Springfield, IL – Illinois hunters can officially take to the field today as the 2025 archery deer season begins. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced that Wednesday, Oct. 1, marks the opening day for bowhunters across the state. The season runs through Jan. 18, 2026, offering more than three months of opportunity for hunters statewide.
According to the 2025–2026 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, hunters may take one deer per archery permit, with a maximum of two antlered deer per year across all seasons, except during special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) hunts.
Archery hours are from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. Counties with firearm seasons, along with Cook, DuPage, Lake, and parts of Kane County, have specific archery season structures, but all open today.
Hunters are reminded of mandatory harvest reporting rules. Successful harvests must be tagged immediately and reported online or by phone by 10 p.m. on the day of the kill. In CWD surveillance counties, hunters are required to physically check deer at designated sites during firearm seasons.
Permits are available online and at licensed vendors, with Illinois residents paying $25 for a combination archery permit and nonresidents paying $410.
Safety remains a top priority. IDNR regulations require hunters using tree stands on public land to use portable equipment that does not damage trees. Blaze orange or pink clothing is mandatory during overlapping firearm seasons.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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