Why you can't use drones for hunting, and other details you need to know about deer season

Hunting season is days away in Illinois with Sunday marking the kickoff to archery deer hunting season.

While the weather may not exactly remind people of deer hunting – high temperatures are expected to reach into the 80s – it's important to know what to do if you want to bag deer this season.

Here's what you need to know for deer hunting in Illinois in 2023:

How long does deer season last?

Archery deer season begins Sunday and continues through Jan. 14.

For those with firearms, two weekends have been set aside: Nov. 17-19 and Nov. 30-Dec. 3. A weekend has also been set for hunting solely with muzzleloaders – Dec. 8-10. Muzzleloaders can also be used during the second firearm weekend.

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Hunters who haven't turned 18 can go out the weekend of Oct. 7-9.

Two late-winter periods, Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 12-14, have also been set for deer hunting.

What permits are required to hunt in Illinois?

First, you will need a permit. Archery permits cost $17 for deer of either sex.

Muzzleloader and firearm permits cost $21.50 for antlerless deer and $29 for either sex. For both kinds of permits, the overall cost is $46.50.

People can also enter the lottery for a chronic wasting disease (CWD) permit during the late winter period; those cost $17.50 and are available online at exploremoreil.com.

Lotteries for the muzzleloader and firearm periods have already been drawn, but hunters can receive a county-specific permit beginning Oct. 17 at one of the hundreds of license vendors across the state of Illinois.

Archery permits are still available through a licensed vendor. In Springfield, permits are sold at Walmart, Farm & Home Supply stores, Meijer, Scheels, the Qik-N-EZ on West Wabash Avenue, the DNR's headquarters at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, and at B Hayes Bait and Tackle.

A hunting license is required in order to obtain a permit. The fee is $12.50 for residents and can be purchased at the license vendors or applied for online at exploremoreil.com. A lifetime license can be purchased for $360 also at exploremoreil.com.

What kind of weapons can I use to deer hunt?

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources allows several different kinds of crossbows, longbows, recurve or compound bows to be used, as long as they meet certain specifications.

For crossbows, they must be 24 inches long with a working safety and must be used with fletched bolts or arrows at least 14 inches long. They must use a bowstring to propel the arrow at the deer and must have a peak draw weight of 125 pounds at minimum.

Longbows, recurve, or compound bows must have a minimum pull of 30 pounds within a 28-inch draw.

All bows must have a broadhead, either with fixed or expandable cutting surfaces a minimum of 7/8 inches when opened.

As for firearms, shotguns between 10 and 20 gauge, single or double-barreled muzzleloading rifles at least .45 caliber and centrefire revolvers, single-shot handguns, and single-shot rifles are allowed. This applies both for CWD counties and for the others.

Can I use a drone during hunting in Illinois?

You may not. According to IDNR, any kind of unmanned aircraft, such as drones, used for hunting is against the law and will be subject to enforcement action if found.

Jed Whitchurch, director of IDNR's law enforcement arm, said that the use of drones isn't just against the law, it's unethical as well.

"Not only is drone use for hunting unlawful in Illinois, it goes against the spirit of fair chase and widely accepted hunting ethics," Whitchurch said. "Illinois Conservation Police officers will be monitoring for drone use during the fall and winter hunting seasons. We encourage all hunters to familiarize themselves with the Wildlife Code, abide by the law, and have a safe and successful hunting season."

Where can I deer hunt near Springfield?

There are plenty of hunting sites near Springfield. Most notably, the Sangchris Lake State Park has over 2,400 acres of huntable ground, while the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area has over 16,000 acres.

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Other areas, like the Oakford State Habitat Area in Menard County, Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area in Montgomery County, the Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area in Logan County, Beaver Dam State Park, Goode's Woods Nature Preserve in Macoupin County, and the Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area in Cass, Mason and Schuyler counties are also available for deer hunting.

How many deer can I bag?

Hunters are limited to one deer per permit and can't harvest more than two antlered deer at any point.

Hunters can harvest one non-antlered deer even if they have harvested two antlered deer. They can also harvest an antlered deer that has less than three inches of antlers.

A harvest must be reported by 10 p.m. on the same day that the deer was taken. A temporary harvest tag must be placed on the deer immediately before it is moved or transported.

If a hunter cannot report the harvest by 10 p.m., they must report the dead deer as soon as they find it.

Go to exploremoreil.com or call (866) 452-4325 to report a harvest.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Here's what you need to know about deer hunting season in Illinois