Illinois Bird Hunting

Seasons Span November 2 – January 15, 2026

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

Season Dates

  • Pheasant (Roosters Only, except in controlled hunting areas):
    • North Zone: November 2, 2025 – January 8, 2026
    • South Zone: November 2, 2025 – January 15, 2026
  • Bobwhite Quail:
    • Statewide: November 2, 2025 – January 15, 2026 (specific dates for public lands may vary; some sites may require permits).

Required Licenses and Costs

To hunt upland birds in Illinois, hunters need the following:

  1. Hunting License:
    • Resident: $12.50 (annual, as of July 2, 2025; confirm current pricing).
    • Non-Resident: $57.75 (annual) or $15.50 (5-day license). For non-residents hunting on licensed preserves, a preserve license may be more cost-effective (cost not specified; check IDNR).
  2. Habitat Stamp:
    • Required for all hunters (resident and non-resident): $5.50 annually.
  3. Upland Game Permit:
    • Free for most public lands, required for specific IDNR sites. Application period: August 1 – August 31, 2025.
    • Controlled pheasant hunt permits may have an application fee (not specified in sources; check IDNR).
  4. Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (Duck Stamp):
    • Required for migratory game birds like woodcock (not always applicable to pheasant/quail): $25 annually.
  5. HIP Certification:
    • Free registration with the National Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) is required for migratory game birds (e.g., woodcock, doves). Register when purchasing a license or call 1-866-716-6550.

Note: License costs were last updated on July 2, 2025, and may have changed. Visit the Illinois DNR website (www.dnr.illinois.gov) for current pricing. Some IDNR properties may require nontoxic shot, and site-specific permits may be needed via lottery for high-pressure areas.

Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits

  • Pheasant:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2 roosters per day (except in controlled hunting areas, where 2 pheasants of either sex are allowed).
    • Possession Limit: 4 roosters for the first two days of the season; 6 roosters thereafter.
  • Bobwhite Quail:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 8
    • Possession Limit: 20 (aggregate with other quail species, if applicable).

Additional Regulations

  • Blaze Orange/Pink: Hunters must wear a solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper garment with at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange/pink (no camo patterns) when hunting upland birds (except squirrels, unless hunting other species requiring blaze orange).
  • Shotgun Restrictions: Shotguns must have a barrel length of at least 18 inches, overall length of at least 26 inches, and cannot hold more than 3 shells (magazine and chamber combined) unless fitted with a plug.
  • Controlled Hunts: On controlled pheasant hunting areas, hunters must report their harvest to IDNR before leaving. Hen pheasants are illegal to harvest/possess except in these areas.
  • Dogs: Up to 4 dogs may be used for upland hunting.
  • Permit Inquiry: For lottery-based permits, hunters must check the IDNR Upland Permit Inquiry System and print their own permits.

Notes

  • Upland bird populations in Illinois are low, with only 4.1% of the state being public land. Wild pheasant density is approximately 1 per 67 acres, and quail 1 per 108 acres, making hunting challenging.
  • Always consult the IDNR’s 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Digest or website (www.dnr.illinois.gov) for the most up-to-date regulations, as rules may change after July 2, 2025.
  • For additional details on licenses or permits, visit https://dnr.illinois.gov or https://huntillinois.org.

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