Section 650.30  Statewide Requirements for Hunting Devices

a)         Any combination of legal hunting devices in this subsection (a) may be used to take, or attempt to take, deer provided the devices are legal for the specific season as follows:

1)         Shotgun, loaded with slugs only, of not larger than 10 nor smaller than 20 gauge, not capable of firing more than 3 consecutive slugs; or

2)         A single or double barreled muzzleloading rifle of at least .45 caliber shooting a single projectile through a barrel of at least sixteen inches in length; or

3)         Centerfire revolvers, centerfire single-shot handguns, and centerfire single-shot rifles as specified in 520 ILCS 5/2.25; or

4)         On private land only, archery equipment as defined by 17 Ill. Adm. Code 670.30 may be used during firearm deer season while hunting with a valid firearm deer permit.

b)         Standards and specifications for legal firearm ammunition are:

1)         For shotguns and muzzleloading firearms, the minimum size of the projectile shall be .44 caliber.  A wad or sleeve is not considered a projectile or a part of the projectile.

2)         For handguns and rifles, the firearm ammunition as specified in 520 ILCS 5/2.25.

3)         Non-expanding, military-style full metal jacket bullets cannot be used to harvest white-tailed deer; only soft point or expanding bullets (including copper/copper alloy rounds designed for hunting) are legal ammunition.

c)         Standards and specifications for use of muzzleloading firearms are as follows:

1)         A muzzleloading firearm is defined as a firearm into which the projectile is incapable of being inserted from the breech end.

2)         Only black powder or a "black powder substitute" such as Pyrodex may be used.  Modern smokeless powders (nitrocellulose-based) are an approved black powder substitute only in muzzleloading firearms that are specifically designed for their use.

3)         Only percussion (cap or primer), wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or electronic ignition may be used.

4)         The following shall constitute an unloaded muzzleloading firearm:

A)        removal of percussion cap/primer;

B)        removal of prime powder from frizzen pan with frizzen open and hammer all the way down;

C)        removal of prime powder from flashpan and wheel unwound;

D)        removal of prime powder and match with match not lit; or

E)        removal of the battery from the electronic ignition. 

d)         It shall be unlawful to use or possess any other firearm or ammunition in the field while hunting white-tailed deer except as provided in the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.  [430 ILCS 66]

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 177, effective January 1, 2023)