Nonresident applicants may apply for and receive a maximum of one nonresident combination archery deer permit during a license year. Illinois, maryland, and michigan have specific age requirements for using a crossbow. Crossbows may be used to take bear during the early bear season, early muzzleloader season in the northern zone, regular firearms seasons in the northern and southern zones, and the late muzzleloader season in the southern. Illinois hunters can use crossbows during archery seasons. Bruce rauner has signed a bill into law that legalizes the use of crossbows during archery season.
Illinois opens archery seasons to crossbow hunting for all. Crossbows can be used to hunt deer and turkey in illinois thanks to a new state law that was signed last week. New law allows illinois hunters to use crossbows during archery. Governor bruce rauner signed into law house bill 2893, which amended the illinois wildlife code to repeal restrictions on the use of crossbows during archery hunting seasons in illinois. At a meeting wednesday of the wisconsin natural resources board, the board heard a presentation on changing the crossbow deer season. January 8, 2020 pike county, il archery report illinois archery season is coming to an end but we are still hunting hard here at the lodge.
Jan 11, 2011 yep its over here in illinois as of last sunday. Jul 15, 2012 the crossbow season is only going to be open for roughly half of the illinois archery season. Specific crossbow hunting requirements remain in effect for a portion of the season. Previously, the law only allowed hunters to hunt with a crossbow if they were 62 and older or if the hunter obtained a doctors note due to physical disability. The 201718 season dates for archery deer and fall turkey archery hunting in illinois are oct. As we continue to improve hunt central, feel free to provide your feedback. Disabled individuals may hunt with a crossbow during any archery season if they obtain a disabled crossbow permit. In illinois, hunters 62 years and older may obtain a permit to hunt with a crossbow. Illinois legalizes crossbows during archery season february 14, 2018 patrick roberts news just in time for the october 1st opener for archery hunting in illinois, gov. All dates are subject to change through a rule making or a legislative process. States that allow crossbow hunting gone outdoors your.
Sep 14, 2017 the illinois department of natural resources issued an announcement on the dnr website that we have posted below. Sep 17, 2017 the illinois department of natural resources says that new law applies to the states archery deer season and fall turkey archery season starting oct. In illinois, our archery hunting seasons begin in early october and continue through early january, with a few breaks for limited shotgun and muzzleloader seasons. Begining october 1st, 2017, crossbow hunting will be legal by anyone, regardless of disabilities, with a valid hunting license. Us crossbow regulations select a stateprovince from the map to see regulations related to it. This legislation seeks to improve hunter retention in the land of lincoln as well as allow for a wider range of hunters to go afield during archery season and enjoy illinois. Those two groups are those that are physically disabled and those that are.
Crossbows are now legal for all hunters during the archery hunting season in illinois. Crossbow whitetail hunting in illinois is legal throughout the entire archery season regardless of age or physical ability. Illinois retailers and the crossbow manufacturers are extremely excited and anticipate a rise in sales. Bowhunting privilege is not required for use of a crossbow at any time. Currently, the crossbow season runs the same dates as the archery season, which is typically midseptember through the beginning of the year. Crossbows can be used to hunt deer and turkey in illinois thanks to a. Bowhunters harvested 61,079 deer, up from 57,929 during the 201718 archery season.
Illinois bowhunter laws official il bowhunter online. Mar 15, 2019 prior to the 2017 season, the use of crossbows during archery seasons was limited to hunters over the age of 62, or to those who had a special disability permit from the illinois department of natural resources idnr. I was lucky to finally shoot a nice doe the last day at 1 o pm with a leftover slug tag. Rules and regulations in illinois are a little confusing, so well try to bring it for you. Arguments for the inclusion of crossbows include the ability to include and retain a broader base of hunters. Sep 14, 2017 springfield hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey archery season beginning on oct. Sep 12, 2017 illinois law previously allowed the use of crossbows for archery hunting by persons age 62 or older, and those persons with disabilities who qualified for a crossbow permit issued by the illinois. Crossbow hunting allowed in illinois under new law. In 2017 a legislation was signed by governor pat quinn legalizing the use of a crossbow for everybody in illinois not alone for the disabled during archery deer season and fall archery wild turkey season as well. Previously, individuals were only able to use a crossbow for the taking of game if they had a physical disability that prevented them from being able to draw a traditional bow.
The illinois archery deer season is open through jan. Crossbows now legal during illinois archery seasons. Everything you need to plan your illinois hunting trips for 2020. There are two groups of people that are permitted to hunt with a crossbow. Kansas tourism flickr crossbows can be used to hunt deer and turkey in illinois thanks to a new state law that was signed last week. Whitetails are congregating on our late season food plots as the temperatures begin to drop. Michigan permits all hunters to use crossbows during firearms seasons, but restricts crossbow use in deer archery season to hunters at least 50 years old. Sep 18, 2017 illinois opens archery seasons to crossbow hunting for all. If the previous crossbow restrictions kept you from hunting in illinois during the archery seasons.
A in addition, the previous law allowed certain youth hunters to use crossbows, and allowed all archery. According to the illinois department of natural resources. Illinois law continues to allow use of a crossbow throughout the entire archery season by persons age 62 or older and handicapped persons who are issued crossbow permits by the idnr. Illinois allows the use of crossbows to all archery hunters, but only for particular dates. Major changes to kentucky crossbow season for 20192020. Crossbow hunting regulations in illinois disclaimer. Deer hunting season illinois archery season illinois. A new state law means that hunters in illinois can use crossbows during archery hunting seasons. Shotguns, loaded with slugs only, of not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller than 20 gauge, not capable of firing more than 3 consecutive slugs. Kevin knighton is hunting in illinois during the late deer season with his crossbow when a big buck comes. Then travel to speciesspecific information by hovering over the buttons below and click. Expanding crossbow hunting opportunities will allow more people to enjoy hunting, as well as offer current sportsmen another facet of archery hunting.
Anyone who is 10 years old or older can hunt with a crossbow during any season when a firearm is allowed, for big game or small game, except that hunters in the upper peninsula may not use a crossbow during the dec. All other hunters may use a crossbow to harvest deer during muzzleloader season with a muzzleloader license. Archery means a longbow, recurve bow, compound bow or crossbow 5011565. Hunters may also use a muzzleloader permit with a muzzleloading rifle during 2nd firearm deer season dec. Application deadline for bear permits is always december 10. Hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey archery season. Sb 1467 would allow hunters to use a crossbow during illinois official bowhunting season. One significant change allows all archery hunters the op tion of using a crossbow during certain dates see below. The illinois department of natural resources says that new law applies to the states archery deer. The new law went into effect immediately for the 2017 deer hunting season. A special crossbow license must be obtained for this purpose, with the exception of those years old or younger, and who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who himself owns a valid crossbow hunting license issued in indiana. Deer archery and crossbow september 28 december 31 deer antlerless split season selected counties. Kentucky crossbow federation president perry mcclure was present, along with other kcf members.
Crossbows would still be legal during gun season because they are a lesser weapon. Illinois law continues to allow use of a crossbow throughout the entire archery season by persons age 62 or older and handicapped persons who are issued crossbow permits by. Crossbows may be used during the following seasons. Otherwise, crossbows are limited to those who have a documented disability, or those 62 years or older. Illinois governor bruce rauner approved a bill thatll allow hunters to use crossbows during archery season.
The new law essentially treats crossbows as a muzzleloader. Crossbows would still be able to be used by hunters over 60 and disabled hunters during the full archery season. Deer hunting season illinois archery season illinois gun. Please read any announcements at the top of this page. This has been the case since the crossbow season was established in 2014. A legally permitted archery hunter may use a crossbow from the second monday following thanksgiving through the end of the archery hunting seasons. Crossbows have shifted deer harvest by illinois hunters. This legislation seeks to improve hunter retention in the land of lincoln as well as allow for a wider range of hunters to go afield during archery season and enjoy illinois rich hunting tradition. Our crossbows have proven time and time again to be the toughest, most reliable and accurate on the market and the only crossbow that can be fixedinthefield.
Jan 25, 2019 at a meeting wednesday of the wisconsin natural resources board, the board heard a presentation on changing the crossbow deer season. Illinois legalizes crossbows during archery season. Kevin knighton is hunting in illinois during the late deer season with his crossbow when a big buck comes out. State of illinois illinois department of natural resources 2020 spring wild turkey hunting information sheet your spring wild turkey hunting permit entitles you to participate in the privilege of wild turkey hunting. If you can spare 90sec, let us explain why your choice when buying a crossbow should be excalibur. Illinois offers online hunting permit registration and purchase, and permits are available for state residents and nonresidents. Springfield, il hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey. Frigid temperatures and snow in january have the deer on their feet during daylight to feed on standing beans. I didnt get my crossbow permit till the weather went sour late in the season so i didnt hunt too many times with it but will be ready oct 1st though lol i shot my deer last year the last weekend also and this kind of stuff has to stop,it was 7 degrees sun am. Hunters must possess a muzzleloader hunting privilege to legally hunt with a crossbow during any muzzleloader season or during open portions of the early bowhunting seasons. At itb, we only hunt our farms for three weeks during the illinois archery seasonthree weeks. Crossbow laws and regulations are crossbows legal in my. Illinois crossbow law change illinois department of.
Legal for physically challenged hunters during archery season. Feb 09, 2019 crossbows have shifted deer harvest by illinois hunters. Sep, 2017 restrictions on crossbow use are burdensome to hunters who may prefer to use something other than a firearm, said state rep. Combination deer archery permit or a single deer archery antlerlessonly permit. Crossbow hunting allowed in illinois under new law chicago. Details can be found herein 2017, governor pat quinn signed legislation making it legal for everyone, not only the disabled, to hunt with a crossbow during both archery deer season as well as fall archery wild turkey season. The crossbow hunting regulations in illinois are very simple and precise.
For comparison, the two traditional firearm seasons in. Its legal to use a crossbow for hunting purposes in indiana during the entire duration of archery season. Both of these allow you to hunt with a crossbow during the archery season according to the crossbow hunting regulations in illinois. Crossbows legal for illinois hunters during the archery seasons. Arkansas, connecticut, florida, illinois, indiana, maryland, missouri, mississippi, north carolina, new jersey, ohio, oklahoma, south carolina, texas, wisconsin, west virginia, wyoming. Illinois hunting seasons, 20182019 hunting season hq. Springfield bowhunting groups accept it as a compromise. Purchase over the counter at a license vendor only. Crossbows are legal in the following states during archery seasons only. New illinois law allows hunters use of crossbows during archery seasons september, 2017 by bengil staff springfield, il hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey archery season beginning on oct. Getting started with hunting and trapping in illinois. Neither side is particularly happy, but come the second monday following thanksgiving, illinois is expected to experience its first open crossbow season. In addition, the previous law allowed certain youth hunters to use crossbows, and allowed all archery hunters to use crossbows beginning the monday after the second firearm deer season.
Illinois hunting seasons, 20192020 during illinois hunting seasons, youll find a variety of standard game animals, including deer, turkey, rabbit and other small game. Sep 16, 2017 illinois law previously allowed the use of crossbows for archery hunting by persons age 62 or older, and those persons with disabilities who qualified for a crossbow permit issued by the illinois. The question is whether it is a trend or an anomaly born of newness. Illinois crossbow season on the way dan stefanich outdoors. High kill rate has dnr looking at changing crossbow deer. Crossbow regulations north american crossbow federation. The illinois archery season opens each year on october 1 and runs through the middle of january. Maryland permits hunters who are at least 65 years old to hunt during archery season.
If hunting on dnr owned property, please refer to the sitespecific regulations regarding hunting devices and ammunition, which may differ from statewide regulations. Sep 18, 2017 in september 2017, illinois governor bruce rauner signed a bill into law that removes previous restrictions on the use of crossbows during illinois archery seasons. Request a correction to a deer application or replacement of a deer permit. Now, anyone may choose to use a crossbow during the archery deer hunting seasons in illinois. Springfield, il hunters in illinois may use crossbows during archery hunting seasons, including the illinois archery deer season and the illinois fall turkey archery season beginning on oct. Many illinois outfitters use this entire season to book hunters which could mean as many as 15 groups hunting the same farm in a given season. Everything you need to plan your hunting trips, from maps to regulations and beyond.
Illinois legalizes crossbows during archery season crossbow. Please check the wisconsin deer hunting regulations for a complete set of dates and unit designations. In the first two years of general use of crossbows for archery season. New illinois law allows hunters use of crossbows during. Crossbows legal for illinois hunters during the archery. Learn about the il bowhunter safety course laws and regulations. Application deadline for spring turkey harvest authorizations is always december 10. High kill rate has dnr looking at changing crossbow deer season. The buck wasnt a big one, but he was a good way to end the 201220 archery season and fill the freezer. The illinois department of natural resources issued an announcement on the dnr website that we have posted below. Season limit wild boar gun october 26 november 2 1 split season february 7 february 9 wild boar archery and crossbow september 28 december 31 split season february 7 february 9 deer buck firearms november 25 december 7 see pages 1419.
New state law allows all hunters in illinois to use crossbows. Make sure you check when the season starts and ends and look for any restrictions that. Regulations state by state legal bow ruling gearhead. Take your official illinois bowhunter education course online for free, pay when you pass. The most popular game hunted in illinois is the whitetailed deer, and you might want to include this ageless hobby in your next trip to the midwest. A list explaining in detail what the crossbow laws and regulations are in canada has. Full text of public act 0950329 illinois general assembly. Hunting with crossbows recent changes to illinois law 520 ilcs 52. Aug 26, 2012 illinois law continues to allow use of a crossbow throughout the entire archery season by persons age 62 or older and handicapped persons who are issued crossbow permits by the idnr. Sep 18, 2017 illinois law previously allowed the use of crossbows for archery hunting by persons age 62 or older, and those persons with disabilities who qualified for a crossbow permit issued by the illinois department of natural resources idnr. New illinois law lifts restrictions on crossbow hunting. Illinois offers online hunting permit registration and purchase, and permits are available for.
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