Committed to helping hunters. Learn more
We set out to create the most simplified guide to Illinois hunting seasons for 2023.
Want to find out season dates, learn about regulations and bag limits, understand license requirements, and get access helpful links?
Then you’ll love the info outlined in today’s guide. Let’s dive right in.
Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that maintains the health and abundance of game species and the balance of natural resources in Illinois. There are many designated public hunting areas and a site specific permit might be required to hunt as well.
First Firearm Deer Season: November 19, 20 & 21, 2023
Second Firearm Deer Season: December 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2023
Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season: December 10, 11 & 12, 2023 - Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during Second Firearm Season December 2 - 5, 2023
Illinois Deer Archery Season 2023
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.
Shotgun: Oct. 23 – Oct. 31, 2023. Only the county, counties, or special hunt area designated on your permit.
Archery: Oct 1, 2021 through Jan 16, 2022 EXCEPT closed during the 1st and 2nd Firearm Deer Hunting Seasons. All counties are open to the Fall Archery Turkey Season.
Spring Turkey Limit: One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits
Spring Turkey Additional Regulations: See map of turkey hunting zones for specific season segments in each zone.
Bobwhite Quail: November 6 - January 15
Hungarian Partridge: November 6 - January 15
Rabbit: November 6 - February 15
Gray and Fox Squirrel: August 1 - February 15 (closed during deer firearms seasons)
Crow: October 28 - February 28
See the map below for a breakdown of Illinois's hunting zones:
Spring Turkey Limit: One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits
Deer bag limit: One ANTLERLESS deer per legally authorized permit. Only ANTLERLESS deer may be harvested during Late-Winter Deer Season. An antlerless deer is defined as a deer without antlers or a deer having antlers less than 3 inches long.
Illinois Hunting Permits
Lottery Application Dates
Hunting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Successful hunters must register their harvest by 10:00 p.m. on the same calendar day the deer was taken by calling the toll-free telephone check-in system at 1-866-ILCHECK or by accessing the online check-in system at www.dnr.illinois.gov/Hunting/Pages/HarvestReporting.aspx
Official State Site: https://huntillinois.org/
You can hunt with shotguns, loaded with slugs only, single or double barreled muzzleloading rifles of at least .45 caliber, and centerfire revolvers or centerfire single-shot handguns of .30 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches.
You can hunt deer, turkey, coyote, bobcat, fox, pheasant, quail, duck, goose and dove in Illinois.
Hunting seasons vary by weapon, animal and zone so please refer to our detailed page or the official state site for more info.
