Illinois Hunting Regulations 2026–2027

Explore Illinois hunting and trapping season records by species, method, zone and hunter category, with official IDNR licensing, access and reporting resources.

Coverage: The table contains all 327 season records across 41 species supplied in the saved Hunterizer season snapshot received October 17, 2026. County, zone, permit, public-site and method restrictions apply.

Match the location, species, legal game, method, hunter category, license and tag to each record before using its dates. Open the record’s rules, limits and requirements, and compare them with the current official agency rules linked below. The saved snapshot does not replace current official regulations or property-specific conditions.

Illinois hunting season records

327 season records · 41 species

Dates represented in this dataset: 2026-03-01 to 2027-05-13. This range describes the saved data. Check the dates, area and requirements in each individual record.

SpeciesMethodSearch zones

Type or choose a species. Choose All species or clear the species field to browse every species. Open each record’s rules for limits, equipment and other requirements. A blank source field is shown as Not supplied; it does not mean no requirement applies.

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Showing 1–17 of 17 matching records. 327 total records.

All 327 records are available through the filters and page controls. Season rules can differ between records with the same dates and zone.
Species	Method	Zone, hunter category and rules	Dates
Deer	Archery	Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47 Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit. Hunter orange No ordinary archery blaze requirement; follow public-site and concurrent hunt requirements. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Cook, DuPage, Lake and the portion of Kane east of Route 47; property closures and ordinances still apply. Archery remains open during statewide firearm weekends. No all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-10-01 to 2027-01-17
Deer	Archery	Firearm deer counties outside Restricted Archery Zone Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit; one permit per deer. Hunter orange Blaze required when archery hunting during applicable youth, muzzleloader, CWD or late-winter firearm seasons; otherwise no archery-specific blaze requirement. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Excludes Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt, except Allerton Park is outside the Restricted Archery Zone. No all-white deer; no bait. Normal archery permits cannot be used during firearm deer weekends. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-10-01 to 2026-11-19
Deer	Archery	Restricted Archery Zone Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit. Hunter orange Blaze required during applicable concurrent firearm deer seasons. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt counties, excluding Allerton Park. October 1–31: antlered deer only, antler ≥3 in; antlerless harvest prohibited regardless of permit. No all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-10-01 to 2026-10-31
Deer	General	Firearm deer counties Hunter category: {junior} Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Valid signed youth deer permit. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Shotgun 10–20 gauge, slugs only, maximum 3 rounds; muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber with barrel ≥16 in; centerfire revolver or single-shot handgun ≥.30 caliber with barrel ≥4 in; single-shot centerfire rifle holding one round total. Rifle/handgun cartridge ≥.30 caliber, straight-walled or bottleneck case ≤1.4 in, factory rating ≥500 ft-lb at muzzle; expanding bullets only. Shotgun/muzzleloader projectile ≥.44 caliber. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Youth under 18 before hunt starts. Apprentice/youth-license hunters accompanied by non-hunting licensed adult ≥21; other youth hunters accompanied by non-hunting parent/guardian/responsible adult. Adult supervisor also wears blaze. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-10-10 to 2026-10-12
Deer	Archery	Restricted Archery Zone Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit. Hunter orange Blaze required during applicable concurrent firearm deer seasons. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt counties, excluding Allerton Park. After October 31, normal permit sex restrictions apply. No all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-11-01 to 2026-11-19
Deer	General	Firearm deer counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed firearm deer permit valid for this county/site and season. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Shotgun 10–20 gauge, slugs only, maximum 3 rounds; muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber with barrel ≥16 in; centerfire revolver or single-shot handgun ≥.30 caliber with barrel ≥4 in; single-shot centerfire rifle holding one round total. Rifle/handgun cartridge ≥.30 caliber, straight-walled or bottleneck case ≤1.4 in, factory rating ≥500 ft-lb at muzzle; expanding bullets only. Shotgun/muzzleloader projectile ≥.44 caliber. Qualifying archery on private land with county firearm permit. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Firearm deer season; permit county/site and sex restriction govern. Archery with a firearm permit allowed on private land only. No all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-11-20 to 2026-11-22
Deer	Archery	Firearm deer counties outside Restricted Archery Zone Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit; one permit per deer. Hunter orange Blaze required when archery hunting during applicable youth, muzzleloader, CWD or late-winter firearm seasons; otherwise no archery-specific blaze requirement. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Excludes Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt, except Allerton Park is outside the Restricted Archery Zone. No all-white deer; no bait. Normal archery permits cannot be used during firearm deer weekends. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-11-23 to 2026-12-02
Deer	Archery	Restricted Archery Zone Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit. Hunter orange Blaze required during applicable concurrent firearm deer seasons. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt counties, excluding Allerton Park. After October 31, normal permit sex restrictions apply. No all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-11-23 to 2026-12-02
Deer	Muzzleloader	Firearm deer counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed county/site muzzleloader deer permit. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Single/double-barrel muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber, barrel ≥16 in, firing one projectile; muzzleloader-permit rules apply. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Muzzleloader permit valid during second firearm weekend and muzzleloader-only weekend; no all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-12-03 to 2026-12-06
Deer	General	Firearm deer counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed firearm deer permit valid for this county/site and season. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Shotgun 10–20 gauge, slugs only, maximum 3 rounds; muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber with barrel ≥16 in; centerfire revolver or single-shot handgun ≥.30 caliber with barrel ≥4 in; single-shot centerfire rifle holding one round total. Rifle/handgun cartridge ≥.30 caliber, straight-walled or bottleneck case ≤1.4 in, factory rating ≥500 ft-lb at muzzle; expanding bullets only. Shotgun/muzzleloader projectile ≥.44 caliber. Qualifying archery on private land with county firearm permit. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Firearm deer season; permit county/site and sex restriction govern. Archery with a firearm permit allowed on private land only. No all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-12-03 to 2026-12-06
Deer	Archery	Restricted Archery Zone Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit. Hunter orange Blaze required during applicable concurrent firearm deer seasons. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt counties, excluding Allerton Park. After October 31, normal permit sex restrictions apply. No all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-12-07 to 2027-01-17
Deer	Archery	Firearm deer counties outside Restricted Archery Zone Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed archery deer permit; one permit per deer. Hunter orange Blaze required when archery hunting during applicable youth, muzzleloader, CWD or late-winter firearm seasons; otherwise no archery-specific blaze requirement. Allowed equipment Long/recurve/compound bow ≥30 lb within a 28-in draw; arrow ≥20 in. Crossbow ≥125 lb, overall length ≥24 in, working safety, fletched bolt ≥14 in. Broadhead ≥7/8 in when open; no radio-telemetry arrow tracking. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Excludes Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt, except Allerton Park is outside the Restricted Archery Zone. No all-white deer; no bait. Normal archery permits cannot be used during firearm deer weekends. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-12-07 to 2027-01-17
Deer	Muzzleloader	Firearm deer counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Signed county/site muzzleloader deer permit. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Single/double-barrel muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber, barrel ≥16 in, firing one projectile; muzzleloader-permit rules apply. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Applies in counties open to firearm deer hunting, including Kane west of Route 47; excludes Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47. Muzzleloader permit valid during second firearm weekend and muzzleloader-only weekend; no all-white deer; no bait. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-12-11 to 2026-12-13
Deer	General	Late-winter counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Valid late-winter or eligible unfilled firearm/youth/muzzleloader permit for open county/site; unfilled muzzleloader permits authorize muzzleloading rifles only. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Shotgun 10–20 gauge, slugs only, maximum 3 rounds; muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber with barrel ≥16 in; centerfire revolver or single-shot handgun ≥.30 caliber with barrel ≥4 in; single-shot centerfire rifle holding one round total. Rifle/handgun cartridge ≥.30 caliber, straight-walled or bottleneck case ≤1.4 in, factory rating ≥500 ft-lb at muzzle; expanding bullets only. Shotgun/muzzleloader projectile ≥.44 caliber. Additional qualifying single-shot muzzleloading handguns allowed under late-winter rules; equipment must match permit. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Antlerless only (no antler ≥3 in). Open counties: Brown, Clay, Coles, Clinton, Crawford, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Jasper, Jefferson, Knox, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, McDonough, Mercer, Monroe, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Rock Island, Saline, Schuyler, Shelby, Williamson, Warren, Washington and Woodford. Residents may buy county late-winter permits or use eligible unfilled permits; nonresidents must use eligible unfilled permits. Public sites have separate permit rules. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-12-31 to 2027-01-03
Deer	General	Special CWD counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit 1 per valid permit; Special CWD harvest exempt from annual antlered limit. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Special CWD county/site permit or eligible unfilled firearm, muzzleloader or youth permit. Unfilled muzzleloader permits authorize muzzleloading rifles only. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Shotgun 10–20 gauge, slugs only, maximum 3 rounds; muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber with barrel ≥16 in; centerfire revolver or single-shot handgun ≥.30 caliber with barrel ≥4 in; single-shot centerfire rifle holding one round total. Rifle/handgun cartridge ≥.30 caliber, straight-walled or bottleneck case ≤1.4 in, factory rating ≥500 ft-lb at muzzle; expanding bullets only. Shotgun/muzzleloader projectile ≥.44 caliber. Use only equipment authorized by the permit held. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Open counties: Adams, Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Effingham, Ford, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, Ogle, Peoria, Putnam, Scott, Stark, Stephenson, Will, Winnebago and Kane west of Route 47. New Special CWD permits are antlerless-only; valid unfilled firearm/youth/muzzleloader permits allow the sex specified. CWD harvest does not count toward the 2-antlered limit. Public sites require the published county/site permit and may restrict segments. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2026-12-31 to 2027-01-03
Deer	General	Late-winter counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit Permit limits; maximum 2 antlered deer in the July 1–June 30 season year, except Special CWD season. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Valid late-winter or eligible unfilled firearm/youth/muzzleloader permit for open county/site; unfilled muzzleloader permits authorize muzzleloading rifles only. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Shotgun 10–20 gauge, slugs only, maximum 3 rounds; muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber with barrel ≥16 in; centerfire revolver or single-shot handgun ≥.30 caliber with barrel ≥4 in; single-shot centerfire rifle holding one round total. Rifle/handgun cartridge ≥.30 caliber, straight-walled or bottleneck case ≤1.4 in, factory rating ≥500 ft-lb at muzzle; expanding bullets only. Shotgun/muzzleloader projectile ≥.44 caliber. Additional qualifying single-shot muzzleloading handguns allowed under late-winter rules; equipment must match permit. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Antlerless only (no antler ≥3 in). Open counties: Brown, Clay, Coles, Clinton, Crawford, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Hancock, Henderson, Jasper, Jefferson, Knox, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, McDonough, Mercer, Monroe, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Rock Island, Saline, Schuyler, Shelby, Williamson, Warren, Washington and Woodford. Residents may buy county late-winter permits or use eligible unfilled permits; nonresidents must use eligible unfilled permits. Public sites have separate permit rules. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2027-01-15 to 2027-01-17
Deer	General	Special CWD counties Rules, limits and requirements Daily bag limit 1 per valid permit Possession limit 1 per valid permit; Special CWD harvest exempt from annual antlered limit. Shooting hours 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset Licenses, tags and validations Illinois hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt; required hunter education. Resident firearm users require a FOID card unless exempt. Special CWD county/site permit or eligible unfilled firearm, muzzleloader or youth permit. Unfilled muzzleloader permits authorize muzzleloading rifles only. Hunter orange Solid blaze orange or pink hat/cap plus 400 sq in of solid matching upper outer clothing; camouflage does not qualify. Allowed equipment Shotgun 10–20 gauge, slugs only, maximum 3 rounds; muzzleloading rifle ≥.45 caliber with barrel ≥16 in; centerfire revolver or single-shot handgun ≥.30 caliber with barrel ≥4 in; single-shot centerfire rifle holding one round total. Rifle/handgun cartridge ≥.30 caliber, straight-walled or bottleneck case ≤1.4 in, factory rating ≥500 ft-lb at muzzle; expanding bullets only. Shotgun/muzzleloader projectile ≥.44 caliber. Use only equipment authorized by the permit held. After the harvest Tag immediately before moving, transporting or field dressing. Keep whole or field dressed until registered. Report by 10 p.m. on harvest day; record confirmation on tag and retain required sex evidence. During firearm weekends in CWD surveillance counties, take deer to a check station by 8 p.m.; the muzzleloader-permit exception during the second weekend allows electronic reporting. Use current IDNR check-station instructions. Additional rules and notes Open counties: Adams, Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Effingham, Ford, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, Ogle, Peoria, Putnam, Scott, Stark, Stephenson, Will, Winnebago and Kane west of Route 47. New Special CWD permits are antlerless-only; valid unfilled firearm/youth/muzzleloader permits allow the sex specified. CWD harvest does not count toward the 2-antlered limit. Public sites require the published county/site permit and may restrict segments. Landowner permission, local ordinances and public-site permits, access limits, shooting hours and equipment rules apply. Check the current Hunter Fact Sheet for the property. Year-round flag No	2027-01-15 to 2027-01-17

Dates are inclusive. Fall archery turkey and squirrel seasons close during firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm deer hunting. Check the restricted archery zone and current county/site lists.

County and zone boundaries change the answer

Archery dates differ around Chicago and Kane County. In Champaign, Douglas, Macon and Piatt counties, excluding Allerton Park in Piatt County, the Restricted Archery Zone permits only antlered deer during October 1–31. Check the correct county, side of Route 47 and hunting site before selecting dates.

Official guidance: County and zone boundaries change the answer

A deer permit and a hunting license serve different purposes

Illinois deer hunters need the applicable deer permit plus the required hunting license and Habitat Stamp unless an exemption applies. Firearm and muzzleloader permits may be county- or site-specific. A muzzleloader permit may also be used with a muzzleloading rifle during the second firearm segment, subject to the permit and site rules.

Official guidance: A deer permit and a hunting license serve different purposes

Read the public site’s Hunter Fact Sheet

IDNR Hunter Fact Sheets identify the hunting offered and special restrictions at individual managed properties. Check the sheet for your destination and whether a permit, windshield card or separate reporting requirement applies. Statewide dates alone do not establish access to a public site; obtain permission for private land.

Official guidance: Read the public site’s Hunter Fact Sheet

Tag and report an archery deer promptly

For archery deer, attach and seal the temporary harvest tag immediately after the kill, before moving, transporting or field dressing the animal. IDNR requires harvest reporting by 10 p.m. the same calendar day, with a retrieval exception explained in its instructions. Firearm CWD counties have separate check-in instructions, so read the insert for your season.

Official guidance: Tag and report an archery deer promptly

Illinois hunting FAQs

When is Illinois firearm deer season in 2026?

The two regular segments are November 20–22 and December 3–6, 2026, in counties and sites open to firearm deer hunting.

Is archery deer season continuous everywhere?

No. Firearm-season counties and Kane west of Route 47 have firearm-season breaks. Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47 have the continuous October 1–January 17 archery window.

Can I hunt late-winter deer in any county?

No. IDNR publishes specific open counties and public sites. The season is antlerless-only, and nonresidents must use a qualifying unfilled permit rather than purchase a resident late-winter permit.

Is the regular deer limit simply two deer?

No. The usual rule is one deer per valid permit, with a maximum of two antlered deer across the ordinary seasons in the July 1–June 30 deer year. Special CWD season rules differ.

Plan a hunt by location and date

Use Hunterizer to look up hunting information by location and date. Compare the result with the current official rules and any property-specific conditions. For another state, visit the state hunting regulation directory.

Official Illinois hunting sources

Table data: Hunterizer season snapshot received October 17, 2026. Agency updates, emergency closures and individual hunt conditions can change the applicable rules. Check the current official sources linked above before hunting or trapping.