Section 510.20  Hunting and Trapping by Special Permit

a)         A special permit will be issued by the Department for Department-owned or ‑managed sites when hunter or trapper demand is greater than the site can handle.  The permit system is used as a fair and equitable way to distribute hunting and trapping opportunities without over-harvesting the wildlife population.

b)         Application information will be announced publicly by the Department.

c)         Special permits may be allocated via randomized drawing to increase hunter and trapper recruitment, retention and reengagement.  Hunter and trapper quotas will be filled equally with resident adult and youth who have hunted or trapped no more than two years of the last consecutive five years based on purchases of Illinois hunting or trapping licenses or state habitat or state wetland stamps.  If fewer adult or youth hunters apply for available openings for the respective age category, then vacancies shall be available to the other age category.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 12584, effective September 24, 2021)