Illinois hunting and fishing laws
The Illinois rules that catch people out, in plain English: hunter education, minimum age, blaze orange, Sunday hunting, shooting hours, baiting, night hunting, tagging and private land. Each one links to the state's own text.
Season dates for 2026-27. Page updated October 12, 2026.
These pages sum up the rules to help you find them. They are not legal advice. The state's own regulations govern, so check them before you go.
Hunter education in Illinois
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 must complete a hunter safety education course before buying an Illinois hunting license, with some exemptions. An Apprentice Hunter License lets you hunt without the certificate while supervised by a licensed hunter 21 or older.
Minimum hunting age in Illinois
Not verified. The Illinois digest lists no minimum hunting age. Hunters under 18 use a Youth license and must be accompanied by, and under close personal supervision of, a licensed adult 21 or older. Confirm with the official regulations before you hunt.
Blaze orange in Illinois
Applies to: Deer
During firearm deer seasons in open counties hunters must wear a solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or blaze pink material. Archery hunters are exempt during archery-only seasons but must comply during firearm-season overlap.
Sunday hunting in Illinois
Sunday hunting is allowed in Illinois. Statewide seasons such as firearm deer are set to include Sundays.
Shooting hours in Illinois
Hunting hours run from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset, for archery and firearm alike.
Baiting in Illinois
Applies to: Deer
You cannot legally feed deer at any time and/or take deer by the use or aid of bait or baiting of any kind. There is no bear season in Illinois.
Night hunting in Illinois
Applies to: Furbearers
Artificial lighting to locate wildlife is prohibited, except that skunk, opossum, red fox, coyote and raccoon may be harvested during the open season using a small hand-operated light by a person who is on foot and not in any vehicle.
Tagging and reporting a harvest in Illinois
Applies to: Deer
Attach and seal the deer’s leg tag immediately upon kill, before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed. Report the harvest by 10 p.m. the same day by phone (1-866-452-4325) or online, and write the confirmation number on the tag. Keep evidence of sex attached: head with antlers or the genitals for a buck, head or udder/vulva for a doe.
Hunting on private land in Illinois
It is unlawful to take any wildlife on another person’s land without first getting the owner’s permission, whether or not the land is posted. Landowners may mark trees or posts with purple paint as a “no trespassing” notice.
Can you show your Illinois license on your phone?
Digital license OK. Paper leg tag on the deer.
IDNR says “A physical or electronic license is valid for hunting and presentation to law enforcement.” Deer are tagged with the permit’s temporary harvest tag, which “shall be attached and properly sealed immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved.” You must write the harvest confirmation number onto that leg tag.
License (phone OK) plus paper deer/turkey permit tag
Illinois hunting season dates, 2026-27
The main seasons, from the state's published dates. Zones and units can differ; each season links to the state's own page for it.
| Season | Dates | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer — archery | Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 | Counties with a firearm season | Closed Nov 20-22, Dec 3-6 (firearm); open all season in Cook/DuPage/Lake/E. Kane |
| Deer — firearm (1st) | Nov 20 – Nov 22, 2026 | Statewide (open counties) | Permit required |
| Deer — firearm (2nd) | Dec 3 – Dec 6, 2026 | Statewide (open counties) | Permit required |
| Deer — muzzleloader | Dec 11 – Dec 13, 2026 | Statewide (open counties) | |
| Turkey — spring | Apr 12 – May 13, 2027 | North Zone | 5 permit segments; South Zone Apr 5-May 6 |
| Turkey — fall shotgun | Oct 24 – Nov 1, 2026 | Open counties | Fall archery turkey Oct 1-Jan 17, closed during firearm deer |
| Pheasant, quail, partridge | Nov 7, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027 | South Zone | Males only. North Zone closes Jan 8 |
| Mourning dove | Sep 1 – Nov 14, 2026 | Statewide | Second split Dec 26-Jan 9 |
| Ducks — regular | Oct 31, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Central Zone | Closed Dec 14-18 (split). North and South zones differ |
What you can hunt in Illinois
Big game
- White-tailed deer General season Permits; some county lotteries
- Black bear No season No season; bears are protected in Illinois
- Elk and moose No season No season
Upland and small game
- Wild turkey Draw or limited entry Spring by lottery permit; leftovers over the counter
- Pheasant General season Males only
- Bobwhite quail General season
- Hungarian partridge General season
- Cottontail rabbit General season
- Squirrel General season
- Raccoon and opossum General season
- Crow General season
- Ruffed grouse No season No season
Waterfowl and migratory
- Ducks and geese General season
- Brant General season
- Mourning dove General season
- Woodcock, snipe, rail General season
- Sandhill crane No season No season
Furbearer and predator
- Coyote General season Year round
- Red and gray fox General season
- Striped skunk and groundhog General season
- Bobcat Draw or limited entry One-time permit lottery with a quota
What you can fish for in Illinois
License plus an Inland Trout Stamp or a Salmon Stamp
Fishing licenses sold: 1-day, 3-day, Annual
Trout and char
- Inland rainbow trout Needs a stamp Inland Trout Stamp; spring and autumn closures
- Lake Michigan brown and lake trout Needs a stamp Salmon Stamp
Salmon and anadromous
- Chinook and coho salmon Needs a stamp Salmon Stamp
- Steelhead Needs a stamp Salmon Stamp
Warmwater
- Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass General season
- Walleye, sauger and saugeye General season
- Northern pike General season
- Muskellunge General season Stocked fishery with size limits
- Blue, channel and flathead catfish General season
- Crappie and panfish General season
- White and yellow bass General season
Other
- Carp General season Bowfishing
- Lake sturgeon No season Protected — no possession
Official Illinois links
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Carry your Illinois license on your phone
Sportsmen Ledger holds your hunting and fishing licenses and tags, these rules and your harvest log, and it works with no signal. Free to start.
Compare with other states
- Hunter education requirements by state
- Minimum hunting age by state
- Blaze orange requirements by state
- Sunday hunting laws by state
- Legal shooting hours by state
- Baiting laws by state
- Night hunting laws by state
- Tagging and harvest reporting by state
- Hunting on private land, state by state
- Can you show your hunting or fishing license on your phone? Every state