Grundy Reporter

The Illinois Archery Deer Season started on October 1. In counties without a firearm season, such as Cook, DuPage, Lake, and the part of Kane County east of Illinois Route 47, the archery season will continue uninterrupted until January 18. For other areas with a firearm deer season and west of Illinois Route 47 in Kane County, the archery season is divided into three periods: October 1 to November 20, November 24 to December 3, and December 8 through January 18.

State regulations allow hunters to take one deer per archer and no more than two antlered deer per year across all hunting seasons. This rule applies to youth, archery, muzzleloader, and firearm seasons except during the special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) season. The yearly limit counts from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Hunters are advised to consult Hunt Illinois for specific rules at public sites since some locations may have additional restrictions beyond county or state guidelines.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) notes that most hunting-related accidents in the state are due to tree stand incidents. The department recommends hunters review safe practices before going out this season. Hunters can find more details in the 2025–2026 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations or by reviewing the annual deer harvest report.

For further information about this year's archery deer season, hunters can contact IDNR at 217-782-6302 or email dnr.hunting@illinois.gov.

Sue Rezin was elected as a Republican to represent Illinois’s 38th Senate District in 2010, succeeding Gary G. Dahl.