Field Guide / State Hunting Guide
The Guide to the Illinois Hunting Seasons
If a trophy-class whitetail is on your list of wild game to bring home this year, Illinois should be on your list of places to hunt. It's also an excellent state if you enjoy trapping furbearers.
However, let's not count out the ample opportunities for hunting turkey, dove, and waterfowl.
Ready to plan your hunting year? The team here at HuntWise has gathered the information you need about season dates, bag limits, hunting licenses, and more. We'll also help you find the best public or private land for a challenging and fun hunt.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Illinois?
The opportunity to bring home a trophy-quality buck is one of many reasons hunters love Illinois. Additionally, the state is home to a deep hunter's heritage, with generations of families and friends joining in on hunts every year.
Illinois offers plenty of public land for hunts. It's also an excellent state for new and young hunters to become introduced to the traditions of hunting and trapping and how these efforts help conservation efforts in Illinois.
So, whether you live in Illinois and hunt with friends and family or plan to travel there for an out-of-state hunt, it's an excellent experience for a hunt this year.
Where Should I Hunt?
Illinois landowners can participate in the IRAP (Illinois Recreational Access Program), which allows hunters access to public hunting areas on their private land. The program also leases private land for public access to hunting and activities, making more land available to hunters throughout the state.
Learn about public land access to plan your hunt. Then, depending on where you hunt, you'll experience terrain ranging from hills to fertile lands and forests. You'll also run into plenty of farmlands. However, Illinois won't make you hike tall or rocky mountains or canyons in pursuit of the game you're after.
With the HuntWise app, you can scout the land and identify boundaries to find the best places (and permissions) for your hunt. Our 3-D maps and layers help you visualize the terrain in Illinois so you're prepared no matter the species and where it leads you.
When Can I Hunt?
The Illinois hunting seasons are fairly straightforward, making it simple to find the dates for deer, turkey, or whatever is on your agenda this year.
Note that the information we provide is the latest available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). We'll update this guide with the latest season information as new details become available.
We also recommend checking official resources for the latest hunting season dates as you plan your hunts.
Illinois Deer Season
| TurkeySpring
|
Upland and Small Game
| Waterfowl
|
Coyote
|
For more details about season dates for trapping furbearers, visit the Hunt Illinois web page.
What Do I Need to Know About Illinois Hunting Laws and Regulations?
All hunters born on or after January 1, 1980, must pass a hunter education course before getting a hunting license. Then, you'll need the appropriate license and permits or Illinois hunting tags to hunt the game you plan to hunt.
Illinois offers a range of licenses and permits based on the species and if you are a resident, non-resident, youth, or senior hunter. Most licenses can be purchased online.
What are the Bag Limits?
How many doves, whitetail, or turkeys can you bring home this year? To comply with Illinois hunting laws, make sure you know the bag limits for every animal you plan to hunt.
Check out the overview below.
| Deer | 1 deer per permit | Snipe | 8 per day (24 in possession) |
| Turkey | 1 tom, jake, or bearded hen per permit (3 max spring permits) 1 either-sex per permit (2 max fall permits) | Ducks | 6 per day (18 in possession) |
| Dove | 15 per day (45 in possession) | Canada Geese (Early Season) | 5 per day, 15 in possession (North and Central) 2 per day, 6 in possession (South Central and South) |
| Squirrel | 5 per day (10 in possession) | Canada Geese | 3 per day (9 in possession) |
| Woodcock | 3 per day (9 in possession) | Merganser | 5 per day (15 in possession) |
| Crow | No limits | Coot | 15 per day (45 in possession) |
| Pheasant | 2 males per day (6 in possession) | Scaup | 2 per day, 6 in possession (1st segment) 1 per day, 3 in possession (2nd segment) |
| Quail | 8 per day (20 in possession) | Light Geese | 20 per day (unlimited in possession) |
| Partridge | 2 per day (6 in possession) | Light Geese (Conservation Order) | Unlimited |
| Rabbit | 4 per day (10 in possession) | Brant | 1 per day (3 in possession) |
| Teal | 6 per day (18 in possession) | White-Fronted Geese | 2 per day (6 in possession) |
| Rail | 25 per day (75 in possession) | Youth Waterfowl | Same as regular duck, goose, and coot |
| Coyote | Unlimited |
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
Whether you prefer Illinois archery season for your favorite wild game or you hunt with a firearm, you need the right gear!
Successful hunts require gear like a great pair of binoculars, a good hunting knife, the right clothing (based on the season), and a good rifle for firearm seasons.
Remember: HuntWise users can get geared up for less by using exclusive gear discounts through our app partners. From optics to odor control and clothing, HuntWise hunting app users can save hundreds on gear.
Use HuntWise for Success Throughout the Illinois Hunting Seasons
We hope this guide helps you plan your hunts in Illinois this season — but don't forget to consult official resources when finalizing your plans, as information can change.
What else do you need for success? The HuntWise hunting app! It's the best tool for hunters to scout and plan before heading out for hunts. Our 3-D maps and layers give you an advantage over other hunters and increase your chances of an efficient (and successful) day in the field.
Plus, Elite subscribers get access to more tools in the app, including up to 15 days of animal activity and weather forecasting.
Download the app and start your free trial to make sure you're ready for opening day!
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