Illinois Gun and Muzzleloader

buckeater · 01-08-2008, 11:33 AM

just wanted to know what the shotgun and muzzleloader season dates where going to be for 2008. i have only bowhunted over there, so i dont know how there gun seasons fall into place.

sjsfire · 01-08-2008, 02:06 PM

Always the weekend before and after Thanksgiving. Then the Muzzleoader season is the weekend after the 2nd weekend. So looking at the calender.......

1st firearm season Nov.21-23
2nd firearm season Dec. 4-7
Muzzleloader season should then be Dec 12-14.......if I counted the days right. I see you wrote "over there". Just beware the out of state fees for Illinois firearm seasons are very pricey $$$. Ican't tell you what they are but Google "Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources" and they should have a list of fees.

buckeater · 01-09-2008, 10:10 AM

thanks. i didnt know how they determined it. ours always starts the first saturday after Nov.11.

ChicagoTRS · 01-09-2008, 12:43 PM

How Determined:
1st season = weekend before thanksgiving
2nd season = weekend after thanksgiving weekend
muzzleloaded = week after 2nd season

buckeater · 01-10-2008, 04:58 PM

this is i a dumb question but if you get drawn for shotgun and muzzleloader. can you kill two bucks. one with the shotgun tag and one with the muzzleloader. i highly doubt i put in for two tags though, or even one. might just stick to bow hunting.

middlecreek · 01-14-2008, 10:31 AM

Yes u can.

Bulzeye · 01-15-2008, 07:21 PM

The only 'buck' restrictions in IL, is that you have to have an antlered permit for each one, and that you can only take 2 antlered deer (one side of 3 inches or more) in a year (hunting year, not calendar) with all weapons/seasons combined.

There is also the 'cleanup' weekend in mid January right after bow season ends -doe only. It used to be handgun only, but now all 3 guns seasons allow you to use shotgun w/ slugs, muzzleloader, or handgun. The ML weekend mentioned in previous posts is ML only.

You can take as many does as you want to buy permits for, in bowhunting.

backnaction34 · 01-15-2008, 08:15 PM

maybe some of you guys could help me? Im fromNC and my buds and i want to make a trip to IL this coming season (08). I understand ther are some bowhunt only public lands. How do i go about applying for a non resd. archery permint, and what are some good areas to checkout? The rut hits early dec. down here. When are the big boys out rome n in IL?