IllinoisHunter Home: Your Guide To Useful Information About Hunting ...

IllinoisHunter Home:

Your independent guide to useful information about hunting in Illinois...........

The Midwestern state of Illinois is well known as one of the best states in the USA for trophy whitetail deer and eastern-strain wild turkeys. However, Illinois offers more than just great deer and turkey hunting. In addition to having big bucks and trophy gobblers, Illinois also boasts excellent hunting for a wide variety of other wild game species. Illinois upland game choices include great hunting for pheasant, bobwhite quail, rabbit, and squirrel hunters. Coyote and fox are popular predator hunting species. Excellent migratory waterfowl hunting opportunities for both ducks and geese are also found throughout Illinois. Great dove hunting is also available in Illinois every September.

• View 2017-2018 Hunting Seasons Guide
• View 2017-2018 License, Permit, Stamp Guide
• Download the Full 2017-2018 Waterfowl Digest
• Download the Full Hunting/Trapping Digest

2017-18 Illinois Deer Seasons & Permits

2017-2018 Illinois Archery Deer Hunting began October 1st, and ends January 14th 2018 statewide. A variety of firearm seasons follow soon afterwards.

Permit Firearm and Muzzleloader Lotteries are over. Only OTC (Over-The-Counter) will be available, starting October 17th! Archery permits are already available over-the-counter.

• Official IDNR Deer Hunting Info & Portal Page
• Resident Paper Firearm Mail-In Form (reference only)
• Resident Paper Muzzleloader Mail-In Form (reference only)
• Licenses, Stamps, Fees, & Permit Requirements
• Non-Resident Deer Hunting Information
• Availability Guide to All Permit Types
• Youth Deer Hunt Information

Remaining Deer Permit Application Deadlines (Lotteries)

• Special Hunt Areas Lottery - 10/31/2017 to 11/27/2017
• Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Remaining OTC permits - 10/17/2017 to 1/14/2018

Deer Season Dates

• Archery Deer Season - 10/1/2017 to 1/14/2018
• Youth Firearm Deer Season - 10/7/2017 to 10/9/2017
• First Firearm Deer Season - 11/17/2017 to 11/19/2017
• Second Firearm Deer Season - 11/30/2017 to 12/3/2017
• First Muzzleloader Deer Season - 11/30/2017 to 12/3/2017
• Second Muzzleloader Deer Season - 12/8/2017 to 12/10/2017
• First Late-Winter/CWD Deer Season - 12/28/2017 to 12/31/2017
• Second Late Winter CWD Deer Season - 1/12/2018 to 1/14/2018

Illinois 2017-18 Wild Turkey Hunting

Fall Turkey Archery Season - 10/1/2017 to 1/14/2018

Fall Turkey Season (Shotgun) - 10/21/2017 to 10/29/2017

In order to hunt turkeys in Illinois, you will need a valid Wild Turkey permit, a 2017-2018 Illinois hunting license, and an Illinois Habitat Stamp. Certain exemptions may apply for hunters under 16, disabled hunters, disabled veterans, former POWs, certain military members, and landowners. View General Information contained in the current 2017-2018 ILDNR Hunting Digest. Visit the IDNR Turkey Hunting Web Portal Page

2017 IL Fall Turkey Shotgun Season Applications:

• FIRST LOTTERY - Applications from Illinois residents will be accepted through July 3rd.
• SECOND LOTTERY - Applications from non-residents and residents that do not have a permit will be accepted through August 21st. Illinois residents will be given preference for permits allocated in the Second Lottery.
• THIRD LOTTERY - Anyone that does not have a permit or has one permit may apply for the third lottery through September 18th.
• NOTE: Last day to apply for Fall Shotgun Turkey permits is September 18th.
• View & Download Main-In Application Form & Information Sheet (information only)

2017 IL Fall Turkey Archery Season Applications:

• View/Select All Permit Types
• Find "Over-The-Counter Permit Vendors by County

Useful Turkey Hunting Web Links:

• IDNR Turkey Hunting Web Portal Page
• Spring Turkey Permit Information
• Check In Your Turkey

2017-2018 Illinois Upland Hunting

View 2016-2017 Season Details from the current ILDNR Hunting Digest as a general guide. The new Hunting Digest is typically publisjhed late summer around the time of the Illinois State Fair.

• Visit IDNR Official Upland Hunting Portal Page
• Public Hunting Areas
• Illinois Controlled Pheasant Hunting Areas

Get Ready for the 2017 Hunting Seasons!

IDNR Wingshooting Clinics: IDNR-sponsored shotgunning clinics are designed for a wide range of shooting skill levels.The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) sponsors wingshooting clinics at multiple sites geographically distributed throughout Illinois.Two types of clinics are offered.Youth/Women's clinics are designed to teach participants basic firearm and hunter safety, wingshooting fundamentals, as well as practical wingshooting.Hunters clinics are designed to enhance the wingshooting skills of hunters, and impart sound wingshooting practice techniques. The clinics are conducted on weekends during the spring through early fall of each year. LEARN MORE

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