Illinois 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Illinois's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 20-22, 2026.
Archery deer season opens October 1, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 17, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below.
Duck season opens between October 24, 2026 and November 14, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 24, 2027.
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
- archery deer
- opens Oct 1, 2026; split dates by zone
- duck
- opens Oct 24-Nov 14, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Illinois's seasons
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.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Illinois
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 10 stations in Illinois. The final rule took effect August 31, 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
Archery
No hunter may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year across youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.
Zone: Counties with a firearm season and west of Route 47 in Kane County
White-tailed Deer
Archery
No hunter may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year across youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.
Zone: Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane (east of Route 47) Counties
White-tailed Deer
First Firearm
Shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun and single shot centerfire rifle.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
No hunter may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year across youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.
Zone: Counties with a firearm season and west of Route 47 in Kane County
White-tailed Deer
Second Firearm
Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during Second Firearm Season.
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
No hunter may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year across youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.
Zone: Counties with a firearm season and west of Route 47 in Kane County
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader-Only
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Special CWD
Antlered deer limit does not apply to this season. See Special CWD Deer Hunting section for open counties.
Zone: Special CWD counties
White-tailed Deer
Late Winter Antlerless
Shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun and single shot centerfire rifle. Counties open during this season will be posted online in October.
Zone: Open counties posted online
White-tailed Deer
Late Winter Antlerless
Shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun and single shot centerfire rifle. Counties open during this season will be posted online in October.
Zone: Open counties posted online
White-tailed Deer
Special CWD
Antlered deer limit does not apply to this season. See Special CWD Deer Hunting section for open counties.
Zone: Special CWD counties
White-tailed Deer
Youth Firearm
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
14 listed rowsWild Turkey
Fall Archery
Closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth Spring
1 permit per year. Counts toward maximum of 3 Spring permits.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Youth Spring
1 permit per year. Counts toward maximum of 3 Spring permits.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 3rd Season
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 4th Season
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 3rd Season
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 5th Season
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 4th Season
Zone: North Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wild TurkeyFall Shotgun · Counties open to fall firearm turkey hunting | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring - 5th Season · North Zone | Upcoming |
Waterfowl
51 listed rowsBrant
Regular Season
Possession 3
Zone: North Goose Zone
Brant
Regular Season
Possession 3
Zone: Central Goose Zone
Canada Geese
Regular Season
Possession 9
Zone: North Goose Zone
Canada Geese
Regular Season
Possession 9
Zone: Central Goose Zone
Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)
Regular Season
Zone: North Duck Zone
Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)
Regular Season
Zone: Central Duck Zone
Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)
Regular Season
Zone: Central Goose Zone
Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)
Regular Season
Zone: North Goose Zone
Rails (Sora & Virginia)
Regular Season
Possession 75
Zone: North Duck Zone
Rails (Sora & Virginia)
Regular Season
Possession 75
Zone: South Duck Zone
Rails (Sora & Virginia)
Regular Season
Possession 75
Zone: Central Duck Zone
Scaup (Bluebills)
Regular Season
2/day
Zone: North Duck Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BrantRegular Season · North Goose ZonePossession 3 | Closed | |
| BrantRegular Season · South Goose ZonePossession 3 | Upcoming | |
| BrantRegular Season · Central Goose ZonePossession 3 | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseEarly Season · Central Goose ZonePossession 15 | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseEarly Season · South Goose ZonePossession 15 | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseEarly Season · North Goose ZonePossession 15 | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular Season · North Goose ZonePossession 9 | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular Season · South Goose ZonePossession 9 | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseRegular Season · Central Goose ZonePossession 9 | Upcoming | |
| Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)Regular Season · North Duck Zone | Closed | |
| Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)Regular Season · South Duck Zone | Upcoming | |
| Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)Regular Season · South Duck Zone | Upcoming | |
| Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)Regular Season · Central Duck Zone | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Regular Season · North Goose Zone | Closed | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Regular Season · South Goose Zone | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Regular Season · Central Goose Zone | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Conservation Order · North Goose ZoneUnplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed; federal duck stamp not required; Illinois duck stamp and hunting license required. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Conservation Order · Central Goose ZoneUnplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed; federal duck stamp not required; Illinois duck stamp and hunting license required. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Conservation Order · South Goose ZoneUnplugged shotguns and electronic calls allowed; federal duck stamp not required; Illinois duck stamp and hunting license required. | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · Central Duck Zone1/day | Open | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · North Duck Zone1/day | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · South Duck Zone2/day first 45 days | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · Central Duck Zone2/day | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · South Duck Zone1/day last 15 days | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · Central Duck Zone2/day | Upcoming | |
| Snipe (Wilson's)Regular Season · Central Duck ZonePossession 24 | Open | |
| Snipe (Wilson's)Regular Season · South Duck ZonePossession 24 | Open | |
| Snipe (Wilson's)Regular Season · North Duck ZonePossession 24 | Open | |
| Teal (Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon)Early Season · Central Duck ZonePossession 18. Sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Teal (Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon)Early Season · South Duck ZonePossession 18. Sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Teal (Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon)Early Season · North Duck ZonePossession 18. Sunrise to sunset. | Closed | |
| Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots)Youth · North ZoneYouth hunters 17 or younger. | Closed | |
| Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots)Youth · Central ZoneYouth hunters 17 or younger. | Closed | |
| Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots)Youth · South ZoneYouth hunters 17 or younger. | Upcoming | |
| Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots)Youth · South ZoneYouth hunters 17 or younger. | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted Geese (Specklebellies)Regular Season · North Goose ZonePossession 6 | Open | |
| White-fronted Geese (Specklebellies)Regular Season · Central Goose ZonePossession 6 | Open | |
| White-fronted Geese (Specklebellies)Regular Season · South Goose ZonePossession 6 | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted Geese (Specklebellies)Regular Season · Central Goose ZonePossession 6 | Upcoming |
Dove
Mourning and White-winged Dove
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset. HIP certification required.
Zone: Statewide
Mourning and White-winged Dove
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset. HIP certification required.
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant (roosters only)
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset. Hen pheasants are illegal to harvest or possess, except as specified on controlled hunting areas.
Zone: North Zone
Ring-necked Pheasant (roosters only)
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset. Hen pheasants are illegal to harvest or possess, except as specified on controlled hunting areas.
Zone: South Zone
Quail
Bobwhite Quail
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset.
Zone: North Zone
Bobwhite Quail
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset.
Zone: South Zone
Rabbit
Cottontail and Swamp Rabbit
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Gray and Fox Squirrel
Regular Season
Closed 20-22 Nov and 3-6 Dec 2026 in counties open for firearm deer hunting.
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Badger
Trapping
Zone: North
Badger
Trapping
Zone: South
Beaver
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Trapping
Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before attempting to harvest a bobcat. Must purchase Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking a bobcat. Taking a bobcat in the closed zone is prohibited.
Zone: See Bobcat Zone map
Bobcat
Hunting
Closed during first and second firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm deer hunting. Must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before attempting to harvest a bobcat.
Zone: See Bobcat Zone map
Raccoon, Opossum, Red Fox
Hunting
Closed during first and second firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm deer hunting. Gray fox hunting is closed.
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Weasel, Mink, Muskrat, Red Fox
Trapping
Gray fox trapping is closed.
Zone: Statewide
River Otter
Trapping
Must purchase River Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking each river otter.
Zone: Statewide
Striped Skunk
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Closed during the first and second firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm deer hunting.
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Hunting
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Closed during the first and second firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm deer hunting.
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Regular Season
1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset.
Zone: Statewide
Woodchuck (Groundhog)
Hunting
Closed during first and second firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm deer hunting.
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset. HIP certification required.
Zone: Statewide
Hungarian Partridge
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset.
Zone: North Zone
Hungarian Partridge
Regular Season
Sunrise to sunset.
Zone: South Zone
Woodchuck (Groundhog)
Trapping
Zone: Statewide
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Illinois Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Illinois?
Archery deer season opens October 1, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 17, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below. Firearm deer season runs Nov 20-22, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Illinois DNR.
When is Illinois's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 20-22, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Illinois DNR before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Illinois?
Spring turkey season opens between April 5, 2027 and April 12, 2027 depending on zone; the last zone closes April 16, 2027. Youth and other special hunts, where listed, open earlier.
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.
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