Hunting in Illinois
Everything you need to hunt legally in Illinois. Access shooting hours calculators, season dates, bag limits, license costs, and hunter education requirements all in one place.
Quick Facts
Digital License
Accepted in field
License Year
January 1 - December 31
Wildlife Agency
IDNR
Updated: January 2026
Illinois Hunting Tools
Free calculators and lookup tools to help you hunt legally in Illinois.
Shooting Hours Calculator
30 minutes before sunrise
Calculate legal shooting times in Illinois based on your exact location and date. Know exactly when you can start and stop hunting.
Season Dates Finder
3 species tracked
Find all Illinois hunting season dates by species and method. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, and more with archery, rifle, and muzzleloader dates.
License Cost Calculator
From $12 resident
Compare Illinois hunting license prices for residents and non-residents. Find the best value licenses and required permits.
Bag Limits Lookup
14 species covered
Illinois bag limits by species. Daily limits, possession limits, and season limits for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game.
Hunter Education Requirements
Online courses accepted
Illinois hunter education requirements. Find out if you need certification, available exemptions, and approved course providers.
Complete License Guide
All license types & pricing
Detailed guide to all Illinois hunting and fishing licenses, draw systems, official app info, and state-specific requirements.
Illinois License Costs
Compare resident and non-resident hunting license prices for 2026.
| License Type | Resident | Non-Res |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting | $12.00 | $57.00 |
| Resident Fishing | $15.00 | $31.50 |
| Sportsman Combo | $28.00 | N/A |
| Deer Permit | $25.00 | $300.00 |
Illinois Hunting Seasons
Upcoming and current hunting seasons in Illinois.
Deer
Archery
Oct 1
to Jan 19
Deer
Shotgun
Nov 21
to Dec 1
Deer
Shotgun
Dec 4
to Dec 7
Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 12
to Dec 14
Turkey
Apr 6
to May 8
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
IDNR
Digital License Info: Digital licenses available through Illinois DNR online system.
Hunter Education
Illinois requirements
Neighboring States
Hunting resources for states near Illinois.
Store Your Illinois License in Hunter Passport
Keep your IL hunting and fishing licenses alongside all your other states. Works completely offline, displays instantly to game wardens.