Illinois’ archery deer hunting season opened Thursday giving hunters across the state their first opportunity of the fall to pursue whitetail deer.
The archery season will be open October 1st through November 19th, followed by additional periods November 23rd through December 2nd and December 7th through January 17th. Archery hunting closes during the state’s firearm deer seasons.
During the 2025-26 archery season, hunters in Wayne County harvested 1,375 deer.
Statewide, archery hunters harvested 73,285 whitetail deer during last year’s season.
Illinois’ first firearm deer season is scheduled for November 20th-22nd, with the second firearm season set for December 3rd-6th.