Resident deer tag or permit entry cost.
IL
Deer Hunting in Illinois: Tags, Seasons & Regulations (2026)
Deer hunting in Illinois starts with the current deer cost entries, season dates, bag limits, and CWD rules.
Resident Tag $17 Deer tag/permit
Non-Resident Tag $410 Non-resident deer tag
Primary Season Oct 1 – Jan 18 Archery
Draw Required? Mixed permit access Nonresident archery applications are accepted June 1-30; firearm permits use county lotteries. Remaining permits may be sold after drawings.
DEER QUICK ANSWER
Illinois Deer Tag Cost, Season & Rules: Quick Answer
Start here for Illinois deer tag cost, primary season timing, draw status, and CWD planning before using the full tables below.
Use this before adding the base license and trip permits.
Nonresident archery applications are accepted June 1-30; firearm permits use county lotteries. Remaining permits may be sold after drawings.
Archery; also check Youth Firearm.
For Illinois deer hunting, use the listed resident and non-resident deer cost entries together with the note: Archery and firearm permits follow different application, lottery, and remaining-permit rules. Because this page lists mixed access, confirm the exact tag type, zone, and application rule before planning travel. CWD has been detected in Illinois, so carcass movement and testing rules deserve an early check.
OVERVIEW
Deer Hunting in Illinois
Illinois deer access cannot be summarized as simple OTC. Resident archery permits are broadly available, but non-resident archery combination permits use a June application window, a limited quota, and remaining-permit rules. Firearm deer permits are county-specific lottery permits, with non-resident firearm applications handled after resident priority rounds. CWD check stations are mandatory for successful firearm-season hunters in designated CWD surveillance counties, so hunters should verify both permit type and county before travel.
Species present: White-tailed Deer
SEASONS
Illinois Deer Season Dates (2026)
All archery, firearm, and muzzleloader season dates.
Multiple Seasons
Illinois offers 6 distinct deer seasons. Check specific zone dates with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources — dates and bag limits may vary by management unit.
COSTS
Illinois Deer Tag Fees
Resident vs. non-resident tag and permit costs.
Resident
$17
Deer tag / permit
Non-Resident
$410
Access depends on hunt type or residency.
Archery and firearm permits follow different application, lottery, and remaining-permit rules
PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the right Illinois deer planning path
Jump into the state hub, shortlist pages, and deer-planning tools before you work through every remaining section.
Check the full Illinois license setup
Move back to the main state hub when you need the base license, non-resident options, or add-on permits outside deer tags.
Use deer-planning tools next
Shift from deer-tag detail into season timing, trip budgeting, and cross-state deer planning helpers.
Add a wider 2026 cost view
Check benchmark and non-resident premium reports before you commit to one deer state or trip budget.
REGULATIONS
CWD & Deer Hunting Regulations in Illinois
Chronic Wasting Disease status, antler restrictions, and weapon rules.
CWD Status
Detected
Northern and West-Central Counties (e.g., Boone, DeKalb, McHenry, Winnebago)
CWD Testing / Transport
Required in listed zones
Zones: Northern and West-Central Counties (e.g., Boone, DeKalb, McHenry, Winnebago)
Strict carcass transport restrictions apply. Whole carcasses generally cannot leave CWD zones or be imported from positive states.
Bag Limit
Daily: 1 · Season: 1 antlered + antlerless permits
No rifles for deer; shotgun slug/muzzleloader/handgun only; CWD check stations and testing rules apply in designated counties and seasons
Allowed Weapons
Bow, shotgun, muzzleloader
Access Planning
Access: Mixed permit access
Deadline: Nonresident archery applications are accepted June 1-30; firearm permits use county lotteries. Remaining permits may be sold after drawings.
Points system: No
Official Source
Always verify current regulations with the official source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources . Season dates, bag limits, and CWD regulations may change annually.
FAQ
Deer Hunting in Illinois — FAQ
Is CWD testing mandatory in Illinois?
Yes, during the firearm seasons in 15 designated CWD surveillance counties (mostly in northern Illinois), hunters MUST bring their deer to a physical check station on the day of harvest.
What are the antler restrictions?
Illinois limits every hunter to a maximum of 2 antlered deer per year, combined across all seasons. An antlered deer is defined as having an antler 3 inches or longer.
Do I need a draw to hunt deer in Illinois?
It depends on the permit. Illinois firearm deer permits use county lotteries, and non-resident archery combination permits use a June application window and quota. Some remaining or antlerless permits may be sold later, but hunters should not assume a guaranteed OTC deer permit.
What deer species can I hunt in Illinois?
Illinois is home to White-tailed Deer. Allowed weapons include bow, shotgun, muzzleloader.
Can non-residents hunt deer in Illinois?
Yes, non-residents can hunt deer in Illinois, but access depends on permit type. The non-resident archery combination permit is the main broad access path, while firearm permits use county lotteries and may not remain available after drawings.