Illinois hunting
Public hunting land in Illinois
Caliber maps 81 public hunting areas in Illinois, with Illinois Department of Natural Resources's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Illinois · 81 areas
Shawnee National Forest
National forest · 273,666 acres
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 90,947 acres
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 33,443 acres
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife And Fish Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 24,983 acres
Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area
State wildlife area · 16,770 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 81 by distance from you.
- 63
- State wildlife areas
- 4
- National forests
- 14
- National wildlife refuges
Illinois hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Phone
- 217-782-6302
- Resident license
- $12.50 — Resident Hunting License (annual); most hunters also need a $5.50 habitat stamp
- Nonresident license
- $57.75 — Non-Resident Hunting License (annual); $5.50 habitat stamp extra, deer permits extra
- Hunter education
- Required before buying a license for anyone born after Jan 1, 1980; proof must be carried while hunting.
- Good to know
- Most hunters need the $5.50 Electronic State Habitat Stamp; waterfowl hunters also need state ($15.50) and federal ($25.50) stamps.
Fees and rules as published by Illinois Department of Natural Resources, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Illinois
The 12 biggest of 81 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawnee National Forest | National forest | 273,666 | Open |
| Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 90,947 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 33,443 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife And Fish Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 24,983 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area | State wildlife area | 16,770 | Open |
| Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area | State wildlife area | 16,550 | Open |
| Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 13,249 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 12,358 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area | State wildlife area | 11,150 | Open |
| Horseshoe Lake-Alexander State Fish and Wildlife Area | State wildlife area | 8,410 | Open |
| Shawnee Purchase Unit | National forest | 7,712 | Open |
| Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 7,396 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
State wildlife areas · 63
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 4
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National wildlife refuges · 14
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Illinois hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Illinois?
Caliber lists 81 public hunting areas in Illinois: 63 state wildlife areas, 4 national forests, 14 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Illinois Department of Natural Resources also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Illinois?
As published by Illinois Department of Natural Resources (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $12.50 — Resident Hunting License (annual); most hunters also need a $5.50 habitat stamp; nonresident, $57.75 — Non-Resident Hunting License (annual); $5.50 habitat stamp extra, deer permits extra. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Illinois?
Required before buying a license for anyone born after Jan 1, 1980; proof must be carried while hunting. Check Illinois Department of Natural Resources for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Illinois?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Illinois Department of Natural Resources's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Illinois hunting land near you
All 81 Illinois areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the managing agency before you hunt.
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Guides & directories
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- Shooting range directory
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