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.