Section 650.22  Deer Permit Requirements – Special Hunts

Special hunt sites are defined as those sites that are owned or controlled by agencies/entities other than the Department, or sites at which the Department only controls a portion of the property designated for deer hunting, that issue deer hunting permits through the statewide lottery process.  The Permit Office issues deer hunting permits through a computerized drawing for the following sites, in addition to the Department-owned, -leased or -managed sites listed in Section 650.60(h).  The permit preference system does not apply to special hunt areas or to State sites allocating permits in the lottery.

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge (the first and second season are considered separate hunt choices, and permit applicants must specify which season they are applying for in the County Choice or Hunt Area field of the application; permits may be issued as antlerless-only without the normal bonus requirement; standby hunting will be allowed if additional permits are available at the site)

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge – Disabled Hunt (first season only)

Joliet Army Training Area (Will County)

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands – Disabled Hunt (first season only; permit drawing will be conducted by Corps of Engineers' staff with permits mailed to successful applicants by the Department; contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for application procedures/dates; additional permits will be available for purchase at the site for any unfilled positions)

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands (Moultrie County) (it is unlawful to drive deer; for Corps of Engineers managed lands not managed by DNR, contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for specific deer hunting policy)

Lake Shelbyville Project Lands except Wolf Creek State Park (Shelby County) (it is unlawful to drive deer; for Corps of Engineers managed lands not managed by DNR, contact Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville office for specific deer hunting policy)

Lost Mound Unit – Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, including Stewardship Park and Eagles Landing (DNR owned) – Disabled Hunt (Friday, Saturday and Sunday prior to the first statewide firearm deer season only; permit drawing will be conducted by United States Fish and Wildlife Service; preference given to disabled hunters; either-sex permits; bonus antlerless-only permits and one-day standby permits will be sold at site)

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (no handguns allowed; additional site pass is required; check-in, check-out and reporting of harvest is required)

Rend Lake Project Lands – Disabled Hunt (first season only; permit drawing will be conducted by Corps of Engineers staff with permits mailed to successful applicants by the Department; contact Corps of Engineers, Rend Lake Office for application procedures/dates; additional permits will be available for purchase at the site for any unfilled positions; bonus antlerless-only permits will be sold at site)

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 15559, effective October 17, 2024)