Illinois Hunting Seasons 2025: Dates, License&Regulations

*2025-2026 hunting season schedules have been updated!

Deep in the heart of the Midwestern United States, Illinois is a great place for deer hunting. The state offers a distinct White-tailed deer hunting experience. This deer is special because it’s only found in Illinois, is known for its speed and agility, and is a popular game animal for hunters.

When you go deer hunting in Illinois, you get to enjoy the thrill of the hunt while also being responsible and making sure the deer population stays healthy.

In this article, we have summarized the important information about when and how to hunt deer in Illinois. Mark your calendars as we bring you details of the season dates and bag limits to prepare for your hunting adventure effectively.

When Is Illinois Deer Season?

Firearm Season

• November 21 – 23, 2025
• December 4 – 7, 2025

Muzzleloader Season

• December 12 – 14, 2025

Archery Season

Counties with a firearm season and west of State Route 47 in Kane County:

• October 1 – November 20, 2025
• November 24 – December 3, 2025
• December 8 – January 18, 2025

Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane County (east of State Route 47):

• October 1, 2025 – January 18, 2026

Youth Deer Season

• October 11 -13, 2025

*Hunting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

*Bag Limit is one deer only.

Illinois Deer Hunting Notices

1. Upon killing a deer, hunters must immediately attach and seal the temporary harvest tag (leg tag), before moving or transporting the animal.
2. The harvest report must be registered (reported) by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken. If a hunter is unable to report the harvest in time, they must do so as soon as possible.
3. Before taking, attempting to take, or pursuing deer, any hunter must obtain a State Habitat Stamp($5.50), a Deer Permit, and a current and valid Hunting License.
4. Any person taking deer using a firearm must wear blaze orange or blaze pink clothing with a minimum of 400 square inches of visible material while in the field.
5. The Youth Deer Season is open only to hunters who have not turned 18 years old before the opening date of the season.

Illinois Hunting Licenses And Permits

Hunting license fees are a bit different than last year. The following information outlines the license fees for residents and nonresidents in Illinois.

Hunting License Fees

Illinois Deer Permit Fees

How to Apply for Illinois Drawing?

To hunt in Illinois, you need to apply for the lottery drawing to win a chance to buy deer tags. The lottery usually starts in early June, and you can fill in the application on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

The application process for deer hunting is as follows:

• Resident hunters can apply for an archery either-sex permit from August 1st to September 1st, with a fee of $17.00.
• Non-resident hunters can apply for a deer firearm lottery permit through the Illinois official website with a fee of $329.00. Additionally, non-resident hunters can apply for a deer combo archery permit during the same timeframe, with a fee of $410.00.

To check the status of your deer hunting application in Illinois, you can visit the website of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

If you’re interested in a muzzleloader permit, make sure to apply in either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd deer lottery. After the Lottery 3 Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader drawings, any remaining permits will be available for purchase over the counter.

The application process for deer hunting in Illinois is easy to follow. You can check the status of your application and make sure you’re applying in the right drawing for the type of permit you want.

Who Doesn’t Need a Hunting License to Hunt?

• Residents with Disabilities: Anyone who has a disability and possesses an Illinois Driver’s License or an Illinois Disability Identification Card can hunt without a license.
• Veterans with Disabilities: Veterans, whether residents or non-residents, can hunt without a license if they have an Affidavit of Disability Card.
• Active Duty Military: Anyone who is on active duty in the Armed Forces and entered service from Illinois can hunt without a license while on ordinary or emergency leave.

Except for the popular deer season in Illinois, you can also hunt many game animals. The following is the summary of all Illinois hunting seasons for your reference.

Illinois Waterfowl Seasons

The Illinois duck season varies in different hunting zones. Make sure to check the zones you will hunt in, and bring your hunting licenses and duck permits.

Duck Seasons

Geese Seasons

Other Waterfowl Seasons

Youth Waterfowl Seasons

*Notes:

1. Hunters will need to apply for an online application in order to legally hunt ducks in Illinois. Once you have been selected, you can acquire a duck permit. Want to know if you have been selected? Check this official Duck Hunting Permit Inquiry for the results.
2. All swans are protected animals. Make sure to know how to identify them and avoid making a mistake shot.

Illinois Turkey Season

Youth Spring Turkey Season: March 28 – 29 and April 4 – 5, 2026

South Zone Hunting Seasons:

North Zone Hunting Seasons:

*Note:

1. The fall archery turkey season is open from October to January the next year, but in some counties, this season is closed during the firearm deer hunting season.
2. To hunt turkey in the state, you will need to submit an application to the lottery system, which assigns the turkey permits to eligible hunters. The application fee for residents is $19, while for non-residents is $129.
3. For spring seasons, the legal hunting hours are half an hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. The bag limit is one tom, jake, or bearded hen per permit and up to 3 turkeys in total.
4. For fall seasons, the legal hunting hours are half an hour before sunrise to sunset. The harvest limit is one either-sex turkey per
   permit and up to 2 turkeys in total.

Illinois Upland Game Birds Season

Pheasant Season

• No 1, 2025 – Jan  8, 2026 (North)
• Nov  1, 2025 – Jan  15, 2026 (South)
• Bag Limits: 2 daily and 6 in total

Quail Season

• Nov  1, 2025 – Jan 8, 2026 (North)
• Nov  1, 2025 – Jan  15, 2026 (South)
• Bag Limits: 8 daily and 20 in total

Doves Season

• Sep 1 – Nov 14, 2025
• Dec 26, 2025 – Jan 9, 2026
• Bag Limit: 15 daily and 45 in total

Hungarian Partridge Season

• Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 8, 2026 (North Zone)
• Nov 1, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026 (South Zone)
• Bag Limit: 2 daily and 6 in total

Crow Season

• Oct 28, 2025 – Feb 28, 2026
• Bag Limit: No limit

Illinois Furbearers Season

The furbearer seasons are divided into hunting seasons and trapping seasons, and they vary for different game animals. Here is the breakdown:

For Hunting:

For Trapping:

*Note:

1. The above hunting seasons for furbearers will be closed on Nov 21 -23 and Dec 4 – 7, 2025 in counties open for firearm deer hunting. Make sure not to go for a hunt on the forbidden days.
2. The legal shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Conclusion

Illinois is known for its great deer hunting tradition, especially for white-tailed deer. Every year, deer hunting season in Illinois offers a great chance for hunters to enjoy the outdoors.

As you get ready to go hunting in Illinois, keep in mind the dates and rules, follow responsible hunting practices, grab your rubber hunting boots and gear, and now start a memorable experience. Have fun!