Do I Need A Hunting License To Hunt On My Own Land In Illinois?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Do I need a hunting license to hunt on my own land in Illinois? In general,

anyone wishing to hunt in Illinois is required to purchase a hunting license

. There are some exceptions to this requirement. Anyone born after January 1, 1980, will need to complete a Hunter Safety Education Course before obtaining a hunting license. Proof of completion must be available while hunting.

Contents hide

Do you need a hunting license to hunt on your own property in Illinois?


Hunting is also allowed on private property IF you have received prior permission from the landowner or tenant

. IDNR has a Land Access Permission Card to facilitate this approval. “Property Only Hunting” permits are available to landowners who meet the requirements.

How many acres do you need to hunt in Illinois?

It combines current provisions for deer, turkey and combination hunting licenses to Illinois landowners residing in Illinois who own at least

40 acres

of Illinois land and wish to hunt upon their land only, resident tenants of at least 40 acres of commercial agricultural land where they will hunt and bona fide equity …

How many acres do you need for landowner tags in Illinois?

Can you hunt in Illinois without a FOID card?


All Illinois residents must have a resident hunting license

. If using firearms, they must also have a Firearm Owner Identification (FOID) Card. The state habitat stamp and species-specific permits may be required.

How do I get landowner tags in Illinois?

  1. Over-the-Counter period. Permits remaining after the lotteries will be available at vendors on a first-come first-served basis beginning at 8 am on 20 Oct 2020. …
  2. To receive a hard copy application for a firearm or muzzleloader deer hunting permit, contact the IDNR Springfield permit office at (217) 782-7305.

Can I shoot a coyote on my property in Illinois?

Coyotes may be hunted on private property using dogs, archery devices, any type and caliber of handgun, any type of legal rifle including large capacity semi-automatic rifles, and shotguns using any type of shell.

Is 15 acres enough to hunt on?

For two hunters or more, Messerschmidt says

the ideal minimum size land for rifle hunting deer is about 50 acres

, but one could manage on as little as 25 acres if the property is in the right area.

Are deer food plots legal in Illinois?


Feeding wild deer in Illinois is against the law

. Here’s why. Are deer baits legal? most farm supply or out- door stores and you’ll undoubtedly come upon shelves stocked with salt or mineral blocks, grain and other prod- ucts marketed as wildlife foods, or attractants.

How close can I hunt to a house in Illinois?

Illinois General Assembly – Bill Status for HB2873. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt within

50 yards

of a property line without first obtaining written permission from the adjacent property owner or tenant.

Can you hunt deer with rifle in Illinois?

Deer hunters may soon have more firearm options in Illinois.

The Illinois legislature unanimously passed a measure permitting the use of centerfire single-shot rifles for deer hunting

.

How much are deer tags in Illinois?

Name Fee Application(s)/Permit(s) Available on: Non-Resident Deer Firearm Lottery Permit Application (Antlerless Only) (Must already have an ES permit) $29.00 07/11/2022
Non-Resident Deer Muzzleloader Lottery Permit Application (ES & AO)


$329.00

5/11/2022

How many deer tags can you get in Illinois?

BAG LIMIT:

One deer per legally authorized permit

. 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.

Are Illinois deer tags over the counter?



Over the Counter (OTC) permits are the leftover permits after the lottery drawings have been completed

. OTC Permits are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis when available. Purchases are not available by phone or online.

Can a felon bow hunt in Illinois?


No

. A bow and arrow is not defined as a firearm. 2018 Matthews Triax 55# @ 26′′… Gold Tip kinetic pierce platinum 400.

How much is an Illinois hunting license?

Name Fee Available Online
Resident Hunting License


$12.50

Online
Resident Lifetime Hunting License $360.00 Online Resident Lifetime Sportsmen’s Combination Hunting/Fishing License $765.00 Online Resident Senior Hunting License $6.50 Online

What is a legal buck in Illinois?

An antlered deer is defined as

a deer having at least one antler of a length of 3 or more inches

. One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. No bow and arrow device shall be carried with the arrow in the nocked position during hours when deer hunting is unlawful.

Can I bow hunt during shotgun season in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources would like to remind hunters of a new rule change.

Archery devices legal for the first half of the archery deer season are now a legal device to be used during the firearm deer season if hunting private property

.

What can you hunt in Illinois right now?

Can you shoot squirrels in your yard in Illinois?


Most small mammals may be killed or removed without a permit

. This includes house mice, Norway rats, moles, voles, gophers, shrews, chipmunks, and thirteen-lined ground squirrels.

Can you shoot rabbits in your yard in Illinois?

Most wildlife is protected by law and

cannot be killed or even removed without a permit

. The Illinois Department of National Resources is tasked with conservation and management of wild species in Illinois.

Can you shoot a coyote in Illinois if it attacks my dog?


Coyotes may be hunted on private property using dogs

, archery devices, any type and caliber of handgun, any type of legal rifle including large capacity semiautomatic rifles, and shotguns using any type of shell except for slugs.

How do you keep deer on 10 acres?

How do I keep deer in my small property?

  1. Provide minerals. Maybe you’re fortunate enough to have a natural mineral site on your property. …
  2. Add water. …
  3. Create or enhance staging areas. …
  4. Add shrubs and vines. …
  5. Build big buck bedding cover. …
  6. Create a thermal refuge. …
  7. Plant oaks. …
  8. Give them fruit.

How many acres do you need to grow big deer?

A good rule of thumb on a good property is

one mature buck for every 250 acres

, a very well-managed property can be pushed to one mature buck for every 100 acres (maybe). But even a well-managed property will have far more yearling bucks (45-50%) than 4+ year old (15%).

Is Doe urine legal in Illinois?

This means that

you may legally make use of products like deer urine and other similar scent attractants

. The same limitations to baiting deer are also applicable to baiting turkeys in Illinois. It is illegal to take wild turkeys by the use or aid of bait or baiting of any kind.

Can you hunt over mowed corn in Illinois?

One of the instructors was a dnr agent. He said mowed corn was considered bait for migratory waterfowl but was legal for dove hunting. I raised my hand and asked if it was legal to mow corn for deer hunting and he said “

yes, it is legal for deer hunting

.

Is it illegal to put corn out for deer in Illinois?

In the state of Illinois,

it’s currently illegal to bait or feed wild deer whatsoever

. Corn piles, salt block and mineral sites are all prohibited.

Can you track a wounded deer onto private property in Illinois?

Can you hunt squirrels with a 22 in Illinois?

Can you hunt squirrels in Illinois?

You can make many great memories and continue the heritage of squirrel and rabbit hunting…and don’t forget to bring your camera so you can relive those memories later. Small game hunting on IRAP leased sites is available for public access:

Squirrel hunting from August 1 – September 15

.

How many acres do you need for deer hunting?

What guns can I use to hunt deer in Illinois?

Legal Firearms


Centerfire revolvers or centerfire single-shot handguns of .

30 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches.

Can you carry a pistol while bow hunting in Illinois?

The state Department of Natural Resources wants to remind hunters they can’t always conceal carry while hunting.

No handguns of any kind are allowed during archery season

. While some pistols are allowed during firearm season, they cannot be automatic or semi-automatic.

What is the best county to deer hunt in Illinois?


Pike County

Illinois is known as the best Whitetail Deer Hunting location in the country!

What is Illinois maximum cost for a deer hunting permit for an Illinois resident?

Name Fee Available thru Phone Non-Resident Deer Combo Archery Permit OTC (ES & AO) $411.00 Resident Deer Archery Either-Sex Permit Application $17.00
Resident Deer Archery OTC Permit (Antlerless Only)


$15.50

1-866-716-6550
Resident Deer Archery OTC Permit (ES & AO) $26.00 1-866-716-6550
Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.