Archery Deer Hunting

The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) leases deer hunting property from private landowners throughout Illinois and makes them available for controlled, public access. Archery deer hunters must fill out an online application, and then IRAP serves as the "middle-person" in order to connect hunters to places to hunt while keeping the identity of the hunter and landowner separate. Thus, hunters are not to contact the landowner, and landowners are not to contact the hunter.

Who: Any legally licensed hunter (Illinois resident or non-resident) who has completed their hunter safety course (if born in 1980 or after) and who complies with all Illinois hunting laws may apply, including:

• Youth (under the age of 18): All Youth hunters must have a non-hunting, validly licensed supervising adult of at least 21 years of age accompany them. 
• 1st-Time Adult: (someone who has not archery deer hunted in the past five years)
• Adult: (any legally licensed hunter over the age of 18)

Preference may be given to youth and first-time hunters, and those who currently serve or have served in the US military. This preference is only granted for IRAP Deer Hunting once per year. 

When: IRAP has three different hunting periods. Each period allows the participant 15 or 16 days of hunting access on leased private property. Each IRAP archery deer period will have a different map showing how many sites are available by county. It's important to check each period's county map to see what is available.

• Period 1: October 1-15
• Period 2: October 16-31
• Period 3: December 16-31

Where: Please see the statewide maps below to view available counties for each IRAP Archery Deer hunting period. 

What: A few sites are "doe only" hunting sites. When applying for an IRAP Archery Deer hunting site, hunters must be willing to harvest a doe should they be awarded one of these sites. Less than 20% of sites are "doe only" sites. 

IRAP's 2024 Archery Deer hunting application deadline is 5p.m., Friday, August 9, 2024.

Please note that no changes can be made to applications once application deadline has passed. 

Hunters applying for an IRAP Archery Deer site must complete an online application along with the accompanying liability waiver and non-hunting supervisor, mentor, and or observer (if applicable) forms. Hunters are allowed to submit up to three applications: one for each of the three IRAP deer hunting periods. If more than one application is submitted per hunting period, only the application with the most current date will be considered. Successful and non-successful applicants will be emailed after all IRAP Deer lotteries have been completed.

Approximately three weeks before the start of the awarded season, successful applicants will receive a packet of information, including an IRAP parking and site permit, a map, and directions to the site. 

Additional Information:

If you, the hunter, wish to take a non-hunting adult mentor or observer with you during your hunt, you will need to:

• Include them in your IRAP application under the "Non-Hunting Mentor" or "Non-Hunting Observer" section
• Have them sign the liability waiver
• Make sure they do NOT hunt, carry a firearm, or bow

All youth hunters must have a non-hunting, validly licensed supervising adult of at least 21 years of age accompany them. 

The hunter's and the landowner's identity are kept private from one another. We ask that the hunter not come in contact with the landowner, unless necessary.

For a list of Participant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about IRAP Archery Deer Hunting, please click on the button below:  

IRAP Archery Deer Survey: Hunters MUST fill out a survey within 15 days after the completion of each hunt. Future hunting privileges are dependent on the return of your survey.

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