Illinois 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Illinois's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 20-22, 2026.
Regular Season Rails (Sora & Virginia) opens Sep 5, 2026 and closes Nov 13, 2026.
Regular Season Rails (Sora & Virginia) opens Sep 5, 2026 and closes Nov 13, 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
- waterfowl
- Sep 5-Nov 13, 2026
- waterfowl
- Sep 5-Nov 13, 2026
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Illinois 2026-27
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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
First Firearm
First Firearm Deer Season: November 20, 21 & 22, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
First Firearm Deer Season: November 20, 21 & 22, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Regular Firearm
Second Firearm Deer Season: December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Second Firearm
Second Firearm Deer Season: December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
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
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
1st Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 3rd Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
3rd Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
4th Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 4th Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wild TurkeySpring - 3rd Season · North ZoneSpring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas. | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey3rd Season · North ZoneSpring Turkey | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring - 5th Season · South ZoneSpring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas. | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey4th Season · North ZoneSpring Turkey | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey5th Season · South ZoneSpring Turkey | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring - 4th Season · North ZoneSpring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas. | Closed | |
| Wild TurkeySpring - 5th Season · North ZoneSpring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas. | Closed | |
| Wild Turkey5th Season · North ZoneSpring Turkey | Closed |
Waterfowl
39 listed rowsRails (Sora & Virginia)
Regular Season
Daily and possession limits are for both rail species combined (in the aggregate).
Zone: North Duck Zone
Rails (Sora & Virginia)
Regular Season
Daily and possession limits are for both rail species combined (in the aggregate).
Zone: South Duck Zone
Rails (Sora & Virginia)
Regular Season
Daily and possession limits are for both rail species combined (in the aggregate).
Zone: Central Duck Zone
Snipe (Wilson's)
Regular Season
Zone: South Duck Zone
Snipe (Wilson's)
Regular Season
Zone: North Duck Zone
Snipe (Wilson's)
Regular Season
Zone: Central Duck Zone
Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots)
Youth
Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth hunters must be 17 years of age or younger. No stamps required for youths under 16. Federal waterfowl stamps required for hunters 16 and older. Hunters 18+ may not hunt waterfowl during Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days.
Zone: North Duck Zone
Brant
Regular Season
Same dates as Light Geese: 24-25 Oct 2026 & 31 Oct 2026-26 Jan 2027.
Zone: North Goose Zone
Canada Geese
Regular Season
Split season: 24-25 Oct 2026 and 31 Oct 2026 - 26 Jan 2027.
Zone: North Goose Zone
Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)
Regular Season
Split season: 24-25 Oct 2026 and 31 Oct-27 Dec 2026. Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily limit: 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Scaup limits vary (see separate entry). Mergansers do not count toward duck daily limit. Possession limit for ducks is three times the daily limit by species and sex.
Zone: North Duck Zone
Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)
Regular Season
Split season: 24-25 Oct 2026 and 31 Oct 2026 - 26 Jan 2027.
Zone: North Goose Zone
Scaup (Bluebills)
Regular Season
FWS regulations require 45 days with 2/day bag limit, 15 days with 1/day bag limit. First 45-day period: 24 Oct - 12 Nov 2026.
Zone: North Duck Zone
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BrantRegular Season · Central Goose ZoneSame dates as Light Geese: 31 Oct - 13 Dec 2026 & 19 Dec 2026 - 31 Jan 2027. | Upcoming | |
| BrantRegular Season · South Goose ZoneSame dates as Light Geese: 14 Nov 2026 - 31 Jan 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseEarly Season · Central Goose Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseEarly Season · North Goose Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseEarly Season · South Goose Zone | Closed | |
| Canada GeeseRegular Season · Central Goose ZoneSplit season: 31 Oct - 13 Dec 2026 and 19 Dec 2026 - 31 Jan 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Canada GeeseRegular Season · South Goose Zone | Upcoming | |
| Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)Regular Season · Central Duck ZoneSplit season: 31 Oct - 13 Dec 2026 and 19 Dec 2026 - 3 Jan 2027. Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily limit: 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Scaup limits vary (see separate entry). Mergansers do not count toward duck daily limit. Possession limit for ducks is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | Upcoming | |
| Ducks (Including Mergansers and Coots)Regular Season · South Duck ZoneSplit season: 14 Nov - 6 Dec 2026 and 19 Dec 2026 - 24 Jan 2027. Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily limit: 4 mallards (no more than 2 hen mallards), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 canvasback, 2 black ducks, 3 pintails, 1 mottled duck. Scaup limits vary (see separate entry). Mergansers do not count toward duck daily limit. Possession limit for ducks is three times the daily limit by species and sex. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Regular Season · Central Goose ZoneSplit season: 31 Oct - 13 Dec 2026 and 19 Dec 2026 - 31 Jan 2027. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Regular Season · South Goose Zone | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Conservation Order · North Goose ZoneHours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Unplugged shotguns allowed, electronic calling devices allowed, federal duck stamp not required, Illinois duck stamp and hunting license required. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Conservation Order · South Goose ZoneHours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Unplugged shotguns allowed, electronic calling devices allowed, federal duck stamp not required, Illinois duck stamp and hunting license required. | Upcoming | |
| Light Geese (Snow/Blue/Ross' Geese)Conservation Order · Central Goose ZoneHours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Unplugged shotguns allowed, electronic calling devices allowed, federal duck stamp not required, Illinois duck stamp and hunting license required. | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · Central Duck ZoneFWS regulations require 45 days with 2/day bag limit, 15 days with 1/day bag limit. First period 31 Oct - 14 Nov 2026 has 1/day limit. | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · North Duck ZoneFWS regulations require 45 days with 2/day bag limit, 15 days with 1/day bag limit. Last 15-day period: 13 Nov - 27 Dec 2026. | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · South Duck ZoneFWS regulations require 45 days with 2/day bag limit, 15 days with 1/day bag limit. | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · Central Duck ZoneFWS regulations require 45 days with 2/day bag limit, 15 days with 1/day bag limit. Second period: 15 Nov - 13 Dec 2026 & 19 Dec 2026 - 3 Jan 2027 has 2/day limit. | Upcoming | |
| Scaup (Bluebills)Regular Season · South Duck ZoneFWS regulations require 45 days with 2/day bag limit, 15 days with 1/day bag limit. | Upcoming | |
| Teal (Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon)Early Season · Central Duck ZoneBlue-winged teal, green-winged teal and cinnamon teal are the only legal duck species during this season. Daily and possession limits are for all teal species combined (in the aggregate). Hours: Sunrise to Sunset. | Closed | |
| Teal (Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon)Early Season · North Duck ZoneBlue-winged teal, green-winged teal and cinnamon teal are the only legal duck species during this season. Daily and possession limits are for all teal species combined (in the aggregate). Hours: Sunrise to Sunset. | Closed | |
| Teal (Blue-winged, Green-winged, Cinnamon)Early Season · South Duck ZoneBlue-winged teal, green-winged teal and cinnamon teal are the only legal duck species during this season. Daily and possession limits are for all teal species combined (in the aggregate). Hours: Sunrise to Sunset. | Closed | |
| Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots)Youth · Central Duck ZoneHours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth hunters must be 17 years of age or younger. No stamps required for youths under 16. Federal waterfowl stamps required for hunters 16 and older. Hunters 18+ may not hunt waterfowl during Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. | Upcoming | |
| Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese, Coots)Youth · South Duck ZoneYouth season dates listed as 7 Nov 2026 & 30 Jan 2027 in the Youth table (two separate days). Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Youth hunters must be 17 years of age or younger. No stamps required for youths under 16. Federal waterfowl stamps required for hunters 16 and older. Hunters 18+ may not hunt waterfowl during Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted Geese (Specklebellies)Regular Season · North Goose Zone | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted Geese (Specklebellies)Regular Season · Central Goose ZoneSplit season: 31 Oct - 13 Dec 2026 and 19 Dec 2026 - 31 Jan 2027. | Upcoming | |
| White-fronted Geese (Specklebellies)Regular Season · South Goose Zone | Upcoming |
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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.
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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