What to Know About the New Rules for Illinois Archery Deer Season
With only hours until archery deer season opens in Illinois, make sure you're aware of new rules, key dates, and updated regulations.
Illinois Archery Season Opens with New Rules
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding hunters that the statewide archery deer hunting season begins on Wednesday, October 1. It will run through January 18, 2026, with specific regulations depending on which county you're in.
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In counties with firearm seasons and west of Illinois 47 in Kane County, the archery season is divided into three segments:
- October 1 to November 20
- November 24 to December 3
- December 8 to January 18
In Cook, DuPage, Lake, and east of Illinois 47 in Kane County, where there is no firearm season, archery hunting runs continuously from October 1 to January 18 (2026).
Restricted Archery Zone Updated
According to the IDNR press release, the restricted archery zone has been revised this year. Only antlered deer may be harvested between October 1-31 in Champaign, Douglas, Macon, and Piatt counties, excluding Allerton Park.
The change is being made in hopes of stabilizing deer populations. Moultrie County and Allerton Park in Piatt County have been removed from the restriction zone.
Harvest Limit and Safety Concerns
Illinois hunting rules allow one deer per archery permit, and no hunter may harvest more than two antlered deer per year across all deer seasons, with exceptions only during the special CWD season.
Regulations also apply to public lands, where tighter restrictions may be in place.
Safety remains a top priority of the IDNR, with an urgent warning about tree stands being the leading cause of hunting-related accidents in Illinois. Review all safety guidelines before heading back out into the field.
More Resources:
If you want more information about deer hunting regulations, CLICK HERE. Access to the 2025-2026 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations is HERE.
For deer harvest reports from 2002 to 2024, CLICK HERE.
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