About the Illinois Hunting Season
White tailed deer along with all other wildlife belong to the people of Illinois. There are so many people who come out to make a living based on these animals. With as many available options as there are for hunting and using the beautiful public and private lands there’s a chance the conservationist system will last well into our futures.
Come out and enjoy all that there is to offer including watching nature up close and personal and getting in touch with it in a way that so many before have been able to do as well. With its snowy winters and warm summers there are options on how you would like to spend your time visiting or living up north! Be sure to check out the links below as well.
Illinois Hunting Seasons Offered
Big Game: Deer, Wild Turkey
Birds: Waterfowl, Upland game, Dove
Illinois Hunting Season Dates 2021
Deer Season
Archery oct 1- Jan 17
Muzzleloader Dec 11-13
Firearms Nov 20-22 and Dec 3-6
Wild Turkey
Fall Firearms Oct 24- Nov 1
Fall Archery Oct1 – Jan
IL Deer Hunting Seasons
| Season | Dates | Notes |
| First Firearm | Nov 20-22,2020 | |
| Second Firearm | Dec 3-6,2020 | |
| Muzzleloader only | Dec 11-13,2020 | Hunters may use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during 2nd firearm season |
| Late- Winter Deer Season | Dec 31, 2020 – January 3, 2021 & January 15- 17, 2021 | Illinois resident hunters must purchase a valid Late- Winter Deer Season permit. |
Public land sites open to late- winter deer seasons require a site- specific permit
Be sure to check with the the wildlife commission to confirm.
Illinois Hunting License Info
Purchase an Illinois specific license here:
https://www.il.wildlifelicense.com/license.php?action=custlkup
| Resident/ Nonresident | License | Cost |
| Resident | Hunting | $12.50 |
| Resident | Lifetime Hunting | $360.00 |
| Resident | Lifetime Sportsman’s Combo Hunting/Fishing License | $765.00 |
| Resident | Sportsmen’s Combo Hunting/ Fishing License | $26.25 |
Permits
| Resident/ Nonresident | Permit | Fee |
| Resident | Landowner application | 0.00 |
| Nonresident | Landowner Deer Firearm Permit Application | $175.00 |
| Resident | Deer Firearm lottery Permit Application (Either Sex) | $25.00 |
| Resident | Deer Firearm Lottery Permit Application (Antlerless Only) | $17.50 |
| Resident | Deer Muzzleloader Lottery Permit Application (Either Sex & Antlerless Only) | $42.50 |
| Resident | Deer Archery OTC Permit (Antlerless Only) | $15.50 |
IL Hunting Lottery Application Dates
| Permit | Application Date |
| 1st Lottery (firearm deer drawing) | March 10- April 30, 2020 |
| 2nd Lottery | May 1- June 30, 2020 |
| 3rd Lottery | July 1- August 21, 2020 |
Illinois Hunting news
Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that maintains the health and abundance of game species and the balance of natural resources. There are many designated public hunting areas and a site specific permit might be required to hunt as well.
Find a Hunting Guide
Official Site and Links
Illinois State Regulatory Site:
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/Pages/GettingStarted.aspx
Illinois State Regulatory
PDF: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/conservation/wildlife/Pages/default.aspx
License Purchasing: https://www.il.wildlifelicense.com/license.php?action=custlkup