within designated areas but are subject to Section 2.33 of the Illinois Wildlife Code on illegal devices and State refuges, the prohibitions set forth in Section 65 and 66 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and any applicable federal regulations.

Daily Limit: The maximum number or amount of species that can be lawfully taken by one person in one calendar day.

Designated Area: A defined location at a site with a set boundary within which only a specified recreational activity such as hunting or trapping may take place during a publicly announced time period.

Dog Hide: A compartment or area within or attached to a blind that houses a dog used to retrieve downed waterfowl.

Dog Training & Field Trial: Dog training refers to any teaching or exercising activity involving the classification of dogs commonly referred to as sporting dogs in which the primary purpose is to enhance the field performance of the dogs. Sporting dogs are utilized for hunting game birds and game mammals and include such dog breeds as pointers, setters, retrievers, and beagles. Regulations governing the training of sporting dogs varies according to where the training takes place. Dogs may be used to track wounded deer if the following conditions are met: (1) Any person using a dog for tracking wounded deer must maintain physical control of the dog at all times by means of a maximum 50 foot lead attached to the dog’s collar or harness. (2) Tracking wounded deer is permissible at night, but at no time outside of legal deer hunting hours or seasons shall any person handling or accompanying a dog being used for tracking wounded deer be in possession of any firearm or archery device. (3) Persons tracking wounded deer with a dog during the firearm seasons shall wear blaze orange or blaze pink as required. (4) Dog handlers tracking wounded deer with a dog are exempt from hunting license and deer permit requirements so long as they are accompanied by the licensed deer hunter who wounded the deer. Details on private land and public land dog training and hunting are below. No special permit is required to train dogs on private land with the exception of the establishment and operation of Designated Dog Training Areas (DDTA). Designated Dog Training Areas (DDTA): These are areas of 50 acres or less where an individual may shoot hand reared game birds or pigeons while training sporting dogs throughout the entire year. Free permits are required by the IDNR to designate and operate a DDTA. Permits are valid from April 1-March 31. Permits can be submitted online or hard-copy through the mail. Applicants applying for a DDTA Permit must possess a Wild Game and Bird Breeder License or a Game Breeding and Hunting Preserve Area Permit. DDTA Permit holders must conspicuously post the perimeter of the DDTA with signs obtainable from the IDNR. The IDNR will provide signs when the DDTA permit is issued. There is no limit to the number of trainers that can be listed on a DDTA Permit as long as the name and complete address for each trainer is provided on the application form. If a legal description of the training area is not readily available, send a copy of the Plat Map of the township where the training area is located and highlight the acreage or clearly outline the boundary of the proposed training area. Index numbers from tax statements will not be accepted. Trainers must properly band all captive-reared game birds shot on a DDTA before the birds are removed from the area. If the trainer resides on the DDTA, the captive-reared game birds must be properly banded the same day they are taken. Bands are affixed to a leg of the bird after the bird has been shot. The band must remain on the leg of the bird until it is prepared for consumption. Only bands obtained from the IDNR (217-785-3423) may be used. Bands are 10¢ each and orders should be in increments of 100. Private Land Dog Training: Training activities on private land have a few special rules: (1) Training activities require the permission of the landowner. (2) Trainers should have a valid Illinois Hunting or Sportsman’s license and Illinois Habitat stamp when afield training sporting dogs. (3) Special provisions govern the training of raccoon hunting dogs (See Ad Rule 960). and (4) Pistols with blank cartridges may be used from sunrise to sunset, but pistols capable of firing blank cartridges only must be used from sunset to sunrise. Public Land Dog Training: A free windshield card permit for the trainer is required by the IDNR which may be obtained online or from the site office during regular business hours. Sporting dog training on public land sites is only allowed in designated areas within the site. The season for training sporting dogs on public land is generally September 1-March 31 with the exception that the training season is closed during upland game hunting season. However, some sites may have seasons that differ. The full list of sites and seasons can be found here. Dog trainers may have pistols and shotguns with blank cartridges in possession while dog training on public land. All dogs and domestic pets must be kept on a leash of 10′ or less while on public land sites except within the designated dog training areas where the trainer has a valid site dog training permit during the open training season. You cannot legally track deer with dogs on any Department owned, leased, or managed site during hours when deer hunting is open on the site. It is unlawful to 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 archery equipment, or hunting with shotgun using shotshells only, or on licensed game breeding and hunting preserve areas, on federally owned and managed lands, on Department owned, leased, or managed lands. It is unlawful to hold a field trial, organized night hunt, water race or other competitive event involving sporting dogs without first obtaining a IDNR permit. Applications must be submitted 4 weeks prior to the event. It is unlawful to 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 area.

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. Contact the Office of Law Enforcement for details.

Feeding Wildlife: You cannot legally make available food, salt, mineral blocks or other products for ingestion by wild deer or other wildlife. An area is considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive days following the removal of the bait. Exceptions: (1) Elevated bird/squirrel feeders providing seed, grain, fruit, worms or suet for birds or squirrels located within 100 feet of a dwelling devoted to human occupancy. (2) Incidental feeding of wildlife within active livestock operations. (3) Feeding of wild animals, other than wild deer, by hand as long as a reasonable attempt is made to clean up unconsumed food. (4) Feeders for wildlife other than deer so long as deer are excluded from the feed in and around the feeder by fencing or other barriers. (5) Grain or other feed scattered or distributed solely as a result of normal agricultural, gardening or soil stabilization practices. (6) Standing, flooded or manipulated natural vegetation or food/seed deposited by natural vegetation, grain or other feed distributed or scattered solely as the result of manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where grown, for purposes of dove hunting. (7) Food material placed for capturing or killing wildlife pursuant to 520 ILCS 5/2.37, 2.30, and 1.3. (8) Scientific permits issued pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 520 that allow food to attract wildlife. (9) Any other permits issued by IDNR that require the attraction of wildlife for purposes of management, research or control.

Firearms: Silencers and suppressors are not legal Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) Requirements. Illinois residents who have a firearm or firearm ammunition in their possession also must have in their possession a valid FOID card, issued by Illinois State Police, unless: (1) Hunting within a licensed commercial club (licensed by IDNR), provided he/she is accompanied by a person who has a valid FOID card. Or (2) Under the age of 21 and under the immediate control of a parent, guardian or responsible adult who has in his or her possession a valid FOID card. Nonresidents hunting with a valid Illinois hunting license do not need a FOID card. IDNR does not issue FOID cards. Contact the Illinois State Police or use their FOID card online application.

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. *Effective immediately, gray fox hunting and trapping seasons are closed.

Game Birds: Upland 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: The 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.

Hunter Interference: It is unlawful to 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. It is unlawful to 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.

Hunting & Tracking with Dogs: Dogs may be used to aid in hunting and retrieving of upland birds, rabbits, squirrels, waterfowl and select furbearers. Dogs cannot be legally used to hunt, chase, harass or kill deer or turkey. Dogs may be used to pursue or chase, but not kill, furbearers during the running season. The running season for coyote, gray and red fox, opossum, raccoon and striped skunk is open year-round. Except you cannot legally pursue any furbearer with a dog(s) from sunset and sunrise during the 10-day period preceding the opening date of the raccoon hunting season and the 10-day period following the closing date of the raccoon hunting season. Nonresidents are prohibited from hunting furbearers or running their dogs in Illinois during any time when Illinois residents would not be allowed to hunt furbearers or run dogs in the nonresident’s state.

Hunting from Roads: 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 boundary lines of every public road. Roadway means the portion of the public road that is improved or ordinarily used for vehicle travel, excluding the berm or shoulder. You cannot legally hunt adjacent to or near any peat, grass, brush or other flammable substance when it is burning.

Hunting From Vehicles, Boats, and Use of Drones: 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, conveyance, or unmanned aircraft [drone] except as permitted by the Code of Federal Regulations for the taking of waterfowl. Exception: Paraplegics or other disabled persons, with a permit from the Office of Law Enforcement, may hunt from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance. Note: It is legal to hunt game birds and game mammals (except deer and furbearing mammals) from a boat not camouflaged or disguised to alter its identity or further provide a place of concealment and not propelled by sail or mechanical power. A boat merely painted in a camouflage pattern is not considered camouflaged and may be used to hunt under conditions specified above.

Hunting License: an electronic or physical license authorizing the person to take a certain type of animal during a specified period of time.

Hunting near Fires: It is unlawful to hunt adjacent to or near any peat, grass, brush or other flammable substance when it is burning.

Hunting near Structures: 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. Exception: 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 Department owned, leased, or managed lands. You cannot legally hunt, disturb, harass or take any protected bird or mammal by the use or aid of an automobile, vehicle or conveyance, any type of watercraft, aircraft or any machine propelled by mechanical power. Exception: Paraplegics or other disabled persons, with a permit from the Office of Law Enforcement, may hunt from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance. Note: It is legal to hunt game birds and game mammals (except deer and furbearing mammals) from a boat not camouflaged or disguised to alter its identity or further provide a place of concealment and not propelled by sail or mechanical power. A boat merely painted in a camouflage pattern is not considered camouflaged and may be used to hunt under conditions specified above.

Hunting Party: An individual or group of hunters occupying a single boat, blind, or hunting site.

Hunting Times: Wild game can only be hunted during times specified for those game species. Use government sources, such as NOAA or National Weather Service, to find the sunrise-sunset times for your hunting date and location. See the Information by Species section for full details on legal hunting times for species and seasons.

Hunting/Trapping Area: Any portion of a site where actual hunting and/or trapping takes place. It does not include places such as parking lots, check stations, pavilions, or picnic areas associated with a hunting/trapping area.

Hunting: the lawful pursuit, trapping, shooting, capture, collection, or killing of wildlife or the attempt to pursue, trap, shoot, capture, collect, or kill wildlife.

IDNR: Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Lead Ammunition: A projectile containing one or more percent lead by weight.

Lifetime License: Any nonresident who received a lifetime license issued before August 15, 2006 is eligible for resident deer and turkey hunting permits. Any nonresident who receives a lifetime license issued after August 15, 2006 is not eligible for resident deer and turkey hunting permits.

Lotteries: A random, unbiased selection process used to allocate limited, high demand permits. IDNR has several types of lotteries for hunting and trapping. There are computerized lottery drawings for deer, turkey, bobcat and special hunt area permits, daily site lottery drawings, lottery drawings using mail-in paper applications, lottery draw for walk-in areas, standby lottery drawings and others. It is best to check the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest or the site page to see if a lottery issued permit is required.

Maintaining Separate Bag: you cannot legally possess wildlife for which there is a daily or possession limit unless each hunter maintains his/her “bag” of such species separately and distinctly from those of all other hunters.

Migratory Game Birds: Mourning dove, white-winged dove, sora rail, Virginia rail, American woodcock, snipe (Wilson’s snipe), American coot, ducks, geese, swans and American crow.

Muzzleloaders: A firearm that cannot be loaded from the breech end. Only black powder or a “black powder substitute” such as Pyrodex may be used. Modern smokeless powders are an approved black powder substitute only in muzzleloading firearms that are specifically designed for their use. Percussion caps (shotgun primers are legal), wheellock, matchlock or flint type ignition only may be used, except the Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA) electronic ignition are legal.

Night Hunting: You cannot legally use lights of, any light from, or any light connected to a vehicle or conveyance in areas where wildlife can be found. This does not prohibit normal use of headlamps for driving upon a roadway. Except: skunk, opossum, red or gray fox, coyote and raccoon may be harvested during the open season using a small hand-operated light by a person who is on foot and not in any vehicle.

Non-hunting or Non-trapping Partner: a person who accompanies a hunter or trapper and does not hunt or trap during the trip.

Nonresident: Anyone not fitting the requirements of a resident.

Possessing Another’s Wildlife: You cannot legally receive or have in custody any protected game belonging to another person, except in the personal abodes of the donor or donee, unless such protected species are tagged with the hunter’s name and address, the total number of individuals by species and the date such species were harvested. (But see “Gift of Migratory Game Birds”)

Possession and Possession Limit: Maximum number or amount of species which can be lawfully held or possessed by one person at any time. It is unlawful to possess wild game birds, wild game mammals or wild fur-bearing mammals or any parts thereof in excess of the legally established daily limit or possession limit, whichever applies.

Possession of Freshly Killed Game Out of Season: you cannot legally possess any freshly killed game when the season is closed for taking.

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. The statute of limitations for unlawful possession of such wildlife or wildlife parts shall not cease until 2 years after the possession has permanently ended.

Property Laws: Download an IDNR form to record written permission for hunting from a landowner. 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. Exception: 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 Department owned, leased, or managed lands. You cannot legally damage or destroy another person’s property while hunting or trapping on his/her land. Landowners or lessees can mark trees or posts on private land with purple paint as a “no trespassing” notice. It is unlawful for any person to take (see definition of “take”) or attempt to take any species of wildlife or parts thereof or intentionally or wantonly allow a dog to hunt, within or upon the land of another, or upon waters flowing over or standing on the land of another, or to knowingly shoot a gun or bow and arrow device at any wildlife physically on or flying over the property of another without first obtaining permission from the owner or the owner’s designee. For the purposes of this law, the owner’s designee means anyone whom the owner designates in a written authorization and the authorization must contain (i) the legal or common description of property, (ii) the extent that the owner’s designee is authorized to make decisions regarding who is allowed to take or attempt to take any species of wildlife or parts thereof, and (iii) the owner’s notarized signature. Private land owners may grant permission for hunting, fishing or other recreational activities on their property, and in most instances, shall not be held liable for injuries to those accessing the property. Limitations exist. Illinois law does not grant the right of trespass for the purpose of retrieving wounded or crippled wildlife or hunting dogs. Secure 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-way are private property and permission from the owner is needed before hunting or trapping.

Protected Species: Wild birds and wild mammals, including parts, which shall include their nests, eggs and green hides, in the State of Illinois, or which may be brought into the state. See Wildlife Code (520 ILCS 5/2.2) for details.

Refuge area: a defined location at a site with a set boundary within which no public activity or presence is allowed, except as authorized by the Department when it is determined that activity such as nature studies, hiking, fishing or camping would not be detrimental to the purpose of the refuge.

Resident: “Resident” means a person who in good faith makes application for any license or permit and verifies by statement that he or 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 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 person’s permanent abode is his or her fixed and permanent dwelling place, as distinguished from a temporary or transient place of residence. Domiciliary intent is required to establish that the person is maintaining his or her permanent abode in this State. Evidence of domiciliary intent includes, but is not limited to, the location where the person votes, pays personal income tax or obtains a driver’s license. Except for the purposes of obtaining a Lifetime License, any person on active duty in the Armed Forces shall be considered a resident of Illinois during his or her period of military duty.

Restricted Area: A defined location at a site with a set boundary within which hunting and/or trapping is prohibited.

Retrieving Killed/Crippled Wildlife (Wanton Waste): You cannot legally kill or cripple any species protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code for which there is a harvest limit without making a reasonable effort to retrieve such species and include it in the harvest limit. It is also unlawful for any person having control over harvested 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 game, except this shall not apply to wildlife harvested by means of a nuisance wildlife removal permit or wildlife harvested by means of a scientific collection permit. “Usable meat” means the breast meat of a game bird or migratory game bird and the hind ham and front shoulders of a game mammal. It shall be unlawful for any person to place, leave, dump, or abandon a wildlife carcass or parts of it along 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 shall not be unlawful to properly discard game meat that is determined to be unfit for human consumption.

Sale: To sell, barter or otherwise offer goods to another for consideration. The term sale includes serving the same as a part of a meal by any restaurant, hotel or other commercial establishment.

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.

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.

Shotguns: Shotguns larger than 10 gauge while taking or attempting to harvest any game species is unlawful. Barrel length shall not be less than 18 inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches. It is unlawful to use a shotgun 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.

Small game: Mourning dove, white-winged dove, American crow, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, and American woodcock.

Statewide Regulations: The baseline laws and regulations enacted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and authorized through the Illinois Wildlife Code that apply to the entire state. These rules represent the general law unless a specific site (such as a state park, fish and wildlife area, or federal land) has adopted stricter or different regulations. Statewide Regulations are explained in detail below.

Take: To hunt, shoot, pursue, lure, kill, destroy, capture, gig or spear, trap or ensnare, or harass or attempt to do so.

Temporary blind: A place of concealment that is removed in its entirety at the end of each day’s hunt, including boat blinds.

Trail cameras: Trail cameras are legal on private lands, as long as permission is obtained from the landowner or tenant. Trail cameras are legal on Department owned, leased, or managed sites open to hunting as long they do not pierce or otherwise cause harm to vegetation or structures. Trail cameras and related accessories (e.g., SD cards) are placed at the risk of the owner

Transport or Ship: To convey by means of parcel post, express, freight baggage or shipment by common carrier of any description; or by automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle of any kind; or by water or aircraft of any kind or by any other means of transportation. It is unlawful to place, carry, possess or transport a shotgun on a boat of any type in an area under the jurisdiction of the Department from 1 February to 31 May inclusive, except persons having a valid, unfilled harvest permit and licensed or authorized hunters legally hunting wildlife in season. It is unlawful to have or carry a shotgun, rifle, handgun or airgun in or on any vehicle, conveyance or aircraft unless the firearm or airgun is unloaded and completely enclosed in a case except as permitted by the Code of Federal Regulations for the taking of waterfowl. Exception: Paraplegics or other disabled persons, with a permit from the Office of Law Enforcement, may hunt from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance. It is unlawful to carry a bow or bow and arrow device in or on a vehicle, conveyance or aircraft unless it is unstrung or enclosed in a case or otherwise made inoperable. It is unlawful to carry or possess any gun in any state refuge except as provided by Administrative Rules. It is unlawful to a validly licensed concealed carry licensee can possess a concealed carry firearm while hunting or trapping within designated areas but are subject to Section 2.33 of the Illinois Wildlife Code on illegal devices and State refuges, the prohibitions set forth in Section 65 and 66 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and any applicable federal regulations.

Trap: To capture, or attempt to capture, by setting or placing a leghold trap, cushion-hold trap, body-gripping trap, cage or box trap, snare or other similar device permitted by the Illinois Wildlife Code to capture, hold or kill any protected wildlife.

Upland Game: Upland birds (Bobwhite Quail, Hungarian Partridge, Ring-necked Pheasant), Eastern Cottontail, and Swamp Rabbit.

Vehicle: Any device capable of transporting a person on land, on ice, on water, in water or in the air.

Waterfowl Rest Area: A defined location at a site with a set boundary within which no public activity or presence is allowed for a specified period of time, except as authorized by the Department.

Wildlife: Any bird or mammal living in a state of nature without the care of man, including all protected wildlife.

Woody Vegetation: For the purposes of this administrative rule, is a species of tree or shrub.

Public Land Hunting & Trapping Statewide Regulations

Below are what are referred to as “statewide regulations” for hunting/trapping on public land (department owned or managed sites). These regulations do not pertain to hunting/trapping on private land.

General Hunting and Trapping Regulations on Department Owned or Managed Sites

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-510

License/stamp requirements: Anyone who hunts or traps must have a valid hunting or trapping license or be exempt. For exemptions see Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code or the Licenses/Stamps webpage. A State Habitat Stamp is also required for anyone age 18 or older to trap furbearers or hunt deer, turkey, upland birds, squirrels/rabbits and furbearers. Disabled veterans and former POWs are exempt from needing this stamp. Check the species pages or the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest to know what all you need to hunt a specific animal.

Hunter/Trapper Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter or trapper safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting or trapping license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting or trapping license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Statewide Site Regulations

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess any alcoholic beverage or illegal drug or be under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or intoxicating compounds while in any hunting/trapping area for the purpose of hunting or trapping.
It shall be unlawful to hunt or trap on any site with a manned check station without first declaring game killed on a previous hunt and in possession either on the hunter’s person or in their vehicle.
It shall be unlawful to construct or use any tree stand or ground blind using nails, screws or any device which pierces or cuts the bark of the tree on which it is installed.
It shall be unlawful to hunt or trap in a restricted area.
It shall be unlawful for unauthorized persons to use or occupy in any manner designated hunting areas during the permit dove hunting season and controlled pheasant hunting season at sites holding such seasons, or during any hunting season where such restrictions are so posted at the site, when authorized hunting is in progress.
It shall be unlawful to enter a refuge, restricted area or waterfowl rest area unless authorized by the Department.
It shall be unlawful to hunt or trap on any Department owned or managed sites that is not a designated area pursuant to applicable species rules set forth in Administrative Rules.
It shall be unlawful to buy, sell or commercialize hunting or trapping rights, directly or indirectly, except that this does not apply to Department of Natural Resources hunting or trapping fees or to the operation of controlled pheasant hunting on Department lands pursuant to a written concession agreement.
It shall be unlawful to hunt or trap without a valid permit where permits are required.
It shall be unlawful to hunt with any weapon except those weapons that are authorized by rule for the species that is being hunted unless otherwise specified by a more restrictive regulation.
It shall be unlawful to track deer with dogs on any Department owned or managed site during hours when deer hunting is being conducted on the site.
It shall be unlawful to use or occupy a ground blind during any firearm deer season, unless at least 400 square inches of solid, vivid blaze orange or blaze pink material is securely attached to the uppermost portion of the blind and a substantial amount of orange is visible for 360 degrees.

Specific Management Procedures

Specific management procedures will be posted at either check stations or site parking lots at the site so the procedures will be visible to the public.
Where there is a check station in operation, or where designated, hunters must sign in and/or sign out, and report harvest upon completing their hunt via physical check stations, registration kiosks, or electronically, as posted. Some areas require the wearing of a back patch and depositing hunting license (or Firearm Owner’s Identification card if the hunter is exempt from buying a license).
In the event that Department budget or site staffing reductions make the operation of check stations, onsite drawings, and/or other restrictive regulations impractical, State sites may be opened to statewide regulations, have reduced drawings, hunting opportunities allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, or be closed to hunting. On sites where permits are issued, permittees may still hunt as allowed by their permit. Notice of these modifications will be posted at the site if any modification

Hunting and Trapping by Special Permit

A special permit will be issued by the Department for Department owned or managed sites when hunter or trapper demand is greater than the site can handle. The permit system is used as a fair and equitable way to distribute hunting and trapping opportunities without over-harvesting the wildlife population.
Application information will be announced publicly by the Department.
Special permits may be allocated via randomized drawing to increase hunter and trapper recruitment, retention and reengagement. Hunter and trapper quotas will be filled equally with resident adult and youth who have hunted or trapped no more than two years of the last consecutive five years based on purchases of Illinois hunting or trapping licenses or state habitat or state wetland stamps. If fewer adult or youth hunters apply for available openings for the respective age category, then vacancies shall be available to the other age category.

Check the site page for exceptions to the statewide site regulations listed above.

Pheasant, Partridge, Quail, and Rabbits Hunting Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-530

License/stamp requirements: Anyone who hunts upland birds or rabbits must have a valid hunting license or be exempt. For exemptions see Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code or the Licenses/Stamps webpage. A State Habitat Stamp is also required for anyone age 18 or older to hunt upland birds and rabbits. Disabled veterans and former POWs are exempt from needing this stamp.

Additional permits (i.e. free upland game permit, free dove permit or controlled pheasant fee hunting) may be required to hunt a particular species. Check the species pages or the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest to know what you need to hunt a specific animal.

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting or trapping license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting or trapping license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Cock Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, Hungarian Partridge, and Cottontail and Swamp Rabbit Regulations:

Zones: South zone consists of all lands south of the line that follows U.S. Route 36 from the Indiana State line to Springfield, all lands west of the line that follows Route 29 from Springfield to Pekin and all lands south of the line that follows Route 9 from Pekin to Dallas City, then due west to the Mississippi River; north zone is the remainder of the State.
Season dates:[KD4]
- North Zone for Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, and Hungarian Partridge – first Saturday in November through the following January 8.
- South Zone for Pheasant, Bobwhite Quail, and Hungarian Partridge – first Saturday in November through the following January 15.
- Statewide Rabbit – the first Saturday in November through the following February 15.
Hunting hours: sunrise until sunset.
Daily limits:
- Cock Pheasant – 2
- Bobwhite Quail – 8
- Hungarian Partridge – 2
- Rabbit – 4
Possession limit after the second day of the hunting season:
- Cock Pheasant – 6
- Bobwhite Quail – 20
- Hungarian Partridge – 6
- Rabbit – 10
Cock pheasant may be hunted only; hen pheasants are illegal to take or possess, except on controlled hunting areas, other sites listed in Administrative Rule 17-530 and by falconry methods.
Holders of Standing Vehicle Permits issued by the Department shall be permitted to carry a loaded and uncased shotgun in or on a vehicle or conveyance as long as they follow certain conditions. See Administrative Rule 17-530 for the conditions.
Check the site page for exceptions to the statewide regulations listed above.

Raccoon, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Red Fox, Coyote, Bobcat and Woodchuck (Groundhog) Hunting Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-550

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Furbearer Hunting Statewide Regulations

It is unlawful to hunt raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, coyote, bobcat and woodchuck (groundhog) in counties open for deer hunting during the firearm deer hunting season, except coyotes may be taken by persons in possession of a valid unfilled firearms deer permit during specific hours and seasons using authorized hunting devices. See Administrative Rule 17-650 for specific information. Licensed hound running areas are exempt pursuant to Section 3.26 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Furbearer Hunting and Trapping by Special Permit

A special permit will be issued by the Department for Department owned or managed sites when hunter or trapper demand is greater than the site can handle. The permit system is used as a fair and equitable way to distribute hunting and trapping opportunities without over-harvesting the wildlife population.

Check the site page for exceptions to the statewide regulations listed above.

Raccoon, Opossum

Hunting dates: November 10 through the next following February 15, except closed during the firearm deer hunting season in counties open to firearm deer hunting.

Hunting hours: Open 24 hours a day, except ½ hour before sunrise on opening day and during the archery deer season, and ½ hour after sunset during the archery deer season and closing date.

Daily limit and possession limit: None.

Red fox (Gray fox closed)

Hunting dates: November 10 through the next following February 15, except closed during the firearm deer hunting season in counties open to firearm deer hunting.

Hunting hours: Open 24 hours a day, except ½ hour before sunrise on opening day and during the archery deer season, and ½ hour after sunset during the archery deer season and closing date.

Daily limit and possession limit: None.

Coyote and Striped Skunk

Hunting dates: Year around, except closed during the firearm deer hunting season in counties open to firearm deer hunting.

Hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset except from Nov 10-Mar 15 open 24 hours a day.

Daily limit and possession limit: None.

Woodchuck (groundhog)

Hunting dates: June 1 through the next following March 31, except closed during the firearm deer hunting season in counties open to firearm deer hunting.

Hunting hours: One-half hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Daily limit and possession limit: None.

Bobcat

Hunting Permit Application, Lottery and Fee: Applications from residents and nonresidents will be accepted online from September 1 through September 30 of the current year. Each person may apply for one Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit per application period. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits will be allocated in a computerized random drawing. Applicants who did not receive a permit the previous year will have preference by being part of the initial random drawing. If any additional permits remain to be allocated after that drawing, a second drawing will take place for all of the individuals who received a permit the previous year. The Department will mail, email or provide electronic Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits to successful applicants after the drawing is held. A non-refundable fee of $5 will be charged for each application for a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit. The number of Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits that are made available each season will be determined by the Department in accordance with federal regulations Part 23.69. No more than 5% of permits will be allocated to nonresidents. If the number of available permits exceeds the number distributed to applicants during the lottery, remaining permits will be offered first-come, first-served at www.dnr.illinois.gov for $5 each. Applicants who received a permit in the preceding lottery are ineligible to receive a second permit.

Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit Requirements, Fee and Tagging

Hunters must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit. Hunters must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permit before salvaging a bobcat from roadways. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits are not transferable. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits allow harvest of bobcats in all parts of the State that are not identified in the Closed Zone (see below). Hunters must purchase a Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit. The cost of a Bobcat Registration Permit is $5. Bobcat Registration Permits will be available for purchase online. Bobcat Registration Permits must be purchased by the same individual who took a bobcat and are not transferable. The Department will issue a United States Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (U.S. CITES) pelt tag to individuals who trapped a bobcat in accordance with this Part and purchased a Bobcat Registration Permit. A U.S. CITES pelt tag issued by the Department must be permanently affixed to the green hide of each river otter or bobcat and sealed before the green hide is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, fur tanner, taxidermist or manufacturer. It is unlawful to possess more unsealed U.S. CITES tags issued by the Department than green hides of river otter or bobcat in possession. Unsealed U.S. CITES tags are not transferable. Unless an alternative method has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, each green hide of bobcat or river otter to be exported or re-exported must have a U.S. CITES tag permanently attached in accordance with federal regulations Part 23.69.

Closed Zone – Bobcat Hunting

Taking bobcats is prohibited inside an area bounded by the Indiana State border from Lake Michigan southward to U.S. Route 36 (New Route 36), westward on U.S. Route 36 to U.S. Route 51, northward on U.S. Route 51 to the Wisconsin State border, and eastward on the Wisconsin State border to Lake Michigan. Bobcats may be taken in the remainder of the State.

Daily limit and possession limit:

Not to exceed one bobcat per permittee per season for combined methods of take. Bobcats salvaged from roadways become part of the permittee’s season limit and are subject to permit and tagging requirements. Possession limit for bobcat does not apply to fur buyers, fur tanners, taxidermists or manufacturers. Statewide limits on the total number of bobcats that may be hunted or trapped during a season are set forth in the Illinois Wildlife Code. Bobcats salvaged from roadways in accordance with that statute do not count toward limits established for hunting and trapping. The Department may close the bobcat season before the closing date when it is apparent limits on the total number of bobcats that may be hunted or trapped during a season will be exceeded. Remaining valid permit holders will be contacted by letter, email and phone in addition to public announcement, if applicable. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits will not be valid after the closing date or after permittees are notified of early closure of the season, whichever is earlier.

Hunting dates: November 10 through the next following February 15, except closed during the firearm deer hunting season in counties open to firearm deer hunting.

Hunting hours: Open 24 hours a day, except ½ hour before sunrise on opening day and during the archery deer season, and ½ hour after sunset during the archery deer season and closing date.

Gray Fox

Due to the current biological balance and population numbers of the gray fox in the State of Illinois, it is illegal to hunt gray fox in this State.

Muskrat, Mink, Raccoon, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Weasel, Red Fox, Coyote, Badger, River Otter, Beaver, Bobcat and Woodchuck (Groundhog) Trapping Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-570

Licensing requirements: Anyone who sets or checks traps must have a valid trapping license or be exempt. Furbearer trappers must also have a state habitat stamp or be exempt. For exemptions see Section 3.3 and 3.4 of the Illinois Wildlife Code or the Licenses/Stamps webpage.

Trapper Education requirements: Trapper Education course is required for resident or non-resident first-time trappers born on or after January 1, 1998, except no course is required for residents or non-residents 18 years of age or younger that have a Youth Trapping License. The youth license requires youth are supervised by a parent, grandparent or guardian who is age 21 or over, while trapping. See the Licenses/Stamps page to find what licenses and stamps you qualify for

Trap identification: All trapping devices must either have the trapper name and address, or IDNR Customer ID inscribed or attached to them.

Trapping Specifications:

It is unlawful to fail to visit and remove all animals from traps staked out, set, used, tended, placed or maintained at least once each calendar day.
It is unlawful for any person to place, set, use, or maintain a leghold trap or one of similar construction on land, that has a jaw spread of larger than 6 1/2 inches (16.6 CM), or a body-gripping trap or one of similar construction having a jaw spread larger than 7 inches (17.8 CM) on a side if square and 8 inches (20.4 CM) if round.
It is unlawful for any person to place, set, use, or maintain a leghold trap or one of similar construction in water, that has a jaw spread of larger than 7 1/2 inches (19.1 CM), or a body-gripping trap or one of similar construction having a jaw spread larger than 10 inches (25.4 CM) on a side if square and 12 inches (30.5 CM) if round.
It is unlawful to use any trap with saw-toothed, spiked, or toothed jaws.
It is unlawful to destroy, disturb or in any manner interfere with dams, lodges, burrows or feed beds of beaver while trapping for beaver or to set a trap inside a muskrat house or beaver lodge, except that this shall not apply to individuals who are acting pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.37 or as provided for by administrative rule (e.g. while nuisance trapping with a permit).
It is unlawful to trap beaver or river otter with: (1) a leghold trap or one of similar construction having a jaw spread of less than 5 1/2 inches (13.9 CM) or more than 7 1/2 inches (19.1 CM), or (2) a body-gripping trap or one of similar construction having a jaw spread of less than 7 inches (17.7 CM) or more than 10 inches (25.4 CM) on a side if square and 12 inches (30.5 CM) if round, except that these restrictions shall not apply during the open season for trapping raccoons.
It is unlawful to set traps closer than 10 feet (3.05 M) from any hole or den which may be occupied by a game mammal or fur-bearing mammal except that this restriction shall not apply to water sets.
It is unlawful to trap or attempt to trap any fur-bearing mammal with any colony, cage, box, or stove-pipe trap designed to take more than one mammal at a single setting.
It is unlawful for any person to set or place any trap designed to take any fur-bearing mammal protected by this Act during the closed trapping season. Proof that any trap was placed during the closed trapping season shall be deemed prima facie evidence of a violation of this provision.
It is unlawful to place, set, or maintain any leghold trap or one of similar construction within thirty (30) feet (9.14 m) of bait placed in such a manner or position that it is not completely covered and concealed from sight, except that this shall not apply to underwater sets. Bait shall mean and include any bait composed of mammal, bird, or fish flesh, fur, hide, entrails or feathers.
It is unlawful for any person to place, set, use or maintain a snare trap or one of similar construction in water, that has a loop diameter exceeding 15 inches (38.1 CM) or a cable or wire diameter of more than 1/8 inch (3.2 MM) or less than 5/64 inch (2.0 MM), that is constructed of stainless steel metal cable or wire, and that does not have a mechanical lock, anchor swivel and stop device to prevent the mechanical lock from closing the noose loop to a diameter of less than 2 1/2 inches (6.4 CM).
It is unlawful to trap muskrat or mink with (1) a leghold trap or one of similar construction or (2) a body-gripping trap or one of similar construction unless the body-gripping trap or similar trap is completely submerged underwater when set. These restrictions shall not apply during the open season for trapping raccoons.

Muskrat, mink, raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, coyote, badger, bobcat and weasel trapping dates: November 10 through the next following February 15.

Muskrat, mink, raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, coyote and weasel trapping hours and limits: November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; February 15 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted. No daily limit or possession limit.

Beaver and river otter trapping dates, hours and limits: November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; March 31 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted. No season or possession limit for beaver. The otter trapping season limit is 5 river otters trapped during any one season by a person. The possession limit is twice the season limit for all otters possessed by an individual that were taken over multiple seasons. Possession limit for river otter does not apply to fur buyers, fur tanners, taxidermists or manufacturers as defined by the Illinois Wildlife Code. River otters salvaged from roadways become part of the person’s season limit of 5 river otters and are subject to permit and tagging requirements.

Woodchuck (groundhog) trapping dates, hours and limits: June 1 open for trapping at sunrise; September 30 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise hours are unrestricted. No daily or possession limit.

Badger trapping hours: November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; February 15 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted. Daily and possession limit: not to exceed two badgers per season in the Northern Zone and one badger per season in the Southern Zone. Badgers salvaged from roadways become part of the person’s season limit. Possession limits do not apply to fur buyers, fur tanners, taxidermists or manufacturers as defined by the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Bobcat trapping dates, hours and limits: November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; February 15 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted. Daily and possession limit: Not to exceed one bobcat per person, per season for combined methods of take. Bobcats salvaged from become part of the person’s season limit and are subject to permit and tagging requirements. Possession limits do not apply to fur buyers, fur tanners, taxidermists or manufacturers as defined by the Illinois Wildlife Code.

River Otter Permit Requirement and Fee: Trappers must purchase a River Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking each otter that becomes part of their daily limit. The cost of a River Otter Registration Permit is $5. River Otter Registration Permits must be purchased by the same individual who trapped or salvaged a river otter and are not transferable.

Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit Application, Lottery and Fee: Applications from residents and nonresidents will be accepted online from September 1 through September 30 of the current year. Each person may apply for one Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit per application period. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits will be allocated in a computerized random drawing. Applicants who did not receive a permit the previous year will have preference by being part of the initial random drawing. If any additional permits remain to be allocated after that drawing, a second drawing will take place for all of the individuals who received a permit the previous year. The Department will mail, email or provide electronic Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits to successful applicants after the drawing is held. A non-refundable fee of $5 will be charged for each application for a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit. The number of Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits that are made available each season will be determined by the Department in accordance with federal regulations Part 23.69. No more than 5% of permits will be allocated to nonresidents. If the number of available permits exceeds the number distributed to applicants during the lottery, remaining permits will be offered first-come, first-served at www.dnr.illinois.gov for $5 each. Applicants who received a permit in the preceding lottery are ineligible to receive a second permit.

Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit Requirements, Fee and Tagging

Trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit. Trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permit before salvaging a bobcat from roadways. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits are not transferable. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits allow harvest of bobcats in all parts of the State that are not identified in the Closed Zone (see above).

Trappers must purchase a Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit. The cost of a Bobcat Registration Permit is $5. Bobcat Registration Permits will be available for purchase online only at www.dnr.illinois.gov. Bobcat Registration Permits must be purchased by the same individual who took a bobcat and are not transferable. The Department will issue a United States Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (U.S. CITES) pelt tag to individuals who trapped a bobcat in accordance with this Part and purchased a Bobcat Registration Permit. A U.S. CITES pelt tag issued by the Department must be permanently affixed to the green hide of each river otter or bobcat and sealed before the green hide is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, fur tanner, taxidermist or manufacturer. It is unlawful to possess more unsealed U.S. CITES tags issued by the Department than green hides of river otter or bobcat in possession. Unsealed U.S. CITES tags are not transferable. Unless an alternative method has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, each green hide of bobcat or river otter to be exported or re-exported must have a U.S. CITES tag permanently attached in accordance with federal regulations Part 23.69.

Statewide Trapping Furbearer Zones

The State of Illinois is divided by U. S. Route 36 (New Route 36) into a Northern and Southern Zone.

Closed Zone – Bobcat Trapping

Limits on Total Harvest − Bobcat

Statewide limits on the total number of bobcats that may be hunted or trapped during a season are set forth in the Illinois Wildlife Code. Bobcats salvaged from roadways in accordance with that statute do not count toward limits established for hunting and trapping.

The Department may close the bobcat season before the closing date when it is apparent limits on the total number of bobcats that may be hunted or trapped during a season will be exceeded. Remaining valid permit holders will be contacted by letter, email and phone in addition to public announcement, if applicable. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits will not be valid after the closing date or after permittees are notified of early closure of the season, whichever is earlier.

Use of Rifles, Pistols and Airguns by Trappers During Deer Gun Season

Licensed trappers may use rifles and pistols, while in possession of valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID), or airguns to kill trapped furbearers or woodchuck (groundhog) during seasons established by Administrative Rule 17-570.20 , including portions of open seasons that coincide with hunting seasons for taking white-tailed deer with guns (see Administrative Rule 17-650.10, 17-660.10and 17-680.10). All rifles, pistols or airguns so used shall be a caliber no larger than .22 to kill trapped furbearers or woodchuck (groundhog). Use of any other firearm or airgun to kill trapped furbearers or woodchuck (groundhog) during gun deer seasons is prohibited.

Gray Fox

Due to the current biological balance and population numbers of the gray fox in the State of Illinois, it is illegal to trap gray fox in this State.

Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-590

License/stamp requirements: Anyone who hunts must have a valid hunting license or be exempt. For exemptions see Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code or the Licenses/Stamps webpage. HIP Certification is required for anyone who is also required to have a hunting license to hunt ducks, goose and coots. A State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (required for 18 and older) and Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (required for 16 and older) is needed to hunt ducks, goose and coots. Check the species pages or the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest to know what all you need to hunt a specific animal.

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Pursuant to the Illinois Wildlife Code, it shall be unlawful to take, possess, transport, or use migratory waterfowl except during such period of time and in such manner and numbers as may be provided in the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, and annual Rules and Regulations for Migratory Bird Hunting Part 20 and Migratory Bird Permits Part 21; collectively referred to as federal regulations.

The legal possession of a concealed firearm by a validly licensed concealed carry licensee is allowed statewide, subject to the Illinois Wildlife Code on illegal devices and State refuges, the prohibitions set forth in Section 65 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act and any applicable federal regulations.

Duck, goose and coot regulations are in accordance with Federal Regulations Part 20 unless specified by a more restrictive regulation.

It shall be unlawful while attempting to take migratory waterfowl or coots to have in possession any shotgun shells not approved as non-toxic by federal regulations.

It shall be unlawful to possess any shotgun shell loaded with a shot size larger than number T steel or number BBB of any other non-toxic shot when attempting to take waterfowl.

Closed areas, including waterfowl refuges and rest areas, may be designated at certain sites in accordance with Administrative Rule 17-510. Boundaries of these closed areas will be posted.

Commercial Migratory Waterfowl Hunting regulations are specified in Administrative Rule 17-640.

No person during the open season shall take or attempt to take wild geese prior to ½ hour before sunrise nor after sunset. During special light goose seasons, statewide hunting hours shall be ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset daily.

Registration in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) is required for those persons who are required to have a hunting license before taking or attempting to take ducks, geese or coots. Instructions for registering are provided with issuance of hunting license.

If Federal Regulations Part 20 or Part 21 allows light goose seasons to be liberalized, snow geese, blue geese and Ross’ geese may be taken in accordance with federal regulations regarding hunting hours, method of taking and bag limits through April 30.

Nothing in this administrative rule shall be construed to criminalize the legal possession of a concealed firearm by a validly licensed concealed carry licensee (see the Firearm Concealed Carry Act).

Seasonal Public Access Closures on Certain Department Owned or Managed Sites

It shall be unlawful, unless otherwise authorized in this Part, to be present upon the designated waterfowl hunting area of a Department owned, leased, or managed site during the period beginning 7 days prior to the start of regular duck season and continuing through the final day of regular duck season, except for legally permitted waterfowl hunters engaged in waterfowl hunting or other persons authorized by the Department. This does not apply to the Mississippi River or the Illinois River. No one may be located within 250 yards of an occupied waterfowl blind located on the Mississippi River or the Illinois River during the regular duck and goose season, except for legally permitted waterfowl hunters engaged in waterfowl hunting or other persons authorized by the Department.

Blind Construction

Blinds must be at least 4 feet x 8 feet, but no higher than 14 feet from the water surface at normal pool level, to the top of the shooting box, sturdy enough to withstand daily usage, and must be maintained in good condition by blind builders throughout the duck season. Blinds shall be numbered and that number shall be visible from the outside of the blinds. Blinds must be placed within 10 feet of assigned Department marked site.
Blinds built over water must be of platform construction with the platform constructed above normal water conditions or they may be floating blinds.
River blinds located on the Illinois River and Mississippi River (including Mississippi River Pools 25 and 26 and Batchtown management area located on the river side of the closing levee) may also be pull-in boat hide blinds. Boat hide blind must have a minimum size of 18′ x 7.5′, be sturdy enough to withstand daily use considering conditions of the site, and be maintained in good condition throughout the season. Boat hide blinds shall be completed, including final brushing by four weeks prior to opening day of duck season. Failure to meet these standards shall result in forfeiture of the blind site.
Blinds must be completed, including final brushing, 3 weeks in advance of opening date of regular duck season, unless exempt, after which time the Department shall inspect all blinds and blind sites and issue Blind Registration Cards to those which pass inspection. Blind builders shall not gain access to Redwing Slough/Deer Lake State Natural Area until the day following Labor Day. Blind builders must post Blind Registration Card in the blind prior to the first day of regular duck season. If adverse weather or water conditions make compliance with this rule difficult the Site Superintendent or the District Wildlife Manager may grant extensions.
Sites on which blinds have not been built or registered, as well as sites on which blinds of an unsatisfactory quality have been built, shall be reassigned to alternates selected at a drawing or by a first come-first served allocation held on a day publicly announced by the Department. All reassigned blinds must be completed, including final brushing, 7 days prior to the opening date of the duck season on sites posted as being closed to trespassing 7 days prior to regular duck season. At Mississippi River Area Pools 25 and 26 reassigned blinds must be completed by sunset of the Sunday immediately preceding the opening day of regular duck season. On all other sites reassigned blinds must be completed, including final brushing, by the day before the opening day of the regular duck season.
Not more than 3 persons shall be registered for assignment of any one blind site. Blind builders shall submit partner names on a blind registration form as designated at the site drawing. After the designated time, no changes shall be accepted. As directed by the information sheet available at each site, the registration form must be filled out and returned within 30 days after the blind drawing date. Failure to do so shall result in forfeiture of blind/hunting site.
No person shall be allowed to be a blind builder or partner on more than one public waterfowl blind managed by the Department.
Boat hides are required, unless exempt, and must have minimum dimensions of 18′ x 7½’. Boat hides shall be sturdy enough to withstand daily use considering the conditions of the site, and must be maintained in good condition throughout the season, and shall be completed including final brushing by 3 weeks prior to the opening day of duck season, except at Mississippi River Area Pools 25 and 26 boat hides and final brushing must be completed 4 weeks prior to the opening day of duck season; failure to meet these standards shall result in forfeiture of blind site.
Previous year’s blind builders shall have until 7 days after the next allocation period drawing to salvage materials from their blinds.
Blinds must include a dog hide that is on the same level as the blind. The dog hide can either be incorporated into the blind by providing a hole at floor level that measures at least 20 inches high by 20 inches wide or by providing a separate compartment that is attached to the blind. Hides attached to the blind should have a minimum floor space that measures 2 feet by 2 feet and should be at least 2.5 feet high with 2 openings. One opening should be between the blind and the dog hide, should measure at least 20 inches by 20 inches, and should be constructed at the same level as the blind floor. The water access opening should be at least 20 inches wide and 20 inches high. Hides either within the blind or attached should have an enforced ramp to water level that is at least 15 inches wide with cleats every 12 inches. Openings in the blind must be capable of being closed when not in use.

Use of Blinds or Areas Located Near Blinds

Attempts to claim blinds/hunting sites by any manner other than actual occupation shall be considered in violation of this Part. The insertion of a boat into the boat hide and/or the spreading of decoys before a blind shall not be considered legal occupation of a blind.
No person shall hunt, or attempt to hunt, except from within a registered blind, unless exempt.
Persons under 16 years of age shall not hunt, or attempt to hunt, unless accompanied by an adult due to safety factors.
Blinds shall not be locked.
Claiming or attempting to claim any blind that is legally occupied, and/or harassing, in any manner, the occupants of a blind which has been legally occupied, is unlawful.
No person shall violate or be located within 250 yards of an occupied blind within the hunting area, except for those authorized to occupy the blind and Department employees.
All hunting parties shall hunt over a spread of at least 12 decoys during duck season and Canada goose season. The decoys shall be: staked, placed, floating, be individually visible, be at least 8 inches long, and not be within a boat, blind or container.
At sites where a manned check station is in operation, hunters are required to show their hunting license and Federal and State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp. Persons exempt by law from having a hunting license and an Illinois stamp must show valid photo identification (example: Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, driver’s license, etc.).
Cutting of woody vegetation greater than 4 inches in diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) is prohibited. No cutting of oak trees of any size is allowed. Killing or harming herbaceous vegetation, including but not limited to herbicide treatments or natural vegetation killers, or otherwise damaging or destroying habitat on Department managed lands by any means is prohibited. Planting crops or other vegetation, as well as spreading mineral supplements, including but not limited to salt, is prohibited on lands controlled by the Department. Violations of these rules without written permission of the Site Superintendent will result in loss of the blind for the current allocation period for that site.

Public Drawing

Time and place for all sites holding drawings shall be publicly announced by the Department.

A registrant for a drawing must:

be 16 years of age or older;
possess a current or preceding year’s annual Illinois hunting license that allows the individual to hunt without additional supervision;
possess a current or preceding year’s Illinois Migratory Waterfowl Stamp unless exempted by law; and
possess a valid government issued photo identification (example: Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, driver’s license).

Persons exempted by law from possessing a hunting license or waterfowl stamp must be 16 years of age or older and have valid government issued photo identification. In order to be an eligible applicant for the drawing, the participant must not at the time of the drawing have his/her hunting privileges suspended or revoked by the Department or any other jurisdiction. Applicants must be present for the registration and drawing to be eligible for allocation of blind sites.

No person is eligible to draw for a waterfowl blind or hunting site who has had his or her hunting privileges suspended by Illinois or any other state, or is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a conviction for violation of a State or federal law, or is prohibited from possessing a firearm by action of law regardless of conviction status (such as homeland security, under order of protection, etc.). Any ineligible person who submits an application to draw for a waterfowl blind or hunting site shall be refused, if known by the drawer at the time to be ineligible, or shall have his or her draw declared void upon discovery of ineligibility by the Department. A refused or voided application shall be referred to the appropriate State’s Attorney for possible prosecution under theCriminal Code 720 ILCS 5/.

Flood Rules

Unless site-specific flood rules are listed in Administrative Rule 17-590, in the event that State managed sites are flooded to the point that public waterfowl blinds cannot be constructed or waterfowl blinds are no longer usable during a flood, or if the receding flood water does not allow for Department blind inspection, the Department, by public announcement and/or posting, may permit waterfowl hunting under one of the following circumstances:

If the check station for that site is open, all rules apply, except that hunting will be allowed from boat, platform or floating blinds which must be located within 10 feet of the marked blind site.
If the check station is not operable, all rules apply except that hunting will be allowed from boat, platform or floating blinds which must be located within 10 feet of the marked blind site. Additionally, rules concerning blind claiming as listed in Administrative Rule 17-590.50 (b) shall apply. Rules listed in Administrative Rule 17-590.40 (b) (1) (2), (3), (4) (9) shall not be in force.
If blind sites have not been marked and no check station is operable, the area will be open to hunting from platform, floating or boat blinds or by walk-in hunting, anywhere on the area except refuges and closed waterfowl rest areas. Preplacement of unattended decoys and/or unoccupied blinds or boat hides do not constitute lawful possession of a hunting site. All hunting parties must remain 200 yards apart and follow normal closing hours for the site.
In all above flood circumstances, regulations requiring the construction of a separate boat hide and regulations regarding the minimum standards for blind construction and inspection shall be suspended for that season.

Hunting locations allocated via public drawing shall be retained by blind registrants despite the lack of a completed blind.

Only flu flu arrows may be used by bow and arrow hunters; broadheads are not allowed.

Permit Controlled Sites − Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting

Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-590 for sites which allow hunting by permit only.
Permit applications shall be accepted starting August 16. Initial acceptance dates and methods for making applications will be publicly announced. A hunter can obtain up to 5 permits for duck hunting and 5 permits for goose hunting as follows: Only applications submitted by Illinois residents will be processed during the first lottery to apply for up to one duck permit and one goose permit. Nonresidents and residents who did not receive a permit or did not apply in the first lottery will be eligible to participate in the second lottery to apply for their first duck and goose permit. Residents will have preference in the 2nd lottery. Residents and nonresidents can apply for a 2nd permit for duck and goose hunting in the 3rd lottery. Residents will have preference in the 3rd lottery. Residents and nonresidents can apply online for a 3rd, 4th and 5th duck and goose permit after the 3rd lottery. Successful applicants will be sent confirmation via email or can access the Reservation Inquiry System to see if they were awarded a permit.
Permits shall be issued until the daily quota is filled. The daily quota is determined by the formula: one hunter per 10 to 40 huntable acres. Huntable acres are determined by, but not limited to, the biological studies on the number of the species available; the condition, topography, and configuration of the land at the site; the condition of the roads at the site; the number of employees available to work at the site; and the number of blinds which can be established on a site as set forth in Section 3.8 of the Illinois Wildlife Code. Hunting locations (blind or stake number) shall be assigned randomly by the permit office and listed on the permit at sites that do not have a check station, but have multiple hunting locations.
The permit shall be for the use of the entire blind or staked site/area.
Unallocated blinds may be filled by a drawing at the sites. If no drawing occurs, then modifications will be posted at the site and Administrative Rule 17-510.10 (d)(3) shall apply.
Permits are not transferrable.
Hours, Permits and Stamp Charges: Hunting hours are from legal opening time until 1:00 p.m.
Hunting shall be done from assigned locations (blinds, stakes, areas or pits) only and hunters shall not move from assigned location to another location or leave the assigned location and return.
Guns must be unloaded and encased at all times when not hunting. All hunting parties shall hunt over a spread of at least 12 decoys during duck season and Canada goose season (except at Union County and Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Areas). The decoys shall be staked, placed or floating, be individually visible, be at least 8 inches long, and not be within a boat, blind or container.

Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-590 for sites with different hours, site-specific registration requirements, dates, fees, etc.

Check Station Sites – Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting

The following regulations apply to all check station sites listed in Administrative Rule 17-590.40 (a):

All hunters must report to the check station to fill out information cards, show hunting licenses or valid photo identification (example: Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, driver’s license, etc.) and receive all required materials before proceeding to blinds. Beginning the day after duck season ends, when the check station is not operating, unclaimed blinds shall be allocated on a first come-first served basis. Goose hunters must sign in prior to hunting and sign out and report their harvest at the end of each day’s hunt.
- Registered blind builders or partners desiring to claim their blinds must report to the check station at least one hour before hunting hour each day and occupy that blind for at least one hour. Hunters wishing to move to another blind during their daily hunt must report back to the check station for reassignment.
  - All hunting must be from registered blinds only and hunters must occupy their blinds within one hour after registering at the check station.
  - All hunters must be checked out within one hour of the close of the legal hunting hours. To complete the check out process, all hunters must complete the hunter harvest card/sheet and deposit it in the box provided. At Mississippi River Area Pools 25 and 26, hunters must be checked out within one hour after leaving their blinds.
  - It shall be unlawful to trespass upon the designated duck hunting area during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season as posted at the site. At Mississippi River Area Pools 25 and 26 and Horseshoe Lake State Park (Madison County) it shall be unlawful to trespass upon the designated duck hunting area between sunset of the Sunday immediately preceding opening day of regular duck season through the day before regular duck season as posted at the site.
  - It shall be unlawful to trespass upon areas designated as waterfowl rest areas or refuges from 2 weeks prior to the start of regular duck season through the close of regular duck and Canada goose season, except on areas of Mississippi River Area Pools 25 and 26, Batchtown State Wildlife Management Area, Crull Hollow and Godar Refuge State Wildlife Area, which reopen the day after regular duck season closes.
  - No more than 4 persons shall occupy a blind at one time, except on the statewide Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day, 5 persons may occupy a blind at one time only if the party is comprised of 2 youth hunters, their non-hunting parents and one non-hunting guide.
  - Blind sites shall be allocated for a period of one year unless otherwise noted.
  - During duck season, blinds not claimed by the builder or partners by one hour before hunting time may be assigned by a drawing at this time and during the hours from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., except at Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area and Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area, any blinds left unclaimed after completion of the daily drawing will be assigned on a first come-first served basis up to 30 minutes after the drawing and from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Once 4 hunters have occupied a blind, all original occupants of the blind must check out at the check station before any additional hunters may occupy that blind. Blinds may be reallocated on a first-come, first-served basis or, if multiple parties arrive at the check station at 8:00 a.m., there may be a second drawing, unless exceptions apply. If no drawing occurs pursuant, then modifications will be posted at the site and Administrative Rule 17-510.10 (d)(3) shall apply.
  - Previous year’s blind builders shall have until 7 days after the next allocation period drawing to salvage materials from their blinds. After this date, all materials become the property of the new blind builder or the Department.
  - For those sites that have 3 year blind allocation periods, re-registration of blind sites during the non-draw years must be accomplished in person during a publicly announced period. Failure to re-register during the prescribed period will result in the loss of blind site. Registrants must present current year’s Illinois hunting license and State waterfowl stamp for each blind builder. Blinds not re-registered will be allocated by a drawing. No waterfowl blind may be removed until after the close of the waterfowl season.

Non-Check Station Sites – Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting

The following regulations apply to all check station sites listed in Administrative Rule 17-590.50 (a):

Blind builders or partners must occupy their blinds by one-half hour before opening hunting hour each day in order to claim their blind for the day. Blinds not legally occupied may be claimed on a first come-first served basis.
Attempts to claim blinds by any manner other than actual occupation shall be considered in violation of this Part and shall be cause for arrest. The insertion of a boat into the boat hide and/or the spreading of decoys before a blind shall not be considered legal occupation of a blind.
All hunting must be from registered blinds only unless otherwise noted.
Blind sites shall be allocated for a period of one year unless otherwise noted.
Previous year’s blind builders shall have until 7 days after the next allocation period drawing to salvage materials from their blinds. After that date, blinds become the property of the new blind builders.
No more than 4 persons shall occupy a blind at one time, except on Mississippi River Pools 16, 17, 18, 21, 22 and 24.
For those sites that have 3 year blind allocation periods, re-registration of blind sites during the non-draw years must be accomplished in person during a publicly announced period. Failure to re-register during the prescribed period will result in the loss of blind site. Registrants must present current year’s Illinois hunting license and State waterfowl stamp for each blind builder. Blinds not re-registered will be allocated by a drawing. No waterfowl blind may be removed until after the close of the waterfowl season.
It shall be unlawful to trespass upon areas designated as waterfowl rest areas or refuges 2 weeks prior to the start of regular duck season through the close of regular duck and Canada goose season as posted at the site.
It shall be unlawful to trespass upon the designated waterfowl hunting area during the 7 days prior to the waterfowl season as posted at the site. At Mississippi River Area Pools 25 and 26 it shall be unlawful to trespass upon the designated waterfowl hunting area between sunset of the Sunday immediately preceding the opening date of regular duck season through the day before regular duck season as posted at the site.

Blind winners at sites listed in Administrative Rule 17-590.50 (c) will be provided forms for the purpose of maintaining waterfowl harvest records. The forms must be completed and returned within 15 days after the close of the site’s waterfowl season or the blind builder and partners for that blind shall not be allowed to be a blind builder or partner at these sites for the following year.

Various Other Department Sites – Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting

Statewide Regulations in 17-590.10 and the following regulations apply, unless exemptions apply.

Hunting hours are from legal opening to 1:00 p.m
Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-510.10for sites that require use of windshield cards
Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-510.10for sites that allow hunting until sunset
No permanent blinds allowed, except for Department constructed blinds; all blinds must be of a portable nature and constructed with natural vegetation at the blind site and no pits can be dug. All materials must be removed or dismantled at the end on the day’s hunt.
Portable boat blinds must have been completed, including final brushing, before entering the water and must be removed at the end of the day’s hunt.
Waterfowl hunters must maintain a distance of 200 yards between hunting parties, except for Department constructed blinds or staked locations.
No hunting is permitted within 200 yards of developed recreation areas, public use facilities, and construction or industrial sites.
No check station is operated nor is any check in/check out required, except as indicated in Administrative Rule 17-590.
It shall be unlawful to trespass upon areas designated as waterfowl rest areas or refuges from 2 weeks prior to the start of regular duck season through the close of regular duck and Canada goose season except as indicated in Administrative Rule 17-590.
It shall be unlawful to trespass upon the designated waterfowl hunting area during the 7 days prior to the regular duck season unless otherwise posted at the site.

Waterfowl Hunting on the Ohio River

Waterfowl hunting will be allowed on the Ohio River bordering Illinois. Season dates and bag limits are governed by the regulations which apply to the Southern Zone in Administrative Rule 17-590.10 (i)(5).

The following areas of the Ohio River shall be designated as waterfowl refuges and shall be closed to all hunting from October 15 through March 15:

The Ohio River from Smithland Lock and Dam upstream to a power line crossing the river at approximately River Mile 911.5 and Stewart Island.
The Ohio River in the vicinity of the Ballard Wildlife Management Area located in Ballard County, Kentucky, from a point 50 yards upstream from Dam 53, downstream to a line from the confluence of Hodges Creek to a point fifty yards downstream of the downstream boundary of the Ballard Wildlife Management Area.

Waterfowl hunting hours shall end at 2:00 p.m. local time daily within areas open to hunting on the Ohio River Islands Wildlife Management Area and the Kentucky portion of the Ohio River from the power line crossing at river mile 911.5 north to Carrsville, Kentucky.

Early and Late Goose (All Species) Hunting Regulations on Department Sites

During goose hunting seasons that begin before or extend beyond the regular duck season, statewide regulations and site specific regulations for goose hunting, as indicated in Administrative Rule 17-590.40, 17-590.50, and 17-590.60, shall apply to all sites, unless exemptions apply.

Some sites require check in and check out (or sign in and out) that includes reporting of harvest to the site and some sites require use of windshield cards. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-590 to see what is required.
No fees will be charged for hunting for seasons before duck season or for seasons after the regular Canada goose season.
No sites are closed to fishing and boating, unless authorized by administrative rule, during seasons before the regular duck season or for seasons after the regular Canada goose season.
Hunting from a completed blind or staked site is waived during seasons held before the regular duck season or for seasons held after the regular Canada goose season at some sites. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-590.80 to see if it is required.
Hunting from a staked site (blind need not be completed) is required during seasons held before the regular duck season at some sites. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-590.80 to see if it is required.
During goose seasons held prior to regular duck season, no hunting is allowed in designated dove management fields or within 100 yards of such fields.
During goose seasons held after the Canada goose season all restrictions regarding the use of decoys or the number of shotgun shells that hunters can possess are no longer in force.
During goose seasons held after Canada goose season, statewide hunting hours apply.

White-Tailed Deer Hunting By Use of Firearms Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-650

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season: 12:01 a.m. on Friday of the 3-day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) weekend immediately before Thanksgiving to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday of the 3-day weekend before Thanksgiving, and 12:01 a.m. on Thursday of the first 4-day (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) weekend following Thanksgiving to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday of the first 4-day weekend following Thanksgiving.

Full season permits shall be for all days. Second season permits shall be valid for the last four days of the season only.

Hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Permit quotas shall be set by the Department of Natural Resources on a county or special hunt area basis.

Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties (except for Chain O’Lakes State Park) and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47, are closed to firearm deer hunting.

Statewide Firearm Deer Permit Requirements

All deer hunters must have a current, valid Firearm Deer Permit. See the Deer Permits webpage for fees and ways to apply.

A permit is issued for one county or special hunt area and is valid only in the county, where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner, or special hunt area stated on the permit. During the First Lottery and Second Lottery, applicants who receive an either-sex permit in a county or special hunt area are eligible for a bonus antlerless-only permit for that county or special hunt area (with the exception of special hunt areas offering antlerless-only hunts). During the Third Lottery, antlerless-only permits remaining in the quota will be made available to resident applicants regardless of whether those applicants already possess an either-sex permit, but nonresident applicants must have a firearm either-sex permit in order to obtain an antlerless-only permit.

Applications from Illinois residents for participation in the First Lottery Drawing will be accepted through April 30 of the current year. Nonresidents may not apply to participate in the First Lottery Drawing. Applications received after April 30 will not be included in this lottery. Permits will be allocated in a computerized random drawing. Permits will be issued as either sex, antlerless only, or antlered only. A maximum of one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit shall be issued per person. Applicants for free landowner/tenant permits are not eligible to participate in the First or Second Lottery Drawings. Landowners who receive permits in the First or Second Lottery Drawing are not eligible for landowner permits for the firearm deer season during the hunt year.

Applicants must complete all portions of the current year permit application form. Incomplete or incorrect applications will be returned along with the applicant’s permit fee for correction or completion if received in the Permit Office prior to the deadline.

Applicants must check the second-season box if they agree to accept a second-season permit upon being rejected for a full-season permit.

Applicants must check the antlerless-only box and provide the appropriate fee to apply for an additional antlerless-only permit. Antlerless-only permits will be issued until the antlerless-only quota is filled for a given county or special hunt area.

Permits for counties and special hunt areas with unfilled quotas after the First Lottery Drawing will be allocated in a Second Lottery Drawing. This drawing is open only to nonresident applicants and to Illinois residents who were not previously issued firearm permits for the current hunting season. Illinois residents will be given preference for permits allocated in the Second Lottery Drawing. Applications for the Second Lottery Drawing will be accepted through June 30 of the current year. Applicants may also apply for remaining antlerless-only permits by checking the antlerless-only box and providing the appropriate fee. A list of unfilled counties and special hunt areas will be announced upon becoming available after the First Lottery Drawing. Applicants must apply on a current year Firearm Deer Permit application form. A maximum of one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit shall be issued for the Third Lottery will be processed individually (i.e., no group applications will be processed).

Permits remaining after the Third Lottery Drawing will be available over-the-counter (OTC) from agents designated by the Department beginning the third Tuesday in October 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. Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability. Persons purchasing OTC deer permits must supply all necessary applicant information to the agents in order to properly complete the permit.

Hunter preference in obtaining a permit during the First Lottery Drawing will be given: to individuals that applied for an either-sex permit in the previous year’s First Lottery Drawing who were rejected because the quota was depleted in their county choices. Preference will not be granted to applicants who received a full-season either-sex permit but who did not receive an antlerless-only permit. Persons with lottery preference will have first chance at receiving available either-sex permits. The following criteria must be met to obtain a preference in the

First Lottery Drawing:

The applicant must apply using the official Department application.
The applicant must be a resident of the State, be eligible to receive a Firearm Deer Permit, and not had deer hunting privileges revoked pursuant to Administrative Rule 17-650.50.
The applicant must apply for the same county choices that the applicant listed on the previous year’s application. Preference will not be granted for special hunt areas.

Applications may be accepted at the counter window of the permit office; however, permits for the First Lottery, Second Lottery and Third Lottery Drawing will be mailed. In-person, mail-in and electronic applications will receive equal treatment in the drawings.

A $3 service fee will be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department, except when permits are lost in the mail, then there will be no charge. Monies derived from this source will be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

The periods for accepting applications for the First and Second Lottery periods may be extended if applications are not available to the public by April 1. A news release will announce the extension of the application periods.

Permit Refunds and Cancellations

A refund shall be issued by the Department for a permit that has been granted or for an application that has been submitted, under the following circumstances:

The State managed or owned site for which the permit was issued was closed due to a national or State issued emergency or disaster declaration or any other emergency circumstance that resulted in the Department closing access to the hunting site, park or area. Issued permits shall be cancelled by the Department. Which include, but is not limited to, closure of State parks, fish and wildlife areas, and recreation areas by the Department as a response to a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation or executive order;
The applicant for a permit was unsuccessful in obtaining a permit in the lottery for which the applicant applied; or
Upon the request of the permit holder, a permit was issued due to an error of the Department, the OTC point-of-sale vendor or the applicant. The permit that was issued in error and the request for a refund must be delivered to the Department before the first day of the season listed on the permit. Permits shall be considered delivered to the Department if the permit is received or postmarked before the first day of the season listed on the permit; or
Upon the return of an issued permit to the Department before the first day of the season listed on the issued permit. Permits shall be considered delivered to the Department if the permit is received or postmarked before the first day of the season listed on the permit. No refund shall be issued if the permit is returned or postmarked after the first day of the season listed on the permit.

A permit shall be cancelled if a refund is approved. Once a permit has been cancelled, the cancelled permit shall not count towards the total number of permits that an applicant may obtain for the hunting season that the cancelled permit was issued.

Upon the request of a permit holder, a refund may be issued by the Department for a permit that has been granted under the following circumstances:

A medical condition or death of the permit holder that prevented the permit holder from hunting. A death certificate or medical documentation showing that the permit holder was unable to or advised not to hunt may be required by the Department before any refund is issued. Requests must be made within 90 days after the start of the season that the permit was issued for and must accompany the return of the permit to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois. No refunds shall be issued if the request or permit is delivered to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois or postmarked 90 days after the first day of the season listed on the permit; or
The permit holder was unable to travel or use the permit that was issued to him or her due to a national or State issued emergency or disaster declaration that resulted in a danger to the health or safety of the permit holder had they attempted to use the issued permit. Requests must be made within 60 days after the start of the season for which the permit was issued and must accompany the return of the permit to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois. No refund shall be issued if the request or permit is delivered or postmarked 60 days after the first day of the season listed on the permit.
A permit that was issued due to an error of the Department, the OTC point-of-sale vendor, or the applicant, if the permit is returned to the Department before the last day of the season for which the permit was issued.

Firearm Deer Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits

See Administrative Rule 17-528 for requirements and procedures for obtaining landowner/tenant permits.

Firearm Deer Permit Requirements – Special Hunts

Special hunt sites are defined as those sites that are owned or controlled by agencies/entities other than the Department, or sites at which the Department only controls a portion of the property designated for deer hunting, that issue deer hunting permits through the statewide lottery process. The Permit Office issues deer hunting permits through a computerized drawing for the following sites, in addition to the Department owned or managed sites listed in Administrative Rule 17-650.60 (h). The permit preference system does not apply to special hunt areas or to State sites allocating permits in the lottery.

Firearm Deer Permit Requirements – Group Hunt

Up to six individuals may apply to hunt as a group during the First and Second Lottery Drawings.
Each individual must sign his or her own application.
In order to receive preference for the group, all members must have preference for the same county choice. If any member does not have preference for the group’s county choice, the entire group will not receive preference.
Applicants applying as a group will be rejected if they do not list the same county or special hunt area choice, complete the group leader information listing the identical group leader, and complete the second-season option box identically.
Since Illinois residents are given preference for permits allocated in the Second Lottery Drawing, groups containing both resident and nonresident applicants will be treated as nonresidents.

Statewide Requirements for Hunting Devices

Any combination of legal hunting devices may be used to take, or attempt to take, deer provided the devices are legal for the specific season as follows:

Shotgun, loaded with slugs only, of not larger than 10 nor smaller than 20 gauge, not capable of firing more than 3 consecutive slugs; or
A single or double barreled muzzleloading rifle of at least .45 caliber shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least sixteen inches in length; or
Centerfire revolvers, centerfire single-shot handguns, and centerfire single-shot rifles as specified in Section 2.25 of the Illinois Wildlife Code; or
On private land only, archery equipment as defined by Administrative Rule 17-670.30 may be used during firearm deer season while hunting with a valid firearm deer permit.

Standards and specifications for legal firearm ammunition are:

For shotguns and muzzleloading firearms, the minimum size of the projectile shall be .44 caliber. A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or a part of the projectile.
For handguns and rifles, the firearm ammunition as specified in Section 2.25 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.
Non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding bullets (including copper/copper alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal ammunition.

Standards and specifications for use of muzzleloading firearms are as follows:

A muzzleloading firearm is defined as a firearm into which the projectile is incapable of being inserted from the breech end.
Only black powder or a “black powder substitute” such as Pyrodex may be used. Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose-based) are an approved black powder substitute only in muzzleloading firearms that are specifically designed for their use.
Only percussion (cap or primer), wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or electronic ignition may be used.
The following shall constitute an unloaded muzzleloading firearm:
- removal of percussion cap/primer;
- removal of prime powder from frizzen pan with frizzen open and hammer all the way down;
- removal of prime powder from flashpan and wheel unwound;
- removal of prime powder and match with match not lit; or
- removal of the battery from the electronic ignition.
It shall be unlawful to use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field while hunting white-tailed deer except as provided in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

Statewide Deer Hunting Regulations

The bag limit is one deer per legally authorized either-sex, antlered-only or antlerless-only permit. All either-sex permits and antlered-only permits are subject to the following restriction: no hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her possession, may harvest more than 2 antlered deer during a year, including the youth, archery, muzzleloader, and firearm seasons. For purposes of this regulation, deer seasons are considered to be in the same year if their opening dates fall within the same 12-month period that begins on July 1. A hunter in possession of an either-sex permit after having harvested 2 antlered deer during a year, as defined above, may only use the permit to harvest an antlerless deer. Subject to this restriction, an either-sex permit holder is allowed to take a deer with or without antlers and an antlered-only permit holder is allowed to take only a deer having at least one antler of a length of 3 or more inches. An antlerless only permit holder is allowed to take only a deer without antlers or a deer having antlers less than 3 inches long.
Recipients of the Firearm Deer Hunting Permit shall record their signature on the permit prior to hunting and must carry it on their person while hunting.
The temporary harvest tag shall be attached and properly sealed immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed. No person shall leave any deer that has been killed without properly attaching the temporary harvest tag to the deer in the manner prescribed on the permit.
Hunters shall not have in their possession, while in the field during firearm deer season, any deer permit issued to another person (permits are non-transferable).
Permits will not be re-issued in cases involving deer taken which are found to be diseased or spoiled due to previous injury. Legal disposal of unfit deer taken shall be the responsibility of the hunter. For those hunters participating in the Department’s Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Program, a free permit for the same county or special hunt area will be made available the subsequent year if the hunter’s deer is determined to have chronic wasting disease.

Reporting Deer Harvest

Testing of deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) by DNR personnel will occur so long as funding is available in:

counties where deer have been documented with the disease;
- counties considered high-risk for the disease; and
- counties in which additional surveillance is warranted.

These counties shall be publicly announced following the conclusion of the previous year’s annual fall/winter CWD surveillance, which will be used as a basis for decision making. For these counties, hunters shall take their whole (or field dressed) deer to a designated firearm deer check station by 8:00 p.m. on the day the deer was killed. A permanent harvest tag will be attached to the leg of the deer upon registration at the check station. If a hunter is not able to locate a harvested deer in sufficient time to enable reporting the harvest by 8:00 p.m., the hunter must take the deer to the appropriate check station upon its opening at 8:00 a.m. the following morning, or immediately upon retrieving it if that occurs later than the opening of the check station. If this situation occurs on a Sunday (e.g., the check station will not be open on Monday), the hunter must contact the appropriate regional DNR Law Enforcement Office by 10:00 a.m. Monday morning for instructions on checking in the deer. If the head/antlers are delivered to a taxidermist for processing, the temporary harvest tag must accompany the head/antlers and be kept with the head/antlers while at the taxidermist. If the carcass is taken to a meat processor, the permanent harvest tag must remain attached to the leg of the deer until it is processed, then must remain with the processed deer until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer. Persons delivering deer/parts of 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 taken or obtained.

For counties in which Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance is not occurring:

Successful hunters during the firearm deer season must register their harvest by 10:00 p.m. on the same calendar day the deer was taken by calling the toll-free telephone check-in system at 1-866-ILCHECK or by accessing the on-line check-in system at www.dnr.illinois.gov. If a hunter is not able to locate a harvested deer in sufficient time to enable reporting the harvest by 10:00 p.m., the hunter must immediately report the harvest upon retrieving it. The hunter will be provided with a confirmation number to verify that he or she checked in the harvest. This number must be written by the hunter onto the temporary harvest tag (leg tag). If the condition of the tag precludes writing on the tag in the appropriate space (i.e., bloody, etc.), the confirmation number shall be written elsewhere on the tag, or onto a piece of paper and attached to the deer along with the temporary harvest tag. The deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in. In instances where deer are checked in while the hunter is still afield, the deer may not be dismembered while afield beyond quartering the animal. If quartered, all parts of the carcass (except the entrails removed during field dressing) must be transported together 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 testicle, scrotum, or penis.
  - For a doe: head attached to carcass, or attached udder (mammary) or vulva.
- The temporary harvest tag (leg tag) and confirmation number must remain attached to the deer until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer, the deer has been checked in, and final processing is completed. If the head/antlers are delivered to a taxidermist for processing, the confirmation number must be recorded on the “head tag” portion of the permit and both must remain with the deer while at the taxidermist. If the carcass is taken to a meat processor, the temporary harvest 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. Persons delivering deer/parts of deer to a tanner for processing must supply the tanner with either their deer permit number, their confirmation number, or a written certification by the person from whom the deer was received that the specimen was legally taken or obtained.

Site specific reporting requirements must be followed in addition to the regulations listed above.

Firearm Deer Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply at Department owned or managed sites, unless specified by a more restrictive regulation.

It is unlawful to drive deer, or participate in a deer drive, on all Department owned or managed properties. A deer drive is defined as a deliberate action by one or more persons (whether armed or unarmed) whose intent is to cause deer to move within firearm range of one or more participating hunters.

Only one tree stand or ground blind is allowed per deer permit holder. Tree stands and ground blinds must comply with restrictions listed in Administrative Rule 17-510.10 and must be portable. Tree stands and ground blinds must be removed at the end of each day with the exception that they may be left unattended from September 15 – January 31 at those sites listed in Administrative Rule 17-650.60(g). Any tree stand or ground blind left unattended overnight must be legibly marked with the owner’s name, address, and telephone number, or site assigned identification number.

Some sites require check in and check out (or sign in and out) that includes reporting of harvest to the site and some sites require use of windshield cards. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-510.10 to see what is required.

Statewide regulations shall apply at sites by special permit allocated through the regular statewide drawing. Season dates that differ from the statewide dates and sites that offer standby hunting can be found in 17-650.60(h). At sites offering standby hunting, permit holders must register at the check station by 5:00 a.m. each day of the hunt. Unvalidated permits are void after 5:00 a.m. Vacancies each day may be filled by a drawing held at 5:00 a.m. Vacancies may be filled by any person holding a valid hunting license, Habitat Stamp, and Firearm Owner Identification Card, unless exempt. Standby hunters will be issued a one-day site-specific deer permit at the check station, and charged a permit fee of $5. All hunters must check out and report harvest. In the event that Department budget reductions or site staffing reductions make the operation of check stations or issuance of standby permits impractical, changes to check station procedures and standby permit issuance will be publicly announced and posted at the site. If standby drawing or check station procedures are modified, then Administrative Rule 17-510.10 (d) (3)shall apply.

Special Deer Hunts for Young Hunters

Shooting is allowed from elevated tree stands, except as noted in parentheses. Applicants must not have reached their 18th birthday by the start of the season. Only one tree stand is allowed per person. Tree stands must comply with restrictions listed in Administrative Rule 17-510.10 (c) (3) and must be portable. Tree stands may be set up the day before the hunt and shall be removed the day after. All tree stands must be marked with a site assigned identification number. Check-in, check-out and report of harvest is required.

Special Deer Hunts for Disabled Hunters

Statewide regulations apply; season dates are the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday immediately prior to the first firearm deer season, and the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday immediately following the second weekend of the regular firearm season unless otherwise noted in Administrative Rule 17-650.67. Permit applications may be obtained from the appropriate site office, and completed applications must be returned to that office by the third Friday in October unless otherwise noted in parentheses. Disabled hunters must possess a Class P2A disability card in order to be eligible for the drawing. Additional regulations will be publicly announced.

Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-650 for exceptions to the statewide regulations listed above.

White-Tailed Deer Hunting By Use of Muzzleloading Rifles Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-660

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season: One-half hour before sunrise on Friday of the third 3-day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) weekend following Thanksgiving to one-half hour after sunset on Sunday of this 3-day weekend in December. The hunter with a Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit may also hunt during the second firearm deer season (the first 4-day weekend – Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – following Thanksgiving), providing the hunter must use only a legal muzzleloading rifle and must abide by Administrative Rule 17-650.60when hunting on Department owned or managed sites

Hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Permit quotas shall be set by the Department of Natural Resources on a county or special hunt area basis. Cook, DuPage and Lake counties, and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47, are closed to muzzleloading rifle deer hunting.

Statewide Muzzleloader Deer Permit Requirements

All deer hunters must have a current, valid Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit. See the Deer Permits webpage for fees and ways to apply.

A permit is issued for one county or special hunt area and is valid only in the county, where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner, or special hunt area stated on the permit. During the First Lottery and Second Lottery, applicants who receive an either-sex permit in a county or special hunt area are eligible for a bonus antlerless-only permit for that county or special hunt area (with the exception of special hunt areas offering antlerless-only hunts). During the Third Lottery, antlerless-only permits remaining in the quota will be made available to resident applicants regardless of whether those applicants already possess an either-sex permit, but nonresident applicants must have a muzzleloader either-sex permit or landowner firearm either-sex permit in order to obtain an antlerless-only permit.

Muzzleloader Deer Permit Application Requirements

Follows the same Deer Permit Application Requirements as Firearm Deer Hunting, except applicants for free landowner/tenant permits are eligible to participate in the First or Second Lottery Drawings. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Hunter preference in obtaining a muzzleloading rifle permit during the First Lottery Drawing shall be given to individuals that applied for an either-sex muzzleloading permit in the previous year’s First Lottery Drawing who were rejected because the quota was depleted in their county choices. The following criteria must be met to obtain a preference in the muzzleloading rifle First Lottery Drawing:

The applicant must apply using the official agency application.
The applicant must be a resident of the State, be eligible to receive a Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit, and not had deer hunting privileges revoked.
The applicant must apply for the same county choices that he/she listed on the previous year’s application. Preference will not be granted for special hunt areas.
Where applicants apply as a group, preference for the entire group shall apply as it does above for the individual. All county choices for the group must be identical.

Applications shall be accepted at the counter window of the permit office; however, permits for the First Lottery, Second Lottery and Third Lottery Drawing shall be mailed. In-person, mail-in and electronic applications will receive equal treatment in the drawings.

A $3 service fee shall be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department, except when permits are lost in the mail, then there shall be no charge. The procedures for obtaining a replacement license are detailed in Administrative Rule17-2520.50. Monies derived from this source shall be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

The period for accepting applications for the First and Second Lottery periods shall be extended if applications are not available to the public by April 1. A news release will announce the extension of the application period.

Deer Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations

Follows the same Deer Permit Application Requirements as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Deer Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits

Unfilled POH firearm deer permits that authorize various types of property owners/tenants to hunt only on their owned or leased land shall be valid only on lands owned/leased by the permit holder during the muzzleloading rifle season. However, the only valid weapon during the muzzleloading rifle season is a muzzleloading rifle which meets the requirements of Administrative Rule 17-660.30.

Deer Permit Requirements – Special Hunts

Special hunt sites are defined as those sites that are owned or controlled by agencies/entities other than the Department, or sites at which the Department only controls a portion of the property designated for deer hunting, and that issue deer hunting permits through the statewide lottery process. The Permit Office issues deer hunting permits through a computerized drawing, in addition to Department owned or managed sites. See Administrative Rule 17-660.22 for sites that offer Special Hunts.

Deer Permit Requirements – Group Hunt

Follows the same Deer Permit requirements for Group Hunts as Firearm Deer Hunting does. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Statewide Muzzleloading Rifle Requirements

The only legal hunting device is a 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. The standards and specifications for muzzleloading rifles and ammunition are as follows:

A muzzleloading rifle is defined as a rifle into which the projectile is incapable of being inserted from the breech end.
- The minimum size of the muzzleloading rifle projectile shall be .44 caliber. A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or a part of the projectile. Non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding bullets (including copper/copper alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal ammunition.
- Only black powder or a “black powder substitute” such as Pyrodex may be used. Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose-based) are an approved blackpowder substitute only in muzzleloading rifles that are specifically designed for their use.
- Only percussion (cap or primer), wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or electronic ignition may be used.
  - The following shall constitute an unloaded muzzleloading rifle:
  - removal of percussion cap/primer;
  - removal of prime powder from frizzen pan with frizzen open and hammer all the way down;
  - removal of prime powder from flashpan and wheel unwound;
  - removal of prime powder and match with match not lit; or
  - removal of the battery from the electronic ignition.

It shall be unlawful to use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field while hunting white-tailed deer during the muzzleloading rifle deer season. However, the lawful possession of firearms to take furbearing mammals and game mammals other than deer by persons other than muzzleloading deer hunters shall not be prohibited during the muzzleloading rifle deer season as set in Administrative Rule 17-660.10.

Statewide Deer Hunting Regulations

Follows the same Statewide Deer Hunting regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Reporting Deer Harvest

Follows the same Reporting Harvest regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

Follows the same regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting does, except disabled preferred hunting opportunities are provided at some sites. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-650.

White-Tailed Deer Hunting By Use of Bow and Arrow Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-670

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season: For Cook, DuPage and Lake counties, and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47 – October 1 through the first Sunday after January 13. For all other counties, or parts of counties – October 1 through the first Sunday after January 13, closed during the period when deer hunting with a firearm is permitted as set in Administrative Rule 17-650, except for some Department of Natural Resources owned or managed sites designated in Administrative Rule 17-670.60 shall be open to archery deer hunting without regard to firearm deer season. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-670.60 for sites that allow it.

Hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Statewide Deer Archery Permit Requirements

All archery deer hunters must have a current, valid Illinois archery deer permit. Archery deer permits (except landowner/tenant hunting permits and nonresident permits issued to clients of outfitters as detailed in Administrative Rule 17-670.20 (c) will authorize the holder to hunt in any of the open counties of the State, on property where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner. Nonresident archery deer permits issued to outfitter clients who received a permit based on the preference given to outfitter clients are valid only on property controlled by the outfitter used to gain preference.

Hunters purchasing archery deer permits must supply all necessary applicant information to the license vendor in order to properly complete the permit.

Permits are not transferable. For the purpose of this regulation, “transfer” means the modification or changing, by the Department or any other person, individual or group of the name or the location on an issued permit to another person or location. A $3 service fee will be charged for replacement permits issued by DNR, except that there will be no charge for permits lost in the mail. The procedures for obtaining a replacement license are detailed in Administrative Rule17-2520.50. Monies from this source will be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

See the Deer Permits webpage for fees and ways to apply.

Deer Archery Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations

Follows the same requirements as Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Deer Archery Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits

See Administrative Rule 17-528 for requirements and procedures for obtaining landowner/tenant permits.

Statewide Legal Bow and Arrow

The only legal hunting devices to take, or attempt to take, deer are:

Longbows, recurve bows or compound bows with minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw. Minimum arrow length is 20 inches.
- Crossbows shall meet all of the following specifications:
- use a bowstring to propel the bolt or arrow and have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds;
- have a minimum length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches;
- have a working safety; and
- be used with fletched bolts or arrows of not less than 14 inches in length (not including point).

Broadheads must be used for archery deer hunting. Broadheads may have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces, but they must be 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. Nothing shall be construed to prohibit the possession of arrows with field tips or blunt tips for the purpose of legally taking small game or for target practice during the course of the hunt, but those arrows may not be used in any attempt to take deer.

All other hunting devices, including electronic arrow tracking devices utilizing radio telemetry, are illegal. It is unlawful to carry any firearm or sidearm while hunting deer with a bow and arrow unless in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act or during the firearm deer season with a valid, unfilled firearm deer permit.

Statewide Deer Archery Hunting Regulations

All regulations set forth in Section 2.26 of the Illinois Wildlife Code apply. Follows the same Statewide Deer Hunting regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Reporting Deer Archery Harvest

Follows the same Reporting Harvest regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Archery Deer Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

Follows the same regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-670.

Special White-Tailed Deer Season for Disease Control Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-675

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Season: One-half hour before sunrise on the first Thursday after December 25 to ½ hour after sunset on the following Sunday, and ½ hour before sunrise on the first Friday after January 11 to ½ hour after sunset on the following Sunday. Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after, Kendall, Will, Kankakee, Livingston, Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, Bureau and Ford counties and that portion of Kane County west of State Route 47. Additional counties in which CWD foci are identified subsequent to adoption of this Part shall be opened via public announcement.

Special CWD Deer Permit Requirements

Hunters must have an unfilled deer permit valid for the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth deer season and valid for one of the open counties or a valid CWD Season Deer Permit. A CWD Season Deer Permit is issued for one county or special hunt area and is valid only in the county, where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner, or special hunt area stated on the permit. Unfilled firearm, muzzleloader or Youth Deer Hunt Permits are valid only for the county for which they were originally issued, except that Youth Deer Hunt Permits issued as part of the statewide youth only deer hunting season are valid for all of the open counties and unfilled landowner property-only hunting firearm deer permits are valid only for the farmlands the person to whom it was issued owns, leases, or rents within the open counties/portions of counties.

Unfilled firearm, muzzleloader or Youth Deer Hunt Permits that were originally issued for special hunt areas are not valid during the CWD Season unless:

the hunter’s name is redrawn at the daily site lottery to hunt at the same special hunt area during the CWD Season; or
the special hunt area is open to persons with a county permit and the special hunt area does not conduct a daily site lottery.

Sites conducting a daily site lottery will be announced publicly.

CWD Season Deer Permits are available over-the-counter (OTC) from participating license vendors for a fee of $5. These permits shall be antlerless-only.

For a Special Hunt Area CWD Season Deer Permit, resident hunters may apply online at www.dnr.illinois.gov for a site-specific permit valid for one of the Department’s Special Hunt Areas. The application period begins the last Tuesday in October and ends the fourth Monday in November. Permits will be allocated via a lottery drawing. The fee for this permit is $17.50. These permits shall be antlerless-only.

Hunters purchasing CWD Season Deer Permits must supply all necessary applicant information to the license vendor in order to properly complete the permit.

Permits are not transferable. For the purpose of this regulation, “transfer” means the modification or changing by the Department or any other person, individual or group, of the name or the location on an issued permit to another person or location.

A $3 service fee will be charged for replacement permits. Monies derived from this source shall be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

Recipients of the CWD Season Deer Hunting Permit shall record their signature on the permit and must carry it on their person while hunting.

Deer Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations

Follows the same requirements as Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Weapon Requirements for CWD Deer Hunting Season

Legal weapons to take, or attempt to take, deer are dependent on the unused permits that are legally in the possession of the hunter. Hunters with valid, unused permits from the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth seasons may use only the legal firearms, allowed by that permit in those respective seasons. Hunters with a valid CWD Season Deer Permit may use any of the weapons described in Statewide Requirements for Hunting Device in the Firearm Deer Hunting section above or in Administrative Rule 17-650.30.

It shall be unlawful to use or possess any firearm or ammunition other than allowed in the field while hunting white-tailed deer during the CWD Deer Hunting Season unless in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. The lawful possession of firearms to take furbearing mammals and game mammals other than deer by persons other than deer hunters shall not be prohibited during the CWD Deer Hunting Season.

CWD Deer Hunting Rules

Persons using unfilled permits from the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth deer season may only take deer appropriate for that permit type (either-sex or antlerless-only).

An either-sex permit holder is allowed to take a deer with or without antlers, and an antlerless-only permit holder is allowed to take only a deer without antlers or a deer having antlers less than 3 inches long.

The bag limit is one deer per legally authorized either-sex or antlerless-only permit. Deer taken during the CWD Season are not subject to the antlered deer bag limit restrictions imposed during the firearm, muzzleloader, youth and archery deer hunting seasons.

The harvest tag must be attached and properly sealed immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed. No person shall leave any deer that has been killed without properly attaching the harvest tag to the deer in the manner described in Administrative Rule 17-675 and on the permit.

Hunters shall not have in their possession, while in the field during the CWD Deer Hunting Season, any deer permit issued to another person (permits are nontransferrable).

Permits shall not be re-issued in cases involving deer taken that are found to be diseased or spoiled due to previous injury. Disposal of unfit deer taken shall be the responsibility of the hunter. For those hunters participating in the Department’s Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Program, a free permit for the same county or special hunt area will be made available the subsequent year if their tested deer is determined to have CWD.

Reporting Deer Harvest

Follows the same Reporting Harvest regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Special CWD Control Deer Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites Sites will be opened to the CWD Deer Hunting Season only if the site is announced as being open via a public announcement. A drawing may be held at 5:00 a.m. at the site if more hunters show up than can be accommodated at sites announced as having a daily hunter quota. Notice of any standby drawing modification will be posted at the site and Administrative Rule 17-510.10 (d)(3) shall apply.

Late-Winter Deer Hunting Season Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-680

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season: One-half hour before sunrise on the first Thursday after December 25 to ½ hour after sunset on the following Sunday, and ½ hour before sunrise on the first Friday after January 11 to ½ hour after sunset on the following Sunday. Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Hunting prior to ½ hour before sunrise or after ½ hour after sunset is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine and a maximum $5,000 fine in addition to other statutory penalties.

For the purpose of removing surplus deer, the Department of Natural Resources shall open select counties and sites to firearm deer hunting during the Late-Winter Deer Season. The Department shall notify the public of the counties that are projected to have surplus deer populations via a public announcement.

It is unlawful to hunt outside the set season dates or without a valid permit for the county hunted or to hunt prior to ½ hour before sunrise or after ½ hour after sunset.

Statewide Late-Winter Deer Hunting Permit Requirements

Illinois resident hunters must have an unfilled deer permit valid for the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth deer season and valid for one of the open counties or a valid Late-Winter Deer Season permit ($17.50). Nonresident hunters must have an unfilled deer permit valid for the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth deer season and valid for one of the open counties. A Late-Winter Deer Season Permit is issued for one county or special hunt area and is valid only in the county, where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner, or special hunt area stated on the permit. Unfilled firearm, muzzleloader or Youth Deer Hunt Permits are valid only for the county for which they were originally issued, except that Youth Deer Hunt Permits issued as part of the statewide youth-only deer hunting season, are valid for all of the open counties and unfilled landowner property-only hunting firearm deer permits are valid only for the farmlands that the person to whom it was issued owns, leases, or rents within the open counties/portions of counties.

Unfilled firearm, muzzleloader or Youth Deer Hunt Permits that were originally issued for special hunt areas are not valid during the Late-Winter Season unless:

the hunter’s name is redrawn at the daily site lottery to hunt at the same special hunt area during the Late-Winter Season; or
the special hunt area is open to persons with a county permit and the special hunt area does not conduct a daily site lottery.

Sites conducting a daily site lottery will be announced publicly.

Resident Late-Winter Deer Permits will be available for sale over-the-counter (OTC) from agents designated by the Department beginning the second Tuesday in December through the last day of the Late-Winter Deer Season. There shall be no limitation on permit sales; resident hunters may purchase as many permits as they wish for any or all of the included counties.

For a Special Hunt Area permit, resident hunters may apply online at www.dnr.illinois.gov for a site-specific permit valid for one of the Department’s Special Hunt Areas. The application period begins the last Tuesday in October and ends the fourth Monday in November. Permits will be allocated via a lottery drawing.

For the applicant to be eligible to receive a Late-Winter Deer Permit ($17.50), he/she must be an Illinois resident and not have had deer hunting privileges suspended or revoked in this State.

Hunters purchasing Late-Winter Deer Permits must supply all necessary application information to the agents in order to properly complete the permit.

Recipients of the Late-Winter Deer Hunting Permit shall record their signature on the permit and must carry it on their person while hunting.

Permits are not transferable.

A $3 service fee shall be charged for replacement permits. Monies derived from this source shall be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

Late-Winter Deer Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations

Follows the same requirements as Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Statewide Firearm Requirements for Late-Winter Deer Hunting

Hunters with a valid Late-Winter Season Deer Permit may use any of the weapons described in Statewide Requirements for Hunting Devices above or in Administrative Rule 17-650.30. Hunters with a valid Late-Winter Season Deer Permit may also use single-shot muzzleloading handguns (handguns into which the projectile is incapable of being loaded through the breech end) of .50 calliber or larger. Single-shot muzzleloading handguns must use a projectile of .44 caliber or larger with sufficient blackpowder or “blackpowder substitute” (such as Pyrodex) to produce at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or part of a projectile. It shall be unlawful to use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field while hunting white-tailed deer during the Late-Winter Deer Season unless in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. The lawful possession of firearms to take furbearing mammals and game mammals other than deer by persons other than deer hunters shall not be prohibited during the Late-Winter deer season as set in Administrative Rule 17-680.

Statewide Late Winter Deer Hunting Rules

The bag limit is one antlerless deer per legally authorized permit. Persons using unfilled permits from the previous firearm, muzzleloader or youth deer season may only harvest antlerless deer even when using an either-sex permit. An antlerless deer is a deer without antlers or a deer having antlers less than 3 inches long.

Hunters shall not have in their possession, while in the field during the Late-Winter deer season, any deer permit issued to another person (permits are non-transferrable).

Permits shall not be re-issued in cases involving deer taken which are found to be diseased or spoiled due to previous injury. Disposal of unfit deer taken shall be the responsibility of the hunter. For those hunters participating in the Department’s Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Program, a free permit for the same county or special hunt area will be made available the subsequent year if their tested deer is determined to have chronic wasting disease.

Reporting Late Winter Deer Harvest

Follows the same Reporting Harvest regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Rejection of Application/Revocation of Permits

In the event that the purchaser of a Late-Winter Deer Permit is in violation, the permit will be revoked in addition to any other penalties. The applicant may request a hearing on this decision. It is unlawful to provide false and/or deceptive information on the deer permit application form or to purchase a Late-Winter Deer Permit when the applicant has a license or permit currently revoked.

Late Winter Deer Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

Sites will be opened to Late-Winter deer hunting only if the site is announced as being open via a public announcement. A drawing may be held at 5:00 a.m. at the site if more hunters show up than can be accommodated at sites announced as having a daily site lottery. Notice of any standby drawing modifications will be posted at the site and Administrative Rule 17-510.10 shall apply.

Youth Hunting Seasons Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-685

License/stamp requirements: Anyone who hunts must have a valid hunting license or be exempt. For exemptions see Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code or the Licenses/Stamps webpage. Check the species pages or the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest to know what all you need to hunt a specific animal.

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season: One-half hour before sunrise on Saturday of the State designated Columbus Day Holiday weekend to ½ hour after sunset on the Monday immediately following that weekend. Shooting hours are ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. A hunter with an unfilled, valid Youth Deer Permit may also hunt during the first firearm deer season (the 3-day weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) immediately before Thanksgiving), and the second firearm deer season (the 4-day weekend (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) following Thanksgiving), subject to the following restrictions:

Unfilled Youth Deer Permits are not valid for hunting during the first or second firearm deer seasons on public land sites that limit the number of hunters during the firearm season via the use of a site permit quota (i.e., only public sites that allow unrestricted access may be hunted);
The hunter must use only legal firearms allowed in Administrative Rule 17-650.30.

Statewide Youth Deer Hunting Firearm Requirements

On private land only, archery equipment, may be used during the Youth Deer Season, and the first and second firearm deer seasons while hunting with a valid Youth Deer Permit.

Hunters must abide by Administrative Rule 17-650.60when hunting on Department owned or managed sites.

Open Counties: All counties except Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties, and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47.

Statewide Youth Deer Hunting Permit Requirements

All eligible youth hunters must have a current, valid “Youth Deer Hunt Permit” ($10). The Youth Deer Season is only open to hunters who have not reached their 18th birthday prior to the opening date of the season. Hunters must have an apprentice or youth hunting license, or they must have completed a State-approved Hunter Education course and have a hunting license, unless exempt. Pursuant to the statewide youth-only deer hunting season pilot program in Section 2.26 of the Illinois Wildlife Code, the following will apply to all Youth Deer Hunt Permits:

Youth Deer Hunt Permits will authorize the holder to hunt in any of the open counties of the State, on property where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner.

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. Hunters may purchase only a single permit (either-sex).

For the applicant to be eligible to receive a Youth Deer Season Permit ($10), applicant must not have had his or her deer hunting privileges suspended or revoked in this State pursuant to Section 3.36 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Recipients of the Youth Deer Season Hunt Permit shall record their signature on the permit and must carry it on their person while hunting.

Permits are not transferable. A $3 service fee shall be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department, except when permits are lost in the mail there will be no charge. Monies derived from this source will be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

Permits issued for the Youth Deer Hunt season will not be counted in the number of gun permits a person can receive for the Firearm and Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season.

Permit Refunds and Cancellations

Follows the same requirements as Firearm Deer Hunting Permit Refunds and Cancellations. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Statewide Firearm Requirements for Hunting the Youth Deer Season

Legal weapons to take or attempt to take deer during Youth Deer Season are described Administrative Rule 17-650.30.

Archery deer hunters in possession of a valid archery deer permit may hunt during this season provided that, in counties open to youth deer hunting, they wear the orange garments required of gun deer hunters. The otherwise lawful possession of firearms to take furbearing mammals and game mammals other than deer by persons other than youth deer hunters or their supervisors shall not be prohibited during the Youth Deer Hunting Season.

Statewide Youth Deer Hunting Rules

Bag limits: One deer per legally authorized permit. All either-sex permits are subject to the following restrictions: no hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her possession, may harvest more than 2 antlered deer during a year, including the youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons. For purposes of this regulation, deer seasons are considered to be in the same year if their opening dates fall within the same 12-month period that begins on July 1.

Supervision of Youth Hunters

Each hunter participating in the Youth Deer Hunting Season while using an Apprentice Hunter License or a 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 Deer Hunting Season must each be accompanied by a non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian or responsible adult). A nonresident supervisor must have a valid Illinois hunting license.

The non-hunting supervisor must wear the solid blaze orange/pink garments required of gun deer hunters and must remain with the hunting youth so as to have the youth under immediate control. Youths participating in the first firearm deer season using only an unfilled Youth Deer Permit (i.e., youths without a firearm deer season permit for that county) must be accompanied by a supervisor, but, during the firearm deer season, that supervisor may also hunt so long as he/she has the appropriate licenses and permits. Each supervisor may only accompany a single youth at any given time during the hunt. The supervising adult shall be criminally liable for the actions of the youth in the hunting party and be subject to the criminal penalties provided by law.

The temporary harvest tag must be attached and properly sealed immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed. No person shall leave any deer that has been killed without properly attaching the temporary harvest tag to the deer.

Hunters shall not have in their possession, while in the field during the Youth Deer Season, any deer permit issued to another person (permits are non-transferrable).

Permits shall not be re-issued in cases involving deer taken that are found to be diseased or spoiled due to previous injury. Disposal of unfit deer taken shall be the responsibility of the hunter.

Reporting Harvest of Deer

Follows the same Reporting Harvest regulations as Firearm Deer Hunting. See the Firearm Deer Hunting section above.

Youth Deer Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply unless specified by a more restrictive regulation.

Some sites require windshield cards, check in and check out (or sign in and out), fill hunter quotas by mail-in drawing, etc. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-685 for requirements.

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Permit Requirements

Permit reservations shall be accepted starting in September. Initial acceptance dates shall be publicly announced. Applicants must be between the ages of 10-17 inclusive on the date of the hunt.

The permit shall be for the use of the entire blind and it shall be the responsibility of the permit holder to bring one supervising adult who may also hunt if the regular season is open at the date and location of the youth permit hunt. Adults may not hunt during special youth hunts held prior to the opening of the regular waterfowl season. The supervising adult shall be criminally liable for the actions of the youth in the hunting party and be subject to the criminal penalties provided by law. Each youth and supervising adult may be accompanied by a non-hunting guide. The maximum number of people in a blind is 2 hunting youth, 2 hunting adults and a non-hunting guide.

Permit Reservations and Transferability

All duplicate permit reservations shall be rejected and the hunter shall forfeit his or her rights to a permit. Permits are not transferable. Previous participants are ineligible to apply for a permit.

Waterfowl Hunting Regulations at the Youth Waterfowl Hunting Areas

Each site has specific regulations, hours, permits and stamp charges. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-685 for site specific regulations.

Youth Waterfowl Special Hunts

If, by regulation published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets any special dates for youth-only waterfowl hunting, the Department shall, by public announcement, open those Department sites that, under the circumstances prevailing at the time, the Department believes may be opened without unduly disturbing other Department programs. Open sites that require the use of windshield cards by hunters as specified in Administrative Rule 17-510.10 will be noted in the public announcement.

Squirrel Hunting Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-690

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season dates: August 1 through February 15 (except closed during firearm deer seasons, as set by Administrative Rule 17-650 in those counties open to firearm deer hunting).

Fox squirrels and gray squirrels (including their black color phase) are the only tree squirrels that may be hunted or taken.

Daily limit: 5 fox and gray (including their black color phase) squirrels, singly or in combination.

Possession limit: 10 fox and gray (including their black color phase) squirrels, singly or in combination, except on opening day of the season when only 5 squirrels may be in possession.

Squirrel Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply unless specified by a more restrictive regulation.

Unless otherwise noted, hunting with .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms, .25 caliber or smaller air rifles, muzzleloading black powder firearms, shotguns, or bow and arrow is permitted.

Some sites only allow hunting with shotguns, .25 caliber or smaller air rifles, and/or bow and arrow as the only methods of take permitted. Some sites only allow hunting with shotguns and bow and arrow as the only methods of take permitted. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-690.30 for take requirements.

The Taking of Wild Turkeys – Spring Season Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-710

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Hunting Zones: The Northern Zone includes that portion of Illinois north of Crawford, Jasper, Effingham, Fayette, Bond, and Madison counties.

The Southern Zone includes the remainder of the State.

Hunting Seasons: The hunting season for both the Southern Zone and the Northern Zone shall each be divided into five segments.

Southern Zone Season: The Southern Zone Season shall last 32 days. The First Season Segment for the Southern Zone begins the first Monday after April 2. Lengths for each segment are as follows:

First Southern Season Segment: Days 1 through 5 of the Southern Zone season.
Second Southern Season Segment: Days 6 through 11 of the Southern Zone season.
Third Southern Season Segment: Days 12 through 17 of the Southern Zone season.
Fourth Southern Season Segment: Days 18 through 24 of the Southern Zone season.
Fifth Southern Season Segment: Days 25 through 32 of the Southern Zone season.

Northern Zone Season: The Northern Zone Season shall last 32 days. The First Season Segment for the Northern Zone begins the second Monday after April 2. Lengths for each season segment are listed below:

First Northern Season Segment: Days 1 through 5 of the Northern Zone season.
Second Northern Season Segment: Days 6 through 11 of the Northern Zone season.
Third Northern Season Segment: Days 12 through 17 of the Northern Zone season.
Fourth Northern Season Segment: Days 18 through 24 of the Northern Zone season.
Fifth Northern Season Segment: Days 25 through 32 of the Northern Zone season.

Permit quotas shall be set by the Department of Natural Resources on a county or special hunt area basis.

Statewide Spring Turkey Hunting Permit Requirements

All turkey hunters must have a current, valid Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Permit. All hunters, except those exempted by Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code are also required to obtain a hunting license before hunting wild turkey. See the Turkey Permits webpage for fees and ways to apply.

Permits are issued for a specific county or area and are valid only in the county or area designated on the permit.

Applicants must supply all information necessary to complete the application. Incomplete applications will be rejected and fees returned. Each applicant must submit payment for his/her individual application at the time of application. Permits are allocated via computerized lottery drawings. Permits are not transferable.

Applications from Illinois residents will be accepted through December 1 for the First Lottery Drawing. Applicants for the First Lottery Drawing that have applied for or already are in possession of a valid landowner permit are not eligible to apply for the First Lottery Drawing. Applications received in the permit office after December 1 will be included in the next computerized drawing. Applicants rejected in this drawing will receive preference in the next year’s drawing for spring season permits. Only one application may be submitted per applicant for the First Lottery Drawing.

Permits not issued during the First Lottery Drawing will be available in a Second Lottery Drawing. Applications for this drawing will be accepted through the first working day after January 10. Applications received after this date will be included in the next drawing. All hunters are eligible to apply for permits remaining for this Second Lottery Drawing, but hunters who have not already been awarded a permit will receive preference in the Second Lottery Drawing. Only one application may be submitted per applicant for the Second Lottery Drawing.

Permits not issued during the first two lottery drawings will be available in the Third Lottery Drawing. Applications for this Third Lottery Drawing will be accepted through the first working day after February 8. Applications received after this date will be rejected and fees refunded. Applicants may submit up to three applications for the Third Lottery Drawing. No applicant may receive more than three permits in total for spring turkey hunting, including lottery drawn, OTC, youth and landowner permits.

Permits remaining after the Third Lottery Drawing will be available OTC beginning the second Tuesday in March on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the specific turkey season segment (i.e., of seasons 1 through 5) in the Zone (north vs. south) for which the permit is being requested. Hunters may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability, except that no one may exceed the limit of three permits in total for spring turkey hunting, including lottery drawn, OTC, youth and landowner permits.

The following criteria must be met to obtain preference in the first computerized drawing:

The applicant must apply using the official agency application.
The applicant must be a resident of the State, be eligible to receive a spring turkey permit, and not had turkey hunting privileges revoked.
The applicant must apply for the same county and season choices which he/she listed on the previous year’s application. Preference will not be granted for special hunt areas or for permit areas.

A $3 service fee will be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department.

The periods for accepting applications for the lotteries may be extended if applications are not available to the public by November 1. A news release will announce the extension of the application periods.

It shall be unlawful to submit applications before the second computerized lottery drawing for more than one permit for the same person.
It shall be unlawful to submit applications before the third computerized lottery drawing for more than two permits for the same person.
It shall be unlawful to apply for or receive more than three permits for the spring turkey season. The three-permit total includes lottery drawn, OTC, youth and landowner permits.
It shall be unlawful to provide false and/or deceptive information on a permit application form. In addition to criminal charges, individuals found guilty of violating this shall have their applications rejected, permit revoked, and fees forfeited.

Spring Turkey Permit Refunds and Cancellations

A refund shall be issued by the Department for a permit that has been granted, or for an application that has been submitted, under certain circumstances. See Administrative Rule 17-710.20 for qualifying circumstances.

Spring Turkey Permit Requirements − Landowner/Tenant Permits

See Administrative Rule 17-528 for requirements and procedures for obtaining landowner/tenant permits.

Spring Turkey Permit Requirements – Special Hunts

Special hunt sites are defined as those sites that are owned or controlled by agencies/entities other than the Department, or sites at which the Department only controls a portion of the property designated for turkey hunting, which issue turkey hunting permits through the statewide lottery process. The Permit Office issues turkey hunting permits through a computerized drawing for certain sites. See Administrative Rule 17-710.25.

Each applicant must enclose a separate fee (check or money order) payable to the Department of Natural Resources, or the application will be returned. Applicants should not send cash with their applications. The Department will not be responsible for cash sent through the mail.

Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations

It shall be unlawful to use live or electronic turkey decoys, recorded calls, dogs, or bait (an area is considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive days following the removal of the bait).
It shall be unlawful to take any wild turkey except a hen with a visible beard or a gobbler (male).
It shall be unlawful to take, or attempt to take, more than three wild turkeys during the spring season, one must have a valid permit for each turkey that is taken.
It shall be unlawful to use any weapon except a shotgun or bow and arrow. #4 shot is the largest size shot that may be legally used or possessed while turkey hunting.
It shall be unlawful to hunt except from ½ hour before sunrise to 1:00 p.m. during each day of the season.
It shall be unlawful for any person having taken the legal limit of wild turkeys to further participate with a weapon in any hunting party for the purpose of taking additional wild turkeys.
It shall be unlawful for any person to possess while in the field during wild turkey season any turkey permit issued to another person (permits are non-transferable).
It shall be unlawful to transport or leave a wild turkey without first attaching the temporary harvest tag to the leg in the manner prescribed on the permit. Immediately upon kill and before the turkey is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must properly attach the temporary harvest tag to the leg.
It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot a wild turkey while it is in a tree before 7:00 a.m.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys without possessing a Wild Turkey Hunting Permit which shall include the hunter’s signature recorded on the permit and carried on the person while hunting, except that a person without a weapon may accompany a turkey hunter as a caller or observer.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use a turkey call that imitates sounds made by a turkey or to attempt to call a turkey by making these sounds while in the field in the Southern Zone from March 15 through the day before the 1st turkey season and in the Northern Zone from March 22 through the day before the 1st turkey season. This prohibition only applies in counties open to spring turkey hunting. This prohibition does not apply to participants in the Youth Turkey Hunt with a valid permit, or their accompanying adult, during that season.

Reporting Turkey Harvest

Successful hunters must register their harvest by 10:00 p.m. on the same calendar day as the turkey was taken by calling the toll-free telephone check-in system at 1-866-ILCHECK or by accessing the on-line check-in system at www.dnr.illinois.gov. Hunters must provide all information requested by the check-in system, and will be provided with a confirmation number to verify that they checked in their harvest. The confirmation number must be written by the hunter on the leg tag. 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. The turkey must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in.

Archers may use:

Longbows, recurve bows or compound bows with minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw. Minimum arrow length is 20 inches.
Crossbows and bolts as specified in Administrative Rule 17-670.30.
- Broadheads must be used. Broadheads may have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces, but they must have a minimum ⅞ inch 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. All other bows and arrows, including electronic arrow tracking systems using radio telemetry, are illegal.

Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply at Department owned or managed sites, unless specified by a more restrictive regulation. Some sites require check in and check out (or sign in and out) that includes reporting of harvest to the site, the use of windshield cards or site-specific permit hunting only allocated through the lottery process. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-710.50 to see what is required.

Special Spring Turkey Hunts for Disabled Hunters

Hunters who intend to hunt Department sites and who have a physical disability that requires special accommodations are encouraged to contact the site superintendent at least 10 days before the date they wish to hunt. The site superintendent will make reasonable accommodations necessary to allow the disabled person to participate in the hunting experience at the site. Disabled hunters who require an aide or assistant with them during the hunt are responsible for providing the aide or assistant and notifying the site superintendent that an assistant will be present, and whether the assistant will also be hunting.

Statewide regulations shall apply except that all hunting is allowed by site-specific permit only. The Department of Natural Resources allocates permits for these areas through the lottery process. Permits are only valid for the specific site and season indicated on the permit. Disabled hunters must possess a Class P2A disability card in order to be eligible for the drawing.

Spring Youth Turkey Hunting

License/stamp requirements: Anyone who hunts must have a valid hunting license or be exempt. For exemptions see Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code or the Licenses/Stamps webpage. Check the species pages or the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest to know what all you need to hunt a specific animal.

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season: The two consecutive weekends immediately prior to the regular season in the Southern Zone. The Northern Zone and Southern Zone are open concurrently for all 4 days.

Open Counties: All counties listed in Administrative Rule 17-710.10 are open to the Spring Youth Turkey Hunt.

Eligibility: The Spring Youth Turkey Hunt is open only to hunters who have not reached the age of 18 prior to the opening date of the youth season. Hunters must have an apprentice or youth hunting license, or they must have completed a State-approved Hunter Education course and have a hunting license, unless exempt. In addition, hunters must have a Habitat Stamp, unless exempt.

Spring Youth Turkey Hunt Permit Requirements

All youth hunters must have a current, valid Youth Turkey Hunt Permit ($10). Hunters are eligible to purchase only one Youth Turkey Hunt Permit.

For a county permit: Youth Turkey Hunt Permits valid for counties open to youth turkey hunting will be available for sale over-the-counter (OTC) from agents beginning the first Tuesday in March through the last day of the Youth Turkey Season.

For a Special Hunt Area permit: Youth hunters may apply online (www.exploremoreil.com) for a site-specific permit valid for one of the Special Hunt Areas. The application period begins the third Tuesday in January and ends the third Monday in February. Permits will be allocated via a lottery drawing in which Illinois residents will be given preference. The applicants must not have had their hunting privileges suspended or revoked in this State or any other state.

A $3 service fee will be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department, except when permits are lost in the mail, there will be no charge. Monies derived from this source will be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

The Youth Turkey Hunt Permit shall be valid only for the dates and counties/Special Hunt Area listed on the permit. A permit issued for the Youth Turkey Hunt will count toward the maximum number of permits an individual can receive for the Spring Wild Turkey Season.

Youth Turkey Hunting Regulations

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 supervisor must have a valid Illinois hunting license.

The non-hunting supervisor must remain with the hunting youth so as to have the youth under immediate control. Each supervisor may only accompany a single youth at any given time during the hunt. The supervising adult shall be criminally liable for the actions of the youth in the hunting party and shall be subject to the criminal penalties provided by law.

All regulations in Administrative Rule 17-710.30 apply during the Youth Turkey Hunt.

Some sites have site-specific permit hunting only and some sites are open to holders of a valid Youth Turkey Hunt Permit for the county in which the site is located. Persons wishing to hunt one of the listed sites should contact that site or check the site page prior to hunting for information about site regulations and restrictions.

The Taking of Wild Turkeys – Fall Gun Season Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-715

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Season: The 9 days beginning on Saturday of the second complete 2-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday) after October 10.

Open Counties: Adams Alexander Brown Calhoun Carroll Cass Clark Clay Crawford Edwards Franklin Fulton Gallatin Greene Hamilton Hancock Hardin Henderson Jackson Jasper Jefferson Jersey Jo Daviess Johnson Knox Lawrence Macoupin Madison Marion Mason Massac McDonough Menard Mercer Monroe Morgan Perry Pike Pope Pulaski Randolph Richland Rock Island Saline Schuyler Scott Stephenson Union Wabash Warren Washington Wayne White Whiteside Williamson Winnebago

Permit quotas shall be set by the Department of Natural Resources on a county or special hunt area basis.

Statewide Turkey Fall Gun Permit Requirements

All turkey hunters must have a current, valid Fall Shotgun Wild Turkey Hunting Permit. All hunters, except those exempted by Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code are also required to obtain a hunting license before hunting wild turkey. See the Turkey Permits webpage for fees and ways to apply. See the Statewide Turkey Permit Requirements in the Taking of Wild Turkeys – Spring Season Regulations section above. section above for permit and lottery information.

Turkey Fall Gun Permit Refunds and Cancellations

Turkey Fall Gun Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits

See Administrative Rule 17-528 for requirements and procedures for obtaining landowner/tenant permits.

Turkey Fall Gun Hunting Regulations

It shall be unlawful to use live or electronic turkey decoys, recorded calls, dogs or bait. An area is considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive days following the removal of bait;
It shall be unlawful to take, or attempt to take, more than one wild turkey per valid permit (either sex may be harvested).
It shall be unlawful to use any weapon except a shotgun. #4 shot is the largest size shot that may be legally used.
It shall be unlawful to hunt except from ½ hour before sunrise to sunset during each day of the season.
It shall be unlawful to hunt wild turkeys without having a signed Wild Turkey Hunting Permit in possession, except that a person without a weapon may accompany a turkey hunter as a caller or observer.
It shall be unlawful to transport or leave a wild turkey without first affixing the turkey permit securely around the leg in the manner prescribed on the permit. Immediately upon kill and before the turkey is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must invalidate the leg tag and the tag must be affixed to the turkey (for OTC permits, the leg tag is invalidated by detaching it from the permit; for permits issued by the Permit Office, the leg tag is invalidated by cutting out the designated notch on the tag).
It shall be unlawful to shoot a wild turkey while it is in a tree before 7:00 a.m.
It shall be unlawful to possess while in the field, during turkey season, any turkey permit issued to another person. (Permits are non-transferrable.)

Reporting Fall Gun Turkey Harvest

Follows the same reporting harvest regulations as the Taking of Wild Turkeys – Spring Season Regulations section above.

Turkey Fall Gun Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply at Department owned or managed sites, unless specified by a more restrictive regulation. Some sites require check in and check out (or sign in and out) that includes reporting of harvest to the site, the use of windshield cards or site-specific permit hunting only allocated through the lottery process. Quotas, where listed, shall be on a first come-first served basis. Hunters shall not be allowed to sign in prior to 4 a.m. each day of the season.

Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-715 for requirements.

The Taking of Wild Turkeys – Fall Archery Season Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-720

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

All regulations set forth in Section 2.9 of the Illinois Wildlife Code apply in this Part.

For Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties, and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47 – The season shall be October 1 through the first Sunday after January 13.

For all other counties, or parts of counties – The season shall be October 1 through the first Sunday after January 13, closed during the period when deer hunting with a firearm is permitted, except some Department of Natural Resources owned or managed sites shall be open to archery turkey hunting without regard to firearm deer season. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-720 for sites open to archery turkey hunting during firearm deer seasons.

Statewide Turkey Fall Archery Permit Requirements

All turkey hunters must have a current, valid Fall Archery Wild Turkey Hunting Permit. All hunters, except those exempted by Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code are also required to obtain a hunting license before hunting wild turkey. See the Turkey Permits webpage for fees and ways to apply. Follows the same Statewide Turkey Permit Requirements as the Taking of Wild Turkeys – Spring Season Regulations section above.

Turkey Permit Refunds and Cancellations

Turkey Fall Archery Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits

See Administrative Rule 17-528 for requirements and procedures for obtaining landowner/tenant permits.

Turkey Fall Archery Hunting Regulations

It shall be unlawful to use live or electronic turkey decoys, recorded calls, dogs or bait. An area is considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive days following the removal of bait.
It shall be unlawful to take, or attempt to take, more than 1 wild turkey per valid permit during the fall archery season (either sex may be harvested).
It shall be unlawful to use any weapon except:
- a long, recurved or compound bow with a minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28 inch draw. Minimum arrow length is 20 inches;
- crossbows and bolts specified in Administrative Rule 17-670.30
- arrows or bolts equipped with broadheads. Broadheads may have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces, but they must have a minimum ⅞ inch diameter when fully opened. Broadheads with fixed blades must be metal or flint-, chert-, or obsidian-napped; broadheads with expandable cutting surfaces must be metal. All other bows and arrows, including electronic arrow tracking systems utilizing radio telemetry, are illegal;
It shall be unlawful to hunt except from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour past sunset each day of the season.
It shall be unlawful for any person having taken the limit of wild turkeys to further participate with a weapon in any hunting party for the purpose of taking additional turkeys.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt wild turkeys without having a signed Archery Wild Turkey Hunting Permit in possession, except that a person without a weapon may accompany a turkey hunter as a caller or observer.
It shall be unlawful to transport or leave a wild turkey without first affixing the turkey permit securely around the leg. Immediately upon kill and before the turkey is moved, transported or field dressed, the hunter must invalidate the leg tag and the tag must be affixed to the turkey (for over-the-counter permits the leg tag is invalidated by detaching it from the permit; for property only hunting (POH) landowner permits, the leg tag is invalidated by cutting out the designated notch on the tag).
It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot a wild turkey while it is in a tree before 7:00 a.m.
It shall be unlawful to possess, while in the field during archery turkey season, any turkey permit issued to another person.

Reporting Turkey Fall Archery Harvest

Follows the same reporting harvest regulations as Reporting Turkey Harvest in the Taking of Wild Turkeys – Spring Season Regulations section above.

Turkey Fall Archery Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply at Department owned or managed sites, unless specified by a more restrictive regulation. Some sites require check in and check out (or sign in and out) that includes reporting of harvest to the site, the use of windshield cards, site-specific permit hunting only and some are open to archery turkey hunting without regard to firearm deer season. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-720 for requirements.

Dove Hunting Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-730

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Dove regulations are in accordance with Federal Regulations Part 20.103, unless specified by a more restrictive regulation.

Season dates: 90-day split season opens Sept. 1 and runs approximately 75 days; reopens the day after Christmas and runs the remainder of the 90 days

Daily limits and possession limits for mourning doves and white-winged doves: 15 doves is the daily limit and 45 doves it the possession limit.

Protections for Eurasian-collared dove, ringed turtle dove, and pigeons have been removed, as they are non-native, invasive species. They can be harvested year-round with no limits, but during dove season, hunters may not remain in the field to continue taking these species after they have reached their daily bag limit for mourning/white-winged doves.

Hunting hours: Sunrise to sunset.

Dove Hunting Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites

All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply at Department owned or managed sites, unless specified by a more restrictive regulation.

Hunters should be aware that several IDNR sites now require use of nontoxic shot, such as steel. 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. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-730 for more restrictive requirements. [KD5]

For permit season, non-permit season and youth dove hunting, check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-730 for specific regulations.

Crow, Woodcock, Snipe, Rail and Teal Hunting Regulations

The information below is derived from Administrative Rule 17-740

License/stamp requirements: Anyone who hunts must have a valid hunting license or be exempt. For exemptions see Section 3.1 of the Illinois Wildlife Code or the Licenses/Stamps webpage. A State Habitat Stamp is required for anyone age 18 or older to hunt crow and woodcock (not needed for teal hunting). Disabled veterans and former POWs are exempt from needing this stamp. HIP Certification is required for anyone who is also required to have a hunting license to hunt woodcock, snipe, rail and teal (not needed for crow). A State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (required for 18 and older) and Federal Migratory Bird Stamp (required for 16 and older) are needed to hunt teal (not needed to hunt crow, woodcock, snipe or rail. Check the species pages or the Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest to know what all you need to hunt a specific animal.

Hunter Education requirements: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Exemptions apply, see Section 3.2 of the Illinois Wildlife Code.

Woodcock, snipe, crow and rail regulations are in accordance with Federal Regulations Part 20 unless specified by a more restrictive regulation.

The regulations in Section 2.33 of the Illinois Wildlife Code the Wildlife Code on illegal devices shall apply to this Part, unless federal regulations are more restrictive.

It shall be unlawful while attempting to take teal, rail or snipe to have in possession any shotgun shells not approved as non-toxic by federal regulations Part 20.

Regulations at Various Department Owned or Managed Sites: All the regulations in Administrative Rule 17-510 apply unless specified by a more restrictive regulation. Some sites require windshield cards, check in and check out (or sign in and out), or site-specific permit only hunting. Check the site page or Administrative Rule 17-590. Teal hunting; statewide regulations as provided for in this Part shall apply on the following sites, except no permanent blinds allowed except as authorized in Administrative Rule 17-590. Crow Hunting: All hunters must make a reasonable effort to retrieve downed birds. All crows must be removed from the site by the hunter.

Woodcock

Season dates, daily limits and possession limits are set in accordance with federal regulations. Check the species page for specific dates.

Hunting hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Snipe (Common)

Season dates, daily limits and possession limits are set in accordance with federal regulations. Check the species page for specific dates.

Hunting hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Rail (Sora and Virginia)

Season dates, daily limits and possession limits are set in accordance with federal regulations. Check the species page for specific dates.

Hunting hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Teal

Season dates: Opens on the 1st or 2nd Saturday in September and runs for 16 days.

Hunting hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Regulations are in accordance with Federal Regulations Part 20.103 unless the regulations below are more restrictive. Pursuant to the Illinois Wildlife Code, it shall be unlawful to take, possess, transport, or use migratory waterfowl except during such period of time and in such manner and numbers as may be provided in the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, and annual Rules and Regulations for Migratory Bird Hunting Part 20.

Crow

Season dates: October 28 through the next following February 28.

Hunting hours: ½ hour before sunrise through sunset.partridge, and also show that rabbit follows a statewide season, absent of the zone splits for upland birds.