Section 570.10  Statewide Zones

 

The State of Illinois is divided by U. S. Route 36 (New Route 36) into a Northern and Southern Zone.

 

(Source:  Amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 12034, effective July 7, 1988)

 

Section 570.15  Closed Zone – Bobcat Trapping

 

Taking bobcats is prohibited inside an area bounded by the Indiana State border from Lake Michigan southward to U.S. Route 36 (New Route 36), westward on U.S. Route 36 to U.S. Route 51, northward on U.S. Route 51 to the Wisconsin State border, and eastward on the Wisconsin State border to Lake Michigan.  Bobcats may be taken in the remainder of the State in accordance with Sections 570.20, 570.30, 570.31 and 570.35.

 

(Source:  Added at 40 Ill. Reg. 8568, effective June 13, 2016)

 

Section 570.20  Statewide Season Dates

 

a)         Muskrat, mink, raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, coyote, badger, bobcat and weasel

 

Trapping dates:  November 10 through the next following February 15.

 

b)         Beaver and River Otter

 

Trapping:  November 10 through the next following March 31.

 

c)         Woodchuck (Groundhog)

 

Trapping dates:  June 1 through the next following September 30.

 

d)         Trapping outside the set season dates is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 14747, effective October 30, 2025)

 

Section 570.30  Statewide Hours, Daily Limit and Possession Limit

 

a)         Muskrat, mink, raccoon, opossum, striped skunk, red fox, coyote and weasel

 

1)         Trapping hours:  November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; February 15 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted.

 

2)         Daily and possession limit:  None

 

b)         Beaver and River Otter

 

1)         Trapping hours: November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; March 31 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted.

 

2)         Season and possession limit: 

 

A)        None for beaver;

 

B)        The otter trapping season limit is 5 river otters trapped during any one season by a person.  The possession limit is twice the season limit for all otters possessed by an individual that were taken over multiple seasons.  Possession limit for river otter does not apply to fur buyers, fur tanners, taxidermists or manufacturers as defined by Section 3.11, 3.12, 3.15, 3.16, 3.16a, 3.18 and 3.21 of the Wildlife Code (Code) [520 ILCS 5].  River otters salvaged from roadways under Section 2.30 of the Code become part of the person's season limit of 5 river otters and are subject to permit and tagging requirements.  Having more river otter than allowed is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

 

c)         Woodchuck (Groundhog)

 

1)         Trapping hours:  June 1 open for trapping at sunrise; September 30 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise hours are unrestricted.

 

2)         Daily and possession limit:  None

 

d)         Badger

 

1)         Trapping hours: November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; February 15 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted.

 

2)         Daily and possession limit: not to exceed two badgers per season in the Northern Zone zone and one badger per season in the Southern Zone.  Badgers salvaged from roadways under authority of Section 2.30 of the Code become part of the person's season limit.  Possession limits do not apply to fur buyers, fur tanners, taxidermists or manufacturers as defined by Sections 3.11, 3.12, 3.15, 3.16, 3.16a, 3.18 and 3.21 of the Code.  Having more badger than allowed is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

 

e)         Bobcat

 

1)         Trapping hours:  November 10 open for trapping at sunrise; February 15 closed for trapping after sunset; otherwise, hours are unrestricted.

 

2)         Daily and possession limit:  Not to exceed one bobcat per person, per season for combined methods of take.  Bobcats salvaged from roadways under Section 2.30 of the Code become part of the person's season limit and are subject to permit and tagging requirements.  Possession limits do not apply to fur buyers, fur tanners, taxidermists or manufacturers as defined by Sections 3.11, 3.12, 3.15, 3.16, 3.16a, 3.18 and 3.21 of the Code.  Having more bobcat than allowed is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

 

f)         Trapping before specified hours on opening day or after specified hours on closing day is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 14747, effective October 30, 2025)

 

Section 570.31  Permit and Tagging Requirements

 

a)         Permit Requirement and Fee – River Otter

 

1)         Trappers must purchase a River Otter Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking each otter that becomes part of their daily limit.

 

2)         The cost of a River Otter Registration Permit is $5.

 

3)         River Otter Registration Permits must be purchased by the same individual who trapped or salvaged a river otter and are not transferable.

 

4)         Failure to purchase a River Otter Registration Permit, failure to do so within the specified time limit and transfer of a River Otter Registration Permit are Class B misdemeanors (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

 

b)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit – Application, Lottery and Fee

 

1)         Applications from residents and nonresidents will be accepted online only at www.dnr.illinois.gov from September 1 through September 30 of the current year.

 

2)         Each person may apply for one Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit per application period.

 

3)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits will be allocated in a computerized random drawing.  Beginning July 1, 2020, applicants who did not receive a permit the previous year will have preference by being part of the initial random drawing.  If any additional permits remain to be allocated after that drawing, a second drawing will take place for all of the individuals who received a permit the previous year.

 

4)         The Department will mail, email or provide electronic Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits to successful applicants after the drawing is held.

 

5)         A non-refundable fee of $5 will be charged for each application for a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit.

 

6)         The number of Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits that are made available each season will be determined by the Department in accordance with federal regulations (50 CFR 23.69 (2007)).

 

7)         No more than 5% of permits will be allocated to nonresidents.

 

8)         If the number of available permits exceeds the number distributed to applicants during the lottery, remaining permits will be offered first-come, first-served at www.dnr.illinois.gov for $5 each. Applicants who received a permit in the preceding lottery are ineligible to receive a second permit.

 

c)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit – Requirements

 

1)         Trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit before taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit.

 

2)         Trappers must possess a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permit before salvaging a bobcat from roadways under Section 2.30 of the Wildlife Code.

 

3)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits are not transferable.  Violation is a Petty Offense (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30c).

 

4)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permits allow harvest of bobcats in all parts of the State that are not identified as closed by Section 570.15.

 

d)         Bobcat Registration Permit – Fee and Requirements

 

1)         Trappers must purchase a Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours after taking a bobcat that becomes part of their daily limit.

 

2)         The cost of a Bobcat Registration Permit is $5.

 

3)         Bobcat Registration Permits will be available for purchase online only at www.dnr.illinois.gov.

 

4)         Bobcat Registration Permits must be purchased by the same individual who took a bobcat and are not transferable.

 

5)         The Department will issue a United States Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (U.S. CITES) pelt tag to individuals who trapped a bobcat in accordance with this Part and purchased a Bobcat Registration Permit.

 

e)         Tagging Requirements

 

1)         A U.S. CITES pelt tag issued by the Department must be permanently affixed to the green hide of each river otter or bobcat and sealed before the green hide is exported from the United States or transferred to a fur buyer, fur tanner, taxidermist or manufacturer and is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30b).

 

2)         It is unlawful to possess more unsealed U.S. CITES tags issued by the Department than green hides of river otter or bobcat in possession and is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30b).

 

3)         Unsealed U.S. CITES tags are not transferable and is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30b).

 

4)         Unless an alternative method has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, each green hide of bobcat or river otter to be exported or re-exported must have a U.S. CITES tag permanently attached (50 CFR 23.69) (2007).

 

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12637, effective September 24, 2021)

 

Section 570.32  Limits on Total Harvest − Bobcat

 

a)         Statewide limits on the total number of bobcats that may be hunted or trapped during a season are set forth in Section 2.30 of the Wildlife Code.  Bobcats salvaged from roadways in accordance with that statute do not count toward limits established for hunting and trapping.

 

b)         The Department may close the bobcat season before the closing date set forth in Section 570.20 when it is apparent limits on the total number of bobcats that may be hunted or trapped during a season will be exceeded.  Remaining valid permit holders will be contacted by letter, email and phone in addition to public announcement, if applicable.

 

c)         Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits will not be valid after the closing date specified in Section 570.20 or after permittees are notified of early closure of the season, whichever is earlier.

 

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 15544, effective October 17, 2024)

 

Section 570.35  Use of Rifles, Pistols and Airguns by Trappers During Deer Gun Season

 

Licensed trappers may use rifles and pistols, while in possession of valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID), or airguns to kill trapped furbearers or woodchuck (groundhog) during seasons established by Section 570.20, including portions of open seasons that coincide with hunting seasons for taking white-tailed deer with guns (17 Ill. Adm. Code 650.10, 660.10 and 680.10).  All rifles, pistols or airguns so used shall be a caliber no larger than .22 to kill trapped furbearers or woodchuck (groundhog).  Use of any other firearm or airgun to kill trapped furbearers or woodchuck (groundhog) during gun deer seasons is prohibited.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 18576, effective November 2, 2022)

 

Section 570.40  Trapping Regulations on Department-Owned, -Leased or -Managed Sites

 

a)         General Regulations

 

1)         All the regulations in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510 – General Hunting and Trapping apply in this Section, unless this Section is more restrictive.

 

2)         Trappers must stay within assigned areas.

 

3)         On sites where a drawing is required, it shall be held prior to the opening of the season.  The date and location of the drawing shall be announced by the Department by public announcement (publicly announced means that the information referred to will be included on the Department's Internet Home Page at www.dnr.illinois.gov, provided to outdoor writers for newspapers) and the drawing may be held at the site.  Persons participating in the drawing must have either a current or previous year trapping license.  The number of permits per site shall be determined pursuant to 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.20.  Permit applicants must submit name and address to the site prior to drawing.  Permits must be in possession while trapping on the area.  Sites that require a drawing are followed by (1).  Sites that require use of windshield cards by trappers as specified in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 510.10 are followed by (2).

 

4)         All sites except Kinkaid Lake Fish and Wildlife Area, Mississippi River Pools 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, and Rend Lake Wildlife Management Area require trappers to submit a harvest report to the site superintendent within 20 days following the close of the trapping season. Reports for sites that require use of windshield cards must be submitted online at the Department's website. Failure to report shall result in the trapper being ineligible to trap at that site for the following year.

 

5)         Body-gripping traps with a 10-inch jaw spread or larger must be totally submerged in water when set.

 

6)         No trapping is permitted in subimpoundments or designated waterfowl management units during duck season.

 

7)         .22 caliber or smaller rimfire firearms permitted unless otherwise specified.

 

b)         Statewide regulations as provided for in this Part apply at the following sites (exceptions in parentheses):

 

Alvah Borah State Habitat Area (2)

 

Beall Woods State Park (water sets only) (1)

 

Cave-In-Rock State Park – Kaegi Tract (2)

 

Chauncey Marsh State Natural Area (obtain permit at Red Hills State Park headquarters) (1)

 

Copperhead Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area (off-set and/or padded jaw foothold traps required for land sets) (1) (2)

 

Crawford County State Fish and Wildlife Management Area (water sets only) (1)

 

Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area (2)

 

Des Plaines Game Propagation Center (1)

 

Fox Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (no trapping in designated waterfowl hunting units before or during waterfowl season; permit drawing held at Red Hills State Park office) (1)

 

Frank Holten State Park (water sets only; designated areas only) (1)

 

Kinkaid Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

Mississippi River Pools 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24 (USFWS trapping permit required on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuges in Pools 21 and 24; Quincy Bay Waterfowl Management Unit closed to trapping during the regular duck season)

 

Pere Marquette State Park (off-set and/or padded jaw foothold traps required for land sets) (1)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area – Dutch Creek Unit (1)

 

Ray Norbut State Fish and Wildlife Area – East Hannibal Unit (1)

 

Rend Lake Project Lands and Waters – Corps of Engineer Managed Land (water sets only)

 

Rend Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (water sets only)

 

Sam Parr State Park (water sets only) (1)

 

Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area (water sets only) (2)

 

Siloam Springs State Park (1)

 

Siloam Springs State Park – Buckhorn Unit (1)

 

Siloam Springs State Park – Fall Creek Unit (1)

 

Snakeden Hollow State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Weinberg-King State Park (1) (2)

 

Weinberg-King State Park − Scripps Unit (1) (2)

 

Weinberg-King State Park − Spunky Bottoms Unit (1) (2)

 

c)         Statewide regulations as provided for in this Part apply at the following sites; in addition, a permit is required; only Egg Traps^®, D-P (Dog-Proof) Traps^®, Lil Grizz Get'rz^®, box traps, cage traps, and traps of similar design may be used for land sets (exceptions in parentheses):

 

Birkbeck Pheasant Habitat Area (season opens at sunrise on December 26) (1) (2)

 

Buffalo Prairie Pheasant Habitat Area (season begins at sunrise on December 26) (1) (2)

 

Butterfield Trail State Recreation Area (1) (2)

 

Cache River State Natural Area (no snares allowed) (1)

 

Cape Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Carlyle Lake Lands and Waters – Corps of Engineers Managed Lands (1)

 

Carlyle Lake State Wildlife Management Area (1)

 

Clinton Lake State Recreation Area (1) (2)

 

Cypress Pond State Natural Area (1)

 

Deer Pond State Natural Area (1)

 

Devil's Island State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Dug Hill State Fish and Wildlife Area

 

Eldon Hazlet State Park – north of Allen Branch and west of Peppenhorst Branch only (1)

 

Embarras River Bottoms State Habitat Area (2)

 

Ferne Clyffe State Park – Cedar Draper Bluffs Hunting Area (1)

 

Finfrock State Habitat Area (seasons open at sunrise on December 26) (1) (2)

 

Fort de Chartres Historic Site (1)

 

Hallsville Pheasant Habitat Area (seasons open at sunrise on December 26) (1) (2)

 

Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area (1) (2)

 

Herschel Workman Pheasant Habitat Area (2)

 

Hindsboro Pheasant Habitat Area (2)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

I & M Canal State Park (1)

 

Kaskaskia River Fish and Wildlife Area (Doza Creek Waterfowl Management Area closed 7 days prior to duck season; the defined Baldwin Lake Waterfowl Rest Area is closed) (1) (2)

 

Ken Russell T Lake State Habitat Area (1) (2)

 

Kickapoo State Recreation Area (1) (2)

 

Kidd Lake State Natural Area (1)

 

Lake Murphysboro State Park (1)

 

Larry D. Closson State Habitat Area (2)

 

Lincoln Trail State Park (1) (2)

 

Lowden State Park − Kilbuck Creek Habitat Area (1)

 

Mazonia State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Meeker State Habitat Area (1) (2)

 

Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Mississippi River State Fish and Waterfowl Area (Pools 25, 26) (land sets accessed by land only allowed during duck season; water and land sets allowed after duck season closes) (1)

 

Moraine Hills State Park (water sets only; only body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of 5 inches or less may be used; no more than two persons may enter drawing on a single card) (1)

 

Moraine View State Park (no more than 2 persons may enter drawing on a single card) (1) (2)

 

Newton Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (2)

 

Paul C. Burrus Habitat Area (2)

 

Peabody River King State Fish and Wildlife Area (east, west, and south subunits only) (1)

 

Perdueville Pheasant Habitat Area (2)

 

Ralph Clover State Natural Area

 

Randolph County State Conservation Area (1)

 

Red Hills State Park (2)

 

Sand Ridge State Forest (1) (2)

 

Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Saybrook Pheasant Habitat Area (2)

 

Shelbyville State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Sibley Pheasant Habitat Area (2)

 

Ten Mile Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (designated Waterfowl Rest Areas closed to trapping during open season for Canada goose) (2)

 

Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Victoria Pheasant Habitat Area (season opens at sunrise on December 26) (1) (2)

 

Walnut Point State Park (2)

 

Washington County State Conservation Area (1)

 

Willow Creek State Habitat Area (2)

 

Wise Ridge State Natural Area (1)

 

World Shooting and Recreation Complex (designated areas only) (1)

 

d)         Statewide regulations as provided for in this Part apply at the following sites (exceptions in parentheses); in addition, a permit is required; only Egg Traps^®, D‑P (Dog-Proof) Traps^®, Lil Grizz Get'rz^®, box traps, cage traps, and traps of similar design may be used for land sets; only body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of 5 inches or less, foothold traps with a jaw spread of 4½ inches or less and square body-gripping traps with a 10 inch jaw spread may be used for water sets; snares may be used for water sets:

 

Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park (open November 15 to March 31) (2)

 

Anderson Lake State Conservation Area (1)

 

Argyle Lake State Park (1) (2)

 

Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Beaver Dam State Park (1)

 

Big Bend State Fish and Wildlife Area (after the close of rabbit season foothold traps with a jaw spread of 7½ inches or less may be used for water sets) (1)

 

Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area (no trapping in Island Lake Waterfowl Rest Area, no foothold traps, and body-gripping traps must be fully submerged) (1) (2)

 

Coffeen Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Coleta Ponds (1)

 

Dog Island State Wildlife Management Area (1) (2)

 

Double T State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Edward R. Madigan State Fish and Wildlife Area/James C. Helfrich Wildlife Propagation Center (designated areas only) (1) (2)

 

Giant City State Park (1)

 

Gifford Pheasant Habitat Area – (season opens at sunrise on December 26) (2)

 

Hamilton County State Fish and Wildlife Area (closed during firearm deer season) (2)

 

Hanover Bluff State Natural Area (1)

 

Henderson Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Hennepin Canal Parkway including Sinnissippi Lake (trappers must register at park office; no floats may be set more than 14 days prior to the season and must be removed at the conclusion of the season; no land sets) (1)

 

Hidden Springs State Forest (1) (2)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Park – Madison County (1)

 

Horseshoe Lake State Park (Gabaret, Mosenthein and Chouteau Island Units (Madison County)) (1)

 

Ilo Dillin State Habitat Area (use of foothold traps prohibited during pheasant and quail season) (1)

 

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (body-gripping traps must be completely submerged) (1) (2)

 

Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park (no foothold water sets) (1)

 

Jubilee College State Park (1)

 

Kankakee River State Park (trappers must wear blaze orange while checking traps; no trapping adjacent to bike or horse trails; south of the Kankakee River, only dog proof type traps may be used until the close of the upland hunting season; no trapping on campground areas until closed) (1) (2)

 

Kishwaukee River State Fish and Wildlife Area (site trapping season ends on the last day of archery deer season) (1) (2)

 

Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park (1)

 

Little Rock Creek State Habitat Area (1)

 

Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Marshall County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Mautino State Fish and Wildlife Area (trappers must register at the Hennepin Canal office; no floats may be set more than 14 days prior to the season and must be removed at the conclusion of the season; no land sets) (1)

 

Morrison Rockwood State Park (1)

 

Mt. Vernon Game Propagation Center (1)

 

Pekin Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Pyramid State Park – Captain, Denmark, East Conant, Galum, and Park Units (no trapping on waterfowl refuge during waterfowl season; no foothold traps; body-gripping traps must be submerged) (1) (2)

 

Ramsey Lake State Park (1) (2)

 

Rice Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Rock Cut State Park (1)

 

Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Sam Dale Lake State Conservation Area (2)

 

Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area (1) (2)

 

Sangchris Lake State Park (trapping rights for the opening day of the raccoon trapping season in the southern zone through January 25 are allocated by a drawing and restricted to designated areas; from February 1 through March 31, Sangchris Lake will be open to statewide trapping regulations) (1) (2)

 

Shabbona Lake State Park (1) (2)

 

Sparland State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Spoon River State Forest (1) (2)

 

Spring Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area (1)

 

Starved Rock/Matthiessen State Park (1)

 

Stephen A. Forbes State Park (1) (2)

 

Trail of Tears State Forest (1)

 

Weldon Springs State Park (1) (2)

 

e)         Trapping is prohibited on all other Department-owned, -leased or -managed sites except by special permit which shall be issued by the Department when it is determined that the harvest of a species would enhance the biological balance of the resource.

 

1)         All regulations shall be according to species regulations as provided for in this Part.

 

2)         Permit application information and site specific regulations shall be announced publicly by the Department through the news media by September 1 of each year.

 

3)         Site specific regulations shall be listed on the application and permit and posted at the site.

 

(Source:  Amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 14747, effective October 30, 2025)

 

Section 570.50  Gray Fox

 

Due to the current biological balance and population numbers of the gray fox in the State of Illinois, it is illegal to trap gray fox in this State.

 

(Source:  Added at 49 Ill. Reg. 14747, effective October 30, 2025)