Illinois Hunting Seasons

Hunting Seasons

See our comprehensive list of hunting seasons for animals of all types and all areas of Illinois. We’ve made it easier than ever to find the dates you can hunt, length of the season, what type of hunting is allowed and other important details. Plus, check out hunting resources and direct links to Illinois state resources.

Illinois Deer Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

Youth Firearm Season

October 11–13, 2025 (unfilled youth permits also valid during Firearm Seasons 1 and 2)

Archery Season

October 1, 2025 – January 18, 2026

Muzzleloader Season

October 11–13, 2025 (coincides with youth firearms)
January 9–18, 2026

Firearm Season 1

November 21–23, 2025

Firearm Season 2

December 4–7, 2025

Illinois Turkey Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

Fall Turkey (Archery & Firearm)

October 1–31, 2025 (archery); select firearm days in October (permit required)

Spring Youth Turkey

April 11–12, 2026

Spring Turkey – Season 1

April 16–20, 2026

Spring Turkey – Season 2

April 21–25, 2026

Spring Turkey – Season 3

April 26 – May 4, 2026

Spring Turkey – Season 4

May 5–11, 2026

For complete regulations, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Illinois Deer Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

Archery Season

October 1 – November 20, 2025
November 24 – December 3, 2025
December 8, 2025 – January 18, 2026
Cook, DuPage, Lake & Kane Counties (east of Route 47): October 1, 2025 – January 18, 2026 (extended season)

Youth Firearm Season

October 11–13, 2025

Firearm Season

November 21–23, 2025
December 4–7, 2025

Muzzleloader Season

December 12–14, 2025

Late Winter / CWD Season

January 1–4, 2026
January 16–18, 2026

Bag Limits

One deer per permit; maximum of two antlered deer per year across all seasons combined

Illinois Turkey Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

Fall Turkey Season 2025

Archery: October 1, 2025 – January 18, 2026 (closed during firearm deer seasons Nov. 21–23 and Dec. 4–7 in open counties)
Permits available over the counter from August 1, 2025 (2-permit maximum)

Spring Turkey Season 2026

Youth Spring Turkey Hunt: March 28–29 and April 4–5, 2026

South Zone:

1st Season: April 6–10, 2026
2nd Season: April 11–16, 2026
3rd Season: April 17–22, 2026
4th Season: April 23–29, 2026
5th Season: April 30 – May 7, 2026

North Zone:

1st Season: April 13–17, 2026
2nd Season: April 18–23, 2026
3rd Season: April 24–29, 2026
4th Season: April 30 – May 6, 2026
5th Season: May 7–14, 2026

For the most current and complete regulations, visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Hunting page.

Unlock the Great Outdoors

Why limit yourself to public land when there is private land to explore.

Interactive Illinois Hunting Season Discovery

Use the forms below to filter by game, type of hunting, time of year, bag / tag limits and much more. We’ve gone through the state of Illinois Hunting Seasons’s hunting season data and simplified it so you can easily find what you’re looking for. Please note, that information realated Illinois state hunting is subject to change so be sure to check the state resources linked below the table before heading out to hunt.

Season :

Season Begins :

Season Ends :

Hunting Type :

Zone :

Season	Season Begins	Season Ends	Game	Hunting Type	Type Details	Zone	Bag / Tag	Other Info	Season Length
	November 10, 2025	February 15, 2026	Bobcat	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Closed Nov. 18-20 and Dec. 1-4.	97
	January 1, 2025	December 31, 2025	Coyote	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Closed during firearm Deer season Nov. 18-20 and Dec. 1-4.	364
	October 1, 2025	January 15, 2026	Deer	Archery	None	Some counties have different dates.	N/A	Check regulations booklet for specific dates.	106
	October 8, 2025	October 10, 2025	Deer	Firearm	Youth	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	2
	November 18, 2025	November 20, 2025	Deer	Firearm	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	2
	December 1, 2025	December 4, 2025	Deer	Firearm	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	3
	December 1, 2025	December 4, 2025	Deer	Muzzleloader	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during 2nd Firearm Deer Season.	3
	December 9, 2025	December 11, 2025	Deer	Muzzleloader	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	2
	September 1, 2025	November 14, 2025	Dove	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Daily bag limit 15.	Check state DNR for more details.	74
	December 26, 2025	January 9, 2026	Dove	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Daily bag limit 15.	Check state DNR for more details.	14
	September 10, 2025	September 25, 2025	Duck	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Teal Season	15
	October 22, 2025	December 20, 2025	Duck, Coot, and Merganser	General	None	North Zone	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	59
	October 29, 2025	December 27, 2025	Duck, Coot, and Merganser	General	None	Central Zone	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	59
	November 12, 2025	January 10, 2026	Duck, Coot, and Merganser	General	None	South Central Zone	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	59
	December 3, 2025	January 31, 2026	Duck, Coot, and Merganser	General	None	South Zone	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	59
	November 10, 2025	February 15, 2026	Fox	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Closed during Firearm Deer season Nov. 18-20 and Dec. 1-4.	97
	September 1, 2025	September 15, 2025	Goose	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	14
	October 22, 2025	January 19, 2026	Goose	General	None	North Zone	N/A	Canada, Snow, and Brant Goose	89
	October 24, 2025	January 19, 2026	Goose	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	87
	October 29, 2025	January 31, 2026	Goose	General	None	Central Zone	N/A	Canada, Snow, and Brant Goose. Canada goose closed 11/7-11/11.	94
	November 4, 2025	January 31, 2026	Goose	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	88
	November 12, 2025	January 31, 2026	Goose	General	None	South Central Zone	N/A	Canada, Snow, White-fronted, and Brant Goose	80
	December 3, 2025	January 31, 2026	Goose	General	None	South Zone	N/A	Canada, Snow, White-fronted, and Brant Goose	59
	November 5, 2025	January 8, 2026	Pheasant	General	None	North	Daily bag limit 2.	Check state DNR for more details.	64
	November 5, 2025	January 15, 2026	Pheasant	General	None	South	Daily bag limit 2.	Check state DNR for more details.	71
	November 5, 2025	January 8, 2026	Quail	General	None	North Zone	Daily bag limit 8.	Check state DNR for more details.	64
	November 5, 2025	January 15, 2026	Quail	General	None	South Zone	Daily bag limit 8.	Check state DNR for more details.	71
	April 2, 2025	April 3, 2025	Turkey	General	Youth	North and South zones	N/A	open for youth.	1
	April 4, 2025	May 5, 2025	Turkey	General	None	South Zone	N/A	1st-5th season.	31
	April 9, 2025	April 10, 2025	Turkey	General	Youth	North and South Zones open for youth.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	1
	April 11, 2025	May 12, 2025	Turkey	General	None	North Zone	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	31
	October 1, 2025	January 15, 2026	Turkey	Archery	None	Hunting allowed in certain counties.	N/A	See regulations for more details.	106
	October 22, 2025	October 30, 2025	Turkey	Shotgun	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	8
Season	Season Begins	Season Ends		Hunting Type		Zone