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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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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Inroads
We’ve been coming to this area of the grain belt for over 20 years. It took the locals at least seven of those to warm beyond a passing nod or the requisite finger waive to oncoming trucks. We now know many by name though most likely still recognize us only as familiar faces. Every year…
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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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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:…
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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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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.
