Illinois Bow hunting Season,Regulations and license fees
Illinois is a paradise for Bowhunters as it offers hunting seasons throughout the year. Illinois has tons of seasons for standard game animals Deer and turkey and other small game seasons like rabbit, quail and fox. The state of Illinois offers hunting permits online making it convenient to register and purchase permits.
Residents of Illinois as well as non-residents can apply for hunting permits. Small game permits are free of cost.
Generally, there is a great opportunity for Bowhunters when it comes to deer hunting in Illinois. However, it will cost you more especially if you choose to venture into private lands for some harvest. If you’re interested in predator hunting, Illinois is the best place to go as its Coyote and Fox hunt is popular throughout the US. Migratory waterfowl hunting is also available in Illinois as ducks and geese are abundant there.
Illinois Bow Hunting Seasons
Category | Months |
Deer | Oct.1-Jan.26 |
Wild Turkey | Oct.1-Jan.16 |
Bobwhite Quail | Nov.6-Jan.15 |
Hungarian Partridge | Nov.6-Jan.15 |
Rabbit | Nov.6-Feb.15 |
Gray and Fox squirrel | Aug.1-Feb.15 |
Crow | Oct.28-Feb.28 |
License Fee in Illinois
Category | License Type | Fee |
Archery | Resident | $12.5 |
Archery | Non-resident | $57.75 |
Archery | Senior | $6.5 |
Archery | Junior | $7.5 |
Total Area and Regulations by State
The total hunting area available in the state of Illinois is 35532,000 acres. The bows allowed for hunting in Illinois are Vertical bows, limited longbows and compound bows that have a minimum pull force of 40 pounds in a 28-inch draw. Arrows with a minimum length of 20 inches are legal to be used. Any device that could hold the draw at a fixed position without effort from the hunter is unlawful to be used for hunting.
Fun Facts about Bow Hunting in Illinois
As crossbows are deemed illegal in Illinois, bowhunting here tests the instincts of the hunter and the harvest is proportional to the skill of the hunter.