Illinois Reminds Hunters of Firearm Deer Rules
Conservation Police outline season dates, clothing requirements and harvest reporting ahead of the November firearm season.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Hunting
Illinois Conservation Police reminded hunters of state deer hunting rules ahead of firearm deer season. The first firearm season runs November 20-22, with a second season December 3-6.
Why it matters
Hunters who miss permit, clothing or reporting requirements can face penalties, and the rules differ by county and season type. Clear reminders help reduce violations during the busy firearm season.
Firearm deer hunters must wear a solid blaze orange or blaze pink hat and an upper garment showing at least 400 square inches of the required color. Firearm deer permits are county-specific, and the source does not state how many permits were issued this year.
The players
Illinois Conservation Police
The law enforcement division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that enforces the state's hunting and fishing regulations.
The details
Hunters using archery equipment during firearm season need a valid, unfilled firearm deer permit to hunt on those dates on private land in open counties. Hunters must obtain permission before entering private land to retrieve a deer and must attach the proper leg tag before moving or field dressing it. In counties without chronic wasting disease surveillance, harvests must be reported online or by phone by 10 p.m. the same day, while deer taken in surveillance counties such as Livingston and LaSalle generally must be brought to a designated check station by 8 p.m.
Timeline
November 20-22: First Illinois firearm deer season.
December 3-6: Second Illinois firearm deer season.
Seasonal Patterns
Illinois continues to apply county-by-county chronic wasting disease surveillance rules, so the harvest reporting deadlines for firearm hunters differ depending on whether a county is designated for surveillance. Those split requirements remain a recurring feature of the state's firearm deer seasons.
Hunters who skip the required blaze orange garment or miss the 10 p.m. online reporting deadline can be cited. Anyone retrieving a deer from private land needs the landowner's permission first, and a valid county permit is required for firearm hunting.
The takeaway
Reviewing county-specific permit, clothing and reporting rules before heading out can keep a hunt legal and avoid penalties. Checking which counties are designated for chronic wasting disease surveillance matters most for harvest timing.
What happens next
The first firearm deer season opens November 20 and the second begins December 3, so hunters should confirm county permit and reporting requirements before each season.
Further reading
For related guidance, explore more Hunting coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 25newsnow.
