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Governor JB Pritzker Illinois.gov Contact IDNR DNR A to Z

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

Firearm/Muzzleloader Deer Harvest Reporting Insert
Firearm Deer Harvest Reporting Insert for CWD Counties

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

*Landowner permit applicants - please refer to the note below if you plan to apply in the Lottery Drawings.

Lottery 1:  March 4, 2025 - April 30, 2025

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 (online or paper application)
  • Muzzleloader - Limit 1 application (online or paper application)
  • Click here to submit an online application (nonresident application available May 12, 2025)
  • Click here to print and mail a paper application (nonresident application available May 12, 2025)
  • Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 2

Lottery 3:  July 11, 2025 - August 15, 2025

* 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.​​

Over-the-Counter Permit Sales

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.