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Illinois Bobcat and Badger Road Rules, Closed Zone and Zone Line
The road line around the bobcat closed zone, the US 36 badger zone line, permit and registration rules and season dates for both species.
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District (CC BY 2.0)
Bobcat and badger rules in Illinois
Two furbearer rules in Illinois depend on a line of roads rather than a county list. Bobcat may not be taken in the closed zone, Interstate 39/Route 51 on the west side and US Route 36 on the southside. Badger trapping is split into a North Zone with a limit of 2 per trapper per season and a South Zone with a limit of 1, divided by US Route 36. Both seasons run November 10, 2026 to February 15, 2027. Bobcat takes a Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit from a one-time lottery held in September, with a $5 non-refundable application fee, and a registration within 48 hours of the take. No county is placed inside or outside either line on this site, because the Digest gives no county list.
From Digest furbearer pages and IDNR permit information (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
The road wording for both rules
| Rule | Digest wording |
|---|---|
| Bobcat closed zone | It is prohibited to take a bobcat in an area bounded by Interstate 39/Route 51 on the west side and US Route 36 on the southside. |
| Badger zones | Badger trapping zones (North 2 per season, South 1) are divided by US Route 36. |
| Bobcat permit | Bobcat one-time lottery September 1-30, 2026; $5 non-refundable application fee. |
Closed during the first and second firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm deer hunting. Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit required before attempting to take one; limit one per permit; Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours; closed zone applies.
From Digest furbearer pages (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
Season rows for bobcat and badger
| Species | Season | Where | Dates | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Hunting | Statewide except bobcat closed zone |
| One by permit only |
| Bobcat | Trapping | Statewide except bobcat closed zone |
| One by permit only |
| Badger | Trapping | North Zone |
| 2 per trapper per season |
| Badger | Trapping | South Zone |
| 1 per trapper per season |
From Digest furbearer pages (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
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)
Bobcat and badger road rules: common questions
Where is the bobcat closed zone?
It is prohibited to take a bobcat in an area bounded by Interstate 39/Route 51 on the west side and US Route 36 on the southside.
Which counties are in the closed zone?
The Digest describes the zone by roads and publishes no county list, so none is assigned here.
How do I get a bobcat permit?
Bobcat one-time lottery September 1-30, 2026; $5 non-refundable application fee.
How many bobcats can I take?
One per permit.
Do I register a bobcat?
Yes: a Bobcat Registration Permit within 48 hours of taking one.
Where is the badger line?
Badger trapping zones (North 2 per season, South 1) are divided by US Route 36.
What are the badger limits?
Two per trapper per season in the North Zone and one in the South Zone.
Can I hunt badger?
The Digest lists badger as a trapping species only.
When do the seasons run?
November 10, 2026 to February 15, 2027, with hunting closed during the firearm deer seasons in open counties for bobcat hunting.
Other photos on this page: jjmusgrove (CC BY 2.0); Bryan Werner (CC BY 2.0); David Brossard (CC BY-SA 2.0).