Illinois 2026 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Illinois's listed 2026 firearm deer season runs Nov 20-22, 2026.
First Firearm White-tailed Deer opens Nov 20, 2026 and closes Nov 22, 2026.
Regular Firearm White-tailed Deer opens Dec 3, 2026 and closes Dec 6, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Illinois DNR.
- firearm deer
- Nov 20-22, 2026
- deer
- Nov 20-22, 2026
- deer
- Dec 3-6, 2026
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Illinois 2026-27
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Key seasons by species
What changed for 2026-27
Firearm, muzzleloader, and permit windows need a close read
Illinois deer planning still comes down to matching your permit to the right firearm, muzzleloader, archery, or CWD window. The rows below keep the dates together, but the permit type matters just as much as the opener.
Spring turkey hunters should also confirm county permits and season segments with Illinois DNR before assuming a single statewide opener applies.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Illinois DNR before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Illinois
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 10 stations in Illinois. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
- IL · NWR
Chautauqua NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENING - IL · MO · NWR
Clarence Cannon NWR
Illinois / MissouriMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - IL · NWR
Crab Orchard NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND - IL · NWR
Cypress Creek NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND - IL · MO · NWR
Great River NWR
Illinois / MissouriMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONBIG GAME: OPENING - IL · WI · NWR
Hackmatack NWR
Illinois / WisconsinMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPANDFISHING: EXPANSION - IL · NWRCA
Kankakee NWRCA
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPANDFISHING: NEW STATION - IL · MO · NWR
Middle Mississippi NWR
Illinois / MissouriMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION - IA · IL · NWR
Port Louisa NWR
Iowa / IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPENING - IL · NWR
Two Rivers NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: EXPANSIONBIG GAME: OPENING
Deer
White-tailed Deer
First Firearm
Nov 20-22, 2026
First Firearm Deer Season: November 20, 21 & 22, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Nov 20-22, 2026
First Firearm Deer Season: November 20, 21 & 22, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Dec 3-6, 2026
Second Firearm Deer Season: December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Second Firearm
Dec 3-6, 2026
Second Firearm Deer Season: December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 11-13, 2026
Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season. Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during Second Firearm Season December 3-6, 2026
Turkey
20 listed rowsWild Turkey
1st Season
Apr 6-10, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Apr 6-10, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Apr 11-16, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
Apr 11-16, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
1st Season
Apr 13-17, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Apr 13-17, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
3rd Season
Apr 17-22, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 3rd Season
Apr 17-22, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
Apr 18-23, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Apr 18-23, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 4th Season
Apr 23-29, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
4th Season
Apr 23-29, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Show 8 more turkey rows
Wild Turkey
3rd Season
Apr 24-29, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 3rd Season
Apr 24-29, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
5th Season
Apr 30-May 7, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
4th Season
Apr 30-May 6, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 4th Season
Apr 30-May 6, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 5th Season
Apr 30-May 7, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 5th Season
May 7-14, 2026
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
5th Season
May 7-14, 2026
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Pheasant
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Open specific dates only: Oct 30; Nov 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 28, 29, 30; Dec 12, 13, 14, 2025. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Green River (Lee County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 29-Dec 28, 2025
Closed: Mon + Tues, Nov 21-23, and Christmas. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Des Plaines (Will County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 29-Dec 28, 2025
Closed: Mon + Tues, Nov 21-23, and Christmas. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Iroquois County (Iroquois County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 29-Dec 28, 2025
Closed: Monday and Tuesday, and Christmas. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Moraine View (McLean County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 30-Dec 28, 2025
Closed: Mon, Tues and Wed weekly, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Zone: Silver Springs State Park (Kendall County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 1, 2025-Jan 8, 2026
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays, Christmas Day, New Year's Day.
Zone: Kankakee River (Kankakee County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 1, 2025-Jan 8, 2026
Closed: Mondays thru Thursdays, Nov 7, Christmas Day, New Years Day. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Johnson Sauk Trail (Henry County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 2, 2025-Jan 15, 2026
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays, Nov 21-23, Dec 4-7, and Christmas. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Jim Edgar Panther Creek (Cass County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 2, 2025-Jan 15, 2026
Closed: Mondays through Thursdays (except Thanksgiving Day), Nov 21-23, Dec 4-7, and Christmas Day. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Sand Ridge (Mason County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 5, 2025-Jan 4, 2026
Closed: Mon + Tues, and Christmas.
Zone: Eldon Hazlet / Carlyle Lake (Clinton County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 5, 2025-Jan 4, 2026
Closed: Mon + Tues, and Christmas. Open for Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th.
Zone: Wayne Fitzgerrell / Rend Lake (Franklin & Jefferson Counties)
Pheasant
Youth
Nov 11-11, 2025
Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt only on Nov. 11th at these sites.
Zone: Des Plaines, Green River, Iroquois County, Jim Edgar Panther Creek, Johnson Sauk Trail, Moraine View, Sand Ridge, Wayne Fitzgerrell
Other
Various
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Page references 2025-2026 Hunting and Trapping Digest but does not contain specific season dates in the extracted text. Specific dates would be found in the linked digest documents.
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Illinois Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Illinois?
November 20, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Illinois; it is first firearm white-tailed deer Nov 20-22, 2026.
When is Illinois's firearm deer season?
Nov 20-22, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Illinois. Check zone and permit details with Illinois DNR before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Illinois?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Illinois yet. Check Illinois DNR for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Illinois?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Illinois hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Illinois DNR.