Governor JB Pritzker has signed new legislation to aid Illinois farmers in managing deer-related crop damage, addressing long-standing nuisance wildlife issues. The law empowers the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to issue deer removal permits based on past harvest data, providing farmers and landowners with greater flexibility in wildlife management.
Anna McKinley, assistant director of state legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau, expressed gratitude to the governor and legislative sponsors, emphasizing the relief this law will bring to farmers.
IDNR’s updated rules for Deer Removal Permits, including application procedures and damage reporting, will be effective January 1. Starting next year, youth hunters will receive two deer tags—one either-sex permit and one antlerless-only permit.
The guest landowner permit program, allowing landowners to assign a hunter a guaranteed shotgun permit, will start on January 1, 2027, allowing IDNR time to develop the necessary processes.
This bill was among over 430 passed by the Illinois General Assembly in May, with 266 signed into law on August 15. Lawmakers will reconvene for the fall veto session to address remaining bills and amendments.
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