Illinois
Disclaimer: Season dates are gathered on a best-effort basis and may contain errors or be outdated. Always verify dates, bag limits, and regulations directly with Illinois DNR before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Illinois
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 10 stations in Illinois. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
- IL · NWR
Chautauqua NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENING - IL · MO · NWR
Clarence Cannon NWR
Illinois / MissouriMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPENINGBIG GAME: OPENING - IL · NWR
Crab Orchard NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND - IL · NWR
Cypress Creek NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPAND - IL · MO · NWR
Great River NWR
Illinois / MissouriMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONBIG GAME: OPENING - IL · WI · NWR
Hackmatack NWR
Illinois / WisconsinMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPANDFISHING: EXPANSION - IL · NWRCA
Kankakee NWRCA
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPEN + EXPANDFISHING: NEW STATION - IL · MO · NWR
Middle Mississippi NWR
Illinois / MissouriMIGRATORY BIRD: EXPANSIONFISHING: EXPANSION - IA · IL · NWR
Port Louisa NWR
Iowa / IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: OPEN + EXPANDBIG GAME: OPENING - IL · NWR
Two Rivers NWR
IllinoisMIGRATORY BIRD: OPENINGUPLAND GAME: EXPANSIONBIG GAME: OPENING
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
December 11, 12 & 13, 2026 — December 11, 12 & 13, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Firearm
December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2026 — December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2026
White-tailed Deer
Firearm
November 20, 21 & 22, 2026 — November 20, 21 & 22, 2026
Turkey
Wild Turkey
4th Season
April 23 — April 29
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
April 11 — April 16
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
1st Season
April 13 — April 17
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
5th Season
May 7 — May 14
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
3rd Season
April 17 — April 22
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
April 18 — April 23
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
3rd Season
April 24 — April 29
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
1st Season
April 6 — April 10
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
5th Season
April 30 — May 7
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
4th Season
April 30 — May 6
Zone: North Zone
Pheasant
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 29 — Dec 28, 2025
Zone: Iroquois County (Iroquois County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 2, 2025 — Jan 15, 2026
Zone: Jim Edgar Panther Creek (Cass County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 1, 2025 — Jan 8, 2026
Zone: Johnson Sauk Trail (Henry County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 1, 2025 — Jan 8, 2026
Zone: Kankakee River (Kankakee County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 29 — Dec 28, 2025
Zone: Moraine View (McLean County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 2, 2025 — Jan 15, 2026
Zone: Sand Ridge (Mason County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 30 — Dec 28, 2025
Zone: Silver Springs State Park (Kendall County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 5, 2025 — Jan 4, 2026
Zone: Wayne Fitzgerrell / Rend Lake (Franklin & Jefferson Counties)
Pheasant
Youth
Nov 11 — Nov 11
Zone: Des Plaines, Green River, Iroquois County, Jim Edgar Panther Creek, Johnson Sauk Trail, Moraine View, Sand Ridge, Wayne Fitzgerrell
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Zone: Green River (Lee County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Nov 5, 2025 — Jan 4, 2026
Zone: Eldon Hazlet / Carlyle Lake (Clinton County)
Pheasant
Controlled Hunt
Oct 29 — Dec 28, 2025
Zone: Des Plaines (Will County)
Other
Various
General