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Youth Firearm Deer Hunting
The Basics
The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) leases deer hunting property from private landowners throughout Illinois and makes them available for controlled, public access. Youth Firearm 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 youth (under the age of 18) hunter (Illinois resident or non-resident) who has completed their hunter safety course and who complies with all Illinois hunting laws may apply. All youth hunters must have a non-hunting, validly licensed supervising adult (at least 21 years of age) accompany them during scouting and hunting on IRAP leased private property.
When: Youth Firearm Deer Season occurs during Saturday – Monday of the Columbus Day weekend. Scouting is allowed up to seven days prior.
Where: Please see the statewide map below to view available counties.
What: All IRAP sites allow the use of bow and shotgun. Per the new Public Act 102-0932 that passed January 1, 2023, some sites also allow the use of centerfire, single-shot rifles in certain calibers for deer hunting.
The deadline for IRAP's 2024 Youth Firearm Season is 5pm, Friday, August 9, 2024.
Please note that no changes can be made to applications once application deadlines have passed.
How it works
Applicants applying for an IRAP Youth Firearm Deer site must complete an online application along with the liability waiver and non-hunting supervising adult form. 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 a youth hunter wishes to take an additional, non-hunting adult mentor or observer with them during their hunt, they must:
- Include them in their 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
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 Youth Firearm Deer Hunting, please click on the button below:
Hunters MUST fill out a survey within 15 days after the completion of their hunt. Future hunting privileges are dependent on the return of your survey.
IRAP access is provided through cooperation of private landowners and the IL Dept. of Natural Resources. It is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture's NRCS Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP).
Participating is this program is a special privilege.
Please be respectful, ethical and safe.
Leave the site as you found it. Take ALL garbage with you.
Park your vehicle in the designated parking area.