Illinois Hunting Dates 2025 – Permits, Zones & Wildlife Targets

Welcome to your comprehensive guide to the Prairie State’s hunting opportunities! Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or just starting out, Illinois offers incredible game diversity across its varied landscapes. This guide covers everything you need to plan your next expedition – from season dates and wildlife zones to licensing requirements and hunting methods.

What You’ll Find in This Guide

Illinois boasts some of the nation’s finest whitetail deer hunting, along with exceptional opportunities for turkey, waterfowl, and various small game species. We’ve compiled official information from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to give you the most accurate details on seasons, zones, permits, and regulations for the 2025 hunting season.

Illinois Hunting Season Summary

Species	Season Dates	Hunting Methods
Deer (Archery)	Oct 1 – Nov 21, Nov 25 – Dec 4, Dec 9 – Jan 19, 2025	Bow, Crossbow
Deer (Firearm)	Nov 22-24, Dec 5-8	Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Single-shot Rifle*
Turkey (Spring)	Various segments from Apr 7 – May 15, 2025	Shotgun, Bow
Turkey (Fall)	Oct 19-27 (Shotgun), Oct 1 – Jan 19, 2025 (Archery)	Shotgun, Bow
Waterfowl	Varies by zone and species (Sep – Jan)	Shotgun
Upland Game	Various dates (Aug – Feb)	Shotgun, Rifle
Furbearers	Nov 10 – Feb 15, 2025 (most species)	Various

*Note: Single-shot rifles must meet specific caliber requirements per 2023 law change.

Big Game Hunting in Illinois 🦌

Deer Season: Archery & Firearm

Illinois has earned its reputation as a trophy whitetail destination, with the state consistently producing record-class bucks. The hunting schedule provides multiple opportunities throughout the fall and winter.

Archery Season:

• Dates: October 1 – November 21, November 25 – December 4, and December 9 – January 19, 2025
• Bag Limit: 1 deer per permit
• Equipment: Compound bows, recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows
• Special Regulations: During October 1-31, only antlered deer may be harvested in Restricted Archery Zones (RAZ)

Firearm Seasons:

• First Firearm Season: November 22-24, 2025
• Second Firearm Season: December 5-8, 2025
• Muzzleloader-Only Season: December 13-15, 2025
• Youth Firearm Season: October 12-14, 2025
• Special CWD & Late Winter (Antlerless Only): December 26-29 and January 17-19, 2025

Zone Information: Illinois is divided into several deer management zones, each with specific regulations and permit quotas. Check the Illinois DNR Map for zone boundaries.

Permit Applications:

• First Lottery: March 4 – April 30, 2025
• Second Lottery: May 12 – June 30, 2025
• Third Lottery: Available after second lottery closes

Turkey Hunting 🦃

Spring Turkey Season

The spring turkey season is segmented by zones (North and South) with different hunting periods:

Youth Spring Turkey:

• March 29-30 and April 5-6, 2025

North Zone Segments:

• Segment 1: April 14-18, 2025
• Segment 2: April 19-24, 2025
• Segment 3: April 25-30, 2025
• Segment 4: May 1-7, 2025
• Segment 5: May 8-15, 2025

South Zone Segments:

• Segment 1: April 7-11, 2025
• Segment 2: April 12-17, 2025
• Segment 3: April 18-23, 2025
• Segment 4: April 24-30, 2025
• Segment 5: May 1-8, 2025

Bag Limits: 1 tom, jake, or bearded hen per permit (maximum 3 spring permits)

Fall Turkey Season

• Shotgun: October 19-27, 2025
• Archery: October 1, 2025 – January 19, 2026
• Bag Limit: 1 turkey of either sex per permit (maximum 2 fall permits)

Furbearer Hunting & Trapping 🦊

Trapping is a longstanding tradition in Illinois, with opportunities for various furbearer species:

Trapping Season: November 10, 2025 – February 15, 2026 (for most species)

Notable Species and Regulations:

• Coyote: Open hunting year-round, trapping from November 10 – February 15
• Raccoon, Opossum: November hunting and trapping
• Beaver: November through April
• Bobcat: By special permit only

Bag Limits: Vary by species, with some having no limits (like coyotes)

Small Game Hunting 🐰

Upland Birds, Rabbits & Squirrels

Squirrel:

• Season: August 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026
• Bag Limit: 5 per day (10 in possession)

Rabbit:

• Season: November 2, 2025 – February 15, 2026
• Bag Limit: 4 per day (10 in possession)

Pheasant (Males Only):

• North Zone: November 2, 2025 – January 8, 2026
• South Zone: November 2, 2025 – January 15, 2026
• Bag Limit: 2 males per day (6 in possession)

Quail & Hungarian Partridge:

• Season: Same as Pheasant
• Bag Limits: 8 quail per day (20 in possession), 2 partridge per day (6 in possession)

Dove:

• Season: September 1 – November 14, 2025 and December 26, 2025 – January 2026
• Bag Limit: 15 per day (45 in possession)

Woodcock:

• Season: October 19 – December 2, 2025
• Bag Limit: 3 per day (9 in possession)

Crow:

• Season: October 28, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Bag Limit: No limit

Waterfowl Hunting 🦆

Illinois is situated along the Mississippi Flyway, making it a premier destination for waterfowl hunters. The state is divided into four waterfowl zones: North, Central, South Central, and South.

Duck Season

North Zone:

• Season: October 19 – December 17, 2025
• Scaup Split: October 19 – December 2 (2 per day) and December 3-17 (1 per day)

Central Zone:

• Season: October 26 – December 24, 2025
• Scaup Split: October 26 – December 9 (2 per day) and December 10-24 (1 per day)

South Central Zone:

• Season: November 16, 2025 – January 14, 2026
• Scaup Split: November 16 – December 30 (2 per day) and December 31 – January 14 (1 per day)

South Zone:

• Season: November 30, 2025 – January 28, 2026
• Scaup Split: November 30 – January 13 (2 per day) and January 14-28 (1 per day)

Daily Bag Limits:

• Ducks: 6 per day (18 in possession)
• Mergansers: 5 per day (15 in possession)
• Coot: 15 per day (45 in possession)

Goose Season

Canada Geese (Regular):

• Various dates by zone from October through January
• Bag Limit: 3 per day (9 in possession)

Light Geese:

• Same as regular goose season
• Bag Limit: 20 per day (unlimited possession)
• Conservation Order: Extended season with unlimited daily bag (January through April)

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days:

• North Zone: October 12-13, 2025
• Central Zone: October 19-20, 2025
• South Central Zone: November 9-10, 2025
• South Zone: November 16-17, 2025

Hunting License & Permit Information 🎟️

To participate in any Illinois hunting activity, you’ll need the appropriate licenses and permits:

Resident License Fees:

• Annual Hunting License: $13.50 (includes habitat stamp)
• Youth Hunting License: $7.00
• Senior Hunting License: $7.00
• Super Senior Hunting License: Free (65+ years, income-qualified)

Non-Resident License Fees:

• Annual Hunting License: $57.75 (includes habitat stamp)
• 5-Day Hunting License: $35.75
• Youth Non-Resident License: $7.00

Additional Permits:

• State Waterfowl Stamp: $15.00
• Federal Duck Stamp: $25.00
• Deer Permits: Varies by type
• Turkey Permits: Varies by season

License Requirements:

• All hunters born on or after January 1, 1980, must complete a hunter education course
• Licenses can be purchased online through the IDNR website or at authorized vendors

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Q: Do I need permission to hunt on private land in Illinois?

A: Yes, you must obtain written permission from landowners before hunting on private property. It’s illegal to hunt within 300 yards of an inhabited dwelling without permission.

Q: What public lands are available for hunting in Illinois?

A: Illinois offers numerous state parks, conservation areas, and wildlife management areas open to hunting. The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) also provides access to private lands for public hunting.

Q: Is night hunting allowed in Illinois?

A: Night hunting is prohibited for most species. Limited exceptions exist for certain furbearers like raccoons, opossums, and coyotes, subject to specific regulations.

Q: Can I use rifles for deer hunting in Illinois?

A: As of January 1, 2023, single-shot centerfire rifles of .30 caliber or larger with case length not exceeding 1.4 inches are legal for deer hunting during firearm seasons.

Q: What zones does Illinois use for hunting regulations?

A: Illinois is divided into several zone systems depending on the species. There are separate zone structures for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and upland game.

Related Resources 🔗

• Deer Hunting Guide
• Turkey Hunting Tips
• Waterfowl Migration Patterns
• Neighboring States: Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky

Final Thoughts for Illinois Hunters

The Prairie State offers remarkable hunting opportunities across its varied terrain – from the northern woodlands to the southern bottomlands. Whether you’re pursuing trophy whitetails, calling spring gobblers, or targeting migrating waterfowl along the great flyways, Illinois has something for every outdoors enthusiast.

Remember to always check the latest regulations before heading out, as season dates and requirements may change. Respect property boundaries, practice ethical hunting, and prioritize safety in the field. Successful hunting isn’t just about the harvest – it’s about experiencing Illinois’ natural beauty while participating in a cherished outdoor tradition.

Be sure to verify your hunting zone, secure the necessary permits well in advance, and enjoy everything that makes hunting in Illinois such a rewarding experience.

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