Hunting Seasons & Licensing · IL
Illinois Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonIllinois is one of the top trophy white-tailed deer states in the country — Pike County alone is legendary among deer hunters for producing record-class bucks. The state has approximately 300,000 deer hunters. Illinois is a shotgun/muzzleloader/handgun-only state for deer during the firearms season. The state also offers excellent wild turkey, waterfowl, and upland hunting. Public hunting is available on over 450,000 acres of state-managed sites.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery | Oct 1 – Jan 18, 2026 | 1 antlered + additional antlerless by county | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearm (First Season) | Nov 21 – Nov 23, 2025 | 1 deer | Shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun |
| White-tailed Deer | Firearm (Second Season) | Dec 4 – Dec 7, 2025 | 1 deer | Shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Dec 12 – Dec 14, 2025 | 1 deer | Muzzleloader only |
| White-tailed Deer | Late Winter Antlerless | Jan 16 – Jan 18, 2026 | Antlerless only | Shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun, bow |
White-tailed Deer (Firearm (First Season)): NO rifles for deer in Illinois. Shotgun with slugs, muzzleloader, or handgun only.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr through May (5 periods) | 1 bearded turkey per period (2 max per spring) | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Oct through Jan (varies by county) | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow |
Wild Turkey (Spring): Permits allocated by county through lottery
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Nov 1 – Jan 15, 2026 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 4 possession | Shotgun |
| Northern Bobwhite Quail | General | Nov 1 – Jan 15, 2026 | 8 daily / 16 possession | Shotgun |
| Mourning Dove | General | Sep 1 – Nov 14 & Dec 20 – Jan 6, 2026 | 15 daily | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Mississippi Flyway. Illinois River valley is premier waterfowl habitat.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Nov 1 – Feb 15, 2026 | 4 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Fox/Gray Squirrel | General | Aug 1 – Feb 15, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $12.50 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $57.75 | — |
| Resident Deer Permit | $25 | — |
| Non-Resident Deer Permit | $300 (OTC archery) / $300 (firearm) | Non-resident firearm deer permits allocated by lottery in many counties |
| Resident Turkey Permit | $25 | — |
| Non-Resident Turkey Permit | $100 | — |
| Youth (under 18) | Reduced fees | — |
| Habitat Stamp | $12 | Required for all hunters |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $25 | Required for waterfowl |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Illinois uses a lottery system for non-resident firearm deer permits and spring turkey permits (by county). Applications for firearm deer are due in early June. Non-resident archery deer permits are available over the counter — this is the most accessible way for non-residents to hunt Illinois deer. Resident permits are generally available OTC. There is no preference point system. Pike and Adams counties are among the most competitive non-resident deer draws in the country.
Harvest Reporting
Illinois requires mandatory harvest reporting for all deer and turkey through the IDNR online check system or by phone. Reporting must be completed by midnight the day of harvest. Each harvest receives a confirmation number. CWD surveillance is active — mandatory testing in designated CWD management zones.
Illinois Wildlife Resources
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: Target Illinois Poachers: 1-877-236-7529
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.