Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Hunting Information
Learn more at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/Pages/DeerFirearmMuzzleloader.aspx
2020 SEASON DATES
- First Firearm Deer Season: November 20, 21 & 22, 2020
- Second Firearm Deer Season: December 3, 4, 5 & 6, 2020
- Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season: December 11, 12 & 13, 2020 – Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during 2nd Firearm Season December 3 – 6, 2020
2020 FIREARM/MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASON INFORMATION SHEET
Click here for the 2020 Firearm and Muzzleloader Deer Season Hunting Regulations & Harvest Reporting Information Sheet.
2020 FIREARM/MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASON INFORMATION SHEET FOR CWD-TESTING COUNTIES
Click here for the 2020 Firearm Deer Season Hunting Regulations Information Sheet for CWD-Testing Counties. 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. 20 – 22, 2020 and Dec. 3 – 6, 2020.
LOTTERY APPLICATION PERIODS
*Landowner permit applicants, please refer to note at bottom of page if you also plan to apply in the Lottery Drawings 1st Lottery: March 10, 2020 – April 30, 2020
- 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 10, 2020)
- Click here to print and mail a paper application (available March 10, 2020)
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in the 1st Lottery
- Drawing results will be available approximately June 1, 2020
2nd Lottery: May 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020
- 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 1, 2020)
- Click here to print and mail a paper application (nonresident application available May 1, 2020)
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in the 2nd Lottery
- Drawing results will be available approximately August 1, 2020
3rd Lottery: July 1, 2020 – August 21, 2020
- 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
- Drawing results will be available approximately mid-September
- 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 20, 2020, 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.