Illinois Deer Season and Hunting Information and Regulations

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.

Illinois Deer Seasons

First Firearm Deer Season	Nov. 18 – Nov. 20
Second Firearm Deer Season	Dec. 1 – Dec. 4
Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season	Dec. 9 – Dec, 11
1st Lottery Season	Mar. 8 – Apr. 30
2nd Lottery Season	May 11 – Jun. 30
3rd Lottery Season	Jul. 11 – Aug. 19
Archery Deer Season	Oct. 1 – Jan. 15
Youth Firearm Deer Season	Oct. 8 – Oct. 10
Late Winter Season	Not Posted Yet for 2022 – 2023

*Most of the actual hunting seasons in Illinois are by lottery. There are specific regulations and restrictions for each season so please be sure to investigate thoroughly on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Deer Hunting page.

In order to deer hunt legally in Illinois one must have:

A valid hunting license.
A state of Illinois habitat stamp.
Deer permit(s).

Illinois has several different seasons for deer hunting including archery, firearm, muzzleloader, late-winter, youth, and Chronic Wasting Disease season and dates vary accordingly. The bag limit for all seasons is one deer per permit with the exception of the late-winter season whereas a hunter is only allowed one antlerless kill per permit. Must be antlerless.

Doe Tags

A hunter is allowed one deer per legally issued permit. No hunter, regardless of permit or permits in his/her possession may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year. This includes the Youth, Muzzleloader, Firearm, and Archery seasons.

Illinois Turkey Season

Spring 1st Season South Zone	Apr. 4 – Apr. 8
Spring 2nd Season South Zone	Apr. 9 – Apr. 14
Spring 3rd Season South Zone	Apr. 15 – Apr. 20
Spring 4th Season South Zone	Apr. 21 – Apr. 27
Spring 5th Season South Zone	Apr. 28 – May 5
Spring 1st Season North Zone	Apr. 11 – Apr. 15
Spring 2nd Season North Zone	Apr. 16 – Apr. 21
Spring 3rd Season North Zone	Apr. 22 – Apr. 27
Spring 4th Season North Zone	Apr. 28 – May 4
Spring 5th Season North Zone	May 5 – May 12
Fall Shotgun Turkey Season	Oct. 22 – Oct. 30
Fall Lottery 1	May 3 – Jul. 4
Fall Lottery 2	Jul. 15 – Aug. 22
Fall Turkey Archery Season	Oct. 1 – Jan. 15

Though the wild turkey population was dwindling for many years there have been a few years of reproduction success and populations are increasing rapidly once again.

*During all seasons it is illegal to move a turkey from the hunt and kill location without first attaching a tag to its leg. The leg tag must remain until the turkey has been transported to the home of the hunter and reported.

Each hunter is allotted one turkey tag that allows for one turkey of either sex per tag.

Season dates vary by zone but run consistently throughout April and May.

Illinois Bear Season

Black Bear may not be hunted, harassed, or killed unless they pose an immediate threat.

Illinois Upland Game Season

Quail Hunting	Nov. 10 – Jan. 12
Pheasant Hunting	Nov. 6 – Dec. 29

Upland game specifically is broken into a number of different seasons, so the dates do not always run concurrently. It is also subdivided by zone and changes depending on conditions, so be sure to read and research accordingly.

Illinois Waterfowl Season

North Zone Duck Season	Oct. 22 – Dec. 20
Central Zone Duck Season	Oct. 29 – Dec. 27
South Central Zone Duck Season	Nov. 12 – Jan. 10
South Zone Duck Season	Dec. 3 – Jan. 31
Teal Season	Sep. 10 – Sep. 25
North Zone Canada Goose Season	Oct. 22 – Jan. 19
Central Zone Canada Goose Season	Oct. 29 – Nov. 6, Nov. 12 – Jan. 31
South Central Zone Canada Goose Season	Nov. 12 – Jan. 31
South Zone Canada Goose Season	Dec. 3 – Jan. 31

Per usual in Illinois make sure to check specific region and details on the Department of Natural Resources page before starting your hunt!

Smaller and Furbearer Game Seasons

Coyote & Striped Skunk	Aug. 22 – Nov. 17, Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, Dec. 5 – Jul. 23
Woodchuck	Aug. 22 – Nov. 17, Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, Dec. 5 – May 31
Squirrels	Aug. 22 – Nov. 17, Nov. 21 – Nov. 29, Dec. 5 – Feb. 15
Doves	Sep. 1 – Nov. 14, Dec. 26 – Jan. 9
Rabbits	Nov. 5 – Feb. 15
Snipe	Sep. 10 – Dec. 25

Crossbow Regulations

Illinois has some confusing and intricate laws around hunting, guns, and crossbows. Here are the main points to pay attention to but be sure to check the official government website.

Minimum draw weight is 125 pounds and the maximum draw weight is 200 pounds.
Migratory bird hunting is illegal with a crossbow.
The minimum length of your crossbow from the butt of your stock to the back of the limb must be 24”.
Expandable broadheads are legal as long as they have at least a 7/8” cutting diameter.
The use of electronic calling or tracking devices are prohibited.
For the disabled: hunting with a crossbow is legal during the entire archery season. Certification from a licensed physician is required, and you will need to apply for an exemption.
Age 62+: hunting with crossbow during archery season is illegal. You do not need a permit but are required to carry a current, valid form of picture ID with you at all times while hunting.

Hunting License

All licensing and state stamps are effective January 1^st of the year issued and extend through March 31^st of the following year.

If you are military personnel, disabled, or a land-owner and the immediate family (while hunting the land you own) you do not have to have a hunting license. However, one must still observe season dates and follow legal hunting practices regarding weaponry and methods.

Please refer to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for licensing costs.

If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see Indiana.

Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Idaho.