Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations

              Thank you for picking up this edition
of the annual Illinois Digest of Hunting
and Trapping Regulations.
This booklet includes a detailed review
of our hunting and trapping season
dates, possession limits, hunting zone
boundaries for all of our game species,
statewide hunting regulations, license
and permit information, sunrise and
sunset tables, and other details you will find helpful.
The new or amended regulations for 2006-07 are in shaded
print to highlight them. Be sure you are familiar with all the
regulations before heading to the field.
The digest also contains information on our public hunting
areas, frequently asked questions regarding firearms, outfitter
regulations, and efforts to maintain healthy wildlife populations
in Illinois.
Illinois has a great tradition as an outstanding place
to enjoy outdoor recreation opportunities, including
Message From the Governor
As Governor of Illinois, I welcome you to the
2006-07 hunting season in the Prairie State.
Illinois enjoys a great heritage in hunting
and trapping. Your support of our outdoor
recreation programs is very important. All of
us who enjoy spending time outdoors are
well aware of the key role sportsmen and women play in
managing wildlife populations, conserving our natural
resources, and protecting the environment.
As Governor, I look forward to working with you to expand
outdoor opportunities in Illinois.
We take very seriously our obligation to protect our streams,
rivers, lakes and wetlands...to conserve our open spaces and
natural areas...and to enhance and expand habitat for
wildlife.
Thank you for reviewing this edition of our annual Digest of
Hunting and Trapping Regulations as you prepare to head to
the field, and best wishes for a successful hunting and trap-ping
season in Illinois.
Rod R. Blagojevich,
hunting and trapping. We take pride in our ongoing efforts to
expand hunting opportunities and to make it more convenient
for hunters and trappers to participate.
This year, the Department of Natural Resources has made the
process of buying required licenses and permits easier and
more efficient through DNR Direct. Whether you are buying a
hunting or sportsmen’s license through your home computer
or from one of the hundreds of point-of-sale agents around the
state, you will find the state-of-the-art DNR Direct system easy
to use.
We recognize the important role hunters and trappers play in
managing wildlife here in Illinois. We thank you for taking part
in these activities and for buying the licenses and permits that
support our programs.
As director of the IDNR, it is my pleasure to welcome you to
the new hunting and trapping season in Illinois. Best wishes
for a great season.
Sam Flood, Acting Director
Illinois Department of Natural Resource
Introduction
Hunting and trapping are rich traditions in the State of
Illinois, and one of the main goals for the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources (IDNR) is to provide an enjoyable
recreational experience for its constituents. IDNR is proud
to present the 2006-2007 Digest of Hunting and Trapping
Regulations, an informative guide to regulations, season
dates, daily bag and possession limits and state licensing,
permit and stamp requirements.
The digest provides a summary of hunting and trapping
regulations based on laws in effect on April 1, 2006, and
that information is subject to change.
Also included are the location of numerous public
hunting sites, and sportsmen are advised to remember
regulations on Department-owned sites may be more
restrictive than those for the state as a whole. Hunters
planning to use Department-owned sites should call ahead
and check with the site manager upon arrival to learn of
site-specific variations in the regulations.
We wish you a safe 2006-2007 hunting season!
Division of Wildlife Resources Staff
ILLINOIS
DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
t
Message From the Director
Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois PRT 3339044—375M—6/06 Printed on recycled paper