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Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Hunting Information
2023 Season Dates
- First Firearm Deer Season: November 17, 18 & 19, 2023
- Second Firearm Deer Season: November 30; December 1, 2 & 3, 2023
- Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season: December 8, 9 & 10, 2023 - Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during Second Firearm Season November 30; Dec. 1 - 3, 2023
2023 Deer Harvest Reporting and Information Sheets
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. 17 - 19, 2023 and November 30; December 1, 2 & 3, 2023
*Landowner permit applicants, please refer to note at bottom of page if you also plan to apply in the Lottery Drawings
1st Lottery: March 7, 2023 - April 30, 2023
- Illinois Residents Only
- Firearm - Limit 1 application (online or paper application)
- Muzzleloader - Limit 1 application (online or paper application)
- Click here to submit an online application (available March 07, 2023)
- Click here to print and mail a paper application (available March 07, 2023)
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in the 1st Lottery
2nd Lottery: May 11, 2023 - June 30, 2023
- Illinois residents who did not apply/were not successful in the 1st Lottery Drawing
- Nonresidents
- Firearm - Limit 1 application (online or paper application)
- Muzzleloader - Limit 1 application (online or paper application)
- Click here to submit an online application (nonresident application available May 11, 2023)
- Click here to print and mail a paper application (nonresident application available May 11, 2023)
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in the 2nd Lottery
3nd Lottery: July 11, 2023 - August 18, 2023
- Illinois residents and nonresidents
- No application limit for Firearm or Muzzleloader
- Click here to submit an online application
- Click here to print and mail a paper application
- Group Hunt applications are NOT accepted in the 3rd Lottery
County-specific Firearm and Muzzleloader permits remaining after the 3rd Lottery Drawing will be available for sale only over the counter at License Vendors beginning October 17, 2023, on a first-come, first-served basis
* Individuals who have received a Landowner permit, or who have submitted application for a Landowner permit that is still pending, may not apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Firearm Deer Drawing, but may apply in the Third Lottery Firearm Drawing. Landowners who receive permits in the First or Second Lottery Firearm Deer Drawing are not eligible for Landowner Firearm Deer permits. These individuals, however, are eligible to apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Muzzleloader Deer Drawing.