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Youth Deer Hunt Information

Season Dates: October 10-12, 2026

Click here for 2026 Illinois Youth Deer Hunt Information

Permit Information:  2026 Youth Deer Hunt Permit

  •  Limit of 1 combination permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only)
  •  Purchase in person at a License Vendor 
  •  Sold August 4, 2026 - October 12, 2026  
  •  A landowner permit is not valid to use during the Youth Deer Season.

  Hunting License/Supervisor Information

  • In addition to a 2026 Youth Deer Hunt Permit, all eligible youth hunters must have a current, valid Apprentice or Youth Hunting License, or they must have completed a State-approved Hunter Education course and have a hunting license, unless exempt.  Purchase online or in person at a License Vendor.
  • Each hunter participating in the Youth Deer Hunting Season while using an Apprentice Hunter License or a Youth Hunting License must be accompanied by a non-hunting, validly-licensed (Illinois hunting license) adult who is 21 years of age or older.  All other hunters (using other types of hunting licenses or license-exempt) participating in the Youth Deer Hunting Season must each be accompanied by a non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian or responsible adult).  A nonresident supervisor must have a valid Illinois hunting license.
  • Each supervisor may only accompany a single youth at any given time during the hunt.

Additional Information 

  • The Youth Deer Season is only open to hunters who have not reached their 18th birthday prior to the opening date of the season.

  • The Youth Deer Hunt Permit is available to eligible resident and nonresident youths. The statewide-issued permit is valid on private land, with landowner permission, or on public land sites open to the Youth Deer Season. 

  • A hunter with an unfilled, valid Youth Deer Hunt Permit may also hunt during the first and second firearm deer seasons November 20-22, 2026 and Dec. 3-6, 2026, subject to restrictions outlined in Administrative Rule 17-685. 

     

    Youth Deer Hunt Permits are only available for purchase through October 12, 2026.