Illinois Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 2 – January 15, 2027

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Official License Fees (Illinois Department of Natural Resources)

• Resident Base Hunting License: $12.00
• Resident Senior Hunting License (Ages 65–74): $6.00
• Resident Super Senior License (Ages 75+): $1.00
• Resident Sportsman’s Combination (Hunt/Fish): $25.50
• Youth Hunting/Trapping License (Under 18): $7.00
• Nonresident Base Hunting License: $57.00
• Nonresident 5-Day Hunting License: $35.00
• State Habitat Stamp (Required for 18+): $5.50

Season Dates, Daily Bag Limits & Possession Limits

Ring-necked Pheasant (Roosters Only)

• Season Dates:
  • North Zone: First Saturday in November – January 8
  • South Zone: First Saturday in November – January 15
• Daily Bag Limit: 2 roosters
• Possession Limit: 6 roosters

Northern Bobwhite Quail

• Season Dates:
  • North Zone: First Saturday in November – January 8
  • South Zone: First Saturday in November – January 15
• Daily Bag Limit: 8 birds
• Possession Limit: 20 birds

Hungarian (Gray) Partridge

• Season Dates:
  • North Zone: First Saturday in November – January 8
  • South Zone: First Saturday in November – January 15
• Daily Bag Limit: 2 birds
• Possession Limit: 6 birds

American Woodcock

• Season Dates: Mid-September – Mid-November (45-day federal framework)
• Daily Bag Limit: 3 birds
• Possession Limit: 9 birds

Weather Assessment & Bird Hunting Outlook

According to annual field surveys conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), mild winter conditions across central and southern Illinois helped bolster overwinter survival for bobwhite quail and ring-necked pheasants. Spring nesting and early summer brood-rearing periods saw localized precipitation that temporarily impacted low-lying nesting cover, but subsequent warm and dry summer weather provided strong insect production and good chick survival in undisturbed native grass and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) stands. While overall upland populations remain heavily dependent on localized habitat quality, core agricultural edge habitats and public State Fish and Wildlife Areas with active prairie management offer solid prospects for northern bobwhite and wild pheasant hunters.

This summary provides a concise overview, but hunters should verify all details with official IDNR sources to ensure compliance.

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  Pheasant Hunting

  The Top 3 Wild Pheasant Hunting Tips

  There are tons of variables involved when pheasant hunting: weather, dogs, number of hunters, blockers, terrain, time of day….. the list is almost endless. But regardless of these elements, there are 3 things you can always use that will improve your success against the wily wild rooster. The bird hunters’ opening day is also most…

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  Pheasant Hunting | Recipe

  Tough Old Rooster Cakes

  How do you know when you’ve harvested a three-year-old rooster? When you have to chew it until the next season to swallow it. Tough old birds are challenging and fun to chase. But part of that challenge is making them fit for the table. On principle, most hunters will choke down just about anything they shoot —…

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  Days Afield | Pheasant Hunting

  Hunting the Polar Vortex

  The first half of the 2014 Upland Season is over and it’s been a whirlwind of travel all across the country. But this last trip to South Dakota hunting in brutally cold conditions was a great reminder that some of the best memories afield come from facing adversity and overcoming.

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  Bird Hunting Destinations | Days Afield | Pheasant Hunting

  Kansas Bird Hunting in Perspective

  I make the annual pilgrimage to Kansas to reunite with old friends and family.  It reminds me of where my passion for bird hunting was first kindled.  Because this year was no exception to the rule, Kansas seemed like the right place to bring together our young Jornada Llewellin Rio with our veteran flusher Wyatt…

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  Days Afield | Pheasant Hunting

  Depths of Cold

  There seems no bottom to the depths of cold. It’s one of the few solace for hunting in frigid condition: could be colder, windier, at least it’s not…more miserable. I’m assured by medical science that freezing does have a lower limit in terms of the human body. Paradoxical undressing: the point at which humans experiencing…

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  Pheasant Hunting | Recipe

  Grilled Pheasant + Mojo Sauce

  This spatchcocked, grilled pheasant is probably one of the more satisfying meals I have made with wild game to date. The crispy skin is full of flavor from a homemade dry rub, the meat is tender and juicy, and the citrus-garlic Mojo sauce is so delicious. Cuban Mojo Sauce This Mojo sauce has it all:…