ILLINOIS · SMALL GAME · 2026–27
Illinois small game
season dates.
Individual-animal filters, full upland dates, squirrel closure splits, combined rabbit/squirrel limits and listed migratory birds.
SMALL GAME & UPLAND
Squirrels, rabbits, pheasant, quail & partridge
Pheasant, quail and Hungarian partridge open Nov. 7 and close Jan. 8 in North or Jan. 15 in South. The upland boundary follows US 36, IL 29 and IL 9; use the map. Rabbits: Nov. 7–Feb. 15. Squirrels: Aug. 1–Feb. 15, closed Nov. 20–22 and Dec. 3–6 in firearm deer counties. Ordinary rabbit/upland dates do not share that statewide squirrel closure.
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant (roosters only) — NorthOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal shotgun or flu-flu bow; no broadheads | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 8, 2027 | North UPLAND bird zone. Sunrise to sunset. Boundary is US 36, IL 29 and IL 9; it differs from turkey and waterfowl zones. Hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. Orange/pink hat for firearm upland/rabbit hunts on non-IDNR land; IDNR lands require hat and at least 400 square inches on upper outer garment. Check site permits, non-toxic shot, access and hours. Ordinary rabbit and upland seasons are not closed statewide on firearm deer weekends; site rules may close them. | 2 male pheasants daily; 6 possession. Until the third day of the season, possession cannot exceed twice the daily limit.source · source |
| Bobwhite quail — NorthOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal shotgun or flu-flu bow; no broadheads | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 8, 2027 | North UPLAND bird zone. Sunrise to sunset. Boundary is US 36, IL 29 and IL 9; it differs from turkey and waterfowl zones. Hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. Orange/pink hat for firearm upland/rabbit hunts on non-IDNR land; IDNR lands require hat and at least 400 square inches on upper outer garment. Check site permits, non-toxic shot, access and hours. Ordinary rabbit and upland seasons are not closed statewide on firearm deer weekends; site rules may close them. | 8 daily; 20 possession. Until the third day of the season, possession cannot exceed twice the daily limit.source · source |
| Hungarian partridge — NorthOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal shotgun or flu-flu bow; no broadheads | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 8, 2027 | North UPLAND bird zone. Sunrise to sunset. Boundary is US 36, IL 29 and IL 9; it differs from turkey and waterfowl zones. Hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. Orange/pink hat for firearm upland/rabbit hunts on non-IDNR land; IDNR lands require hat and at least 400 square inches on upper outer garment. Check site permits, non-toxic shot, access and hours. Ordinary rabbit and upland seasons are not closed statewide on firearm deer weekends; site rules may close them. | 2 daily; 6 possession. Until the third day of the season, possession cannot exceed twice the daily limit.source · source |
| Pheasant (roosters only) — SouthOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal shotgun or flu-flu bow; no broadheads | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | South UPLAND bird zone. Sunrise to sunset. Boundary is US 36, IL 29 and IL 9; it differs from turkey and waterfowl zones. Hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. Orange/pink hat for firearm upland/rabbit hunts on non-IDNR land; IDNR lands require hat and at least 400 square inches on upper outer garment. Check site permits, non-toxic shot, access and hours. Ordinary rabbit and upland seasons are not closed statewide on firearm deer weekends; site rules may close them. | 2 male pheasants daily; 6 possession. Until the third day of the season, possession cannot exceed twice the daily limit.source · source |
| Bobwhite quail — SouthOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal shotgun or flu-flu bow; no broadheads | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | South UPLAND bird zone. Sunrise to sunset. Boundary is US 36, IL 29 and IL 9; it differs from turkey and waterfowl zones. Hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. Orange/pink hat for firearm upland/rabbit hunts on non-IDNR land; IDNR lands require hat and at least 400 square inches on upper outer garment. Check site permits, non-toxic shot, access and hours. Ordinary rabbit and upland seasons are not closed statewide on firearm deer weekends; site rules may close them. | 8 daily; 20 possession. Until the third day of the season, possession cannot exceed twice the daily limit.source · source |
| Hungarian partridge — SouthOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal shotgun or flu-flu bow; no broadheads | Nov. 7, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | South UPLAND bird zone. Sunrise to sunset. Boundary is US 36, IL 29 and IL 9; it differs from turkey and waterfowl zones. Hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. Orange/pink hat for firearm upland/rabbit hunts on non-IDNR land; IDNR lands require hat and at least 400 square inches on upper outer garment. Check site permits, non-toxic shot, access and hours. Ordinary rabbit and upland seasons are not closed statewide on firearm deer weekends; site rules may close them. | 2 daily; 6 possession. Until the third day of the season, possession cannot exceed twice the daily limit.source · source |
| Cottontail & swamp rabbitOpens Nov. 7 (in 3 days)Legal gun or bow; site restrictions apply | Nov. 7, 2026 – Feb. 15, 2027 | Statewide open hunting land. Sunrise to sunset. Hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. Orange/pink hat for firearm upland/rabbit hunts on non-IDNR land; IDNR lands require hat and at least 400 square inches on upper outer garment. Check site permits, non-toxic shot, access and hours. Ordinary rabbit and upland seasons are not closed statewide on firearm deer weekends; site rules may close them. | 4 combined daily; 10 possession; until day 3, no more than twice daily limit.source · source |
| Gray & fox squirrel — firearm countiesOpen now · through Nov. 19Legal gun or bow | Aug. 1 – Nov. 19, 2026 Nov. 23 – Dec. 2, 2026 Dec. 7, 2026 – Feb. 15, 2027 | Listed counties / Kane portion. Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Closed Nov. 20–22 and Dec. 3–6 where firearm deer hunting is open. License, habitat stamp/exemptions and site rules apply. | 5 combined daily; 10 possession. Only gray and fox squirrels may be harvested.source · source |
| Gray & fox squirrel — Kane westOpen now · through Nov. 19Legal gun or bow | Aug. 1 – Nov. 19, 2026 Nov. 23 – Dec. 2, 2026 Dec. 7, 2026 – Feb. 15, 2027 | Listed counties / Kane portion. Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Closed Nov. 20–22 and Dec. 3–6 where firearm deer hunting is open. License, habitat stamp/exemptions and site rules apply. | 5 combined daily; 10 possession. Only gray and fox squirrels may be harvested.source · source |
| Gray & fox squirrel — no firearm seasonOpen now · through Feb. 15Legal gun or bow | Aug. 1, 2026 – Feb. 15, 2027 | Listed counties / Kane portion. Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Closed Nov. 20–22 and Dec. 3–6 where firearm deer hunting is open. License, habitat stamp/exemptions and site rules apply. | 5 combined daily; 10 possession. Only gray and fox squirrels may be harvested.source · source |
| Gray & fox squirrel — Kane eastOpen now · through Feb. 15Legal gun or bow | Aug. 1, 2026 – Feb. 15, 2027 | Listed counties / Kane portion. Half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Closed Nov. 20–22 and Dec. 3–6 where firearm deer hunting is open. License, habitat stamp/exemptions and site rules apply. | 5 combined daily; 10 possession. Only gray and fox squirrels may be harvested.source · source |
OTHER MIGRATORY BIRDS
Doves, woodcock, crow, rails & snipe
| Season | Dates | Where | Bag limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning & white-winged doveOpen now · through Nov. 14Legal migratory-bird equipment | Sept. 1 – Nov. 14, 2026 Dec. 26, 2026 – Jan. 9, 2027 | Statewide open hunting land. Sunrise to sunset; HIP required. Do not add species limits; late split ends Jan. 9. Licenses/habitat stamp/exemptions, legal equipment, baiting and exact property restrictions apply. | 15 combined daily; 45 possession.source · source |
| American woodcockOpen now · through Nov. 30Legal migratory-bird equipment | Oct. 17 – Nov. 30, 2026 | Statewide open hunting land. Sunrise to sunset; HIP required; orange/pink rules apply. Licenses/habitat stamp/exemptions, legal equipment, baiting and exact property restrictions apply. | 3 daily; 9 possession.source · source |
| CrowOpen now · through Feb. 28Legal migratory-bird equipment | Oct. 28, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Statewide open hunting land. Half-hour before sunrise to sunset; HIP is not required for crow. Licenses/habitat stamp/exemptions, legal equipment, baiting and exact property restrictions apply. | No daily or possession limit.source · source |
| Sora & Virginia railOpen now · through Nov. 13Legal migratory-bird equipment | Sept. 5 – Nov. 13, 2026 | Statewide open hunting land. Sunrise to sunset; HIP and approved non-toxic shot required. Licenses/habitat stamp/exemptions, legal equipment, baiting and exact property restrictions apply. | 25 combined daily; 75 possession.source · source |
| Wilson’s snipeOpen now · through Dec. 20Legal migratory-bird equipment | Sept. 5 – Dec. 20, 2026 | Statewide open hunting land. Sunrise to sunset; HIP and approved non-toxic shot required. Licenses/habitat stamp/exemptions, legal equipment, baiting and exact property restrictions apply. | 8 daily; 24 possession.source · source |
LICENSES & PERMITS
Match the permit to the hunt
Have a hunting license and habitat stamp unless exempt. HIP applies to doves, woodcock, rail and snipe, but not crow. Rail and snipe require approved non-toxic shot. Gray/fox squirrels share one bag; cottontail/swamp rabbits share another. Orange/pink hat rules apply to firearm upland/rabbit hunts; IDNR lands also require at least 400 square inches on the upper outer garment. Controlled pheasant and public-site permits have separate rules.
Public, controlled, IRAP, refuge, island and river hunts need their own access and current hunter fact sheet. A county-wide reference does not authorize every property. Confirm shooting hours, local discharge restrictions and hunter education. License exemptions do not automatically exempt a required species permit.
Source: IDNR: 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Digest ↗; IDNR hunter fact sheets: check the exact property ↗
ACCESS & COVERAGE
Check before you go
- Public hunting areas, controlled pheasant hunts, refuges, IRAP leases, military/disabled hunts, islands and river boundaries require their own current permission, permits and schedules. Public selections show reference dates and cannot generate automatic calendars.
- Duck and goose northern boundaries differ; upland and turkey zones use different boundaries again. Select the correct map/zone for the species. A county choice does not locate your property.
- The January 2027 youth turkey information sheet and spring reporting insert are not published yet. Published hunt dates and current digest supervision/permit rules are shown; recheck the new inserts when released.
- Special CWD $5 permits are antlerless-only; only eligible unfilled either-sex permits authorize a buck. Late-winter is always antlerless-only. Unfilled muzzleloader permits require a muzzleloading rifle.
- Furbearer hunting, trapping, falconry and unprotected species are outside this maintained Illinois guide. Gray fox hunting/trapping is closed in the current digest; never substitute a generic fox season.
- Calendar events show dates, not shooting hours or permission. Permit quotas, local discharge rules, FOID/exemptions, annual license renewal and land access still apply. Saved calendars do not update automatically.
Source: IDNR: 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Digest ↗; IDNR hunter fact sheets: check the exact property ↗
GET READY FOR THE WOODS
Prepare for your hunt
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Reviewed for this season
We compare IDNR’s current digest, season-specific county/permit sheets and official maps. Every split and local exception stays separate. Published spring 2027 turkey dates are included; unpublished future seasons are not inferred. Sources are reviewed weekly, with editorial review before changes are published.
- IDNR: 2026–27 Hunting and Trapping Digest ↗
- IDNR: 2026–27 season dates and limits card ↗
- IDNR hunter fact sheets: check the exact property ↗
Last checked: Nov. 3, 2026. Saved calendars and printouts do not update automatically. Report a change.