Schmidt Gears Up for Firearm Deer Season

Deer hunters in Illinois will be busy this weekend, as firearm hunting season begins this Friday and continues through Sunday, November 24. A second round of firearm deer hunting will be coming in two weeks, from December 4 through 7.

"For me and my family, and thousands of others in my district and across Illinois, deer hunting is a way of life," said Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights). "My favorite time of year is hunting season. There's nothing like it! Please enjoy this year and stay safe this Firearm Deer Season! May all of us be successful!"

During Firearm Season, hunters can use shotguns, muzzleloaders, handguns, and centerfire rifles. Vertical, traditional, and crossbows can also be used, but only on private property. Hunters also must adhere to clothing requirements, which call for a solid blaze orange or blaze pink hat and an outer garment that displays at least 400 square inches of orange or blaze pink material.

Hunting hours during this period are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Hunters must also have proper deer permits and a valid hunting license. The bag limit is one deer per hunter, and over a 12-month period that begins on July 1, no hunter may harvest more than two antlered deer. Upon killing a deer, hunters must adhere to reporting/registering guidelines as outlined by the IDNR. Find license and permit information here.

Deer hunters provide a valuable service to the environment, helping control overpopulation. An overabundance of deer can threaten other species and human health and safety. When deer migrate into residential areas and roadways, the risk for vehicle collisions and serious injuries escalates. Please exercise caution and follow all of the rules and regulations as they relate to deer hunting during the upcoming Firearm Season.