Welcome to Illinois Learn to Hunt!
Lottery and Season Reminders
- Please remember that not all Illinois counties are open for Fall Turkey Shotgun Season — refer to IDNR literature for a list of open counties.
- If you want to hunt deer in Illinois using a firearm or muzzleloader this fall, you must apply for a permit in either the first lottery (March 4 to April 30; residents only), second lottery (May 12 to June 30), the third lottery (July 11 to August 15), or purchase a remaining tag from a vendor starting October 21*.
- Not sure what site to choose or how to apply? We have a video that will guide you through the process, step-by-step!
*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.
News and Reports
- National Deer Association’s 2025 Deer Report has been released
- IDNR’s Summary of 2024 to 2025 Illinois Deer Seasons (Harvest Report) has been released
- Trap Use, Furbearers Trapped, and Trapper Characteristics in the United States in the 2023-2024 Seasons has been released
Our Latest Content
LtH Webinar: How to Apply for the Illinois Firearm/Muzzleloader Deer Lottery
In this webinar we go through the step by step process on how to apply for the IL Firearm & Muzzleloader Deer Permit/Tag Lottery. We also look at some free resources to help you find and narrow down your public land hunting opportunities.
Hunting Illinois Podcast: Ep.57 | Mentored IL Turkey Hunt in the Shawnee National Forest
In this episode we go over our trip to the Shawnee National Forest as we tried to get some Hunt Camp winners on some birds for the first time this spring. Hear how we adjusted to the weather conditions and came so close to bringing home a big southern IL tom.
New Learn to Hunt Wild Turkey Page Live!
Want to learn how to tell the difference between a tom and hen wild turkey? Interested in wild turkey ecology? Not sure how to apply for a turkey permit in Illinois? Need guidance on how to scout for, hunt, and process a turkey? Want a downloadable equipment checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything, or a handy reference packet all about turkey hunting to take out in the field? We’ve got you covered!
Who are we and what do we do?
The Illinois Learn to Hunt provides FREE education and training workshops to teach ADULT participants how to hunt deer, turkey, squirrels, pheasants, ducks, geese and other game. Be sure to check out our upcoming events calendar and get registered for a free event!
Have a question about hunting or trapping in Illinois? Have an idea for content you’d like to see?
Let us know!