Hunters across Illinois are gearing up for the first firearm deer season, which opens one half hour before sunrise on Friday and runs through one half hour after sunset on Sunday. The second firearm season follows shortly after, running Thursday, December 4th, through Sunday, December 7th.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to sign their deer permits before heading out and to wear blaze orange or blaze pink, both required for safety in the field. As new technologies emerge, IDNR is urging hunters to be cautious about how they use them. The agency notes several important rules and warnings:
Drones are illegal for any aspect of hunting or wildlife recovery in Illinois. Artificial intelligence tools may offer quick answers, but IDNR says AI frequently provides inaccurate or conflicting information about hunting laws.
E-bikes remain prohibited on IDNR-owned or operated lands for hunting access, except on public roads or designated bike trails.
Hunters are also encouraged to take extra precautions when using tree stands. These stands continue to be the leading cause of hunting-related injuries and deaths in the state. In 2024, 70% of all hunting incidents were tree stand–related, often due to not using a safety harness. One incident resulted in a fatal fall of about 15 feet.
IDNR urges all hunters to wear a full-body safety harness and follow proper tree stand safety procedures throughout the season.