Illinois Administrative Code

Section 550.30 Raccoon, Opossum, Striped Skunk, Red Fox, Coyote, Bobcat and Woodchuck (Groundhog) Hunting on Department-Owned, -Leased or -Managed Sites a) All the regulations in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510 – General Hunting and Trapping apply in this Section, unless this Section is mo…

Section 550.40 Gray Fox Due to the current biological balance and population numbers of the gray fox in the State of Illinois, it is illegal to hunt gray fox in this State. (Source: Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 14729, effective October 30, 2025)

Section 570.10 Statewide Zones The State of Illinois is divided by U. S. Route 36 (New Route 36) into a Northern and Southern Zone. (Source: Amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 12034, effective July 7, 1988)

Section 570.15 Closed Zone – Bobcat Trapping Taking bobcats is prohibited inside an area bounded by the Indiana State border from Lake Michigan southward to U.S. Route 36 (New Route 36), westward on U.S. Route 36 to U.S. Route 51, northward on U.S. Route 51 to the Wisconsin State…

Section 570.20 Statewide Season Dates a) Muskrat, mink, raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, coyote, badger, bobcat and weasel Trapping dates: November 10 through the next following February 15. b) Beaver and River Otter Trapping: November 10 through the next following March…

Section 570.30 Statewide Hours, Daily Limit and Possession Limit a) Muskrat, mink, raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, coyote and weasel 1) Trapping hours: November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; February 15 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestric…

Section 570.31 Permit and Tagging Requirements a) Permit Requirement and Fee – River Otter 1) Trappers must purchase a River Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking each otter that becomes part of their daily limit. 2) The cost of a River Otter Registration Permit …

Section 570.32 Limits on Total Harvest − Bobcat a) Statewide limits on the total number of bobcats that may be hunted or trapped during a season are set forth in Section 2.30 of the Wildlife Code. Bobcats salvaged from roadways in accordance with that statute do not count toward …

Section 570.35 Use of Rifles, Pistols and Airguns by Trappers During Deer Gun Season Licensed trappers may use rifles and pistols, while in possession of valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID), or airguns to kill trapped furbearers or woodchuck (groundhog) during seasons esta…

Section 570.40 Trapping Regulations on Department-Owned, -Leased or -Managed Sites a) General Regulations 1) All the regulations in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510 – General Hunting and Trapping apply in this Section, unless this Section is more restrictive. 2) Trappers must stay within as…

Section 570.50 Gray Fox Due to the current biological balance and population numbers of the gray fox in the State of Illinois, it is illegal to trap gray fox in this State. (Source: Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 14747, effective October 30, 2025)

Section 590.10 Statewide Regulations a) Pursuant to Section 2.18 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/2.18], it shall be unlawful to take, possess, transport, or use migratory waterfowl except during such period of time and in such manner and numbers as may be provided in the Federal…

Section 590.11 Seasonal Public Access Closures on Certain Department-Owned, -Leased, and -Managed Sites Listed in Section 590.20, 590.40 and 590.50 a) It shall be unlawful, unless otherwise authorized in this Part, to be present upon the designated waterfowl hunting area of a Dep…

Section 590.15 Duck, Goose and Coot General Hunting Regulations on Department‑Owned, -Leased and -Managed Sites Listed in Sections 590.40 and 590.50 a) Definitions 1) Blind builder – Person who has been assigned a blind site as a result of the drawing. 2) Blind partner – Persons …

Section 590.20 Permit Controlled Department Sites Only − Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting a) Sites covered in this Section, which allow hunting by permit only, are: Anderson Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife A…

Section 590.25 Illinois Youth Waterfowl Hunting Permit Requirements (Repealed) (Source: Repealed at 25 Ill. Reg. 14131, effective October 22, 2001)

Section 590.26 Illinois Youth Duck Hunting Permit Requirements (Repealed) (Source: Repealed at 19 Ill. Reg. 13209, effective September 11, 1995)

Section 590.30 Duck, Goose and Coot General Hunting Regulations on all Department-Owned and -Managed Sites (Repealed) (Source: Repealed at 19 Ill. Reg. 13209, effective September 11, 1995)

Section 590.40 Check Station Department Sites Only – Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting a) The sites listed in this Section conform to Statewide Regulations (Section 590.10) and General Department Regulations (Section 590.15), except as noted in parentheses and in the remainder of this…

Section 590.5 Reference Material Federal Register documents listing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations and establishing seasons for migratory birds may be viewed at: www.fws.gov/policy/frsystem. (Source: Added at 45 Ill. Reg. 13834, effective October 25, 2021)

Section 590.50 Non-Check Station Department Sites Only – Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting a) The following sites conform to Statewide Regulations (Section 590.10) and General Department Regulations (Section 590.15), except as noted in the remainder of this Section. Sites that require…

Section 590.60 Various Other Department Sites – Duck, Goose and Coot Hunting The sites listed in this Section conform to Statewide Regulations (Section 590.10) and the following regulations, except as noted. a) Regulations 1) Hunting hours are from legal opening to 1:00 p.m., exc…

Section 590.70 Ohio River a) Waterfowl hunting will be allowed on the Ohio River bordering Illinois. Season dates and bag limits are governed by the regulations which apply to the Southern Zone (Section 590.10(i)(5)). b) The following areas of the Ohio River shall be designated a…

Section 590.80 Early and Late Goose (All Species) Hunting Regulations on Department Sites a) During goose hunting seasons that begin before or extend beyond the regular duck season, statewide regulations and site specific regulations for goose hunting, as indicated in Sections 59…

Section 590.EXHIBIT A The Non-Toxic Shot Zones of Illinois (Repealed) (Source: Repealed at 15 Ill. Reg. 13293, effective September 3, 1991)

Section 630.10 Disease Free Certification Before any person may propagate, release, import, export or transport any game mammals, game birds, migratory birds or exotic wildlife species protected by or covered by the Wildlife Code of Illinois, they shall provide the Department upo…

Section 630.20 Quarantine a) Upon reasonable suspicion of any animal disease infecting a certain geographical area or a certain herd or group of animals or birds that could endanger the resident or migratory wildlife of Illinois being contained in animals covered by this Order, t…

Section 630.30 Hearing a) Within 10 days of the original notice the affected parties may, in writing, petition the Department to conduct a hearing on the merits of the case and provide an opportunity for presentation of additional relative information. b) The Department shall eva…

Section 630.40 Remedial Actions a) Upon positive identification of the disease and completion of any requested hearing, the Department will: 1) Request any records necessary to locate previously shipped diseased animals. 2) Develop in cooperation with the affected parties reasona…

Section 630.50 Penalty Any person violating the provisions of this Order shall, upon conviction, be subject to statutory penalties as prescribed by Section 3.5 of the Wildlife Code.

Section 635.10 Definitions Accredited Veterinarian – A veterinarian who is licensed by the state in which he practices, is approved by the animal health authority of that state, and is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture. Cervids – All members of the family …

Section 635.20 Importation of Live Animals a) Mammalia: Cervidae 1) Elk entering Illinois shall originate from a certified brucellosis-free herd or be negative to a brucellosis card test or PCFIA test conducted within 60 days on all animals 6 months of age and over. 2) Certified …

Section 635.30 Importation of Animal Carcasses and Parts Importation of hunter-harvested deer and elk carcasses into Illinois is prohibited except for: a) deboned meat, antlers, antlers attached to skull caps, hides, upper canine teeth (also known as "buglers", "whistlers", or "i…

Section 635.40 Feeding or Baiting of Wildlife It shall be illegal to make available food, salt, mineral blocks or other products for ingestion by wild deer or other wildlife in areas where wild deer are present. Exempted from this Section are the following: a) elevated bird/squir…

Section 635.50 Penalties Violation of the provisions of this Part is a Petty Offense with a maximum fine of $1,000.

Section 640.10 Definitions Class A Permit – permit required for deer and turkey outfitters. Class B Permit – permit required for waterfowl outfitters. Client – an individual who provides, or who has provided on his or her behalf, financial or other consideration to an outfitter i…

Section 640.20 Minimum Standards a) An outfitter shall: 1) have a current valid Illinois outfitter permit; 2) be at least 21 years of age; if the outfitter permit is held by a business entity, then a responsible individual who is an officer in the business entity must be designat…

Section 640.30 Application Requirements In order to obtain a permit to operate as an outfitter, the applicant must submit to the Department of Natural Resources, Outfitter Services, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield IL 62702-1271, an application containing the following info…

Section 640.40 Permit Fees The annual fees for an outfitter permit shall be: a) Class A Permit 1) $500 for a resident. 2) $2,500 for a non-resident. b) Class B Permit 1) $250 for a resident. 2) $1,500 for a non-resident. (Source: Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 9373, effective June 26, 2…

Section 640.50 Acceptance or Rejection of Applications a) Incomplete or inadequate applications shall be returned to the applicant with a summary of deficiencies. b) Incomplete or inadequate applications may be completed and re-submitted within 15 days, or until the end of the ap…

Section 640.60 Term of Permit a) The permit shall be for one year from July 1 to June 30. b) Applications and renewals are due at the Department by July 15 of each year. Applications or renewals received after July 15 cannot be guaranteed to be processed and a permit issued by Se…

Section 640.70 Violations a) It shall be unlawful for an outfitter to: 1) employ any person as a guide or facilitator whose hunting license is revoked or whose privileges to hunt in Illinois are suspended, or who does not meet guide requirements (see Section 640.20(b)); 2) fail t…

Section 640.80 Penalty a) Any person who violates any provision of this Part shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, which may result in the revocation of a permit or suspension of permit privileges for a period of up to 5 years (see 520 ILCS 5/3.1-3 and 17 Ill. Adm. Code 2530)…

Section 650.10 Statewide Season and Permit Quotas a) Season: 12:01 a.m. on Friday of the 3-day (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) weekend immediately before Thanksgiving to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday of the 3-day weekend before Thanksgiving, and 12:01 a.m. on Thursday of the first 4-day (Thu…

Section 650.20 Statewide Deer Permit Requirements a) All deer hunters must have a current, valid Firearm Deer Permit. Fees for deer permits are as follows: 1) Illinois Resident Permits (issued by Deer Permit Office): Either-sex − $25 Bonus antlerless-only − $17.50 Antlerless only…

Section 650.21 Deer Permit Requirements – Landowner/Tenant Permits Requirements and procedures for obtaining landowner/tenant permits are provided in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 528. (Source: Amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 8639, effective June 28, 2017)

Section 650.22 Deer Permit Requirements – Special Hunts Special hunt sites are defined as those sites that are owned or controlled by agencies/entities other than the Department, or sites at which the Department only controls a portion of the property designated for deer hunting,…

Section 650.23 Deer Permit Requirements – Group Hunt a) Up to six individuals may apply to hunt as a group during the First and Second Lottery Drawings. b) Each individual must sign his or her own application. c) In order to receive preference for the group, all members must have…

Section 650.30 Statewide Requirements for Hunting Devices a) Any combination of legal hunting devices in this subsection (a) may be used to take, or attempt to take, deer provided the devices are legal for the specific season as follows: 1) Shotgun, loaded with slugs only, of not…

Section 650.40 Statewide Deer Hunting Rules a) The bag limit is one deer per legally authorized either-sex, antlered-only or antlerless-only permit. All either-sex permits and antlered-only permits are subject to the following restriction: no hunter, regardless of the quantity or…