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Remaining county-specific Firearm and Muzzleloader permits after the Lottery 3 Drawing will be available for sale over the counter (OTC) at License Vendors beginning October 21, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the respective deer season, whichever occurs first. Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability. Special Hunt Area (SHA) permits are only available via the lottery process and are not sold OTC.
Deer Firearm and Muzzleloader Hunting
Season Dates
- First Firearm Deer Season: November 21, 22 & 23, 2025
- Second Firearm Deer Season: December 4, 5, 6 & 7, 2025
- Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season: December 12, 13 & 14, 2025 - Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during Second Firearm Season December 4 - 7, 2025
Deer Harvest Reporting Information Inserts
Testing of deer for Chronic Wasting Disease by IDNR personnel will occur (so long as funding is available) during the Firearm Deer Season dates Nov. 21 - 23, 2025 and Dec. 4 - 7, 2025.
Lottery Application Dates
Lottery 1: March 4, 2025 - April 30, 2025
- Illinois Residents Only
- Firearm - Limit 1 application Apply online or print and mail a paper application.
- Muzzleloader - Limit 1 application Apply online or print and mail a paper application.
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 1
Lottery 2: May 12, 2025 - June 30, 2025
- Illinois residents who did not apply/were not successful in the 1st Lottery Drawing
- Nonresidents
- Firearm - Limit 1 application (available May 12, 2025)
- Muzzleloader - Limit 1 application (available May 12, 2025)
- Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 2
Lottery 3: July 11, 2025 - August 15, 2025
- Illinois residents and nonresidents
- No Firearm application limit
- No Muzzeloader application limit
- Group Hunt applications are not accepted in Lottery 3
Attention Landowner Permit Applicants/Recipients: Individuals who have received Landowner Deer Firearm permits, or have submitted an application for Landowner Deer Firearm permits that is still pending, may not apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Firearm Deer Drawing, but may apply in the Third Lottery Firearm Deer Drawing. Individuals who receive permits in the First or Second Lottery Firearm Deer Drawing are not eligible for Landowner Deer Firearm permits. These individuals, however, are eligible to apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Muzzleloader Deer Drawing.