The 2023-2024 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations is now available online, and printed copies were available in Conservation World during the 2023 Illinois State Fair.
To access the electronic version, visit https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/hunttrapdigest.html. The digest will also be available in Spanish and Polish online in the coming weeks. Printed copies will arrive at vendor locations statewide soon after the fair.
“IDNR is pleased to make this informative digest available to hunters and trappers, who are essential partners in conservation and management of Illinois’ wildlife,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “This annual guide provides a detailed review of hunting and trapping season dates, possession limits, hunting zone boundaries, statewide hunting regulations, license and permit details, and other useful information. IDNR wishes hunters a safe and successful season.”
Hunting licenses can be purchased through IDNR’s online license portal at https://exploremoreil.com or in person at participating vendors. To search for a list of vendors, visit https://exploremoreil.com/agentlocator.
The following late-summer hunting opportunities are available in Illinois.
Squirrel: Aug. 1, 2023–Feb. 15, 2024; Location is Statewide (except Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30–Dec. 3 in counties open for firearm deer hunting); Daily limit 5; Possession limit 10.
Dove (mourning and white-winged): Sept. 1–Nov. 14, 2023, and Dec. 26, 2023–Jan. 9, 2024; Location is statewide; Daily limit 15; Possession limit 45.
Teal (early season): Sept. 9–24, 2023; Location is statewide (all zones); Daily limit 6; Possession limit 18.
Rail (Sora and Virginia only): Sept. 9–Nov. 17, 2023; Location is statewide (all zones); Daily limit 25; Possession limit 75.
Snipe (Wilson’s snipe): Sept. 9–Dec. 24, 2023; Location: Statewide (all zones); Daily limit 8; Possession limit 24.
Canada Geese (early season): Sept. 1–15, 2023; In North and Central zones the daily limit is 5, and the possession limit is 15. In South Central and South zones the daily limit is 2 and the possession limit is 6.
“Zone” refers to waterfowl hunting zones established in Illinois per U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations. For more details and a map of waterfowl zones and season dates for the period of 2021-2025, visit https://bit.ly/ILwaterfowlzones.
