Agencies
Services
Testing of deer for Chronic Wasting Disease by IDNR personnel will occur (so long as funding is available) during the Firearm Deer Season dates Nov. 21 - 23, 2025 and Dec. 4 - 7, 2025.
Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Hunting
Season Dates
- First Firearm Deer Season: November 21, 22 & 23, 2025
- Second Firearm Deer Season: December 4, 5, 6 & 7, 2025
- Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season: December 12, 13 & 14, 2025 - Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during Second Firearm Season December 4 - 7, 2025
Deer Harvest Reporting Information Inserts
Lottery Application Dates
Lottery 1: March 4, 2025 - April 30, 2025
- Illinois Residents Only
- Firearm - Limit 1 application
- Muzzleloader - Limit 1 application
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 1
- Landowner deer firearm permit applicants/recipients are not eligible to apply for a firearm permit but may apply for a muzzleloader permit
Lottery 2: May 12, 2025 - June 30, 2025
- Illinois residents who did not apply/were not successful in the 1st Lottery Drawing
- Nonresidents
- Firearm - Limit 1 application
- Muzzleloader - Limit 1 application
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 2
- Landowner deer firearm permit applicants/recipients are not eligible to apply for a firearm permit but may apply for a muzzleloader permit
Lottery 3: July 11, 2025 - August 15, 2025
- Illinois residents and nonresidents
- No Firearm application limit
- No Muzzeloader application limit
- Group Hunt applications are not accepted in Lottery 3
- Landowner deer firearm permit applicants/recipients are eligible to apply for firearm and muzzleloader permits
Over-the-Counter Permit Sales
Remaining county-specific firearm and muzzleloader permit quotas after Lottery 3 are the starting quotas for over-the-counter (OTC) permit sales.
OTC permit sales begin October 21, 2025, at Department-designated agents. Permits are sold on a first-come, first served basis. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the respective deer season, whichever occurs first. Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability.
OTC permits are sold in person only; no online or phone sales available.
Special Hunt Area permits were only available during the lottery application period and are not sold over the counter.
