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Illinois Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against IL Dept of Natural Resources before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $12.5 · nonresident $57.75. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery (firearm counties, first segment): Counties open to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingOct 1, 2026Nov 19, 2026Archery Deer Permit
Archery (firearm counties, second segment): Counties open to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingNov 23, 2026Dec 2, 2026Archery Deer Permit
Archery (firearm counties, third segment): Counties open to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingDec 7, 2026Jan 17, 2027Archery Deer Permit
Archery - Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane east of Route 47 (continuous): Counties CLOSED to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingOct 1, 2026Jan 17, 2027Archery Deer Permit
Youth Firearm Deer: Counties open to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingOct 10, 2026Oct 12, 2026Youth Firearm Deer Permit
Firearm Deer (first season): Counties open to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingNov 20, 2026Nov 22, 2026Firearm Deer Permit
Firearm Deer (second season): Counties open to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingDec 3, 2026Dec 6, 2026Firearm Deer Permit
Muzzleloader Deer: Counties open to firearm and muzzleloader deer huntingDec 11, 2026Dec 13, 2026Muzzleloading Rifle Deer Permit
Special CWD Deer (first segment): Special CWD Deer season countiesDec 31, 2026Jan 3, 2027Valid CWD season permit
Special CWD Deer (second segment): Special CWD Deer season countiesJan 15, 2027Jan 17, 2027Valid CWD season permit
Late Winter Antlerless Deer (first segment)Dec 31, 2026Jan 3, 2027Late Winter Antlerless-only Permit
Late Winter Antlerless Deer (second segment)Jan 15, 2027Jan 17, 2027Late Winter Antlerless-only Permit

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Fall Turkey (Shotgun): Fall Firearm Turkey countiesOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 2026Fall Gun Turkey Permit
Fall Turkey (Archery)Oct 1, 2026Jan 17, 2027Fall Archery Turkey Permit
Youth Turkey (first segment)Mar 27, 2027Mar 28, 2027Youth Spring Turkey Permit
Youth Turkey (second segment)Apr 3, 2027Apr 4, 2027Youth Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 1 - North Zone: Spring Turkey North ZoneApr 12, 2027Apr 16, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 2 - North Zone: Spring Turkey North ZoneApr 17, 2027Apr 22, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 3 - North Zone: Spring Turkey North ZoneApr 23, 2027Apr 28, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 4 - North Zone: Spring Turkey North ZoneApr 29, 2027May 5, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 5 - North Zone: Spring Turkey North ZoneMay 6, 2027May 13, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 1 - South Zone: Spring Turkey South ZoneApr 5, 2027Apr 9, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 2 - South Zone: Spring Turkey South ZoneApr 10, 2027Apr 15, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 3 - South Zone: Spring Turkey South ZoneApr 16, 2027Apr 21, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 4 - South Zone: Spring Turkey South ZoneApr 22, 2027Apr 28, 2027Spring Turkey Permit
Spring Turkey Segment 5 - South Zone: Spring Turkey South ZoneApr 29, 2027May 6, 2027Spring Turkey Permit

Badger Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Beaver Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Bobcat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Bobcat Hunting/Trapping Permit + License
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Bobcat Hunting/Trapping Permit + Trapping License

Coyote Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round statewideAug 1, 2026Jul 31, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

American Crow Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideOct 28, 2026Feb 28, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp + HIP

Mourning and White-winged Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular (first segment)Sep 1, 2026Nov 14, 2026Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp + HIP
Regular (second segment)Dec 26, 2026Jan 9, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp + HIP

Red Fox Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Mink Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Muskrat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Opossum Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Hungarian Partridge Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
North Zone: Upland Game North ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 8, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
South Zone: Upland Game South ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
North Zone (males only): Upland Game North ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 8, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
South Zone (males only): Upland Game South ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp

Bobwhite Quail Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
North Zone: Upland Game North ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 8, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
South Zone: Upland Game South ZoneNov 7, 2026Jan 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp

Rabbit (Cottontail and Swamp) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideNov 7, 2026Feb 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp

Raccoon Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Rail (Sora and Virginia only) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideSep 5, 2026Nov 13, 2026Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp + HIP

River Otter Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Mar 31, 2027Trapping License + River Otter permit/reporting requirements

Striped Skunk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Hunting - year-round statewideAug 1, 2026Jul 31, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

Wilson's Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideSep 5, 2026Dec 20, 2026Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp + HIP

Squirrel (Gray and Fox) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideAug 1, 2026Feb 15, 2027Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp

Waterfowl (Ducks, Coot, Mergansers and Geese) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Early Teal - all zonesSep 5, 2026Sep 13, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Early Canada Goose - all zonesSep 1, 2026Sep 15, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Youth Waterfowl - North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneOct 17, 2026Oct 18, 2026Youth hunter with licensed adult
Youth Waterfowl - Central Zone: Waterfowl Central ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026Youth hunter with licensed adult
Youth Waterfowl - South Zone (first day): Waterfowl South ZoneNov 7, 2026Nov 7, 2026Youth hunter with licensed adult
Youth Waterfowl - South Zone (second day): Waterfowl South ZoneJan 30, 2027Jan 30, 2027Youth hunter with licensed adult
Ducks, Mergansers and Coot - North Zone (first segment): Waterfowl North ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Ducks, Mergansers and Coot - North Zone (second segment): Waterfowl North ZoneOct 31, 2026Dec 27, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Ducks, Mergansers and Coot - Central Zone (first segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneOct 31, 2026Dec 13, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Ducks, Mergansers and Coot - Central Zone (second segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 3, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Ducks, Mergansers and Coot - South Zone (first segment): Waterfowl South ZoneNov 14, 2026Dec 6, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Ducks, Mergansers and Coot - South Zone (second segment): Waterfowl South ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 24, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Canada Geese - North Zone (first segment): Waterfowl North ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Canada Geese - North Zone (second segment): Waterfowl North ZoneOct 31, 2026Jan 26, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Canada Geese - Central Zone (first segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneOct 31, 2026Dec 13, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Canada Geese - Central Zone (second segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Canada Geese - South Zone: Waterfowl South ZoneNov 14, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Light Geese and Brant - North Zone (first segment): Waterfowl North ZoneOct 24, 2026Oct 25, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Light Geese and Brant - North Zone (second segment): Waterfowl North ZoneOct 31, 2026Jan 26, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Light Geese and Brant - Central Zone (first segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneOct 31, 2026Dec 13, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Light Geese and Brant - Central Zone (second segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Light Geese and Brant - South Zone: Waterfowl South ZoneNov 14, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
White-fronted Geese - North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneOct 31, 2026Jan 26, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
White-fronted Geese - Central Zone (first segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneOct 31, 2026Dec 13, 2026License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
White-fronted Geese - Central Zone (second segment): Waterfowl Central ZoneDec 19, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
White-fronted Geese - South Zone: Waterfowl South ZoneNov 14, 2026Jan 31, 2027License + State Habitat Stamp + State and Federal Waterfowl Stamps + HIP
Conservation Order Light Geese - North Zone: Waterfowl North ZoneJan 27, 2027Apr 30, 2027Light Goose Conservation Order permit + HIP
Conservation Order Light Geese - Central and South ZonesFeb 1, 2027Apr 30, 2027Light Goose Conservation Order permit + HIP

Weasels (Least and Long-tailed) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Trapping - statewideNov 10, 2026Feb 15, 2027Trapping License + State Habitat Stamp

American Woodcock Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Regular - statewideOct 17, 2026Nov 30, 2026Hunting License + State Habitat Stamp + HIP
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with IL Dept of Natural Resources before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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