Curious about White-tailed Deer ecology? Interested in learning successful hunting tactics? Need help navigating Illinois hunting licenses and permits? Want to learn to field dress, process, and cook your deer? We’ve got you covered!
Select a specific topic to learn more, or read on
**This page is meant to be a resource to help you get started hunting deer. Season dates, bag limits, and other regulations are subject to change, so please consult the current Illinois DNR Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for current information and if you’re hunting on public land, please refer to your site’s specific regulations as they vary from site to site.**
Learn to Hunt Deer Webinars, Podcast Episodes, and YouTube Playlist
We know that starting deer hunting in Illinois can be intimidating, and as much as we try to host in-person workshops all over the state, we know that not everyone interested in becoming a deer hunter can attend. We also know that the rest of this page has a LOT of information and that some people prefer video and audio materials, or would prefer to begin with broader overviews before diving into the details. For this reason, we want to highlight our Learn to Hunt Deer 101 and 102 webinars, a few of our favorite podcast episodes on the topic, and our YouTube Playlist that covers everything from hunter etiquette and ethics to webinars to choosing archery and firearm equipment and ammo.
Deer Hunting 101 Video
This recorded webinar covers the basics of deer hunting: the role of hunters as conservationists, hunting regulations, land access, deer ecology, hunting tactics and setups, and scouting techniques.
Deer Hunting 102 Video
This recorded webinar is designed to teach viewers about: how hunting is wildlife management, deer calling and vocalizations, controlling your scent, using lures and attractants, tree stands, what to do after the shot (tracking deer, field dressing), and discusses Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and what the Illinois check-in and testing procedures are.
Learn to Hunt (Hunt Illinois) Deer Hunting Podcast Episodes
You can also find these episodes (and more!) on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or on our podcast’s YouTube playlist.
The Learn to Hunt Deer YouTube Playlist
To access our full Deer Hunting YouTube Playlist, click here. You may also be interested in our Ask a Deer Processor Series , or our Q and A session with Peter Schlichting, the IDNR Deer Project Manager (below).
A Brief Overview of White-tailed Deer and Hunting in Illinois: Why Regulated Hunting is Important
Regulated hunting is an important tool for managing wildlife populations in North America. Besides funding conservation projects for both game and non-game species through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) Act of 1937, providing an excellent source of protein, and giving people an excuse to spend time outdoors, regulated hunting is also important for managing the health of game species population and impact they have on their environment.
For example, regulated harvests help to reduce over-abundant populations, control disease risk (like Chronic Wasting Disease [CWD] or Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease [EHD] in deer), reduce human-wildlife conflicts (like deer-vehicle collisions), and help reduce the damage that overly large populations can inflict on forests and other vegetation. Deer can reduce plant diversity and alter local plant communities, which can eventually lead to insufficient food and habitat availability for both the deer themselves as well as other wildlife species (see the image on the right for an example). Hunting is especially important for management in Illinois because the state lacks the large carnivore populations that would have at least some impact on deer population abundance.
Stable harvest data is a good indication that the harvest quota falls within the portion of the population that is known as “harvestable surplus.” This management strategy maintains current population levels.
As you can see in the figure to the left, Illinois has maintained relatively stable harvest rates over the past decade. For more information about white-tailed deer harvest reports in Illinois, please visit White-tailed Deer Illinois or the IDNR’s Annual Deer Harvest Reports page.
To learn more, we recommend:
Deer Hunting in Illinois from 1700s to 1950s
European settlers found what is now Illinois to have abundant game resources that included deer, elk, and bears. However, unmanaged hunting for food and fur led to a massive decline in all three species, and habitat changes in the 1850s, driven by the development of Illinois railroads, hastened the population declines. By 1890, deer numbers in both the Midwest and in North America more broadly were at their lowest ever, with Illinois herds considered to be “near zero” in number.
Although conservation measures began in the early 1900s, with bag limits and season lengths, numbers continued to plumet, in part due to agricultural and land use practices, and Illinois suspended white-tailed deer hunting. This suspension was supposed to last only five years, with the goal of allowing the deer population to recover, but lasted until 1957.
This attempt ultimately failed, as deer had to be reintroduced into the state. Repopulation efforts began in the 1930s and efforts began to create habitat areas, as well. The reintroduced deer were able to not only survive, but ultimately thrive to the point that white-tailed deer were opened up for harvest in the late 1950s.
Regulated Deer Hunting in Illinois from 1957 to Today
What we think of as “deer season” is a relatively new addition in Illinois, as regulated white-tailed deer hunting was only established following a change to the game code in 1957. It was widely reported that John Force (below) of Chandlerville was the first person to legally harvest a deer in 57 years when he used a bow and arrow to harvest a 200lb buck at 7 am on October 1, 1957.
Since then, there have been many changes to the regulations surrounding white-tailed deer hunting, including the number of permits available, the type of hunting allowed, and season types and lengths. These changes reflect a better understanding of deer management practices, the needs of specific deer populations, the needs of human populations, habitat availability, and public attitudes surrounding hunting. A recent example f this is the introduction of a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) season in Illinois in 2005, which has since expanded to include more counties and a longer season length. As of 2021, the Illinois deer population estimate is around 640,000 deer.
Learn More About Illinois Deer Hunting and Deer Management
To learn more about the history of deer hunting in Illinois, about regulated deer hunting as a management tool in Illinois, and how harvest quotas are determined, we recommend:
White-tailed Deer Ecology: Understanding Deer Habitat, Sign, and Behavior to Become a Better Hunter
The White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the only deer species available to hunt in Illinois. Taking the time to learn more about ideal deer habitat, different types of deer sign and what they mean, and the cycle of deer behavior will make you a better hunter because you will know where to look for deer, what to look for to identify whether or not deer are actually present in the area, and how to use their behavior to your advantage. Essentially, understanding deer ecology will help you have a better chance at putting yourself in the right spot at the right time to take your shot.
For a quick overview of what habitat features to look for when scouting for deer as well as the different types of deer sign and what they mean, check out our video below. For more detailed information, read on.
Deer Habitat
Habitat Use
Habitats are an area where resources and environmental conditions are sufficient to allow for the survival and reproduction of a species. Deer are often referred to as generalists and can be found in a wide variety of habitats as long as a few key conditions are met. The term generalist simply refers to species that can thrive in many habitat types and feed on a wide variety of food sources. However, just because a species is a generalist does not mean that it does not have preferred habitat types. For example, although deer require woodlands to survive, they are often also found foraging away from the woods in farmlands, stream/river corridors and even grasslands.
The age of a forest often determines the number of deer that it can support. Early successional forests (young forests) provide ample diversity of food-sources and vegetative structure that deer utilize as protection from predators, and the weather. Often times, areas that are considered a young forest (early successional stage) are dominated by young deciduous (annually sheds leaves) trees and shrubs and contain forest openings dominated by grasses and other herbaceous vegetation. These areas provide ample feeding opportunities throughout the various seasons.
Vegetation that provides protection to an animal is commonly referred to as cover. Dense thickets of young vegetation provide suitable cover for white-tailed deer.
Feeding & Habitat
Deer are classified as browsers. This refers to a feeding behavior where they selectively consume a variety of vegetation. This includes leaves, twigs, buds, and shoots of woody plants, shrubs, and trees. Unlike grazing animals that feed primarily on grasses, deer are browsers and rely on a diverse diet to meet their nutritional needs, particularly during winter when other food sources are scarce. This behavior helps them survive the harsh Illinois winters by allowing them to take advantage of the available woody vegetation.
In Illinois, deer exhibit diverse feeding behaviors influenced by seasonal changes and habitat availability. During spring and summer, deer primarily consume a diet rich in forbs, leafy greens, and tender shoots. Agricultural fields also provide a significant food source, with deer often feeding on corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. This diet helps them build energy reserves and supports the growth of antlers in males.
As autumn approaches, the feeding behavior of deer shifts to maximize fat storage for the winter. Acorns, nuts, and fruits become crucial components of their diet, along with agricultural remnants like leftover corn and soybeans. These high-energy foods are essential for sustaining deer through the harsher conditions of winter.
In winter, when food becomes scarce, deer adapt by browsing on whatever vegetation is available, including twigs, bark, and evergreen plants. They exhibit a high degree of selectivity, often seeking out nutrient-rich food sources to maintain their energy levels.
While many hunters are aware of a deer’s propensity to gravitate towards white oak acorns during the fall, a year with poor white oak acorn production may prove challenging for some hunters to locate deer. Oak trees are classified into the genus Quercus and can further be broken into two distinct subgenera: Erythrobalanus (red oak group) and Leucobalanus (white oak group). While this classification may seem academic, there are distinct morphological differences between the groups that impact acorn production and ultimately dictate which acorn wildlife prefer.
White oak acorns are the preferred acorn by deer in terms of palatability. However, in instances when white oak acorn production is low, red oak acorns can fill the void. Red oak acorns have a higher tannic acid content than white oaks, which produces a bitter taste but often results in them remaining viable and edible after the white oak acorns have all been consumed. Importantly, white oak acorns mature in 6 months compared to an 18-month acorn maturation in red oaks. It is important to note that while red oaks take 18 months to mature an acorn, they are still producing acorns every year. The longer maturation period ultimately means they are less susceptible to weather events that may impact acorn production (e.g., drought).
Although there are roughly 20 oak species commonly found in Illinois, hunters do not need the ability to identify every species. A basic skillset of being able to identify a red vs. a white oak is important. Red oaks are characterized by having leaves that come to a point. These pointed leaves have bristles at the tips of the lobes and the leaf apex (see photo). White oak trees have leaves that do not have bristles at the tips of the lobes or leaf apex and are more rounded than pointed. Using the presence or lack of bristle-tipped lobes is the simplest way to identify the two groups, however, you may find yourself in an instance where the leaves are not easily identifiable, particularly after leaves fall.
One way to remember the difference is to think of red oak leaves as having ragged edges, and white oak leaves as being wavy.
Deer Sign
Game Trails
When looking for deer habitat, look for travel corridors (game trails). These corridors are natural funnels that are created by existing vegetation or topography. Deer follow these funnels as they provide safe movement from bedding grounds to feeding grounds.
TIP: Game trails/funnels are generally easy to notice, and they’re a great place begin to scout and look for other deer sign
Scrapes
Deer scrapes are a vital communication tool used by deer, primarily bucks, to convey important information to other deer in the area. These scrapes are typically small patches of ground where bucks have cleared away leaves and debris using their hooves, exposing the bare soil. Above these scrapes, bucks often rub their antlers or forehead glands against overhanging branches (termed licking branches), depositing scent from specialized glands located on their heads. This combination of visual and olfactory signals serves multiple purposes, including marking territory, attracting does, and establishing dominance hierarchies among bucks. The scents left behind in scrapes contain pheromones and other chemical markers that provide detailed information about the individual deer, such as its age, health, and reproductive status.
When a buck makes a scrape, he will put his two back legs together and urinate down his legs causing the urine to pass over scent glands located on the inside of his legs near the knee joint.
During the rutting season, scrapes become especially significant as they play a crucial role in the breeding behavior of deer. Bucks will frequently revisit their scrapes to refresh the scent and ensure their presence is continually advertised. This repeated activity can help to establish a buck’s dominance over a particular area, as the scent markers signal to other bucks that the territory is occupied and defended. Conversely, does visit these scrapes to assess the suitability of potential mates. The information contained in the scent allows does to determine the genetic fitness and vigor of the buck, aiding in their selection process for breeding.
Scrapes also facilitate indirect communication between deer that may not encounter each other directly. The scents and markings left behind in scrapes can be detected and interpreted by other deer passing through the area, allowing them to adjust their behavior accordingly. For example, a subordinate buck may choose to avoid an area heavily marked by a dominant buck to prevent conflict.
Similarly, does can use this information to locate and congregate around the territories of the most fit and dominant bucks during the breeding season. This complex system of communication through scrapes plays a critical role in the social structure and reproductive strategies of deer populations.
An example of a deer scrape
Rubs
Deer rubs, created when bucks rub their antlers against trees, serve as an essential communication tool within the deer herd. These rubs are particularly prominent during the fall and early winter. The act of rubbing leaves visible marks on the tree bark and deposits scent from glands located on the forehead and around the base of the antlers. This scent contains pheromones and other chemical markers, which convey critical information about the buck making the rub. This dual visual and olfactory mark helps establish a buck’s presence and territorial boundaries within its home range.
Rubs play a pivotal role in the social structure and breeding dynamics of deer. As bucks create these rubs, they are not only marking their territory but also signaling their readiness to mate. Other bucks in the area interpret these signals and can gauge the competition they face. A series of fresh, prominent rubs indicates a dominant and active buck, often deterring younger or weaker bucks from encroaching on that territory.
Two examples of white-tailed deer rubs
Scat
Deer scat, commonly referred to as deer droppings or pellets, is an important piece of sign that every hunter looks for. Importantly, the shape and form of deer scat can vary significantly based on the type of food they consume. Typically, when deer feed on a diet high in fibrous plant material such as leaves, twigs, and bark, their droppings are small, round, and pellet-like. These pellets are often dark in color and relatively dry, reflecting the high cellulose content of their diet. This pellet form is common in the fall and winter months when deer primarily consume woody browse due to the scarcity of softer vegetation.
In contrast, when deer have access to lush, green vegetation such as grasses, forbs, and agricultural crops during the spring and summer, their scat tends to be softer and more clumped together. This change in diet, rich in moisture and nutrients, results in droppings that are less formed and can appear more like clumps or even loose piles. The color of the scat during this period is often lighter and greener, indicating the consumption of fresh plant material.
Example of droppings from a fibrous diet
Droppings from a diet rich in fresh plant material
Tracks
Deer tracks are a vital clue for hunters, providing insights into the age and gender of the deer in the area. A deer’s hoof print, or track, is composed of two main parts: the two-pointed toe impressions and, occasionally, impressions from the dewclaws located higher on the leg. The size, shape, and depth of these tracks can vary significantly based on the deer’s age and gender.
Generally, larger and deeper tracks with broader toe spacing indicate a mature buck, as bucks tend to have bigger and heavier bodies compared to does. The track of a mature buck can measure around 3 to 4 inches in length, with a more pronounced and wider spread between the toes due to their larger hoof size and weight.
In contrast, the tracks of does and younger deer are usually smaller and narrower. Doe tracks tend to be more pointed at the front and closer together, reflecting their lighter body weight and smaller hooves. A doe’s track typically measures around 2 to 3 inches in length. Additionally, does usually leave more delicate and less deeply imprinted tracks compared to bucks.
Fawns, or young deer, have even smaller tracks, often less than 2 inches long, and their hoof prints appear daintier and less defined, reflecting their lighter and less developed bodies.
Recognizing these differences in track size and shape can help hunters determine not only the presence of deer but also the likely age and gender of the animals frequenting the area.
TIP: Remember that the speed at which a deer is moving AND the characteristics of the soil substrate (dampness, softness, etc.) can both make tracks look like it was produced by a larger animal than it actually was. For example, a fast-moving young deer can leave tracks with spread hooves that would suggest an older and larger animal than it actually is. Similarly, deer can slide when walking in mud, which makes tracks look larger than they would in a dryer soil substrate.
Pay special attention to the directionality of the tracks as it can give additional insight into how a deer is moving through a specific area.
Beds
An example of a deer bed
Deer beds are typically found in areas that offer good cover and a clear view of the surroundings, such as tall grass, thick brush, or forested areas with dense undergrowth. A deer bed looks like a shallow, oval-shaped depression in the ground, often lined with flattened vegetation or leaves. The size of the bed can vary, but it generally measures about 3 to 4 feet in length and 2 to 3 feet in width, large enough to accommodate the body of a resting deer.
Deer use beds for resting and ruminating between feeding sessions. They typically bed down multiple times throughout the day and night, using different beds within their home range based on factors such as weather, predation risk, and food availability. Bedding areas are chosen carefully to maximize safety and comfort; for instance, deer often select sites that provide a combination of concealment and a strategic vantage point to detect approaching predators. In cold weather, deer may bed in locations that receive ample sunlight to stay warm, while in hotter climates, they seek out shady, cool spots.
Bucks are generally solitary in their bedding habits and as such, they often select bedding locations are often slightly elevated or in open woods where they can keep an eye on potential predators. During the warmer months, they may bed down in areas that provide good visibility and access to food. Bucks, especially mature ones, tend to bed in different spots each day, constantly shifting to avoid leaving a trail of scent that could attract predators. During the rut, bucks become even more unpredictable, bedding in close proximity to does or in cover near high-traffic deer areas.
Does, on the other hand, are more social in their bedding habits and will often bed in groups for added safety. These groups, which can consist of young deer and other adult does, bed in areas with dense cover, like thick brush or tall grass, which offers protection from predators. The close proximity to one another allows for better detection of danger. Bedding in family groups like this increases the number of eyes, noses, and ears on alert for potential dangers. Does also bed more frequently during the day, especially when tending to fawns. They tend to be less transient in their bedding choices compared to bucks, staying in familiar areas unless disturbed by threats.
By understanding the characteristics and locations of deer beds, hunters can better predict deer movements and plan their strategies to intercept them effectively.
TIP: During rut, bucks are likely to move closer to doe bedding areas and hang out downwind of those spots to better smell when does begin to enter estrus (which is triggered by changes in the amount of daylight [the photoperiod]). Marking locations where you find doe bedding areas on a physical or digital map is a good way to begin determining which areas might be good hunting spots, and help you plan your approach accordingly.
Deer Behavior: The Rut
The breeding season of white-tailed deer begins as early as October and is termed Rut. Breeding activity reaches its peak in mid-November and most adult females being bred by the end of December. Some female fawns are capable of reproducing at 7 or 8 months of age. The age and health of an individual female will influence her reproductive capacity. Adult females usually produce twins while females in poor condition or younger fawns often produce a single offspring.
Rut is a popular time for many white-tailed hunters and for good reason. The normal, cautious behavior of deer is reduced in favor of focusing on breeding behavior. Paying special attention to the different phases and associated behaviors of rut through field observations can ensure you are putting yourself in the best areas to succeed. During rut, anything can and will happen. That is what makes it fun!
Contrary to popular belief, rut is trigged by photoperiod, not temperature changes. The amount of daylight available in a given day triggers testosterone levels to increase in white-tailed deer males (bucks). Much of the natural world, from plant life cycles to hormone levels in wildlife, revolve around photoperiods. This results in a deer rut that is similarly timed each year and offers an opportunity for hunters to experience one of the greatest few week periods in midwestern forests. Several distinct rut phases occur throughout this period, and each phase allows hunters to strategically utilize a buck’s desire to breed in their hunt-planning processes. While weather, human activity and other factors can influence deer movement patterns, the annual patterns remain remarkably stable.
Hard Antler Transition Phase (August – September)
The shedding of velvet (vascularized tissue) and transition to hard antler marks the earliest stages of a prolonged pre-rut. As the velvet is shed, bucks will begin making boundary scrapes and rubs throughout their home range. This behavior will continue throughout October. As the weeks progress, scrapes and rubs become focal communication tools. See the Deer Sign section for more information on rubs and scrapes.
Seeking Phase (Mid- to Late October)
Bucks will begin actively surveying and inventorying does and searching for that first doe to enter estrous (hot doe) in mid/late October, although that is usually not occurring yet. Bucks and does will be utilizing scrapes regularly during this period. By urinating in the scrape, deer indicate breeding readiness using urine and glandular secretions that contain pheromones.
Soft calling (e.g., grunt, light rattling) can be an excellent strategy to lure in younger bucks (sometimes mature bucks) during this phase as their curiosity, along with increasing hormones, can cause them to investigate any calling.
TIP: My favorite strategy for this phase is to focus efforts on the downwind side of a doe bedding area, feeding area, or transition between the two. Bucks will routinely skirt the downwind side of these areas to scent check all the does for breeding readiness without alerting the does to his presence.
Chasing Phase (Late October to Early November)
The next few weeks are a magical time to be in the woods for any whitetail hunter. Activity overall increases and daylight activity increases, all because most does are entering their estrous cycles and bucks know it. During this chasing phase expect more activity at scrapes and less overall feeding activity, particularly among bucks. Scrapes are often made along areas where a buck expects high concentrations of does to come across the scrape.
Focusing efforts adjacent to a scrape is usually a good strategy, however, be cognizant that most scrape activity occurs under the cover of darkness. Focusing on areas of high doe concentrations can also be an effective strategy. As the testosterone levels of bucks begin to peak, calling can be extremely effective during this period. This phase is primarily comprised of bucks chasing does, hence “the chasing phase.” If a doe approaches that is cautiously overlooking her shoulder, ears on high alert, or just appears on edge, a buck could very well be behind her. Not always will the buck be right on her tail. Sometimes, he may lag 15 to 30 minutes; sometimes he’s 20 feet behind her. During this period, I assume every doe has a follower and make decisions with that in mind.
TIP: Calling can be extremely effective when conducted at the right time and under certain circumstances. One thing that you should be aware of is the doe to buck ratio for the area you are hunting. If there are AMPLE does for bucks to choose from for breeding activities, calling success will be lower — without the need for competition for mates between bucks, you may not see much activity in response to calling efforts. The opposite will be true in areas with higher buck to doe ratios.
The Estrus (Peak Rut) Lockdown (Approximately November 10 to November 20)
This time period is often the most challenging phase to hunt. The vast majority of does have entered their estrous cycles and are now receptive to the breeding behavior of bucks. If you find a confluence of three or four major travel routes, chances are you’re going to see does. If you see does, chances are you’re going to see bucks. This phase is characterized by a lockdown-style breeding period. During this phase a buck will be in a secluded area alongside the doe for upwards of 24 to 36 hours and will breed several times. This may result in a multi-day period where deer activity appears low and is restricted to dense and heavy cover. Afterwards, the buck will begin searching for other does to breed.
Second Rut (Early to Mid-December)
Unbred does will re-enter their estrous cycles 28 days after their first estrous. Additionally, some doe fawns may also enter an estrous cycle during this period depending on their health and body conditions. Activity is not as heightened as the first rut, but some rutting activity can still be observed.
Deer Hunting: Scouting, Methods, Tactics, and Strategies
Scouting Techniques
Remote Scouting
Scouting is often times the most overlooked and least utilized fundamental aspect of hunting. As hunters, we spend a lot of time, energy, and money on hunting and hunting equipment. One of the easiest ways to increase success while hunting is through scouting efforts.
You can use remote resources like Google Earth, ArcGIS, and phone apps to find areas with good habitat. Some hunting apps also help you find landowner contact information, but if that isn’t available, you can explore local tax records to find those details.
This scouting technique will help you find:
- Parking lots
- Access points
- Land features
- Potential areas of thick cover
- Potential areas of food and water
- Suitable habitat for animals
- Oak-hickory woodlands
- Pastures, meadows, and short prairie grasslands
- Edge habitat (the boundary of two or more habitat types)
Field Scouting
After doing your homework on online maps it is time to put that knowledge to the test with boots on the ground scouting. Now is when you’re looking for deer sign (tracks, scat, bedding areas, scrapes, and rubs) we discussed above.
To learn more about scouting, we recommend our two-part webinar series:
Deer Hunting Methods, Techniques, and Strategies
Pay Attention to Bedding Areas
Most hunters concentrate their scouting and hunting efforts on food sources and the occasional travel
route, and rightfully so. In order to identify these travel routes it is important to understand a deer’s movement from point A (bedding area) to point B (feeding area). Finding a bedding area can be tricky but can be one of the best scouting techniques if done correctly and carefully.
Bedding areas are typically undisturbed areas that contain protective cover with easy escape routes for the deer. This could be tall grasslands, old fields, thick brushy cover, and even stand agriculture fields.
TIP: In order to avoid disturbing bedded deer, pay close attention to the wind, wear rubber boots, and try to scout on windy or rainy days.
Choosing a Location: Identifying Travel Corridors
After completing pre-season scouting and identifying potential bedding and feeding areas it is important to locate travel corridors and pinch points connecting the two areas. Travel corridors can be easily identifiable by on-the-ground scouting and identifying constant use game trails.
While locating travel corridors look for natural or man-made pinch points and funnels. These pinch points and funnels can be rivers, topography, roads and a variety of other factors that influence a deer’s travel route. These areas effectively “funnel” deer movement and create an opportunity for hunters to predict where deer will move and create an ideal spot for a hunter to setup within range of the pinch point.
Pay Attention to the Wind
One overlooked factor that can quickly ruin a deer hunt is setting up using an incorrect direction of the wind. Pre-season and in-season scouting will give you an idea of where and how deer are moving through the area. Make sure to avoid setting up-wind of where you think the deer will be coming from — you don’t want your scent blowing right in their direction, as no amount of scent blocker will entirely mask your odor.
TIP: Although deer have excellent eye sight and good hearing, their sharpest sense is their sense of smell, so failing to take that into consideration can cause you a lot of hunting heartache. Play the wind. We promise it is worth the effort.
We also have several past webinars about different hunting strategies and tree stand placement
To learn more, we recommend:
Illinois Deer Hunting Methods, Licenses, and Permits
Legal Deer Hunting Methods in Illinois
There are three types of legal means of take for deer in Illinois: firearms, muzzleloaders, and archery (compound bow, recurve bow, long bow, and crossbow). Each method has its own seasons, regulations, and may require lotteries that occur several months before the season begins. Remember that some sites have even more restrictive regulations, so be sure to familiarize yourself with them before you head out.
The method (or methods) that you choose are up to you, based on your personal preferences, abilities, and situation. Each has pros and cons, which we briefly explore below. We also have recorded webinars in our archive the we highly recommend for new hunters, especially those who have no really preference yet. We go into great detail about rifles and muzzleloaders, shotguns, and archery equipment, as well as how to navigate the different slug types that can be used in a shotgun to hunt deer.
In the figure on the left, you may notice a jump in archery harvests when you compare the 2016-2017 and 2022-2023 deer harvest numbers for those seasons. This may be because 2016-2017 was the last season before the law that allowed all hunters to use crossbows during archery season went into effect.
Season Dates and Limits
Above is an overview of the 2024 deer hunting seasons, including their dates, hours, limits, and other regulations, taken directly from this year’s Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations. We recommend that you read the entire deer section thoroughly, and Hunt Illinois’ deer page is also an excellent resource. Please remember that different sites may have more restrictive rules.
Required Licenses and Stamps
Residents and non-residents are both required to have the following to legally hunt deer in the state of Illinois:
- Hunting License (unless exempt)
- Hunter Safety Education: Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 is required to complete a hunter safety education course (certificate of competency) or provide evidence of holding a hunting license issued by Illinois or another state in a prior year before purchasing a hunting license. Adults over the age of 18 can either take the course in person or online. Even if you are exempt, we highly recommend taking the course to improve your familiarity with safe hunting practices.
- Deer Permit: The specific type of deer permit that you get determines which of the two types of deer will be legal for you to hunt. These permits specific whether you can pursue deer of either sex (ES) or antlerless-only deer (AO).
- If you are hunting with a firearm, you will also need to have your Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card, and you need to carry it with you while hunting. FOID cards are issued by the Illinois State Police and Illinois residents MUST have one in order to legally possess firearms and ammunition.
To find exactly which specific licenses and permits you qualify for and need based on your interests, and to see them all in one place, we recommend using Hunt Illinois’ License Finder Tool.
You can buy licenses and permits online or at physical vendors. You can also review your current licenses and permits online and correct, replace, or reprint licenses and permits online, as well.
TIP: Remember that you MUST have your license and permit (tag) physically on your person while you are out deer hunting and they MUST be signed. If you are hunting with a firearm, you must also have your FOID card with you.
Required Permits and Permit Lottery Dates
In order to hunt deer in Illinois a deer permit is needed. In some instances to obtain a deer permit, a hunter will need to submit a lottery application through the Illinois DNR’s website. Permits are issued using a computerized lottery, and successful applicants receive their permits in the mail. A lottery application is needed to obtain a deer permit for the following:
- Firearm permit
- Muzzleloader permit
- Site-specific youth permit
Illinois has three distinct lotteries for obtaining each of these deer permit types.
1st Lottery
- Only resident hunters
2nd Lottery
- Resident hunters who were unsuccessful in the 1st lottery
- Resident hunters applying for their 1st permit (i.e. did not put in for the 1st lottery)
- Non-residents may apply
3rd Lottery
- Residents and non-residents may apply
- Anyone may apply for one or more permits in this lottery
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Permits
- Permits remaining after the 3rd lottery will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis
- Archery permits are sold OTC on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that you only need a state-wide archery permit, NOT a county specific permit like you do with firearms and muzzleloaders.
Late-Winter (LW) and CWD Permits
Some counties are also open to Late-Winter or Special CWD seasons. During the 2023/2024 hunting season, 23 counties were open for the late winter antlerless-only deer season and 16 northern Illinois counties were open to CWD deer season. Even though the seasons are held concurrently, and all harvest in each is reported via phone or online registration, different regulations may apply for the two seasons.
Late-Winter
- Information and a map of counties composing the late winter antlerless-only deer hunting zone for 2024/2025 will be available around 1 Oct at: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deerhunting.html.
- Resident Late Winter Deer Permits will be available for sale over-the-counter from license vendors beginning 10 Dec 2024 through the last day of the late winter antlerless-only deer season.
- Illinois resident hunters must have a current, valid Late Winter Deer Permit, or an unfilled Firearm, Youth, Muzzleloader or Property-Only Landowner/Tenant Firearm Deer Permit valid for the previous firearm, youth or muzzleloader deer season and valid for one of the open counties.
- Nonresident hunters must have an unfilled firearm or muzzleloader deer permit valid for the previous youth, firearm or muzzleloader deer season and valid for one of the open counties.
- Review the Hunting Digest for more details.
CWD Season
- For 2024-2025, the following counties are open for the CWD season: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, Winnebago counties, and the portion of Kane County west of State Route 47.
- Information and a map of counties composing the CWD hunting zone for 2024/2025 will be available around 1 Oct at: dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/deerhunting.
- Remember that hunters must have an unfilled deer permit valid for the previous firearm, youth or muzzleloader deer season and valid for one of the open counties; or a valid Special CWD Deer Permit (issued for one county and valid only in the county stated on the permit). For more information, review the Hunting Digest.
- Remember that the special CWD harvest registration process applies only for the 1st and 2nd Deer Firearm seasons in CWD counties. CWD harvest registration should be completed by following the general harvest guidelines.
- Successful deer hunters must report their harvest by 10 pm on the same calendar day the deer was taken using the toll-free telephone check-in system or accessing the online check-in system as below. Before reporting your harvested deer, please look over the questions listed on the back of your permit and be prepared to answer them. Telephone check-in: 1-866-452-4325 (1-866-IL-CHECK) or Online check-in. The deer must remain whole (or field dressed) until it has been checked in.
What Permits Do I Need?
The type of permit that you need depends primarily on the means of take you intend to use. Please note that there are specific size, gauge, draw-weight, and other applicable restrictions placed on utilized equipment. Consult the Hunting and Trapping Digest for more information.
When Do I Apply for Deer Permits?
This chart, taken directly from the current Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations (2024-2025), provides a great overview of the type of permits available, how you can apply for them, when their season will be, and the dates of their specific lottery.
Please note that resident archery permits (antlerless-only and combination archery deer permits) can be purchased without limit from your local hunting license vendor beginning 1 August. This is a state-wide permit, not a county-specific permit, which makes it different than the firearm and muzzleloader permit structure.
Non-residents may apply for and receive only one archery combination permit per license year. A nonresident landowner who has obtained landowner archery permits is also eligible for one combination nonresident archery permit. Applications are accepted 1-30 June at www.exploremoreil.com.
We recommend that you explore the hunting digest in-detail to familiarize yourself with the process. Hunt Illinois also has a seasons and lotteries calendar available that you can integrate with your digital calendar to help remind you of future lottery dates and seasons.
How Do I Apply for Deer Permits?
- To apply for a deer permit online, visit dnr.illinois.gov/lpr/deerpermitsfees.html.
- To receive hardcopy application forms for a firearm or muzzleloader deer hunting permit, contact the permit office at (217) 782-7305.
- Remember that it can take approximately 4 weeks after the respective application deadline dates for Lottery Drawing results.
Tip: Remember to mark your calendar to check online to see if you got your permit — although they eventually arrive in the mail, IDNR will not contact you by email or phone if you are successful in your lottery, and it’s good to know in advance so you can plan ahead!
Site-Specific Regulations
In addition to the state-wide deer hunting regulations, it is important to know and understand applicable site-specific regulations for public land hunting, as these can further limit the means of take you can use on that site, have shorter seasons, have unique sign-in and sign-out procedures, or require windshield cards. The IDNR publishes site-specific information, which can be found on Hunt Illinois. If you already know the sites you are interested in hunting, Hunt Illinois’ Site Directory is a great tool for looking up the relevant information, including site supervisor and conservation police contact information.
If you still have questions, please reach out to the site supervisor or conservation officer listed for the site — they’re happy to help!
Other Regulations You Should Know
Remember, it is illegal to:
- Shoot across a road
- Be closer than 300 yards to an inhabited dwelling (without permission) when shooting
- Feed deer at any time and/or harvest deer by the use or aid of bait
- Participate in deer drives on DNR-owned or managed properties
- Harvest any all-white white-tailed deer at any time. Piebald deer are legal to harvest.
- Use a dog, horse, automobile, aircraft, boat or other vehicle to harvest deer with a firearm or bow and arrow. Dogs may, however, be used to track wounded deer.
Please note that these are just a few of the regulations found in the Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations. We recommend that you explore the digest and its deer hunting rules and regulations in-depth to make sure you understand exactly what you can and cannot legally do.
Deer Hunting on Private and Public Land
To learn more about hunting private vs. public land in Illinois, please visit our page that covers the topic in detail.
Please note that you still need to be licensed, have the appropriate permits, and follow IDNR regulations when on private land (although for some species and seasons, private land has slightly different regulations. See the Hunt Digest or Hunt Illinois for more information).
Deer Hunting Gear: What Do I Need and What Do I Have to Wear?
Clothing Regulations
A solid blaze orange or blaze pink cap/hat and an upper outer garment displaying at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or blaze pink material must be worn:
- To hunt deer during all firearm deer seasons in counties open for firearm deer seasons.
- To track wounded deer with a dog during all firearm deer seasons.
- By individuals accompanying youth during youth firearm deer hunts.
Remember, solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink are legal, but camo blaze orange or blaze pink are not.
What Other Gear Do I Need?
We have developed deer hunting gear checklists based on your means of take. Click on the links below to download checklists for:
Hunting Ethics and Hunter Etiquette
Hunting ethics and etiquette are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but while the two concepts have some overlap, it is important to understand their distinctions and how they apply to you. We have a whole page, with links to YouTube videos and articles, to help you understand the difference between the two, why they are important, and tips for how you can be an ethical hunter and observe proper hunting etiquette, especially when you are on public land.
We also recommend reading:
Ethical Shot Placement, What to Do After the Shot, and What to Do if Your Shot Goes Wrong
Deer Shot Placement
To harvest an animal with a single shot is the goal of every ethical hunter.
It is important to study the anatomy of deer and know where the vital organs are in relation to the body. Any slight change in orientation can alter a hunter’s perception as to where the organs are positioned.
When placing a shot, we want to the hit heart and/or lungs of a deer. For all methods of take, but especially when using archery equipment, your most effective aiming spot for deer is the center of the lungs, as it gives the most leeway in any direction to still be efficient and highly lethal. The vitals also include the heart, which overlaps with the lungs from most shot angle, but is too low to be the point at which you want your arrow/bolt to impact. That being said, if you are firing from an elevated stand and anticipating a bit of string jump, the heart may be your ideal aiming point on close shots with the idea that your actual hit will be several inches higher on the body.
Tip: “String jumping” is what hunters call the movement deer make when they become aware of a bow being fired: because arrows move more slowly than bullets or slugs, deer have more time to react to the shot. The term “jumping the string” is actually a misnomer, though — deer tend to drop down or “duck” slightly in response to either the sound or sight of the arrow (depending on who you ask), rather than jump.
Hitting the vitals will ensure a quick harvest and will also ensure that the recovery and tracking process is minimal and quick. We never recommend aiming for the head, neck or any other location than center of the lungs.
Practicing with all of types of equipment, but especially with archery equipment in particular, is imperative to make sure you are comfortable with your equipment and can place an accurate shot where it needs to be. Far too many hunters set off into the woods without adequate practice.
Shot-Specific Resources
After the Shot
Immediately after you fire your shot, whether with a bow or a gun, it is time channel your inner Sherlock Holmes and notice as many details as you can.
First, if your shot was less than ideal and you have the opportunity, you should immediately try to get another shot in the vitals (lungs).
If all goes to plan and you see your shot strike the deer in the center of the lungs, take a deep breath and listen. Watch where the animal goes and what it does. Listen for a crash and make mental note of about where this occurs. Note where the deer was when you shot and where you last seen it without moving. Mark these spots mentally with all your brain power as the woods has tendency to morph when climbing down from a stand or even taking a few steps.
Tip: What is typical of a double lung shot is an immediate sound of a loud thwack followed by a mule-kick from the animal. It may stumble or just take off at near full speed and will often go until you can no longer see it. Most double lung hit deer will go 200 yards or less.
Warning: With wildlife, what is typical does not always get observed.
After at least 30 minutes to an hour or so (especially if daylight still, no rush) go try to find your arrow and the point of contact. Observe the blood on the arrow and on the ground. What do you see? Slowly start working your way down the blood trail making sure that the clues match what you observed – a good vital hit. The blood should be bright to dark red and will often have bubbles in it and be more pinkish right at the start. The blood trail is often fairly easy to follow but sometimes it can take them a while before they start dripping blood (especially with crossbows and sometimes deer shot from ground level with higher entry and exit openings). Sometimes you will get a temporary “clot” or a stop in what was a good blood trail. Always clearly mark last blood so that you keep your trail if this happens. Often a few steps further up the trail will result in blood starting back up again.
Once you spot the deer, approach carefully in case its only wounded. If you see any movement from the deer, try to get to a safe place to get another shot into the lungs. If no movement occurs, check corneal reflex (poke a small twig in its eye) to make sure its 100% expired. If all clues point to perfect shot, one hour of wait time is often sufficient.
If any clues make you unsure, which could be that you saw the hit or find blood and hair that doesn’t match where you thought you hit, patience is your best bet. Especially if weather is not an issue (not too hot) you will likely be waiting 4-6 hours before going beyond the last place you seen the animal. If you jump a bedded deer as its about to expire, it may run several hundred more yards to the thickest brush around and be much more difficult to recover. See the next section for more information.
What Do I Do if My Shot Was Off and I Injured the Deer?
Note: We want to emphasize that if you practice with your firearm or bow, have done your research, and take your time lining up a shot, you are unlikely to make a bad one. We’ve noticed that new hunters tend to worry about this topic, though, and wanted to provide you with guidance on what to do so that not only will you be prepared, you will hopefully be less worried about it happening.
First, notice the direction the deer went and think about what sounds you heard and what you saw when your shot made contact. Next, inspect the area where the deer was standing when it was hit. What do you see? If you made contact, it is likely there is a least some blood. Use the chart below to figure out where you likely hit the deer, which will then determine your next steps.
| If the blood is… | Then your shot probably hit the… | The deer will likely… | So you should… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very dark red, maroon | Liver | Often still expire within 200-300 yards but it may take a bit longer. There is usually a good blood trail. | Wait 2-4 hours before looking for your deer. |
| Greenish-yellow, has a foul smell, and/or is very minimal in quantity | Stomach/Gut | Often slump after being hit, walk slowly with a hunch, and may hold their tail up or to the side. They will often expire but it may take hours to most of the night. | Do not bump these deer, give them a full day or night before attempting to go past the last seen spot. These hits almost always require either a dog or a grid search. If you think you have this type of hit, we recommend lining up a dog tracker and listening to their recommendations on timing. If that’s not an option, a team of friends grid searching using GPS to cover likely spots is the next best option |
| Bright red blood, white and brown hair, but can be highly variable depending on where the shot hit | The flesh (flesh wound) | Behavior varies. Some flesh wounds are still lethal. | Trail very slowly using the amount of blood present to inform your actions. If a lot of blood, it may be recoverable, if not, it may not be and may survive. Remember that all shot at deer must be investigated, even if you think you missed or the shot was not good. |
Want to Learn More About Deer Recovery?
We recommend checking out our interview with Gary Blessing from the Illinois Deer Trackers’ Network to learn more about what to do if a shot goes wrong. Remember, when in doubt, back out.
Tagging, Field Dressing Your Deer, and Reporting Your Harvest
Congratulations, you’ve successfully harvested your first deer! Now what?
Tagging a Deer
First, before you begin field dressing, transporting, and even before you begin taking your photos, you need to tag your deer. Your tag should have already been signed and should be on you. Antlerless deer should have their tag attached to a leg, while antlered deer require both tags to be attached, one to the head and one to leg, if they are to be separated. Tags must remain on the deer during field dressing, photos, and transportation until the deer is at the hunter’s home. See the graphic below, taken from the 2024-2025 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest, for more information about the tagging process, including what details you must include, how to attach the tag to the deer, and what to do if you are in a CWD-positive county:
How to Field Dress (Gut) a Deer
You’ve tagged your deer, right? Maybe taken a few photos? Awesome! Now it’s time to get your hands dirty and learn how to field dress your deer. Field dressing is the important process of removing the internal organs from harvested game. This prevents bacterial contamination of the meat, ensures rapid heat loss, and also reduces the overall weight of the animal making it easier to retrieve.
Reporting Your Harvest
You must report your deer harvest by 10pm on the day of the hunt (or immediately the next day if unable to be removed before 10pm) if you are successful on a general hunt. You may either do so online or via phone. Refer to the back of the permit for details about the information and measurements that must be included.
For deer harvested during the 1st or 2nd Deer Firearm Season in CWD-positive counties, the deer must be tagged and taken to a firearm check station in the impacted country between 8am and 8pm on the day it was killed, or when the station opens at 8am the following day/when the deer is retrieved if it could not be located to meet the 8pm closing time the night before. IDNR staff will attach an orange tag to your deer, which counts as harvest confirmation. DO NOT report your deer harvest via phone or online in this situation.
For more information, refer to the TAKE IT, TAG IT, REPORT IT, ENJOY IT graphic above.
Deer Processing
Processing is the term used for breaking down the deer into different cuts of meat and packaging it.
Processing a Deer
When it comes to processing your deer, you have two options: you can take it to a processor, or you can process the animal yourself. If you’re interested in the second option, we have a whole playlist related to processing deer where we asked a professional some questions we frequently encounter, including:
As well as many others! Click the topics above to learn more, or checkout the full playlist (embedded below).
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is an incurable, fatal prion disease that impacts destroys the central nervous system of deer and other cervids. It was originally identified in 1976 and has since spread. It was first identified in Illinois in 2002. To learn more about CWD in Illinois, please visit IDNR’s CWD Management page to view an interactive case map, statistics, annual reports, and more.
As a Hunter, What Do I Need to Know About CWD?
As a hunter, the main things you need to note are:
- If you are hunting in a county where CWD has been identified, you have special tagging, reporting, and testing procedures.
- There is currently no evidence that eating a CWD-positive deer can transfer CWD to humans, but hunters are strongly encouraged to test their harvested deer for CWD for free.
- You may be eligible to participate in the late winter antlerless/CWD seasons.
- If you find a sick that is dead or sick (whether you suspect it has CWD or not), please report it.
Where Can I Go to Learn More?
To learn more about CWD, including a dive into some of the myths and misconceptions, we recommend:
Deer (Venison) Recipes
About Venison
Deer meat, also known as venison, is a fairly lean meat, especially when compared to beef: a 3 oz portion of venison has 159 calories, 7 g of fat and 22.5 g of protein, while 3 oz of beef has 215 calories, 17 g of fat, and 14.5 g of protein. The lower fat content does mean that venison can dry out more quickly than beef, so we recommend using a marinade and cutting the meat into larger pieces to make your venison tasty as possible.
Eating locally-harvested venison is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while also procuring free-range, sustainable, and ethically raised and harvested meat yourself.
Learn more:
Venison Recipes
Venison can generally be used in any recipe you’d use beef. Several of our team members grew up eating (and still eat!) ground venison in place of beef in pasta sauces, as tenderloins, and as pot roasts. You can find a comparison of venison vs. beef here.
TIP: Not sure if you or your family will like venison and worried about harvesting a deer before you know? Congrats on being an ethical hunter and thinking about these things in advance! Many grocery stores carry farmed venison from New Zealand in their ground meat sections, which can be a great way to try before you hunt (and it’s often cheaper than ground beef, too!).
We recommend the following for venison (and other game meat) recipes:
TIP: Whenever possible, we recommend choosing the “spiral bound” option for cookbooks — it makes it much easier to have them lay flat and stay open when you’re trying to process the animal or follow a recipe.
Deer Hunting Recommended Resources
Websites and Virtual Tools
- Hunter Safety Education Courses — online and in-person options (click here to search for a local class by county). Remember, anyone born on or after January 1, 1980, is required to complete an Illinois hunter safety education course before purchasing a hunting license.
- Hunt Illinois is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) website that helps users find information about sites, figure out and purchase the licenses and permits they need, report their harvest, and learn more about species-specific regulations. It also has a a seasons and lotteries calendar as well as a hunting site directory that lists the site (and provides a link to each site’s specific page), location, and species that can be harvested there. The deer page of Hunt Illinois also contains information about seasons-specific regulations, information about CWD and other deer diseases, links to interactive deer harvest data and reports, and other resources.
- The Illinois Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest is an important resource that is published annually and in English, Spanish, and Polish. It is intended to act as a guide to the laws and regulations for hunting and trapping in Illinois, but please note that the digest is not intended to cover all hunting and trapping laws and regulations, but it is a useful reference. You can download this year’s digest in your preferred language, or you can seek out a hard copy at local vendors that partner with IDNR to distribute the digest.
- White-tailed Deer Illinois is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) website that goes into great detail about deer ecology and management (including the role of hunters, the history of deer management, and how deer are managed) in Illinois, and it also provides access to deer harvest data, management statistics, and links for users to claim a road-kill deer, report a sick or dead deer, and report poachers.
Reading Recommendations
- A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
- Beyond Fair Chase: The Ethic and Tradition of Hunting by Jim Posewitz
Organizations
You don’t have to join every organization related to hunting in general or hunting your species of choice more specifically, and we don’t recommend that you do so. However, joining one or two organizations each year can help keep you abreast of new ideas, techniques, and events, which can keep you inspired to get out into the woods (or field) to hunt. Each of the following organizations provide a lot of free resources, newsletters, and also offer membership to access organization perks and local chapter events. Click on the icons to learn more.
