Announcements
Furbearers
Season Dates & Limits
Hunting Dates & Limits
| SPECIES | DATES | HOURS | LIMIT | ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Year round; Closed 18-20 Nov and 1-4 Dec 2022 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. No time restriction 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Mar 2023 | No limit | Hunters with unfilled firearm deer permits may take coyotes during firearm deer season by shotgun with slugs, muzzleloader or handgun from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset |
| Striped Skunk | Year round; Closed 18-20 Nov and 1-4 Dec 2022 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. No time restriction 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Mar 2023 | No limit | |
| Raccoon | 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Feb 2023; Closed 18-20 Nov and 1-4 Dec 2022 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 | No limit | |||
| Fox (Red and Gray) | No limit | |||
| Bobcat | 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Feb 2023; Closed 18-20 Nov and 1-4 Dec 2022 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 2022 - 31 Mar 2023; Closed 18-20 Nov and 1-4 Dec 2022 in counties open for firearm deer hunting | 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset | No limit |
Trapping Dates & Limits
| SPECIES | DATES | LIMIT | ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Feb 2023 | No limit | |
| Raccoon | |||
| Opossum | |||
| Striped Skunk | |||
| Weasels | |||
| Mink | |||
| Muskrat | |||
| Fox (Red and Gray) | |||
| Badger | 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Feb 2023 | North Zone: 2 per person per season | See zone map for boundary |
| 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Feb 2023 | South Zone: 1 per person per season | See zone map for boundary | |
| Bobcat | 10 Nov 2022 - 15 Feb 2023 | 1 by permit only | Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit BEFORE attempting to harvest a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. Taking bobcats in closed zone is prohibited |
| Beaver | 10 Nov 2022 - 31 Mar 2023 | No limit | |
| River Otter | 10 Nov 2022 - 31 Mar 2023 | 5 per person per season | Must purchase Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after each otter is trapped. Must affix official CITES tag to each pelt |
| Woodchuck | 1 Jun - 30 Sep 2022 | No limit |
Species Regulations
Badger
- Method: Trapping only
- Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations
- Zones: Badger trapping limit is split into 2 zones as shown on the map below. Refer to the trapping limits table above for details
Beaver
- Method: Trapping only
- Can use: Leghold traps on land or in water that have jaw spread between 5.5-7.5 inches. Body-gripping traps that have jaw spread between 7-10 inches on a side if square, or maximum of 12 inches if round. Trap size regulations defer to statewide size regulations during the open season for trapping raccoons
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)
- Note: Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before attempting to harvest a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. A federal CITES tag mailed to you by the IDNR must be attached to the pelt
- Note: A bobcat taken as a road-kill counts toward the permit limit
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
Foxes
- Red fox and gray 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
- Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations
Muskrat
- Method: Trapping only
- Can use: Legal traps within statewide regulations
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
- Can use: Leghold traps on land or in water that have jaw spread between 5.5-7.5 inches. Body-gripping traps that have jaw spread between 7-10 inches on a side if square, or maximum of 12 inches if round. Trap size regulations defer to statewide size regulations during the open season for trapping raccoons
- Note: Must purchase an Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after each otter is trapped. A federal CITES tag mailed to you by the IDNR must be attached to the pelt
- Note: A river otter taken as a road-kill counts toward the season limit
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 weasel and least weasel only
- Method: Trapping only
- Can use: Legal traps
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
Licenses & Permits
Licenses & Stamps
- Residents and non-residents will need the following to hunt and/or trap furbearers:
- Hunting license (unless exempt: see Hunting Licenses: Exceptions) and/or Trapping license
- State Habitat Stamp
- Trapper Education course is required for resident or non-resident first-time trappers born on or before 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 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
- Find your current permits/licenses online
- Correct, replace or reprint permits/licenses online
Permits & Lotteries
- Use the License Finder to determine what permits you qualify for
- Use the Directory or Hunt Planner to determine what type of permit you need for a given hunting site
- Species-specific permits are generally not required for most species, except bobcat and river otter. Check site-specific info to verify if a permit is needed to hunt and/or trap furbearers
- River Otters
- Bobcats
- Require a lottery permit (apply online)
- Application dates: 1-30 September 2020
- Available to: residents and non-residents
- Check the status of your bobcat permit application
- If the link is down, the lottery for the current hunt/trap year has not yet run. Please try again 2–3 weeks after the close of the application period.
- Note: Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits cannot be transferred to another person
- More details on permits can be found in the Statewide Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Furbearer Specific Regulations
- Be sure to check regulations for the IDNR site(s) you intend to hunt and/or trap, as some sites have more restrictive regulations on equipment, harvest reporting, etc. You can find site-specific regulations using the Directory or Hunt Planner
Can use (Hunting):
- Statewide regulations (excludes IDNR sites)
- 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
Can use (Trapping):
- Statewide Trap specifications (diameter measured from inside edge of jaws or cable)
- Leghold set on land must have jaw spread of 6.5 inches or less
- Leghold set in water must have jaw spread of 7.5 inches or less
- Body-gripping trap on land must have jaw spread of 7 inches or less on a side if square or 8 inches if round
- Body-gripping trap in water must have jaw spread of 10 inches or less on a side if square or 12 inches if round. Traps greater than 10 inches must be completely submerged in water when set on IDNR sites
- Snares must be 15 inches or less in diameter when set and be constructed of cable between 5/64 to 1/8 inch diameter and equipped with a mechanical lock, anchor swivel and stop device that prevents the snare loop from closing less than 2.5 inches in diameter. At least half the snare be must submerged in water at all times
- If trapping beaver or river otter, see those sections above for specific trap sizes for those species
- Must mark or tag all traps with the name and address or IDNR customer number of the trap owner
- Traps must be checked and animals removed at least once per day
- Saw-toothed, spiked or toothed jaw traps are illegal
- Can use a .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearm to dispatch animals from traps on IDNR sites, unless site-specific regulations state otherwise
- No trapping is permitted in IDNR site subimpoundments or designated waterfowl management units during duck season
- Other regulations apply. See the Furbearer section of the Statewide Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Management & Ecology
Furbearer hunting and trapping seasons allow for the harvest and use of 14 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. Please review the furbearer sections for specifics on each of the species, legal methods and seasons.
IDNR Division of Wildlife recognizes that regulated trapping is a versatile, safe, effective and ecologically sound means of capturing individual animals without impairing the survival of furbearer populations or damaging the environment.
Trapping provides income, recreation and an outdoor lifestyle for many citizens through use of a renewable natural resource and provides an effective means of harvesting, managing and/or studying furbearers; controlling damage caused by furbearers; and at times, reduces the spread of harmful disease.
History of Bobcat Hunting and Trapping
In 2016, the bobcat became the 14th species of furbearer that has a regulated hunting or trapping season. It is one of many examples of a recovered wildlife species that highlights the work of biologists, researchers and landowners across the state. Learn more about Bobcats in Illinois here.
- Season Dates: 10 November – 15 February, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
- Applying for a Permit: Hunters and trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before taking or attempting to harvest a bobcat. 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.
- Limit: Successful applicants may harvest one bobcat by hunting or trapping during the season. They can also fill their permit by salvaging a road-kill (during open seasons).
- Bobcat Registration Permit: If you harvest a bobcat, you must purchase a $5 bobcat registration permit online only within 48 hours. The Department will mail you a federal CITES tag within 2-3 weeks.
- Bobcat Tagging Requirement: A federal CITES tag must be permanently affixed to each bobcat pelt before it is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, taxidermist, fur tanner, or garment manufacturer.
The science of wildlife management has come a long way since the early 1900s when many populations of wildlife species, including bobcats, were low and mostly restricted to isolated pockets of high-quality habitat. As wildlife populations declined across the country, conservationists including hunters and trappers supported legislative changes for better management and protection of wildlife and wild places. As time and legislation (notably the Pittman Robertson Act in 1937 and the Endangered Species Act in 1973) passed, modern wildlife management concepts took shape and even predators such as bobcats and wolves were afforded some protections (this reversed decades, perhaps centuries, of persecution of predators). Before 1972, there were no limits or closed season on bobcats in Illinois. They were formally protected by the Wildlife Code in 1972 and listed as a state threatened species in 1977.
These protections combined with changes in land use, enforcement of game laws by Conservation Police and incentives for habitat restoration have turned things around for bobcats and many wildlife species in Illinois and across the United States. White-tailed deer, river otter, American badger and wild turkey are all species that were nearly extirpated from the state at the turn of the 20th century and made successful recoveries. Managers monitor the populations and allow a regulated hunting and/or trapping season that allows for limited harvest and utilization of some animals—without endangering the populations.
In cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration (Illinois Federal Aid Project W-126-R), for several decades the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory (CWRL) at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale conducted research that focused on bobcats. Since 1995, they have radio-collared more than 120 bobcats and followed them around during their daily lives. They learned about preferred habitats, den locations, interactions with other species, survival, seasonal movements and home range size. They also collected and analyzed over 250 road-killed bobcats to learn about their diet, parasites, genetics, body condition, age, reproductive history, etc. More than 20 scholarly articles were published that investigated most aspects of bobcat ecology.
This research and various surveys have documented population growth, range expansion and increased observations of bobcats in every county. Researchers helped the IDNR get a better understanding of bobcat ecology in Illinois. By 1999, bobcats had been reported in 99 of 102 counties and they were removed from Illinois’ list of state threatened species. In 2016, Illinois joined 40 other states in the U.S. with a managed bobcat hunting and trapping season. The bobcat is one of 14 species of furbearers that have regulated hunting or trapping seasons in Illinois. It is one of many examples of a recovered wildlife species that highlights the work of biologists, researchers and landowners across the state.
IDNR asks every successful deer hunter throughout the state several questions when they harvest and check in a deer. Among these questions about the deer are a few questions on other species which include ‘How many bobcats did you see while hunting this location?’. In 2005, 4 percent of the hunters who checked in a deer saw at least one bobcat across the state. In 2021, 18.7 percent of the successful hunters reported seeing at least one bobcat, documenting a big increase in the percent of successful deer hunters who saw bobcats from 2005 to 2021 across the state.
Percent of successful Deer Hunters who reported seeing at least one bobcat while deer hunting by Region from 2005 – 2021:
Region 1 Northwestern Illinois.
Region 2 Northeastern Illinois.
Region 3 East-Central Illinois.
Region 4 West-Central Illinois
Region 5 Southern Illinois.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Regions
The biggest increase was in west-central Illinois (Region 4). Four percent of the deer hunters who checked in deer in Region 4 observed at least one bobcat in 2005. In 2021, 25.4 percent of successful deer hunters in Region 4 reported seeing a bobcat. Compare that to the traditional bobcat stronghold of southern Illinois (Region 5) where 7.8 percent of successful deer hunters reported seeing at least one bobcat in 2005 with the percentage growing to 24.3 percent by 2021.
IDNR also conducts several other annual surveys that provide indices of bobcat abundance across the state. A random sample of all resident archery deer hunters are surveyed annually by the Illinois Natural History Survey (using funds allocated from IDNR and the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act) to provide an index of the abundance and distribution of various wildlife species across the state. This survey asks hunters to report the time and location of all archery deer hunts and record observations of bobcat, coyote, deer, red and gray fox, squirrel and wild turkey. The value of these data are in the trends of the observations over time. In 1992 hunters across the state saw an average of 0.5 bobcats per 1,000 hours of observation. In 2020, hunters observed 7.7 bobcats per 1,000 hours of observation. For comparison, the same hunters saw an average of 957 deer, 37.3 coyotes and 2.1 red fox per 1,000 hours of observation in 2020.
Archery Deer Hunter Survey Data, 2000 – 2021
With several decades of research and multiple surveys indicating a healthy and growing population, the decision was made to start a limited, closely managed hunting and trapping season for bobcats. Applications from hunters and trappers ranged from 4500 to over 6500 over the last 7 years.
Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit Applications 2016 – 2022
During the first bobcat season in 2016, 26 percent of 500 permit holders filled their permits by hunting or trapping. The next six seasons, 1,000 permits were issued per year and the success rate was 29 to 34 percent.
Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits Issued 2016 – 2022
In 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 the number of bobcats harvested was 318, 306, 306, 339 and 290 respectively (not counting salvage).
Annual Bobcat Harvest 2016 – 2022
The percentage of bobcats taken by hunters compared to trappers has been a little more variable. The percent of bobcats taken by trapping ranged from 35 to 46 percent per year and those taken by hunting ranged from 44 to 57 percent.
The bobcat season coincides with the regular trapping season, starting November 10 and ending February 15. Based on harvest data, many permit holders fill their tags after Christmas. Most of the deer and waterfowl seasons have passed, temperatures have dropped and pelts are prime. In 52 days of the season in November and December 2019, 36 percent of the bobcats were harvested for the season. In January and February (46 days), 64 percent of the bobcats were harvested. This suggests that either effort or the likelihood of success is greater in the second half of the season. A contributing factor could be increased daily movement of bobcats during the breeding season, especially among males.
What does the future hold for the bobcat season in Illinois? IDNR will continue to monitor bobcats and work with researchers to increase our understanding of bobcat population dynamics, survival, occupancy and distribution across Illinois. The Department will continue to work with researchers to build on decades of bobcat research in southern and western Illinois. This work will increase our understanding of bobcats throughout Illinois and lead to better management of the species. We will continue to learn, and make adjustments as needed, to improve the management of this species and ensure that a healthy bobcat population is a part of Illinois for future generations.