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Putnam County, Illinois
Putnam County Hunting Overview
Putnam County for 2026-27: firearm deer is open, 737 permits were still unsold after Lottery 3, and 4 public sites lie inside the line.
Photo: David Wilson (CC BY 2.0)
Start here for Putnam County
The Northwest region that holds Putnam County runs across the Rock River valley, the Driftless hills around Galena, the Quad Cities and the Illinois River corridor. About 5,633 people called the county home in 2024 (0.1% down from the 2020 base of 5,637), and Hennepin is where the offices sit. Ground inside the county line adds up to 160 square miles, near 102,462 acres; 101 counties are larger.
Neighbouring counties are Bureau County, LaSalle County and Marshall County, all inside Illinois. Reach the district biologist, Matt Hunsaker, for the Hunsaker area that takes in Putnam County.
County facts from the Census Bureau (2024 estimates and Gazetteer), IDNR wildlife districts and the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); key dates for this county, checked November 13, 2026.
; biologist contacts https://wildlifeillinois.org/idnr-district-wildlife-biologist/){kind=link}
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Putnam County
Permits and rules for Putnam County deer hunters
Every firearm county shares the same two gun seasons, so in Putnam County the dates to circle are November 20 through November 22 and December 3 through December 6. Archery deer is split around the gun seasons: October 1 to November 19, November 23 to December 2, then December 7 to January 17. Leftover firearm permits for Putnam County total 737, split 517 either-sex and 220 antlerless.
| Permit type | Either-sex left | Antlerless left | Total left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearm | 517 | 220 | 737 |
| Muzzleloader | 52 | 32 | 84 |
That ranks the county 52nd of 99 firearm counties for leftover permits, where first place has the most. Leftover muzzleloader stock stands at 84: 52 either-sex and 32 antlerless. From October 20 the leftovers can be bought at license vendors or online, and the numbers above are the counts after Lottery 3. No hunter may take more than two antlered deer a year across youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons; the Special CWD season is exempt, and each permit covers one deer.
Putnam County deer checklist
| Rule | In this county |
|---|---|
| Firearm deer | Open |
| Archery deer | Split season |
| Check station | Not required |
| Leftover permits | 737 |
| Hunter orange | Gun seasons |
| Bait or feed deer | Illegal |
| Antlered limit | Two per year |
| Harvest report | By 10 p.m. |
Firearm and archery rules from the 2026-27 Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); Restricted Archery Zone from IDNR; leftover permits from the IDNR deer permit inquiry system (counts after Lottery 3, checked November 13, 2026); hunter orange from the Digest; baiting from the Digest.
Putnam County zone flags and CWD rules
A CWD positive has turned up here, and IDNR keeps Putnam County on its list of 28 confirmed counties. The annual surveillance report tallies 4 CWD positives from the county between November 2003 and June 2026, and 1 of 27 adult samples tested positive in fiscal 2026. Firearm deer in Putnam County do not have to go to a check station, though hunters must still report the harvest by 10 p.m. A Special CWD season is held in Putnam County: antlerless deer only, December 31 to January 3 and January 15 to 17, on a county-specific permit.
| Flag | Status |
|---|---|
| Confirmed CWD | Yes |
| Special CWD season | Yes |
| Late-winter antlerless | No |
| Firearm check station | Not required |
| Spring turkey zone | North |
| Restricted Archery Zone | No |
Expect five spring segments in the North Zone, starting April 12 and finishing May 13, 2027. The 2027 youth weekends fall on March 27 and 28 and April 3 and 4; adults wait for segment one.
| Segment | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring turkey 1 | Apr 12, 2027 | Apr 16, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 2 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 22, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 3 | Apr 23, 2027 | Apr 28, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 4 | Apr 29, 2027 | May 5, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 5 | May 6, 2027 | May 13, 2027 |
| Youth weekends | Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 4, 2027 |
CWD head drop-off stations near Putnam County
Marshall SFWA
Long Point CWD drop-off site
IDNR lists 38 voluntary head drop-off sites, and these are the two closest to the county center.
From the 2026-27 Digest CWD section, confirmed county list, Special CWD information, late-winter information, check station counties, the CWD annual report and 17 IAC 710.10 (LII mirror, unofficial) (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); checked November 13, 2026.
Deer and turkey totals for Putnam County
County harvest tables for the 2025-26 seasons credit Putnam with 763 deer, including 363 does. The total sits 82nd in the state and equals about 4.8 deer taken per square mile. One deer in every 228 taken in Illinois came from Putnam, a 0.4% share of 174,006.
| Season | Deer taken | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 330 | 43% |
| Firearm | 330 | 43% |
| Muzzleloader | 9 | 1% |
| Youth | 13 | 2% |
| Late-winter and Special CWD | 81 | 11% |
The newest season is above the earlier average of 677 for 2016 to 2024. Weapons split the harvest unevenly; archery topped the list with 330 deer.
Without a separate turkey line in the reports, none is shown here. Late-winter Special CWD hunting contributed 81 deer in 2025-26.
IDNR county deer harvest report (harvest by county), spring turkey county tables (turkey harvest by county) and the CWD annual report (Illinois Department of Natural Resources). Figures are county totals as reported, not public-land results; checked November 13, 2026.
Putnam seasons by species
Archery deer, spring turkey and furbearer dates run far past the November gun weekends, which means most of the calendar for Putnam County falls outside the firearm seasons.
| Game | Season name | Permit kind | Zone | From | To | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth Firearm | Deer permit | Youth counties | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearm – first season | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Nov 20, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearm – second season | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Dec 3, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Deer permit | Firearm counties | Dec 11, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Special CWD | CWD permit | CWD counties | Dec 31, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall archery | Archery turkey permit | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall shotgun | Turkey permit | Map counties | Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Turkey permit | Statewide | Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 1 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 12, 2027 | Apr 16, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 2 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 22, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 3 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 23, 2027 | Apr 28, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 4 | Turkey permit | North Zone | Apr 29, 2027 | May 5, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 5 | Turkey permit | North Zone | May 6, 2027 | May 13, 2027 | |
| Ring-necked pheasant | Upland bird | License | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | |
| Ring-necked pheasant | Upland bird | License | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Upland bird | License | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite quail | Upland bird | License | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Upland bird | License | North Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 8, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Upland bird | License | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Rabbit | Rabbit | License | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray and fox squirrel | Squirrel | License | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Waterfowl stamps | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Regular duck season | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Regular duck season | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Regular duck season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Scaup | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Scaup | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ducks, mergansers and coots | Scaup | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 24, 2027 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Jan 30, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Early season | Waterfowl stamps | North and Central Zones | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | HIP and license | North Zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | HIP and license | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Regular season | HIP and license | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | HIP and license | North Zone | Jan 27, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Conservation Order | HIP and license | Central and South Zones | Feb 1, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | Central Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | North Zone | Oct 31, 2026 | Jan 26, 2027 | |
| White-fronted goose | Regular season | Waterfowl stamps | South Zone | Nov 14, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | HIP and license | All zones | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Rails | Rails | HIP and license | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | |
| Wilson's snipe | Snipe | HIP and license | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Mourning and white-winged dove | Dove | HIP and license | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 9, 2027 | |
| American woodcock | Woodcock | HIP and license | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| American crow | Crow | License | Statewide | Oct 28, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | License | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | License | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | License | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | License | Statewide (except closed zone) | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Woodchuck | Hunting | License | Statewide | Jun 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 |
From the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
Where the public hunting ground lies in Putnam County
Count 4 public hunting sites in Putnam County: 1,535 listed acres in total. Top of the list sits Donnelley State Fish and Wildlife Area: 676 acres classed as a fish and wildlife area.
| Site | Kind | Acres | Quota hunt | Trips 2025-26 | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donnelley | Fish and wildlife area | 676 | No | 275 | ducks, geese |
| Donnelley State Fish and Wildlife Area Putnam County Unit | Fish and wildlife area | 255 | No | 275 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey |
| Miller-Anderson Woods | Natural area | 524 | No | 279 | white-tailed deer |
| George S. Park | Natural area | 80 | No | 39 | white-tailed deer |
Site-specific rules matter: some areas limit shot type, close at set hours or require a permit drawn in advance.
Close public sites beyond the county line
Sites that look public but are not open to hunting in Putnam County: Hennepin-Hopper Lake.
From Hunt Illinois site fact sheets, the 2025-26 Public Hunting Areas Report and IDNR and FWS pages (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); acres are fact-sheet huntable acres, not polygon areas; checked November 13, 2026.
Businesses and agency contacts for Putnam County
Of 6 places in the county, Granville, Hennepin and Mark are the most populous.
| Town | Kind | People 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Granville | Village | 1,331 |
| Hennepin | Village | 747 |
| Mark | Village | 507 |
| McNabb | Village | 274 |
| Magnolia | Village | 254 |
| Standard | Village | 222 |
Shops, processors, taxidermists and outfitters in the data: 1 here and more across the line.
Contacts for Putnam County hunters
Towns and population from the Census Bureau (2024); services from IDNR outfitter and CWD station lists, Hunters Feeding Illinois and Yellow Pages listings (not individually verified); biologist from the IDNR district biologist page; checked November 13, 2026.
Zeroing a slug gun in Putnam County
Putnam County has no listed range of its own; the nearest three across the line are below, with miles.
Toluca Sportsmans Club is the rifle range nearest Putnam County, 18 miles away; check its access line first.
Ranges from the IDNR archery and hand-trap page, the Sparta complex pages, club sites and directory listings, checked November 13, 2026.
Putnam County dawn and dusk on season dates
Regular duck and goose hours end at sunset, a full half hour earlier than deer hours, and the Putnam County columns show that gap on each date.
| Date | Marker | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Ducks, geese | Spring turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Bow season opens | 6:52 a.m. | 6:41 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. | Not in season |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth deer weekend | 7:02 a.m. | 6:26 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. to 6:26 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Pheasant and quail | 6:35 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens | 6:51 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 5:06 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Muzzleloader weekend | 7:12 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:19 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. to 4:31 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Late-winter days | 7:22 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. | Not in season |
| Apr 12, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:24 a.m. | 7:32 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 8:02 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula on Central Time; checked November 13, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Load the truck for Putnam County
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Morning light reflecting on the Ohio River at Paducah, across from Massac CountyPhoto: jjmusgrove (CC BY 2.0)
Sunset over the Mississippi River with the St. Louis skyline, the Gateway Arch and the Eads BridgePhoto: Bryan Werner (CC BY 2.0)
Sunset over the Mississippi River at Buffalo, Iowa, across from Rock Island CountyPhoto: David Brossard (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hunting Putnam County, answered
How do I know which duck zone covers Putnam County?
Read the road description in the Digest or the IDNR waterfowl zones PDF, since zone lines follow roads and not county borders.
Who do I call with a wildlife question in Putnam County?
Matt Hunsaker, the IDNR district biologist, at (779) 702-8518.
How many leftover deer permits does Putnam County have?
737 firearm and 84 muzzleloader permits remained after the third lottery, and the count falls as they sell.
Is there a CWD check station in Putnam County?
No, Putnam is not one of the 18 mandatory check-station counties.
Is there a late-winter deer season in Putnam County?
No, Putnam County is not on the 2026-27 late-winter antlerless county list.
When does turkey season end in Putnam County?
The fifth segment closes May 13, 2027.
How much public hunting ground is in Putnam County, in acres?
Roughly 1,535 listed acres across 4 sites, by Hunt Illinois fact sheet figures.
Which season produces most of the Putnam deer harvest?
In 2025-26 the firearm seasons produced 330 deer and archery 330.
Do I have to report my deer in Putnam County?
Yes. Every deer must be reported by phone or online by 10 p.m. on harvest day.
What counts as bait for deer in Putnam County?
Any feed, mineral or store-bought attractant placed to draw deer, and the area stays baited for 10 days afterward.
Do I need a habitat stamp to hunt in Putnam County?
Yes, the State Habitat Stamp costs $5.00 and is required with a hunting license, with a free version for super seniors.
Do I need hunter safety to hunt in Putnam County?
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 must complete hunter safety education or show a prior-year hunting license before buying one.
Where can I confirm the Sunday rule for Putnam County?
Ask IDNR directly, because the Digest and IDNR pages we read are silent on the point.
What time is sunrise in Putnam County in November?
About 6:51 a.m. on November 20, 2026, with sunset at 4:36 p.m..
From the 2026-27 Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), hunter orange, baiting, Sunday statement, harvest reporting, CWD rules, license fees and the county data above. Checked November 13, 2026.