From deer to turkey to waterfowl to coyote, Illinois is a hunter's paradise. However, not all animals can be legally hunted in all seasons. Fall, however, is one of the main hunting seasons in the state, and it is also one of its most enticing – temperatures are crisp but not yet frigid, and the leaves are changing, creating a beautiful backdrop for your hunt.
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Here are three animals that can be legally hunted in Illinois in the fall, provided you have the proper hunting permits and tags. Also note that before you can hunt in Illinois, you must pass a hunter safety education class.
- Deer - The white-tailed deer is the state animal of Illinois and deer hunting is allowed during select dates in the fall. The state's first gun season begins in November, on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Opening day is on a Friday and the season ends on Sunday. The state's second gun season takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving, beginning on Thursday – one week from Thanksgiving Day – and ending on Sunday. After the second gun season, it is muzzleloader-only season, which opens on the following Friday and ends on Sunday. During this time you can also use a bow and arrow to hunt deer as long as you have the appropriate Illinois archery permit.
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- Turkey - Fall is also turkey-hunting time in Illinois. Turkey can only be hunted with firearms and a bow and arrow. Firearms season runs from October 24 to November 1 while archery season is between October 1 and January 17, with the exception of firearm days during the deer season, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which regulates hunting in the state.
- Squirrels - Squirrels can be legally hunted in Illinois starting in early August and going well into winter – the season ends in mid-February. Hunters can bag up to five squirrels per day with the exception of off-limit days during firearm deer season in counties with firearm deer hunting, according to Illinois DNR.
This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.
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