Ember
IllinoisDeer & Turkey Season Dates
2026-2027 deer and turkey season dates for Illinois.
Opener is in 23 days.
Score your stands in Ember before then — every one rated by terrain, wind, and season.
Whitetail Deer
Statewide
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearm Deer Season 1 | Nov 20, 2026 – Nov 22, 2026 | firearms | |
| Firearm Deer Season 2 | Dec 3, 2026 – Dec 6, 2026 | firearms | |
| Muzzleloader Deer Season | Dec 13, 2026 – Dec 15, 2026 | muzzleloader | |
| Youth Firearm Deer Season — Segment 1 | Dec 31, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | firearms | |
| Youth Firearm Deer Season — Segment 2 | Jan 15, 2027 – Jan 17, 2027 | firearms |
Firearm Deer Season 1: Statewide firearm season — first segment.
Firearm Deer Season 2: Statewide firearm season — second segment.
Muzzleloader Deer Season: Statewide muzzleloader season.
Youth Firearm Deer Season — Segment 1: Youth firearm deer season first segment.
Youth Firearm Deer Season — Segment 2: Youth firearm deer season second segment.
Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane (east of SR-47)
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Deer Season — Continuous (Metro Counties) | Oct 1, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 | archery |
Archery Deer Season — Continuous (Metro Counties): Continuous archery season in metro counties (no firearm interruption).
Counties w/ Firearm Season (west of SR-47, Kane Co.)
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery Deer Season — Segment 1 | Oct 1, 2026 – Nov 19, 2026 | archery | |
| Archery Deer Season — Segment 2 | Nov 23, 2026 – Dec 2, 2026 | archery | |
| Archery Deer Season — Segment 3 | Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 | archery |
Archery Deer Season — Segment 1: Counties with firearm season; west of State Route 47 in Kane County.
Archery Deer Season — Segment 2: Archery resumes between firearm seasons.
Archery Deer Season — Segment 3: Archery late season through January.
Whitetail Deer source: dnr.illinois.gov, dnr.illinois.gov, dnr.illinois.gov
Turkey
North Zone — Period 1
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 1 | Apr 12, 2027 – Apr 16, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 1: North Zone opens one week after South Zone. bearded turkey only
North Zone — Period 2
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 2 | Apr 17, 2027 – Apr 22, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 2: North Zone Period 2. bearded turkey only
North Zone — Period 3
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 3 | Apr 23, 2027 – Apr 28, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 3: North Zone Period 3. bearded turkey only
North Zone — Period 4
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 4 | Apr 29, 2027 – May 5, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 4: North Zone Period 4. bearded turkey only
North Zone — Period 5
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 5 | May 6, 2027 – May 13, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — North Zone Period 5: North Zone Period 5 — final. bearded turkey only
South Zone — Period 1
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 1 | Apr 5, 2027 – Apr 9, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 1: South Zone opens first. Hours: 30 min before sunrise to 1:00 PM. No shooting turkeys in trees before 7AM. bearded turkey only
South Zone — Period 2
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 2 | Apr 10, 2027 – Apr 15, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 2: South Zone Period 2. bearded turkey only
South Zone — Period 3
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 3 | Apr 16, 2027 – Apr 21, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 3: South Zone Period 3. bearded turkey only
South Zone — Period 4
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 4 | Apr 22, 2027 – Apr 28, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 4: South Zone Period 4. bearded turkey only
South Zone — Period 5
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 5 | Apr 29, 2027 – May 6, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey — South Zone Period 5: South Zone Period 5 — final. bearded turkey only
Statewide (both zones)
| Season | Dates | Weapon | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Turkey Youth Season | Mar 27, 2027 – Apr 5, 2027 | shotgun |
Spring Turkey Youth Season: 4-day youth season (two weekends). Hours: 30 min before sunrise to 1:00 PM.
Turkey source: dnr.illinois.gov
Season dates and regulations can change. Always verify current dates with the Illinois state wildlife agency before you hunt.
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