If you deer or turkey hunt in illinois, you now have a new way to take aim this year crossbow. In illinois, only hunters over the age of 62 can use a crossbow. Combo hunts november 17th20th monthurs 4 day archery and november 21st23rd frisun 3 day first firearms season. Introduced on february 1, illinois house bill 1771 il h 1771 would allow hunters to use a crossbow to harvest any game animal during the appropriate archery season. Sep 10, 2015 illinois youth crossbow rule now in effect over a month ago governor bruce rauner signed into law hb 3674 which established the use of a crossbow by youth. On friday, illinois governor bruce rauner signed house bill 2893 into law. Read more 2083343700 illinois crossbows are legal for all hunters in the entire archery season. Springfield, il hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey archery season beginning on oct. If it keeps people in the woods and give more the opportunity to hunt the early season where otherwise they would not have, i say lets go for it. Crossbows are allowed during firearms hunting season only. Illinois opens archery seasons to crossbow hunting for all. Im not trying to be a jerk just wondered where you found conflicts.
Well touch on that in a moment but for now lets look at the pros. Oct 06, 2015 the new law took effect in august, and to implement it in time for the 2015 16 archery deer season, the illinois department of natural resources filed an emergency amendment to the states. Illinois youth crossbow rule now in effect capitol outdoors. Is 2020 the year for a new staterecord largemouth bass. A legal crossbow consists of a bow and string, either compound or recurve, that launches a minimum 14inch bolt or arrow, not including point, mounted upon a stock with a trigger that holds the string and limbs under tension until released.
Sep 18, 2017 illinois opens archery seasons to crossbow hunting for all crossbows can be used to hunt deer and turkey in illinois thanks to a new state law that was signed last week. The 201718 season dates for archery deer and fall turkey archery hunting in illinois are oct. Illinois crossbow season the longanticipated open crossbow archery season officially opens december 3, 2012 and runs through january 20, 20. Sep 14, 2017 the illinois department of natural resources issued an announcement on the dnr website that we have posted below. Crossbows may be used during the following seasons. Illinois archery hunts archery deer hunting illinois. In 201718, the first season when general use of crossbows was allowed in illinois, crossbows started at 30. A person may hunt any wild bird or animal with a crossbow during any open season on that bird or animal while still following all the other laws pertinent to that species except that a licensed crossbow hunter 69 years of age or younger may not hunt wild turkey during the fall turkey season or hunt deer during the expanded archery, special. This past 201415 season saw a harvest similar to the 2014 season, with another 2percent dip. Hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons. Learn about the il bowhunter safety course laws and regulations.
Spring fishing and the moral dilemma of bedding bass. Two seasons ago during the 2014 season, illinois deer hunters harvested 148,569 deer. The crossbow season is only going to be open for roughly half of the illinois archery season. Even with a crossbow, you can still get the shakes and still miss. Currently, only hunters with a disability, and those ages 62 and older or 18 years and younger may use.
At itb, we only hunt our farms for three weeks during the illinois archery seasonthree weeks. Illinois legalizes crossbows during archery season. Overall harvest up slightly in the 201920 seasons january. Illinois legalizes crossbows during archery season crossbow. Hunter can come earlier in the season for 5 day bow and then return for the 3 or 4 day gun hunt hunter can harvest two bucks. Now, anyone may choose to use a crossbow during the archery deer hunting seasons in illinois. Bruce rauner signed a bill that amends the illinois wildlife code to repeal restrictions on the use of crossbows during archery hunting seasons. View up to date information on how illinois is handling the coronavirus disease 2019 covid19. Oct 06, 2019 a waterfowl openhouse, crossbow usage for deer and notes on threegoose daily bag are among the updates for illinois hunting.
Bill to expand crossbow hunting opportunities introduced. Apparently governor rauner signed the bill into law today which allows illinois hunters to use a crossbow for the full archery season regardless of age, medical status, etc. Illinois law continues to allow use of a crossbow throughout the entire archery season by persons age 62 or older and handicapped persons who are issued crossbow permits by. Shotguns, loaded with slugs only, of not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller than 20 gauge, not capable of firing more than 3 consecutive slugs. Illinois crossbow season on the way dan stefanich outdoors. Illinois law continues to allow use of a crossbow throughout the entire archery season by persons age 62 or older and handicapped persons who are issued crossbow permits by the idnr. General crossbow usage builds change february 9, 2019 illinois, chicago suntimes. Illinois hunters harvested 145,804 deer this past 2014 2015 season, the illinois department of natural resources reported. Deer harvest for this past season was very similar as to the season prior 202014 when 148,569 deer were harvested.
Prior to the 2017 season, the use of crossbows during archery seasons was limited to hunters over the age of 62, or to those who had a special disability permit from the illinois department of natural resources idnr. Yesterday, the illinois house passed senate bill 1467 and sent it to the desk of governor bruce rauner for his signature. Disabled hunters may use a crossbow without purchasing a crossbow permit. Tex the bowhunter goes through the chores of prepairing for the season. Crossbow hunting regulations in illinois disclaimer. Legal for physically challenged hunters during archery season. Many illinois outfitters use this entire season to book hunters which could mean as many as 15 groups hunting the same. Sep 11, 2017 weve had legal crossbow hunting for everyone for quite some time.
Previous laws had allowed hunting by crossbow in illinois, but restricted their use. The new law went into effect immediately for the 2017 deer hunting season. Deer hunting season illinois archery season illinois. Many illinois outfitters use this entire season to book hunters which could mean as many as 15 groups hunting the same farm in a given season. If there is something that you are unsure of or disagree with, please contact the illinois department of natural resources directly. Illinois opens archery seasons to crossbow hunting for all crossbows can be used to hunt deer and turkey in illinois thanks to a new state law that was signed last week. Crossbows approved for mo deer, turkey archery season. Illinois became the 25th state in the country to allow crossbows in some manner during the archery deer hunting seasons with the aug. Aug 26, 2012 illinois law continues to allow use of a crossbow throughout the entire archery season by persons age 62 or older and handicapped persons who are issued crossbow permits by the idnr. Illinois crossbow law change illinois department of. Sb 1467 would allow hunters to use a crossbow during illinois official.
Kevin knighton is hunting in illinois during the late deer season with his crossbow when a big buck comes out. Dec 20, 2015 this is a video of my 2015 illinois shotgun season in wayne county il. At least its being looked at in a more favorable light and before you know it and as long as we all stick together as hunters, come time to make changes on the the hunting laws will improve in the years to come. The season is expected to open december 3rd, the second monday after thanksgiving, and after the firearm deer season.
December 36, 2020 second firearm season option to use muzzleloader or shotgun. Southern illinois outfitters hunting outfitters, hunting. What affect will this have on the deer population and hunting in the state. In il crossbow season starts after the first weekend of december so for now i will get my hunting fill from members stories on this forum. Crossbow hunting in illi nois 2020 crossbow deer hunting in illinois laws 2020. Illinois trophy whitetail guided bowhunting and gun hunts. Sep 14, 2017 the 201718 season dates for archery deer and fall turkey archery hunting in illinois are oct. All hunters can now use crossbows during the entire archery season which runs from october 1, 2017 january. Take your official illinois bowhunter education course online for free, pay when you pass. The illinois archery season opens each year on october 1 and runs through the middle of january. Deer hunting season 2015 southern illinois youtube. Crossbows also legal for handicapped persons by permitto hunt with a crossbow during an archery season, you must also have a valid archery permit as well as a hunting license and a proper tag.
Yes, you need to meet hunter orange requirements during all 3 firearms seasons. Even though the illinois archery deer hunting season opens on october 1 and runs through mid january, we focus our illinois bowhunting on a three week window that maximizes your chance of success. Any licensed hunter who has obtained a free crossbow stamp can hunt with a crossbow during any season in which a firearm is allowed, for both big and small game, except hunters in the upper peninsula may not use a crossbow or a modified bow during the dec. The dnr may issue a crossbow permit or a special permit to take game with a modified bow to a person with a valid hunting license to take a deer during an open deer season, if the person is certified as having permanent or temporary disability, as defined in wildlife conservation order 5. We have bow hunting only properties that assure good hunting late into the season. That represents 32 percent of our total archery harvest, up from 14 percent in 2015, when crossbows could only be used by hunters with a disability permit, said nick fortin. Hunting activities, harvest reporting, season preferences, and bag limits.
Sep 18, 2017 in september 2017, illinois governor bruce rauner signed a bill into law that removes previous restrictions on the use of crossbows during illinois archery seasons. I switched to one last year and killed my first deer with it. Both of these allow you to hunt with a crossbow during the archery season according to the crossbow hunting regulations in illinois. The new law took effect in august, and to implement it in time for the 2015 16 archery deer season, the illinois department of natural resources filed. Oct 21, 2015 from the record harvest of 2005, illinois deer numbers have slipped.
Under this new law, any legal illinois bowhunter may obtain a crossbow permit. Illinois hunters can use crossbows during archery seasons. All of our guides are experienced in illinois bowhunting, helping many clients take their buck of a lifetime each season. If the user possesses a valid youth hunting license and archery deer hunting permit, and remains under the direct supervision of a parent, grandparent, or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses a valid illinois hunting license and valid archery deer permit. The buck wasnt a big one, but he was a good way to end the 201220 archery season and fill the freezer. Application for authorization to use crossbow for deer and. Illinois bowhunter laws official il bowhunter online safety. Previously, the law only allowed hunters to hunt with a crossbow if they were 62 and older or if the hunter obtained a doctors note due to physical disability. About 670,000 deer in 2015, 650,000 in 2014, and 645,000 in 20. Illinois retailers and the crossbow manufacturers are extremely excited and anticipate a rise in sales.
In september 2017, illinois governor bruce rauner signed a bill into law that removes previous restrictions on the use of crossbows during illinois archery seasons. Ehd was virtually absent in 2014 and at low levels in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Archery deer season information including season dates and how to apply. During vermonts 2016 archery season 1,110 deer were reported killed with a crossbow, according to the states deer project leader. Our illinois archery hunts start in late october each year. During july 2015, western illinois university wiu researchers initiated a multiyear. New law allows crossbow hunting in illinois illinois. This has been on his desk for over two months, glad he finally got it signed, but certainly there have been many other more pressing issues going on in this goofy state. The new seasons and dates are based on a fiveyear plan that was developed last year and continues through the 2015. The crossbow certificate of qualification from 201220 is not valid. Begining october 1st, 2017, crossbow hunting will be legal by anyone, regardless of disabilities, with a valid hunting license.
Crossbow hunting in illinois is legal without restrictions throughout the entire archery season. If hunting on dnr owned property, please refer to the sitespecific regulations regarding hunting devices and ammunition, which may differ from statewide regulations. Hunters in kentucky can use a crossbow during rifle season. New illinois law allows hunters use of crossbows during archery seasons september, 2017 by bengil staff springfield, il hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey archery season beginning on oct. The past two seasons saw a significant decline from the 2012 total of 180,811 deer killed by illinois.
Application periods lotteries 2019 deer firearmmuzzleloader application periods. Us crossbow regulations select a stateprovince from the map to see regulations related to it. Also offers peak rut crossbow hunting to qualified hunters in search of an illinois trophy whitetail buck. Backwoods whitetails outfitters illinois crossbow hunts for any archery hunter that prefers to use a crossbow, has an injury or handicap. If you demand onehole groups and blistering speed, well, its a good year for that, too. Illinois hunters, trappers harvest 300plus bobcats during 201718 season. Details can be found herein 2017, governor pat quinn signed legislation making it legal for everyone, not only the disabled, to hunt with a crossbow during both archery deer season as well as fall archery wild turkey season. The buck harvested in this video was 2 green score. Crossbows may be used to take bear during the early bear season, early muzzleloader season in the northern zone, regular firearms seasons in the northern and southern zones, and the late muzzleloader season in the southern.
The new rule governing the use of crossbows by youth for deer hunting is now in effect. Hb 2893 will allow hunters to use a crossbow during illinois official bowhunting season. Illinois trophy bowhunters specializes in illinois archery hunts. Crossbow regulations north american crossbow federation.
Jul 15, 2012 until now, crossbow hunting was only allowed for hunters age 62 and older or those whose meet physical disability requirements. Crossbow whitetail hunting in illinois is legal throughout the entire archery season regardless of age or physical ability. Blue indicates hunting or trapping season open all month unless. New illinois law allows hunters use of crossbows during. Photographs by ralph smith if you want a compact, lightweight crossbow, 2015 is your year to buy. Crossbows now legal during illinois archery seasons.
Deer hunting season illinois archery season illinois gun. The illinois department of natural resources issued an announcement on the dnr website that we have posted below. Jun 02, 2012 i think its great that illinois is letting their hunters use a crossbow even though its in the late archery season. The lawful possession of rifles to take furbearing mammals and game mammals other than deer shall hunting with crossbows recent changes to illinois law 520 ilcs 52. New state law allows all hunters in illinois to use crossbows. Illinois crossbow law change illinois department of natural. Crossbows are now legal for all hunters during the archery hunting season in illinois.
Illinois approves crossbows during part of archery deer season. Bowhunting privilege is not required for use of a crossbow at any time. Archery deer hunting is our passion, it runs through our veins and we would love to share this excitement with you. A waterfowl openhouse, crossbow usage for deer and notes on threegoose daily bag are among the updates for illinois hunting. View up to date information on how illinois is handling the coronavirus disease 2019 covid19 from the state of illinois coronavirus response site utility links idnr home. Accompaniment by a parent, grandparent, or guardian shall serve as evidence that. Springfield, il hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey. This is a video of my 2015 illinois shotgun season in wayne county il. New hampshire yes, legal, with some restrictions crossbows are allowed during firearms hunting season with a crossbow hunting permit and for all hunters on long island with a long island deer permit. Governor bruce rauner signed into law house bill 2893, which repealed restrictions on the use of crossbows during archery season.