PART 650 WHITE-TAILED DEER HUNTING BY USE OF FIREARMS : Sections Listing

TITLE 17: CONSERVATION
CHAPTER I: DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
SUBCHAPTER b: FISH AND WILDLIFE
PART 650 WHITE-TAILED DEER HUNTING BY USE OF FIREARMS

AUTHORITY: Implementing and authorized by Sections 1.3, 1.4, 1.13, 2.20, 2.24, 2.25, 2.26, 2.33 and 3.36 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5].

SOURCE: Adopted at 5 Ill. Reg. 9771, effective September 17, 1981; codified at 5 Ill. Reg. 10640; amended at 6 Ill. Reg. 10730, effective August 20, 1982; amended at 7 Ill. Reg. 10798, effective August 24, 1983; amended at 8 Ill. Reg. 21602, effective October 23, 1984; amended at 9 Ill. Reg. 16213, effective October 10, 1985; emergency amendment at 9 Ill. Reg. 20922, effective December 18, 1985, for a maximum of 150 days; amended at 10 Ill. Reg. 4223, effective February 25, 1986; amended at 10 Ill. Reg. 16665, effective September 22, 1986; amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3044, effective February 3, 1987; amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 9564, effective May 5, 1987; amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 8003, effective April 25, 1988; amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 12055, effective July 11, 1988; amended at 13 Ill. Reg. 12853, effective July 21, 1989; amended at 14 Ill. Reg. 12430, effective July 20, 1990; amended at 14 Ill. Reg. 19869, effective December 3, 1990; amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 10038, effective June 24, 1991; emergency amendment at 15 Ill. Reg. 15790, effective October 22, 1991, for a maximum of 150 days; emergency expired March 21, 1992; amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 11131, effective June 30, 1992; amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 13468, effective July 30, 1993; amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 5859, effective April 5, 1994; amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 13431, effective August 23, 1994; amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 6477, effective April 28, 1995; amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 7515, effective May 20, 1996; amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 5572, effective April 19, 1997; amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 9116, effective June 26, 1997; amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 8007, effective April 28, 1998; amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 5564, effective April 26, 1999; amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 8971, effective June 19, 2000; amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 10260, effective July 1, 2000; amended at 25 Ill. Reg. 7231, effective May 22, 2001; amended at 26 Ill. Reg. 9319, effective June 17, 2002; amended at 27 Ill. Reg. 10009, effective June 23, 2003; emergency amendment at 27 Ill. Reg. 17270, effective November 10, 2003, for a maximum of 150 days; Section 650.60 of the emergency rules expired April 8, 2004; amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 353, effective December 19, 2003; amended at 28 Ill. Reg. 8039, effective May 26, 2004; amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 9718, effective June 24, 2005; emergency amendment at 29 Ill. Reg. 13025, effective August 10, 2005, for a maximum of 150 days; emergency expired January 1, 2006; amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 12155, effective June 28, 2006; amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 8169, effective May 25, 2007; amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 9300, effective June 13, 2008; amended at 33 Ill. Reg. 11534, effective July 27, 2009; amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 4800, effective March 19, 2010; amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 10710, effective June 23, 2011; amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 13419, effective August 10, 2012; amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 14888, effective August 30, 2013; amended at 38 Ill. Reg. 22742, effective November 18, 2014; amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 7643, effective May 18, 2015; amended at 40 Ill. Reg. 10545, effective July 20, 2016; amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 8639, effective June 28, 2017; amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 15784, effective December 18, 2017; amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 13114, effective June 22, 2018; amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 9518, effective August 23, 2019; amended at 44 Ill. Reg. 11528, effective June 29, 2020; amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12654, effective September 24, 2021; amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18660, effective November 2, 2022; amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 177, effective January 1, 2023; amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 3973, effective March 1, 2024; amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 15559, effective October 17, 2024.

 

Section 650.10  Statewide Season and Permit Quotas

 

a)         Season:  12:01 a.m. on Friday of the 3-day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) weekend immediately before Thanksgiving to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday of the 3-day weekend before Thanksgiving, and 12:01 a.m. on Thursday of the first 4-day (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) weekend following Thanksgiving to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday of the first 4-day weekend following Thanksgiving.  Full season permits shall be for all days.  Second season permits shall be valid for the last four days of the season only.  Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

 

b)         Permit quotas shall be set by the Department of Natural Resources (Department) on a county or special hunt area basis.  Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties (except for Chain O'Lakes State Park) and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47, are closed to firearm deer hunting.

 

c)         Hunting prior to ½ hour before sunrise or after ½ hour after sunset is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 and maximum $5,000 fine, in addition to other statutory penalties (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(y)).  Hunting during the closed season is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 9300, effective June 13, 2008)

 

Section 650.20  Statewide Deer Permit Requirements

 

a)         All deer hunters must have a current, valid Firearm Deer Permit.  Fees for deer permits are as follows:

 

1)         Illinois Resident Permits (issued by Deer Permit Office):

Either-sex − $25

Bonus antlerless-only − $17.50

Antlerless only for Special Hunt Areas with antlerless-only hunts − $25

 

2)         Nonresident Permits (issued by Deer Permit Office):

Either-sex − $300

Bonus antlerless-only − $25

Antlerless-only for Special Hunt Areas with antlerless-only hunts − $300

 

3)         In addition to a Special Hunt Area Permit issued under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2), a hunter may obtain additional Special Hunt Area Permits, issued by staff at the Special Hunt Area, when unfilled permits are available.

 

Fees:

Either-sex (full, 1st or 2nd season) − $25 regardless of residency

Antlerless-only (full, 1st or 2nd season) − $17.50 regardless of residency

One-day standby permits − $5 regardless of residency

 

4)         Over-the-Counter Permits sold by license vendors pursuant to subsection (i) (all prices in this subsection (a)(4) include vendor's issuing fee):

 

Resident either-sex − $25.50

Resident antlerless-only − $18.00

Nonresident either-sex − $300.50

Nonresident bonus antlerless-only (hunter has obtained, for the current year, a firearm either-sex permit or has a valid landowner firearm either-sex permit) − $25.50

Nonresident antlerless-only (hunter has not obtained a firearm either-sex permit for the current year) − $100.50

 

b)         A permit is issued for one county or special hunt area and is valid only in the county, where permission to hunt has been obtained from the property owner, or special hunt area stated on the permit.  During the First Lottery and Second Lottery, applicants who receive an either-sex permit in a county or special hunt area are eligible for a bonus antlerless-only permit for that county or special hunt area (with the exception of special hunt areas offering antlerless-only hunts).  During the Third Lottery, antlerless-only permits remaining in the quota will be made available to resident applicants regardless of whether those applicants already possess an either-sex permit, but nonresident applicants must have a firearm either-sex permit in order to obtain an antlerless-only permit.  For permit applications and other information write to:

 

Department of Natural Resources

(Firearm or Landowner/Tenant or Non-Resident)

Deer Permit Office

P.O. Box 19227

Springfield, Illinois  62794-9227

 

c)          Applications from Illinois residents for participation in the First Lottery Drawing will be accepted through April 30 of the current year.  Nonresidents may not apply to participate in the First Lottery Drawing.  Applications received after April 30 will not be included in this lottery.  Permits will be allocated in a computerized random drawing.  Permits will be issued as either sex, antlerless only, or antlered only.  A maximum of one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit shall be issued per person.  Applicants for free landowner/tenant permits (see 17 Ill. Adm. Code 528) are not eligible to participate in the First or Second Lottery Drawings.  Landowners who receive permits in the First or Second Lottery Drawing are not eligible for landowner permits for the firearm deer season during the hunt year.  Lifetime licenses issued after August 15, 2006 shall not qualify a non-resident of Illinois for a resident deer permit.

 

d)         Applicants must complete all portions of the current year permit application form.  Incomplete or incorrect applications will be returned along with the applicant's permit fee for correction or completion if received in the Permit Office prior to the deadline established in subsection (c).

 

e)          Applicants must check the second-season box if they agree to accept a second-season permit upon being rejected for a full-season permit.

 

f)          Applicants must check the antlerless-only box and provide the appropriate fee to apply for an additional antlerless-only permit.  Antlerless-only permits will be issued until the antlerless-only quota is filled for a given county or special hunt area.

 

g)         Permits for counties and special hunt areas with unfilled quotas after the First Lottery Drawing will be allocated in a Second Lottery Drawing.  This drawing is open only to nonresident applicants and to Illinois residents who were not previously issued firearm permits for the current hunting season.  Illinois residents will be given preference for permits allocated in the Second Lottery Drawing.  Applications for the Second Lottery Drawing will be accepted through June 30 of the current year.  Applicants may also apply for remaining antlerless-only permits by checking the antlerless-only box and providing the appropriate fee.  A list of unfilled counties and special hunt areas will be announced upon becoming available after the First Lottery Drawing.  Applicants must apply on a current year Firearm Deer Permit application form.  A maximum of one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit shall be issued per person.

 

h)         A Third Lottery Drawing will be held during which any Illinois resident (regardless of any other deer permit they may have) may apply for one or more either-sex and/or antlerless-only permits for counties or special hunt areas with unfilled quotas.  Nonresidents may also apply, but must have received an either-sex permit in order to obtain an antlerless-only permit in this drawing.  Applications for the Third Lottery Drawing will be accepted through the third Friday in August of the current year.  A list of unfilled counties and special hunt areas will be announced upon becoming available after the Second Lottery Drawing.  Applicants must apply on a current year Firearm Deer Permit application form.  All applications for the Third Lottery will be processed individually (i.e., no group applications will be processed).

 

i)          Permits remaining after the Third Lottery Drawing will be available over-the-counter (OTC) from agents designated by the Department (pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2520) beginning the third Tuesday in October on a first-come, first-served basis.  Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the firearm deer season, whichever occurs first.  Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability. Persons purchasing OTC deer permits must supply all necessary applicant information to the agents in order to properly complete the permit. 

 

j)          Hunter preference in obtaining a permit during the First Lottery Drawing will be given:  to individuals that applied for an either-sex permit in the previous year's First Lottery Drawing who were rejected because the quota was depleted in their county choices.  Preference will not be granted to applicants who received a full-season either-sex permit but who did not receive an antlerless-only permit.  Persons with lottery preference will have first chance at receiving available either-sex permits.  The following criteria must be met to obtain a preference in the First Lottery Drawing:

 

1)          The applicant must apply using the official Department application.

 

2)          The applicant must be a resident of the State, be eligible to receive a Firearm Deer Permit, and not had deer hunting privileges revoked pursuant to Section 650.50.

 

3)          The applicant must apply for the same county choices that the applicant listed on the previous year's application. Preference will not be granted for special hunt areas.

 

k)         Applications may be accepted at the counter window of the permit office; however, permits for the First Lottery, Second Lottery and Third Lottery Drawing will be mailed.  In-person, mail-in and electronic applications will receive equal treatment in the drawings.

 

l)          Permits are not transferable.  For the purpose of this Section, "transfer" means the modification or changing, by the Department or any other person, individual or group of the name or the location on an issued permit to another person or location.

 

m)        A $3 service fee will be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department, except when permits are lost in the mail, then there will be no charge.  The procedures for obtaining a replacement license are detailed in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2520.50. Monies derived from this source will be deposited in the Wildlife and Fish Fund.

 

n)         The periods for accepting applications for the First and Second Lottery periods may be extended if applications are not available to the public by April 1.  A news release will announce the extension of the application periods.

 

o)          Refunds and Cancellations

 

1)         A refund shall be issued by the Department for a permit that has been granted or for an application that has been submitted, under the following circumstances:

 

A)        The State managed or owned site for which the permit was issued was closed due to a national or State issued emergency or disaster declaration or any other emergency circumstance that resulted in the Department closing access to the hunting site, park or area.  Issued permits shall be cancelled by the Department.  This subsection (o) shall include, but is not limited to, closure of State parks, fish and wildlife areas, and recreation areas by the Department as a response to a Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation or executive order;

 

B)        The applicant for a permit was unsuccessful in obtaining a permit in the lottery for which the applicant applied; or

 

C)        Upon the request of the permit holder, a permit was issued due to an error of the Department, the OTC point-of-sale vendor or the applicant.  The permit that was issued in error and the request for a refund must be delivered to the Department before the first day of the season listed on the permit.  Permits shall be considered delivered to the Department if the permit is received or postmarked before the first day of the season listed on the permit; or

 

D)        Upon the return of an issued permit to the Department before the first day of the season listed on the issued permit.  Permits shall be considered delivered to the Department if the permit is received or postmarked before the first day of the season listed on the permit.  No refund shall be issued under this subsection (o)(1)(D) if the permit is returned or postmarked after the first day of the season listed on the permit.

 

2)         A permit shall be cancelled if a refund is approved pursuant to subsection (o)(1)(A), (C) or (D).  Once a permit has been cancelled, the cancelled permit shall not count towards the total number of permits that an applicant may obtain for the hunting season that the cancelled permit was issued.

 

3)         Upon the request of a permit holder, a refund may be issued by the Department for a permit that has been granted under the following circumstances:

 

A)        A medical condition or death of the permit holder that prevented the permit holder from hunting.  A death certificate or medical documentation showing that the permit holder was unable to or advised not to hunt may be required by the Department before any refund is issued.  Requests must be made within 90 days after the start of the season that the permit was issued for and must accompany the return of the permit to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois.  No refunds shall be issued under this subsection if the request or permit is delivered to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois or postmarked 90 days after the first day of the season listed on the permit; or

 

B)        The permit holder was unable to travel or use the permit that was issued to him or her due to a national or State issued emergency or disaster declaration that resulted in a danger to the health or safety of the permit holder had they attempted to use the issued permit.  Requests must be made within 60 days after the start of the season for which the permit was issued and must accompany the return of the permit to the Department at its headquarters in Springfield, Illinois.  No refund shall be issued under this subsection (o)(3)(B) if the request or permit is delivered or postmarked 60 days after the first day of the season listed on the permit.

 

C)        A permit that was issued due to an error of the Department, the OTC point-of-sale vendor, or the applicant, if the permit is returned to the Department before the last day of the season for which the permit was issued.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18660, effective November 2, 2022)

 

Section 650.21  Deer Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits

 

Requirements and procedures for obtaining landowner/tenant permits are provided in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 528.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 8639, effective June 28, 2017)

 

Section 650.22  Deer Permit Requirements – Special Hunts

 

Special hunt sites are defined as those sites that are owned or controlled by agencies/entities other than the Department, or sites at which the Department only controls a portion of the property designated for deer hunting, that issue deer hunting permits through the statewide lottery process.  The Permit Office issues deer hunting permits through a computerized drawing for the following sites, in addition to the Department-owned, -leased or -managed sites listed in Section 650.60(h).  The permit preference system does not apply to special hunt areas or to State sites allocating permits in the lottery.

 

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (the first and second season are considered separate hunt choices, and permit applicants must specify which season they are applying for in the County Choice or Hunt Area field of the application; permits may be issued as antlerless-only without the normal bonus requirement; standby hunting will be allowed if additional permits are available at the site)

 

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – Disabled Hunt (first season only)

 

Joliet Army Training Area (Will County)

 

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands – Disabled Hunt (first season only; permit drawing will be conducted by Corps of Engineers' staff with permits mailed to successful applicants by the Department; contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for application procedures/dates; additional permits will be available for purchase at the site for any unfilled positions)

 

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands (Moultrie County) (it is unlawful to drive deer; for Corps of Engineers managed lands not managed by DNR, contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for specific deer hunting policy)

 

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands except Wolf Creek State Park (Shelby County) (it is unlawful to drive deer; for Corps of Engineers managed lands not managed by DNR, contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for specific deer hunting policy)

 

Lost Mound Unit – Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, including Stewardship Park and Eagles Landing (DNR owned) – Disabled Hunt (Friday, Saturday and Sunday prior to the first statewide firearm deer season only; permit drawing will be conducted by United States Fish and Wildlife Service; preference given to disabled hunters; either-sex permits; bonus antlerless-only permits and one-day standby permits will be sold at site)

 

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (no handguns allowed; additional site pass is required; check-in, check-out and reporting of harvest is required)

 

Rend Lake Project Lands – Disabled Hunt (first season only; permit drawing will be conducted by Corps of Engineers staff with permits mailed to successful applicants by the Department; contact Corps of Engineers, Rend Lake Office for application procedures/dates; additional permits will be available for purchase at the site for any unfilled positions; bonus antlerless-only permits will be sold at site)

 

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 15559, effective October 17, 2024)

 

Section 650.23  Deer Permit Requirements – Group Hunt

 

a)         Up to six individuals may apply to hunt as a group during the First and Second Lottery Drawings. 

 

b)         Each individual must sign his or her own application.

 

c)         In order to receive preference for the group, all members must have preference for the same county choice.  If any member does not have preference for the group's county choice, the entire group will not receive preference.

 

d)         Applicants applying as a group will be rejected if they do not list the same county or special hunt area choice, complete the group leader information listing the identical group leader, and complete the second-season option box identically.

 

e)         Since Illinois residents are given preference for permits allocated in the Second Lottery Drawing, groups containing both resident and non-resident applicants will be treated as non-residents.

 

f)         Providing false information on an application is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

 

(Source:  Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 12155, effective June 28, 2006)

 

Section 650.30  Statewide Requirements for Hunting Devices

 

a)         Any combination of legal hunting devices in this subsection (a) may be used to take, or attempt to take, deer provided the devices are legal for the specific season as follows:

 

1)         Shotgun, loaded with slugs only, of not larger than 10 nor smaller than 20 gauge, not capable of firing more than 3 consecutive slugs; or

 

2)         A single or double barreled muzzleloading rifle of at least .45 caliber shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least sixteen inches in length; or

 

3)         Centerfire revolvers, centerfire single-shot handguns, and centerfire single-shot rifles as specified in 520 ILCS 5/2.25; or

 

4)         On private land only, archery equipment as defined by 17 Ill. Adm. Code 670.30 may be used during firearm deer season while hunting with a valid firearm deer permit.

 

b)         Standards and specifications for legal firearm ammunition are:

 

1)         For shotguns and muzzleloading firearms, the minimum size of the projectile shall be .44 caliber.  A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or a part of the projectile.

 

2)         For handguns and rifles, the firearm ammunition as specified in 520 ILCS 5/2.25.

 

3)         Non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding bullets (including copper/copper alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal ammunition.

 

c)         Standards and specifications for use of muzzleloading firearms are as follows:

 

1)         A muzzleloading firearm is defined as a firearm into which the projectile is incapable of being inserted from the breech end.

 

2)         Only black powder or a "black powder substitute" such as Pyrodex may be used.  Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose-based) are an approved black powder substitute only in muzzleloading firearms that are specifically designed for their use.

 

3)         Only percussion (cap or primer), wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or electronic ignition may be used.

 

4)         The following shall constitute an unloaded muzzleloading firearm:

 

A)        removal of percussion cap/primer;

 

B)        removal of prime powder from frizzen pan with frizzen open and hammer all the way down;

 

C)        removal of prime powder from flashpan and wheel unwound;

 

D)        removal of prime powder and match with match not lit; or

 

E)        removal of the battery from the electronic ignition. 

 

d)         It shall be unlawful to use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field while hunting white-tailed deer except as provided in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.  [430 ILCS 66]

 

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 177, effective January 1, 2023)

 

Section 650.40  Statewide Deer Hunting Rules

 

a)         The bag limit is one deer per legally authorized either-sex, antlered-only or antlerless-only permit.  All either-sex permits and antlered-only permits are subject to the following restriction:  no hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her possession, may harvest more than 2 antlered deer during a year, including the youth, archery, muzzleloader, and firearm seasons.  For purposes of this Section, deer seasons are considered to be in the same year if their opening dates fall within the same 12-month period that begins on July 1.  A hunter in possession of an either-sex permit after having harvested 2 antlered deer during a year, as defined above, may only use the permit to harvest an antlerless deer.  Subject to this restriction, an either-sex permit holder is allowed to take a deer with or without antlers and an antlered-only permit holder is allowed to take only a deer having at least one antler of a length of 3 or more inches.  An antlerless only permit holder is allowed to take only a deer without antlers or a deer having antlers less than 3 inches long.

 

b)         Recipients of the Firearm Deer Hunting Permit shall record their signature on the permit prior to hunting and must carry it on their person while hunting.

 

c)         The temporary harvest tag shall be attached and properly sealed immediately upon kill and before the deer is moved, transported or field dressed.  No person shall leave any deer that has been killed without properly attaching the temporary harvest tag to the deer in the manner prescribed on the permit.

 

d)         Hunters shall not have in their possession, while in the field during firearm deer season, any deer permit issued to another person (permits are non-transferable).

 

e)         Permits will not be re-issued in cases involving deer taken which are found to be diseased or spoiled due to previous injury.  Legal disposal of unfit deer taken shall be the responsibility of the hunter.  For those hunters participating in the Department's Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Program, a free permit for the same county or special hunt area will be made available the subsequent year if their tested deer is determined to have chronic wasting disease.

 

f)         Violation of this Section is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24), except unlawful take or possession of 2 or more deer within 90 days is a Class 4 felony, and unlawful take of 2 or more deer as a single act or possession or single course of conduct is a Class 3 felony (see 520 ILCS 5/2.36(a)).

 

(Source:  Amended at 33 Ill. Reg. 11534, effective July 27, 2009)

 

Section 650.45  Reporting Harvest

 

a)         Testing of deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) by DNR personnel will occur so long as funding is available in:

 

1)      counties where deer have been documented with the disease;

 

2)      counties considered high-risk for the disease; and

 

3)      counties in which additional surveillance is warranted. 

 

b)         These counties shall be publicly announced following the conclusion of the previous year's annual fall/winter CWD surveillance, which will be used as a basis for decision making.  For these counties, hunters shall take their whole (or field dressed) deer to a designated firearm deer check station by 8:00 p.m. on the day the deer was killed.  A permanent harvest tag will be attached to the leg of the deer upon registration at the check station.  If a hunter is not able to locate a harvested deer in sufficient time to enable reporting the harvest by 8:00 p.m., the hunter must take the deer to the appropriate check station upon its opening at 8:00 a.m. the following morning, or immediately upon retrieving it if that occurs later than the opening of the check station.  If this situation occurs on a Sunday (e.g., the check station will not be open on Monday), the hunter must contact the appropriate regional DNR Law Enforcement Office by 10:00 a.m. Monday morning for instructions on checking in the deer.  If the head/antlers are delivered to a taxidermist for processing, the temporary harvest tag must accompany the head/antlers and be kept with the head/antlers while at the taxidermist.  If the carcass is taken to a meat processor, the permanent harvest tag must remain attached to the leg of the deer until it is processed, then must remain with the processed deer until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer.  Persons delivering deer/parts of deer to a tanner for processing must supply the tanner with their deer permit number to verify lawful acquisition.  In the absence of a permit number, the tanner may rely on the written certification of the person from whom the deer was received that the specimen was legally taken or obtained.

 

c)         For counties in which Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance is not occurring:

 

1)         Successful hunters during the firearm deer season must register their harvest by 10:00 p.m. on the same calendar day the deer was taken by calling the toll-free telephone check-in system at 1-866-ILCHECK or by accessing the on-line check-in system at www.dnr.illinois.gov.  If a hunter is not able to locate a harvested deer in sufficient time to enable reporting the harvest by 10:00 p.m., the hunter must immediately report the harvest upon retrieving it.  The hunter will be provided with a confirmation number to verify that he or she checked in the harvest.  This number must be written by the hunter onto the temporary harvest tag (leg tag).  If the condition of the tag precludes writing on the tag in the appropriate space (i.e., bloody, etc.), the confirmation number shall be written elsewhere on the tag, or onto a piece of paper and attached to the deer along with the temporary harvest tag.  The deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in.  In instances where deer are checked in while the hunter is still afield, the deer may not be dismembered while afield beyond quartering the animal.  If quartered, all parts of the carcass (except the entrails removed during field dressing) must be transported together and evidence of sex must remain naturally attached to one quarter.  Evidence of sex is:

 

A)        For a buck:  head with antlers attached to carcass, or attached testicle, scrotum, or penis.

 

B)        For a doe:  head attached to carcass, or attached udder (mammary) or vulva.

 

2)         The temporary harvest tag (leg tag) and confirmation number must remain attached to the deer until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer, the deer has been checked in, and final processing is completed.  If the head/antlers are delivered to a taxidermist for processing, the confirmation number must be recorded on the "head tag" portion of the permit and both must remain with the deer while at the taxidermist.  If the carcass is taken to a meat processor, the temporary harvest tag with confirmation number must remain with the deer while it is processed, and until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the deer.  Persons delivering deer/parts of deer to a tanner for processing must supply the tanner with either their deer permit number, their confirmation number, or a written certification by the person from whom the deer was received that the specimen was legally taken or obtained.

 

d)        Site specific reporting requirements must be followed in addition to this Section.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18660, effective November 2, 2022)

 

Section 650.50  Rejection of Application/Revocation of Permits

 

a)         In the event that an applicant is in violation of one of the following subsections, the application shall be held in suspension, and the application fees shall be deposited, pending a determination by the permit office of whether or not the violation was knowing.  If the permit office determines  the violation was knowing, the application shall be rejected and the fee shall be retained by Natural Resources.  The applicant may request a hearing on this decision pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530.  Should it be determined that the violation was without the knowledge of the applicant, the permit office will process only the number of applications allowed by administrative rule with additional applications rejected and fees returned.

 

1)         Using hunting rights lease or mineral rights lease or other lease for land which does not evidence a genuine farm tenancy to obtain a firearm deer permit.  Violation is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

 

2)         Submitting more applications in the same name or by the same person for Firearm Deer Permits than the number of legally authorized permits.  Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

3)         Applying prior to the Second Lottery Drawing for a firearm deer permit if the applicant has already been issued a landowner/tenant permit (see 17 Ill. Adm. Code 528).  Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

4)         Providing false and/or deceptive information on the deer permit application form.  Violation is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

 

5)         Submitting an application when the applicant has a license or permit currently revoked pursuant to Section 3.36 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/3.36].  Violation is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

 

b)         Any violation of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5] or administrative rules of the Department (17 Ill. Adm. Code, Chapter I), in addition to other penalties, may result in revocation of deer hunting permits as per 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530.

 

(Source:  Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 8639, effective June 28, 2017)

 

Section 650.60  Regulations at Various Department-Owned, -Leased or -Managed Sites

 

a)         All the regulations in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510 – General Hunting and Trapping On Department-Owned, -Leased or -Managed Sites apply in this Section, unless this Section is more restrictive.

 

b)         It is unlawful to drive deer, or participate in a deer drive, on all Department-owned or -managed properties.  A deer drive is defined as a deliberate action by one or more persons (whether armed or unarmed) whose intent is to cause deer to move within firearm range of one or more participating hunters.

 

c)         Only one tree stand or ground blind is allowed per deer permit holder.  Tree stands and ground blinds must comply with restrictions listed in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10(c)(3) and (c)(12) and must be portable.  Tree stands and ground blinds must be removed at the end of each day with the exception that they may be left unattended from September 15 - January 31 at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (1).  Any tree stand or ground blind left unattended overnight must be legibly marked with the owner's name, address, and telephone number, or site assigned identification number.

 

d)         Check-in, check-out, and reporting of harvest is required at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (2). Sites that require use of windshield cards by hunters as specified in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10 are followed by a (6).

 

e)         Only antlerless deer or antlered deer having at least four points on one side may be harvested at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (3).

 

f)         Only antlerless deer or antlered deer having at least five points on one side may be harvested at those sites listed in this Section that are followed by a (4).

 

g)         Statewide regulations shall apply at the following sites:

 

Alvah Borah State Habitat Area (1) (6)

 

Big Grand Pierre Glade State Natural Area (1) (6)

 

Cache River State Natural Area (1) (2)

 

Campbell Pond State Habitat Area (1) (6)

 

Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Carlyle Lake Lands and Waters (Corps of Engineers managed lands except for Jim Hawn and East Spillway areas that are closed to firearm deer hunting)

 

Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (except subimpoundment area) (6)

 

Cave-In-Rock State Park – Kaegi Tract (1) (6)

 

Crawford County Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (6)

 

Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area (1) (6)

 

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

 

Cypress Pond State Natural Area (1) (2)

 

Deer Pond State Natural Area (1) (2)

 

Devil's Island State Wildlife Management Area

 

Dog Island State Wildlife Management Area (1) (6)

 

Dug Hill State Fish and Wildlife Area (2)

 

Ferne Clyffe State Park − Cedar/Draper Bluff Hunting Area (1) (2)

 

Fort de Chartres State Historic Site (muzzleloading rifles only; no in-line muzzleloading rifles or muzzleloaders with scopes allowed) (1) (2)

 

George S. Park Memorial Woods State Natural Area (2)

 

Giant City State Park (1) (2)

 

Hamilton County State Conservation Area (1) (6)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area – Alexander County (all portions of the Public Hunting Area except the Controlled Hunting Area) (1) (2)

 

Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area, excluding Doza Creek Water Management Area and Baldwin Lake Rest Area (1) (2, except south of Highway 154 and north of Highway 13)

 

Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Lake Le Aqua Na State Park (first season only; standby hunting allowed by Stephenson County permit holders if all blinds not filled by youth hunters; submission of all deer heads within 48 hours after harvest on site is required to test for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease) (2)

 

Meeker State Habitat Area (1) (6)

 

Mermet Lake State Conservation Area (1) (6)

 

Miller-Anderson Woods State Natural Area (Bureau County permit holders may hunt the Bureau County portion of the Area and Putnam County permit holders may hunt the Putnam County portion of the Area) (2)

 

Mississippi State Fish and Waterfowl Management Area – Pools 25 and 26 (Batchtown, Crull Hollow and Godar Waterfowl Rest Areas are closed to hunting beginning 14 days before the regular duck season; areas reopen to hunting the day after duck season closes; it is unlawful to trespass upon the designated duck hunting areas between sunset of the Sunday immediately preceding opening day of regular duck season through the day before regular duck season as posted at the site; no deer hunting is allowed within 200 yards of an occupied duck blind; during duck season only, deer hunters may not access the designated duck hunting areas by launching a boat at certain specifically posted boat ramps; boat ramps reopen to deer hunters the day after duck season closes; hunting is allowed at Red's Landing and Riprap Landing walk-in areas from 12:00 p.m. to ½ hour after sunset during duck season, statewide hours during remainder of the season) (1)

 

Mississippi River Pool 16 (1)

 

Mississippi River Pools 17, 18 (1)

 

Mississippi River Pools 21, 22, 24 (1)

 

Oakford State Conservation Area

 

Pere Marquette State Park (1) (6)

 

Pyramid State Park – Captain, Denmark, East Conant, Galum and Park Units (3) (6)

 

Ralph Clover State Natural Area

 

Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Corps of Engineers' managed areas of Rend Lake

 

Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (6)

 

Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area (1) (6)

 

Skinner Farm State Habitat Area (1) (2)

 

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (areas designated as Waterfowl Rest Areas are closed to all access during the Canada Goose Season only) (1) (6)

 

Trail of Tears State Forest (1) (2)

 

Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area (Firing Line Unit only) (1) (2)

 

Weinberg-King State Park – Spunky Bottoms Unit (6)

 

Wildcat Hollow State Forest (1) (6)

 

Wise Ridge State Natural Area (1)

 

h)         Statewide regulations shall apply at the following sites by special permit allocated through the regular statewide drawing.  Season dates that differ from the statewide dates are in parentheses.  Sites that offer standby hunting are followed by a (5).  At sites offering standby hunting, permit holders must register at the check station by 5:00 a.m. each day of the hunt.  Unvalidated permits are void after 5:00 a.m.  Vacancies each day may be filled by a drawing held at 5:00 a.m.  Vacancies may be filled by any person holding a valid hunting license, Habitat Stamp, and Firearm Owner Identification Card, unless exempt.  Standby hunters will be issued a one-day site-specific deer permit at the check station, and charged a permit fee of $5.  All hunters must check out and report harvest. Sites that require use of windshield cards by hunters as specified in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10 are followed by (6). In the event that Department budget reductions or site staffing reductions make the operation of check stations or issuance of standby permits impractical, changes to check station procedures and standby permit issuance will be publicly announced and posted at the site.  If standby drawing or check station procedures are modified, then 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10(d)(3) shall apply.

 

Apple River Canyon State Park – Thompson and Salem Units (first or second season only) (6)

 

Argyle Lake State Park (1) (2) (5) (6)

 

Big River State Forest (2) (5) (6)

 

Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area (6)

 

Butterfield Trail State Recreation Area (6)

 

Carlyle Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area – East Fork Unit in Clinton County

 

Castle Rock State Park (first or second season only) (1) (5) (6)

 

Cedar Glen State Natural Area (1) (6)

 

Chain O'Lakes State Park (first season permits only; hunting from elevated stands only, 6 feet minimum above the ground except for designated accessible blinds; firearms must be fully enclosed in a case, except while the hunter is in an elevated stand or as otherwise authorized by an employee of the Department; all hunters must attend a site lottery drawing for designated hunter stations) (1) (2) (5)

 

Chauncey Marsh State Natural Area (1) (6)

 

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area (only in the area between County

Highway 14/Friends Creek Road and State Route 48 – both sides of lake) (6)

 

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (6)

 

Copperhead Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (6)

 

Des Plaines State Conservation Area (first season only) (2) (5)

 

Dixon Springs State Park (1) (2)

 

Embarras River Bottoms State Habitat Area (1) (6)

 

Ferne Clyffe State Park − Ferne Clyffe Hunting Area (1) (2)

 

Flag Pond State Natural Area (1) (6)

 

Fort Massac State Park (6)

 

Fox Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (first season only) (6)

 

Fox Ridge State Park (1) (6)

 

Franklin Creek State Natural Area (first or second season only) (5) (6)

 

French Bluff State Natural Area (first or second season only) (1) (6)

 

Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area/Heidecke State Fish and Wildlife Area (first or second season only) (2) (5)

 

Green River State Wildlife Area (first or second season only) (1) (5) (6)

 

Hanover Bluff State Natural Area (first or second season only) (6)

 

Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area (1) (6)

 

Henry Allan Gleason State Natural Area (6)

 

Hidden Springs State Forest (1) (6)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area – Refuge (Alexander County) (hunting only on the first Friday and Saturday of November) (2)

 

Iroquois County State Conservation Area (first season only) (5) (6)

 

Iroquois County State Conservation Area (second season only; no hunting in the controlled pheasant hunting area) (5) (6)

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (6)

 

Jubilee College State Park (first or second season only) (1) (2) (5)

 

Kaskaskia River Fish and Wildlife Area (Baldwin Lake Rest Area; first or second season only; hunting from elevated stands only; six feet minimum above ground; hunting must occur within 20 yards of an assigned, numbered stake; an inhouse drawing will be held in mid-October for such assignments; hunters will be notified by mail of their hunting location; no hunters may enter the area before 5:00 a.m.); any hunter that has filled the Springfield-issued permit may purchase additional antlerless-only tags at the site office  (1) (2) (5 − last 2 days of second season)

 

Kickapoo State Recreation Area (1) (6)

 

Kishwaukee River State Fish and Wildlife Area (first or second season only) (6)

 

Lake Le Aqua Na State Park (second season only; submission of all deer heads within 48 hours after harvest on site is required to test for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease) (6)

 

Lake Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area (must have valid permit for Lake Shelbyville Project Lands – Moultrie County) (6)

 

Lowden-Miller State Forest (first or second season only) (1) (5) (6)

 

Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2) (5)

 

Marseilles Fish and Wildlife Area (first or second season only) (all tree stands must be removed no later than the last day of the archery deer season; unauthorized personnel may not be on the site outside of the posted check station operating hours; hunters may enter the site only from designated parking lots) (1) (2) (5)

 

Marshall State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2) (5)

 

Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (6)

 

Mississippi Palisades State Park (first or second season only) (1) (5) (6)

 

Momence Wetlands State Natural Area

 

Moraine Hills State Park (first or second season permits only; hunting from elevated stands only, 6 feet minimum above ground except for designated accessible blinds; firearms must be fully enclosed in a case, except while the hunter is in an elevated stand or as otherwise authorized by an employee of the Department) (2) (5)

 

Morrison-Rockwood State Park (first season only) (5)

 

Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (6)

 

Paul C. Burrus State Habitat Area (6)

 

Peabody River King State Fish and Wildlife Area (any hunter that has filled the Springfield-issued permit may purchase additional antlerless-only tags at the site office)

 

Prairie Ridge State Natural Area (Jasper County) (6)

 

Rall Woods State Natural Area (first or second season only) (6)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area (6)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area – Dutch Creek Unit (6)

 

Revis Hill Prairie State Natural Area (6)

 

Sahara Woods State Recreation Area (1) (6)

 

Sand Ridge State Forest (6)

 

Sangamon County State Conservation Area (6)

 

Sanganois State Wildlife Area (Ash Swale Waterfowl Rest Area will be closed to deer hunting during the waterfowl hunting season) (1) (6)

 

Siloam Springs State Park (6)

 

Siloam Springs State Park – Buckhorn Unit (3) (6)

 

Spoon River State Forest (first or second season only) (1) (6)

 

Starved Rock State Park (first or second season only; permit includes Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen State Park, Margery C. Carlson State Natural Area, Mitchell's Grove State Natural Area and Sandy Ford State Natural Area; all initial permits will be issued as antlerless only; hunters must take an antlerless deer during the current year firearm season on site before they can purchase an either-sex site-specific permit; hunters must check antlerless deer with site staff for verification to participate in bonus buck program; standby hunters may purchase up to 2 one-day site-specific antlerless-only permits each day) (2) (5)

 

Tapley Woods State Natural Area (first or second season only) (6)

 

Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area – Refuge (hunting only on the first Friday and Saturday of November (2)

 

Vesely Land and Water Reserve/Wilmington Shrub Prairie Nature Preserve (first or second season only) (6)

 

Wards Grove State Nature Preserve (first or second season only; antlerless only) (6)

 

Weinberg-King State Park (6)

 

Weinberg-King State Park – Scripps Unit (6)

 

Weldon Springs State Park − Piatt County Unit (6)

 

White Pines Forest State Park (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the first statewide firearm deer season only) (2)

 

White Pines Forest State Park (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the second statewide firearm deer season only) (2)

 

Winston Tunnel State Natural Area (first or second season only) (6)

 

Witkowsky State Wildlife Area (first or second season only) (6)

 

Wolf Creek State Park (for Corps of Engineers managed lands not managed by IDNR, contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for specific deer hunting policy) (6)

 

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 15559, effective October 17, 2024)

 

Section 650.65  Youth Hunt (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 25 Ill. Reg. 7231, effective May 22, 2001)

 

Section 650.66  Special Hunts for Young Hunters

 

a)         Statewide regulations shall apply, except as noted in parentheses, at the following sites by special permit allocated through the regular statewide drawing.  Shooting is allowed from elevated tree stands, except as noted in parentheses.  Applicants must not have reached their 18th birthday by the start of the season.  Only one tree stand is allowed per person.  Tree stands must comply with restrictions listed in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10(c)(3) and must be portable.  Tree stands may be set up the day before the hunt and shall be removed the day after.  All tree stands must be marked with a site assigned identification number.  Check-in, check-out and report of harvest is required. 

 

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (first season only; public hunting area only, except area north of Route 13 is closed to firearm deer hunting)

 

Lake Le Aqua Na State Park (hunting from Department established ground blinds only; first season only; supervisors may hunt; submission of all deer heads within 48 hours after harvest on site is required to test for the presence of Chronic Wasting Disease)

 

b)         Statewide regulations shall apply, except as noted in parentheses, at the following sites by special permit issued by site office.  Applicants must not have reached their 18th birthday by the start of the season.  Check-in, check-out and report of harvest is required.

 

Lost Mound Unit – Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, including Stewardship Park and Eagles Landing (DNR owned) (First season only; supervisor may hunt; a special permit from United States Fish and Wildlife Service is required; contact the refuge for specific hunt details).

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18660, effective November 2, 2022)

 

Section 650.67  Special Hunts for Disabled Hunters

 

a)         Statewide regulations apply; season dates are the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday immediately prior to the first firearm deer season, and the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday immediately following the second weekend of the regular firearm season unless otherwise noted in parentheses.  Permit applications may be obtained from the appropriate site office, and completed applications must be returned to that office by the third Friday in October unless otherwise noted in parentheses.  Disabled hunters must possess a Class P2A disability card in order to be eligible for the drawing.  All participating hunters must show proof of passing the Illinois Hunter Safety Course or an equivalent State program for nonresidents unless otherwise noted in parentheses.  Additional regulations will be publicly announced.

 

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area (Thursday, Friday and Saturday prior to the first firearm deer season;completed applications must be returned by the first Friday in October) (2)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area – Refuge Area (first Saturday and Sunday of November; participants other than disabled hunters must take an antlerless deer before taking an antlered deer) (1) (2) (5)

 

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park (first Thursday and Friday occurring after November 1) (2)

 

Jubilee College State Park (coincides with first firearm deer season; hunter safety course not required) (2) (5)

 

Jubilee College State Park (coincides with second firearm deer season; hunter safety course not required) (2) (5)

 

Rock Cut State Park (Thursday, Friday and Saturday prior to the first statewide firearm deer season) (2) (5)

 

Spoon River State Forest (first Saturday and Sunday in October following the completion of youth firearm deer season) (2)

 

Starved Rock State Park (coincides with first firearm deer season; permit applications may be obtained from the site office and completed applications must be returned to that office by the third Friday in October; all initial permits will be issued as antlerless only; hunters must take an antlerless deer during the current year firearm season on site before they can purchase an either-sex site-specific permit; hunters must check antlerless deer with site staff for verification to participate in bonus buck program; hunter safety course not required) (2) (5)

 

Starved Rock State Park (coincides with second firearm deer season; permit applications may be obtained from the site office and completed applications must be returned to that office by the third Friday in October; all initial permits will be issued as antlerless only; hunters must take an antlerless deer during the current year firearm season on site before they can purchase an either-sex site-specific permit; hunters must check antlerless deer with site staff for verification to participate in bonus buck program; hunter safety course not required) (2) (5)

 

Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park (the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in November; permit applications may be obtained from the site office and completed applications must be returned to that office by October 1; all initial permits will be issued as antlerless only; hunters must harvest an antlerless deer onsite before they can purchase an either-sex site-specific permit; hunters must check antlerless deer with site staff for verification to get the either-sex permit)  (2) (5)

 

Wolf Creek State Park (coincides with the first firearm season; permit applications may be obtained from the park office or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville Project Office, 1989 State Hwy. 16, Shelbyville IL 62565; applications must be submitted by March 30, prior to hunt) (2)

 

b)         Violation of this Section is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.24).

 

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12654, effective September 24, 2021)

 

Section 650.70  Special Extended Season Firearm Deer Hunt (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 10 Ill. Reg. 16665, effective September 22, 1986)