Furbearer Hunting
Season Dates & Limits
| SPECIES | DATES | HOURS | LIMIT | ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Year round; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. No time restriction 10 Nov 2023 - 15 Mar 2024 | No limit | Hunters with unfilled firearm deer permits may take coyotes during firearm deer season with weapons legal for deer hunting from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset |
| Striped Skunk | Year round; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. No time restriction 10 Nov 2023 - 15 Mar 2024 | No limit | |
| Raccoon | 10 Nov 2025 - 15 Feb 2026; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | Open 24 hours a day, but during Archery Deer Season bow hunting hours for raccoon, opossum and fox will be 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset | No limit | |
| Opossum | 10 Nov 2025 - 15 Feb 2026; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | Open 24 hours a day, but during Archery Deer Season bow hunting hours for raccoon, opossum and fox will be 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset | No limit | |
| Red Fox | 10 Nov 2025 - 15 Feb 2026; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | Open 24 hours a day, but during Archery Deer Season bow hunting hours for raccoon, opossum and fox will be 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset | No limit | Gray fox hunting is closed. |
| Bobcat | 10 Nov 2025 - 15 Feb 2026; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | Open 24 hours a day | 1 by permit only | Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit BEFORE attempting to take a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. Taking bobcats in closed zone is prohibited |
| Woodchuck (aka, Groundhog) | 1 Jun 2025 - 31 Mar 2026; Closed 21-23 Nov and 4-7 Dec 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset | No limit |
Furbearer Specific Regulations
Badger
Method: Trapping only
See the Furbearer Trapping page for more information.
Beaver
Method: Trapping only
See the Furbearer Trapping page for more information.
Bobcat
Method: Hunting and trapping
Can use: legal traps, archery, 0.22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm or shotgun (no slugs), centerfire rifles (allowed only on private property)
Limit: Successful applicants may harvest one bobcat by hunting or trapping during the season. A bobcat taken as a road-kill counts toward the permit limit.
Applying for a permit: Bobcat permit applications are available online only between September 1 – 30. Applicants must submit a $5 non-refundable fee. Available permits will be allocated during a lottery and mailed to successful applicants.
Applicants can check the results by following the steps below:
- Visit ExploreMoreIL.com
- Confirm customer information and residency
- Access customer homepage
- Scroll down to the “Licenses” section and select “Purchase History” in the white box.
- Successful applicants who received a bobcat permit will see “PRIV CODE 1300 Bobcat Lottery Permit” in the current year section. Unsuccessful applicants will not see this PRIV CODE in the current year list.
- Successful applicants should receive their permit by the end of October.
Coyote
Method: Hunting and trapping
Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations, archery, any type and caliber of handgun, any type of legal rifle including large capacity semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with any type of shell. Additional regulations apply, see the Furbearer section of the the Statewide Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Gray Fox
Effective immediately, the gray fox hunting and trapping seasons will be closed in 2025-2026. Surveys and preliminary results of current research indicate a substantial decline in gray fox distribution and abundance in the last ten years. Even though Illinois hunters and trappers harvest very few gray foxes, this closure will remove any additional pressure and additive mortality from harvest. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will continue to conduct annual surveys and evaluate the gray fox population in Illinois.
Red Fox
Method: Hunting and trapping
Can use: legal traps, archery, 0.22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm or shotgun (no slugs), centerfire rifles (allowed only on private property)
Mink
Method: Trapping only
See the Furbearer Trapping page for more information.
Muskrat
Method: Trapping only
See the Furbearer Trapping page for more information.
Opossum
Method: Hunting and trapping
Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations, archery, 0.22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm or shotgun (no slugs), centerfire rifles (allowed only on private property)
Raccoon
Method: Hunting and trapping
Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations, archery, 0.22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm or shotgun (no slugs), centerfire rifles (allowed only on private property)
Note: calling, stalking or treeing with dogs is allowed
River Otter
Method: Trapping only
See the Furbearer Trapping page for more information.
Striped Skunk
Method: Hunting and trapping
Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations, archery, 0.22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm or shotgun (no slugs), centerfire rifles (allowed only on private property)
Weasels (Long-tailed and Least Only)
Method: Trapping only
See the Furbearer Trapping page for more information.
Woodchuck
Method: Hunting and trapping
Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations, archery, 0.22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm or shotgun (no slugs), centerfire rifles (allowed only on private property)
Note: woodchuck is classified as a state game mammal, but is included in the furbearer section because it may be hunted or trapped
Hunting bobcat, coyote, fox, opossum, raccoon, striped skunk and woodchuck
Statewide regulations (excludes IDNR sites):
Be sure to check regulations for the IDNR site(s) you intend to hunt furbearers, as some sites have more restrictive regulations on equipment, harvest reporting, etc.
- Centerfire or rimfire rifle of any caliber (single shot through semi-automatic, no magazine/capacity restrictions). Hunters are responsible for the projectiles they fire. Follow the rules of Hunter Safety – be sure of your target and what is beyond
- Shotgun of gauge 10 or greater (e.g., 12 gauge), slugs allowed
- Single shot through semi-automatic handgun of any caliber
- Archery (see Deer info for equipment specifications)
IDNR site restrictions:
- Only .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms allowed from sunset to sunrise unless otherwise stated in site-specific regulations
- Slugs are not allowed (but see exception for coyote hunting in Species Regulations above)
- Cannot use or possess any tree climbing or cutting device (e.g., axe or saw) when hunting furbearers
- Some IDNR sites require an annual Hound Running Area Permit. Contact the IDNR Springfield Office to apply for a permit
Pertinent Administrative Rules: 510, 550, 525, 970
Licenses & Stamps
Residents and non-residents will need the following to hunt and/or trap furbearers:
- Hunting license (unless exempt: see Hunting Licenses: Exceptions)
- State Habitat Stamp
See Licenses/Stamps to find what licenses and stamps you qualify for
See the Statewide Hunting and Trapping Regulations for full details on licenses and stamps
Correct, replace or reprint permits/licenses online
Management & Ecology
Furbearer hunting and trapping seasons allow for the harvest and use of 13 species of furbearers (and one game mammal – the woodchuck) in Illinois. Eight species can be hunted or trapped and 7 species may only be taken by trappers during their respective seasons. More than 75 state, federal and international laws apply to the hunting and trapping of furbearers in Illinois. Such laws set standards for animal welfare and place limits on hunting and trapping so that animals are not endangered by these activities. Please review the furbearer sections for specifics on each of the species, legal methods and season.
To learn more about furbearer management and ecology in North America, you can download a copy or request a hard copy of the Wild Furbearer Management and Conservation in North America book. This book is being revised and is available for free download, chapter by chapter. The Wildlife Ecology Institute is leading this revision and partial funding has been provided by the Illinois Furbearer Fund. Chapters will be added to the site as they are completed, so check back often!
Additional Resources
Maximizing use of harvested furbearers