Trophy Elk Hunt '26

Big Game

Illinois’s big game hunting is focused on white-tailed deer and wild turkey. All deer and turkey hunting in Illinois requires species-specific permits in addition to a hunting license.

Deer hunting: Illinois has distinct seasons (archery, firearm, muzzleloader, youth, late-winter/CWD) and permits are issued per season and per county or management zone. Resident hunters can typically buy archery deer permits over the counter. Firearm and muzzleloader deer permits for both residents and non-residents are allocated via lotteries.

Non-residents must apply well in advance (usually by June for firearm, August for muzzleloader) to have a chance at a deer permit for the fall – Illinois caps non-resident deer permits and they sell out quickly. There is no general “deer tag” that covers the whole state; permits are specific to counties (or state habitat areas) and season.

Turkey hunting: Illinois holds separate spring and fall turkey seasons. Spring turkey permits are issued by lottery in multiple phases (residents first, then non-residents, then leftover sales). Fall turkey permits (archery or shotgun) are also limited but easier to get. Bag limit for spring is one gobbler per permit (Illinois spring turkey hunters can get up to 3 permits, but non-residents are usually limited to one or two depending on demand).

All harvested deer and turkey must be reported via Illinois’s online or phone check-in system by the next day, and a confirmation number written on the tag.

Small Game

A basic hunting license allows you to hunt small game, but Illinois requires most hunters to also have a State Habitat Stamp which funds conservation and is generally mandatory for small game and upland bird hunters.

Waterfowl hunting in Illinois requires a state Migratory Waterfowl Stamp and the Federal Duck Stamp, along with HIP registration. Certain public sites in Illinois, especially for waterfowl and pheasant, operate on a draw or permit system.

Illinois also has a Furbearer season: species like coyote, fox, raccoon, and bobcat (bobcat hunting/trapping requires a special Bobcat Permit awarded by lottery). Coyotes may be hunted year-round in IL with just a hunting license.

Documents Required

Illinois hunters should be prepared with:

• An Illinois Hunting License
• The State Habitat Stamp
• Deer Permits or Turkey Permits for the specific season and area you will hunt.
• Federal Duck Stamp and Illinois Waterfowl Stamp if hunting waterfowl. Also a free HIP registration confirmation number.
• FOID Card: Illinois residents who hunt with firearms (including shotguns for deer or handguns) must possess an Illinois FOID (Firearm Owner’s ID) card. Non-residents are exempt from FOID but must abide by their home state’s firearms laws and have their permits if carrying firearms.
• Hunter Safety Education Card

Minimum Hunter Age

Illinois does not set a strict minimum age for hunting, but young hunters are subject to special rules. Children under 16 may hunt without a license if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is licensed. Alternatively, Illinois offers a Youth Hunting & Trapping License (available at age 16-17, or younger) which allows a youth to hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult 21+. There is also an Apprentice Hunter License in Illinois which adults or youth can use for one year if they have not completed hunter ed – it allows them to hunt while mentored by a validly licensed adult (this can be renewed once). By age 18 all hunters need their full license and hunter ed.

More information

• https://dnr.illinois.gov/ - Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)