ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

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

Rabbits & Squirrels

    Season Dates & Limits

    SPECIESDATESHOURSDAILY LIMITPOSSESSION LIMITADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
    Squirrels
    (Fox and Gray)    		1 Aug 2023 - 15 Feb 2023;
    Closed 17-19 Nov and 30 Nov-3 Dec 2023 in counties open for firearm deer hunting    		1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset510Some public land sites have more restrictive dates, check site-specific regulations before hunting. On the 2nd day of the hunting season, you may possess no more than twice the daily bag limit
    Rabbits
    (Cottontail and Swamp)    		4 Nov 2023 - 15 Feb 2024Sunrise to Sunset410Some public land sites have more restrictive dates, check site-specific regulations before hunting. On the 2nd day of the hunting season, you may possess no more than twice the daily bag limit

    Licenses & Permits

    Licenses & Stamps

    Permits & Lotteries

    • Squirrels
      • Does not require separate permit
      • Use Hunt Planner to find sites open to squirrel hunting

    Season Specific Regulations

    Rabbit Season

    Species

    • Cottontail rabbits
    • Swamp rabbits

    Can use

    • IDNR sites
      • Shotgun
        • Must use shotgun of gauge 10 or larger (e.g., 12 or 20 gauge)
        • Barrel length shall not be less than 18 inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches
        • Must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Any shotgun having a capacity of more than 3 shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined
        • Note: some IDNR sites require non-toxic shot, such as steel
      • Archery
        • Vertical compound bow, traditional bows (recurve or longbow) or crossbow
        • See the deer or turkey section for details on bow, arrow and arrow point specifications
      • Handgun
      • Falconry
    • Private land
      • Can use any shotgun, rimfire rifle, muzzleloading rifle, handgun, air rifle, archery or falconry methods allowable under statewide regulations
      • Statewide regulations on guns, archery and falconry can be found above and the digest of Statewide Hunting Regulations

    Clothing requirements

    • IDNR sites
      • When hunting rabbits a solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or blaze pink material must be worn. Camo patterned blaze clothing is not allowed
    • Private land
      • When hunting rabbits at least a blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat must be worn. Camo patterned blaze clothing is not allowed

    Miscellaneous

    • Dogs are legal to use for the entire rabbit hunting season statewide
    • Trapping rabbits is illegal
    • Be sure to check regulations for the IDNR site(s) you intend to hunt, as some sites have more restrictive regulations on equipment, harvest reporting, etc. You can find site-specific regulations using the Directory or Hunt Planner
    • Some IDNR sites require rabbit hunters to have a lottery-based Upland Game Permit. The upland game permit zone map can be accessed below
    • See the Statewide Hunting Regulations for full details of rabbit hunting requirements
    • Pertinent Administrative Rules: 510, 530

    Upland Game Zones Map

    Map applies to rabbit hunting on IDNR sites via a lottery-based upland game permit. Map does not apply to any other lands that allow rabbit hunting.

    Squirrel Season

    Species

    • Gray squirrel
    • Fox squirrel

    Can use

    • IDNR sites
      • Shotgun
        • Must use shotgun of gauge 10 or larger (e.g., 12 or 20 gauge)
        • Barrel length shall not be less than 18 inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches
        • Must not be capable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Any shotgun having a capacity of more than 3 shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined
        • Note: some IDNR sites require non-toxic shot, such as steel
      • Archery
        • Vertical compound bow, traditional bows (recurve or longbow) or crossbow
        • See the deer or turkey section for details on bow, arrow and arrow point specifications
      • Rifle
        • Varies by site. Check site rules using the Site Directory or Hunt Planner
        • Some sites allow muzzleloader, .22 caliber or smaller rimfire rifle and/or .25 caliber or smaller air rifle
      • Handgun
      • Falconry
    • Private land
      • Can use any shotgun, rimfire rifle, muzzleloading rifle, handgun, air rifle, archery or falconry methods allowable under statewide regulations
      • Statewide regulations on guns, archery and falconry can be found above and the digest of Statewide Hunting Regulations

    Clothing requirements

    • No clothing requirements to hunt squirrels on public or private lands, unless simultaneously hunting other species that require blaze orange/pink clothing

    Miscellaneous

    • Dogs are legal to use the entire squirrel hunting season statewide
    • Trapping squirrels is illegal
    • Be sure to check regulations for the IDNR site(s) you intend to hunt, as some sites have more restrictive regulations on equipment, harvest reporting, etc. You can find site-specific regulations using the Directory or Hunt Planner
    • See the Statewide Hunting Regulations for full details of squirrel hunting requirements
    • Pertinent Administrative Rules: 510, 690

    Management & Ecology

    Harvest Data and Surveys

    Rabbit Status Report

    Additional Resources