The 2024 deer season in Illinois is super exciting for nature lovers. Illinois, famous for its lively wildlife, provides various hunting adventures, drawing in folks with different skill levels. The schedule is smartly split into unique phases like archery, firearm, and muzzleloader. This division allows everyone, even those new to hunting or veteran hunters, to choose the ideal time to join in.
Getting ready is crucial for a good trip. That’s why knowing what licenses and permits you need is key. Illinois asks for specific permits based on what you’re hunting. Maybe it’s either-gender or just no-antlers. Plus, some places need extra rules or area-specific advice. So, keeping an eye on these facts keeps you in line and gets the most out of your time out there.
The season’s onset brings the need to stay informed about regulatory updates or shifts in the calendar. Illinois frequently modifies these guidelines, promoting the welfare of its diverse wildlife.
Illinois Deer Season Summary
Firearm and Muzzleloader:
- First Firearm: November 22–24, 2024
- Second Firearm: December 5–8, 2024
- Muzzleloader-Only: December 13–15, 2024 (muzzleloader permit also valid during Second Firearm Season)
Archery:
- Counties with Firearm Season & West of Route 47 in Kane County:
- October 1–November 16, 2024
- November 20–29, 2024
- December 4, 2023–January 14, 2024
- Cook, DuPage, Lake, and East of Route 47 in Kane County:
- October 1, 2023–January 14, 2024
Other Deer Seasons:
- Special CWD: December 28–31, 2023, and January 12–14, 2024
- Late-Winter Antlerless-Only: December 28–31, 2023, and January 12–14, 2024
- Youth Firearm: October 7–9, 2023
Lottery Application Dates:
- First Lottery: March 5 – April 30, 2024 (Illinois residents only)
- Second Lottery: May 13 – June 30, 2024 (includes nonresidents)
- Third Lottery: July 11 – August 16, 2024
IL Deer Regulations
Before heading out, it’s important to look up the rules for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) hunting area you’re going to. Every location may have different rules about gear, harvest reports, and other matters. The IDNR Hunt Planner or site directory can help you stay informed.
Archery Regulations
- Equipment:
- Vertical Compound Bows & Traditional Bows (Recurve or Longbow): They must showcase a minimum pull of 30 pounds at some stage within a 28-inch draw, and the arrows should reach at least 20-inch length (excluding the point).
- Crossbows: Aminimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds is necessary. They also need to measure at least 24 inches long (from butt to front limbs) with a functional safety feature. Additionally, bolts/arrows must not be shorter than 14 inches (point not included).
- Broadheads: they have to have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces, which should open to at least ⅞ inch in diameter. Fixed ones can be made from either metal or knapped stone (like flint) while expendables should always be metal.
- Tagging: Attach the appropriate leg tag immediately upon kill, before moving the deer.
- Harvest Reporting: To report your harvest, either call 1-866-452-4325 or report it online by 10 PM the same day.
Firearm Regulations
- Shotguns: Pick those that use slugs and are between 10-gauge and 20-gauge. Remember, they shouldn’t contain over 3 shells.
- Muzzleloaders: Select either single or double-barreled ones, over .45 caliber. These should fire a lone projectile from a barrel of 16 inches plus.
- Handguns: Opt for centerfire revolvers or single-shot handguns. They must be .30 caliber or above and have a barrel minimum of 4 inches.
- Centerfire Rifles: You can use ones with .30 caliber or bigger. These should utilize a bottleneck or straight-walled cartridge boasting at least 500-foot pounds of muzzle energy.
- Clothing: During the firearm season, hunters have to sport a whole blaze orange or pink cap together with an outer garment showing no less than 400 square inches of the same color.
Muzzleloader-Only
- Just like gun season, you can use muzzleloaders in this period, but this time with legal bow and arrow gear too (with archery permits, of course). Don’t forget your blaze orange or pink attire!
Special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
- Equipment: You can use any gun, muzzleloader, or pistol that’s okay for the gun season. You can use bow and arrow too, but you will need an archery permit.
- Counties: This affects certain counties – take a look at the Late Winter and CWD map.
- Blaze Orange/Pink: Hunters have to wear Blaze Orange/Pink.
Late Winter Antlerless-Only
- Equipment: Same gear as the firearm season is used: shotguns, muzzleloaders, and handguns. You can use archery tools, but remember to wear blaze orange or pink.
Youth Firearm
- Youngsters under 18 can hunt. They may use shotguns, muzzleloaders, or centerfire rifles.
- They need an adult, who isn’t hunting, to be with them.
- The juvenile hunters and their adult guide have to wear either bright orange or pink clothes.
Tagging & Harvest Reporting (All Seasons)
- Once you’ve brought down a deer, promptly secure the leg tag before repositioning or preparing the deer. If the head or antlers are destined for a taxidermist, utilize the given head tag.
- Harvest Reporting: If successful, hunters are required to announce their harvest by 10 PM on the same day. This can be done online or by phone (1-866-IL-CHECK)
Additional Management Info
- The IDNR applies data from harvest trends, success rates, deer-car accidents, and crop damage to manage deer populations and establish quotas. The spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is worrisome, notably in areas up north. Hunters are obligated to register their harvest at assigned stations during the firearm season.
For more details, always consult the IDNR site for full regulations and updates!
Deer Hunting License/Permit Fees:
| Licenses/Permits/Tags | Resident Fees | Non-Resident Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting License | $12.50 (Variable) | $57.75 (Variable) |
| State Habitat Stamp | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Super Senior Habitat Stamp | Free (75+) | n/a |
| Firearm Permits | ||
| Either-Sex (ES) | $25.00 | $300.00 |
| Antlerless-Only (AO) | $17.50 | $25.00 or $100.00 |
| Muzzleloader Permits | ||
| Either-Sex (ES) | $25.00 | $300.00 |
| Antlerless-Only (AO) | $17.50 | $25.00 or $100.00 |
| Archery Permits | ||
| Combination (1 Either-Sex + 1 AO) | $25.00 | $410.00 |
| Single Either-Sex | $15.00 | n/a |
| Single Antlerless-Only | $17.50 | $25.00 or $100.00 |
| Landowner Permits | ||
| Combination Firearm | Free | $175.00 |
| Combination Archery | Free | $210.00 |
| Youth Firearm Permit | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Late Winter Firearm Permits | $17.50 (County-Specific) | n/a |
| Special Hunt Area Antlerless-Only | $17.50 | n/a |
| CWD Season Antlerless-Only | $5.00 | $5.00 |
Top Illinois Deer Hunting Locations
- Shawnee National Forest: Nestled in the southern part of Illinois, it’s a deer hunter’s favorite. It hosts various wildlife-friendly environments like dense woods, open spaces, and stony hills.
- Mark Twain National Forest: Found in western Illinois, it’s a prime deer spot. Its diverse deer habitats include oak-hickory woodlands, bottomland timbers, and grasslands.
- Kankakee River State Park: Positioned in northern Illinois. The park provides several options, like hunting from a vessel or a stand.
- Pere Marquette State Park: Positioned in the center of Illinois. The park provides multiple options such as timbered areas or open fields.
- Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area: Found in southern Illinois. It provides diverse choices, like in forests or open fields.
- Rend Lake: A popular spot for deer hunting. The lake overlook presents multiple opportunities, covering bottomland forest, upland forest, and prairie.
- Illinois River Valley: The valley provides various hunting landscapes, like bottomland timber, highland woods, and grasslands.
- Sangamon River State Park: Another top pick for deer hunters in central Illinois. The park is home to many white-tailed deer and provides hunting alternatives like archery and shotgun.
Author and Chief Editor at WikiDeer.Us
William Brantley, the lead writer and editor-in-chief at WikiDeer.Us, has more than ten years of deer hunting know-how. An outdoor enthusiast, William provides top recommendations, gear evaluation, and methods to assist hunters in sharpening their abilities and achieving fruitful pursuits.
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