On Air Now

Archery deer hunting season starts Oct. 1

The Deer hunting season is getting underway starting on Tuesday, October 1, when archery season kicks off.

The archery season runs through January 19, except during the weekends that make up the firearm seasons, November 22-24 and December 5-8.

Permits are needed to bow hunt in Illinois. Tim Schweizer with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it’s something you can get over the counter during the bow season.

“Residents of the state that want to buy an archery deer permit can get them over-the-counter at places that sell Illinois Department of Natural Resources license and permits. Those are available and will be available throughout the season. They’re statewide permits. You don’t need to buy it for a specific county.”

Schweizer also emphasizes hunter safety. He says that hunters that will be in elevated tree stands need to make sure they’re safe and secure before using them.

“Take a safety checklist out and make sure everything is secure and ready. We don’t want folks getting up in an elevated treestand and having a mishap and ending up on the ground. We’d rather you climb in safely, be secure when you’re in that elevated stand, and be safe getting out as well. We want folks to enjoy hunting. Not have a trip to the hospital as part of their hunting trip.”

Schweizer also says if you plan to hunt public land, make sure you check the regulations for the specific site and if you’re hunting someone’s private land, make sure you have their permission because trespass laws do apply.

Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset and no bow and arrow device shall be carried with the arrow nocked during hours when hunting is unlawful. A full list of the rules and regulations can be found here.

During the last archery deer season, Knox County hunters nabbed 928 deer — nearly half of the deer harvested during all of the deer hunting seasons.

Recommended Posts

Loading...

Share Contact

contact-chris-mcintyre-qr-code