1. Hunt Research Tools
  2. Application Season
  3. Illinois

Illinois Hunting

Everything you need to plan your hunting trips in Illinois, from maps and regulations to season dates, game animals, quotas, and game management units. Plus much more! Start your research right here.

Overview

Known For

Illinois is known for having ample wildlife for hunting, including trophy-class whitetail deer, eastern wild turkey, waterfowl, and upland birds. A new law effective in 2023 will allow hunters to use centerfire, single-shot rifles in certain calibers for deer hunting.

Terrain

From fertile lands and low hills in the Central Plains of Illinois to the forested northwest and western edges, the state’s terrain consists mostly of rolling farmlands, growing mostly soybeans and corn.

Illinois Hunting Seasons

Filter By:
Season
Start Date
End Date
Bobcat
Nov 10, 2023 – Feb 15, 2024
Bobcat

Closed Nov. 17-19 and Nov-3 Dec 2023.

Nov 10, 2023
Feb 15, 2024
Coyote
Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
Coyote

Closed during firearm Deer season Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30- Dec. 3.

Jan 1, 2023
Dec 31, 2023
Deer
Oct 1, 2023 – Jan 14, 2024
Deer – Archery
Some counties have different dates. Check regulations booklet for specific dates.
Oct 1, 2023
Jan 14, 2024
Deer
Oct 7, 2023 – Oct 9, 2023
Deer – Youth Firearm
Oct 7, 2023
Oct 9, 2023
Deer
Nov 17, 2023 – Nov 19, 2023
Deer – Firearm Part 1
Nov 17, 2023
Nov 19, 2023
Deer
Dec 1, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023
Deer – Firearm 3

Firearm

Dec 1, 2023
Dec 3, 2023
Deer
Dec 1, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023
Deer – Muzzleloader Part 2
Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during 2nd Firearm Deer Season.
Dec 1, 2023
Dec 3, 2023
Deer
Dec 8, 2023 – Dec 10, 2023
Deer – Muzzleloader Part 1
Dec 8, 2023
Dec 10, 2023
Deer
Dec 30, 2023 – Nov 30, 2023
Deer – Firearm Part 2

Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during 2nd Firearm Deer Season.

Dec 30, 2023
Nov 30, 2023
Dove
Sep 1, 2023 – Nov 14, 2023
Dove – Early
Daily bag limit 15.
Sep 1, 2023
Nov 14, 2023
Dove
Dec 26, 2023 – Jan 9, 2024
Dove – Late
Daily bag limit 15.
Dec 26, 2023
Jan 9, 2024
Duck
Sep 9, 2023 – Sep 24, 2023
Duck – Teal
Teal Season
Sep 9, 2023
Sep 24, 2023
Duck
Oct 21, 2023 – Dec 19, 2023
Duck, Coot, and Merganser – North Zone
Oct 21, 2023
Dec 19, 2023
Duck
Oct 28, 2023 – Dec 26, 2023
Duck, Coot, and Merganser – Central Zone
Oct 28, 2023
Dec 26, 2023
Duck
Nov 11, 2023 – Jan 9, 2024
Duck, Coot, and Merganser – South Central Zone
Nov 11, 2023
Jan 9, 2024
Duck
Dec 2, 2023 – Jan 30, 2024
Duck, Coot, and Merganser – South Zone
Dec 2, 2023
Jan 30, 2024
Fox
Nov 10, 2023 – Feb 15, 2024
Fox

Closed during Firearm Deer season Nov. 17-19 and Nov 30 – Dec 3.

Nov 10, 2023
Feb 15, 2024
Goose
Sep 1, 2023 – Sep 15, 2023
Goose – Early Canada
Sep 1, 2023
Sep 15, 2023
Goose
Oct 21, 2023 – Jan 18, 2024
Goose – North Zone
Canada, Snow, and Brant Goose
Oct 21, 2023
Jan 18, 2024
Goose
Oct 23, 2023 – Jan 18, 2024
Goose – White-fronted Goose – North Zone
Oct 23, 2023
Jan 18, 2024
Goose
Oct 28, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Goose – Central Zone

Canada, Snow, and Brant Goose. Canada goose closed 11/6-11/11.

Oct 28, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Goose
Nov 5, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Goose – White-fronted Goose – Central Zone
Nov 5, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Goose
Nov 11, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Goose – South Central Zone
Canada, Snow, White-fronted, and Brant Goose
Nov 11, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Goose
Dec 2, 2023 – Jan 31, 2024
Goose – South Zone
Canada, Snow, White-fronted, and Brant Goose
Dec 2, 2023
Jan 31, 2024
Pheasant
Nov 4, 2023 – Jan 15, 2024
Pheasant – South

Daily bag limit 2. Roosters only

Nov 4, 2023
Jan 15, 2024
Pheasant
Nov 4, 2023 – Jan 8, 2024
Pheasant – North

Daily bag limit 2. Roosters only

Nov 4, 2023
Jan 8, 2024
Quail Game Type
Nov 4, 2023 – Jan 15, 2024
Quail – South Zone
Daily bag limit 8.
Nov 4, 2023
Jan 15, 2024
Quail Game Type
Nov 4, 2023 – Jan 8, 2024
Quail – North Zone
Daily bag limit 8.
Nov 4, 2023
Jan 8, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Mar 25, 2023 – Mar 26, 2023
Turkey – Spring Youth Season
North and South Zones open for youth.
Mar 25, 2023
Mar 26, 2023
Turkey Game Type
Oct 1, 2023 – Jan 14, 2024
Turkey – Fall Archery

Hunting allowed in certain counties. See regulations for more details.

Learn More
Oct 1, 2023
Jan 14, 2024
Turkey Game Type
Oct 21, 2023 – Oct 29, 2023
Turkey – Fall Shotgun
Oct 21, 2023
Oct 29, 2023

Illinois Licenses, Permits and Regulations

Illinois hunting licenses, permits, and regulations for resident and non-resident hunters can be purchased on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website. Click below to view the website.

Hunting GPS Maps

Every Illinois hunter should have hunting GPS maps on hand. Illinois hunting maps are available from onX Hunt. With a paid membership you can access Satellite, Topo, or Hybrid Basemaps, over which you can view maps of hunting units, along with State, Forest Service, and other public and private property boundaries. You can view trails and roads, and even download maps to the Hunt App for use offline. Click below to get onX Hunt for Illinois.

Hunting Layers

IL Private Lands Preview

IL Private Lands

Over 4,300,000 parcels mapped by the onX team, this layer helps you know who the property owners are in Illinois. Tap any parcel to learn more info about the owner and acreage.

IL Gov Lands Preview

IL Gov Lands

onX has the most accurate maps of Gov Lands, covering over 1,700,000 acres in Illinois. Not all Gov Lands offer access opportunities, check regulations before recreating.

IL Possible Access Preview

IL Possible Access

onX has mapped 26,000 acres of possible access lands in Illinois including timber companies and land conservation groups. Research rules on these private lands before recreating.

SUBLAYERS (6) Expand Sublayers
IL Hunt Zones Preview

IL Hunt Zones

Illinois Hunt Zones for six different species.

Includes 6 Sublayers

  • Fall Turkey Hunt Zones
  • Spring Turkey Hunt Zones
  • Upland Game Bird Hunt Zones
  • Waterfowl Hunt Zones
  • Bobcat Hunt Zones
  • Furbearer Hunt Zones
hunter looking at onX Hunt on their phone


The #1 GPS Hunting App

  • 975 million acres of public land
  • 10,668 unique hunting units
  • 421 map overlays and counting
  • 5,000 game wardens approve