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Langan district
Franklin County, Illinois Hunting
What a Franklin County hunter needs before opening day: permit status, zone flags, check station rules, sites to hunt and a county harvest record back to 2016.
Photo: TheCatalyst31 (CC0 1.0)
Quick facts about Franklin County
For the Hunt Illinois site list, this county counts as South region country: the Shawnee Hills, the Ohio and Wabash river counties and the Cache and Kaskaskia bottoms. Benton anchors a county of 37,033 people by the 2024 Census estimate, 2.1% down from the 2020 base of 37,820. The Census gazetteer measures 409 square miles of land and 23 of water, the 72nd largest land area of the 102.
The county shares its lines only with Hamilton County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Perry County, Saline County and Williamson County. IDNR assigns Franklin County to the Langan district, where Cody Langan is the biologist of record.
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 Franklin County
Deer in Franklin County: permits and gun rules
Firearm deer hunting is open in Franklin County: the first season runs November 20 to November 22, 2026 and the second December 3 to December 6, 2026. Bow season closes during each firearm period, leaving three windows that end on November 19, December 2 and January 17. After Lottery 3, IDNR still had 1,361 firearm permits unsold for Franklin County: 981 either-sex and 380 antlerless.
| Permit type | Either-sex left | Antlerless left | Total left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearm | 981 | 380 | 1,361 |
| Muzzleloader | 79 | 74 | 153 |
Only 29 firearm counties had more permits left over after Lottery 3. For the December muzzleloader weekend, 153 permits were unsold, 79 either-sex plus 74 antlerless. Residents had first crack in Lottery 1; whatever remained after Lottery 3 is what this table counts. Each permit tags one deer, and a hunter may not exceed two antlered deer in a year, Special CWD excepted.
Franklin County deer checklist
| Rule | In this county |
|---|---|
| Firearm deer | Open |
| Archery deer | Split season |
| Check station | Not required |
| Leftover permits | 1,361 |
| 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.
Disease rules and turkey dates for Franklin County
IDNR has not confirmed CWD in Franklin County; the confirmed list covers 28 other counties. Franklin County makes the list of 31 late-winter antlerless counties this year, and the list changes yearly. Spring turkey hunters in Franklin County follow the South Zone calendar, opening April 5 and closing May 6, 2027. Two youth weekends open the spring, then five segments follow, and shooting stops at 1 p.m. each day.
| Flag | Status |
|---|---|
| Confirmed CWD | No |
| Special CWD season | No |
| Late-winter antlerless | Yes |
| Firearm check station | Not required |
| Spring turkey zone | South |
| Restricted Archery Zone | No |
| Segment | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring turkey 1 | Apr 5, 2027 | Apr 9, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 2 | Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 3 | Apr 16, 2027 | Apr 21, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 4 | Apr 22, 2027 | Apr 28, 2027 |
| Spring turkey 5 | Apr 29, 2027 | May 6, 2027 |
| Youth weekends | Mar 27, 2027 | Apr 4, 2027 |
Head drop-off near Franklin County
Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam Parking Area
Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area
Drop-off stations take adult deer heads for CWD testing: fill out a sample submission card and leave the head.
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 Franklin County
Hunters took 2,638 deer in Franklin County during 2025-26 by IDNR county figures, 1,319 of them male. A rank of 19th statewide goes with a density of roughly 6.5 deer harvested per square mile. Statewide the harvest was 174,006, so this county accounts for 1.5% of it.
| Season | Deer taken | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 1,132 | 43% |
| Firearm | 1,229 | 47% |
| Muzzleloader | 36 | 1% |
| Youth | 50 | 2% |
| Late-winter and Special CWD | 191 | 7% |
Last season barely moved from the 2,597 deer average. Season by season the leader is firearm, which produced 47% of the deer.
In the 2026 spring season the county gave up 263 turkeys, and about 38.3% of permit holders tagged out. Youth hunters accounted for 35 of those birds, and the first segment yielded 68.
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.
Hunts that open in Franklin County
56 season lines for 25 species reach Franklin County this year, and the last column checks each against today's date.
| Animal | Window | Buy | Covers | Begins | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Late-Winter Antlerless | Late-winter permit | Late-winter 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 | South Zone | Apr 5, 2027 | Apr 9, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 2 | Turkey permit | South Zone | Apr 10, 2027 | Apr 15, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 3 | Turkey permit | South Zone | Apr 16, 2027 | Apr 21, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 4 | Turkey permit | South Zone | Apr 22, 2027 | Apr 28, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey 5 | Turkey permit | South Zone | Apr 29, 2027 | May 6, 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.
Sites, acres and quota hunts in Franklin County
9,760 acres across 3 public sites make up the listed hunting ground in Franklin County. Rend Lake Project Lands and Waters is the biggest, at 7,740 acres of fish and wildlife area.
| Site | Kind | Acres | Quota hunt | Trips 2025-26 | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rend Lake Project Lands and Waters | Fish and wildlife area | 7,740 | No | 8,000 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
| Campbell Pond | Habitat area | 520 | No | 520 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
| Wayne Fitzgerrell | Recreation area | 1,500 | Yes | 3,200 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, pheasant |
Permit hunts are common on state fish and wildlife areas, while many state parks open only a few species.
Closest sites outside Franklin limits
Not open for hunting here: Region V Headquarters, Benton Mine Rescue Station, Southern Illinois Art and Artisans Center and Orient Bottoms.
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 Franklin County
Franklin County holds 15 Census places; West Frankfort, Benton and Christopher lead in population.
| Town | Kind | People 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| West Frankfort | City | 7,131 |
| Benton | City | 6,578 |
| Christopher | City | 2,621 |
| Sesser | City | 1,876 |
| Zeigler | City | 1,465 |
| Royalton | Village | 1,043 |
| West City | Village | 640 |
| Valier | Village | 539 |
| North City | Village | 499 |
| Thompsonville | Village | 479 |
| Buckner | Village | 398 |
| Orient | City | 321 |
14 listed hunting businesss sit inside Franklin County, and the cards below add the closest ones from nearby counties.
Contacts for Franklin 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.
Franklin County listings by date
2 dates ahead, starting Nov 14, 2026 with Youth Clinic & IL Youth Pheasant Hunt at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area. Of the total, 1 asks for a ticket from the hosting group.
| Starts | Name | Site | Go | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | Youth Clinic & IL Youth Pheasant Hunt at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area kind: IDNR youth clinic and hunt | Whittington | Event page | Source |
| Feb 20, 2027 | Rend Lake Limbhangers NWTF Banquet kind: NWTF banquet | 167 Industrial Park Rd | Tickets | Source |
Zeroing a slug gun in Franklin County
Franklin County has 2 ranges on file.
Upcoming here
| When, name | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 13, 2026 | ATA trap | Posted at |
| Nov 15, 2026 | ATA trap | Posted at |
| Nov 20, 2026 | ATA trap | Posted at |
| Nov 27, 2026 | ATA trap | Posted at |
| Dec 4, 2026 | ATA trap | Posted at |
| Dec 11, 2026 | ATA trap | Posted at |
Ranges from the IDNR archery and hand-trap page, the Sparta complex pages, club sites and directory listings, checked November 13, 2026.
Franklin County dawn and dusk on season dates
The Digest sets deer hours at half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset, so the window around Franklin County below comes from the NOAA solar formula for this spot.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Antlered or not | Blind hours | Spring hunt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Bow season opens | 6:50 a.m. | 6:41 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. | Not in season |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth deer weekend | 6:58 a.m. | 6:27 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 6:27 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Pheasant and quail | 6:27 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens | 6:41 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Muzzleloader weekend | 7:01 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:07 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:37 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:08 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Late-winter days | 7:11 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | Not in season |
| Apr 5, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:36 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. | 6:06 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.
Franklin County gear picks
Four items that suit an Illinois year, from October bow hunts to January rabbits.
Amazon links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Hang-on stand
Cornfield edges give little cover, so most hunters climb into a hardwood draw.
Morning light reflecting on the Ohio River at Paducah, across from Massac CountyPhoto: jjmusgrove (CC BY 2.0)
Orange sunset over Horseshoe Lake with the St. Louis skyline beyondPhoto: Bryan Werner (CC BY 2.0)
Snow on the bank of the Ohio River at Locks and Dam 53 near Grand ChainPhoto: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District (CC BY 2.0)
Franklin County: common questions
How much public hunting ground is in Franklin County, in acres?
Roughly 9,760 listed acres across 3 sites, by Hunt Illinois fact sheet figures.
How many archery deer are taken in Franklin County?
1,132 in 2025-26, 43% of the county total.
Can I report a deer online in Franklin County?
Yes, through the IDNR harvest reporting site, or by phone at 1-866-452-4325.
What counts as bait for deer in Franklin 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 Franklin County?
Yes, the State Habitat Stamp costs $5.00 and is required with a hunting license, with a free version for super seniors.
Who needs hunter orange in Franklin County?
Anyone hunting deer in firearm seasons in open counties, with a solid blaze orange or pink cap and an upper garment showing at least 400 square inches.
Are Sundays open for deer in Franklin County?
Season dates are listed as date ranges; the Digest does not say anything we could read about Sunday restrictions.
When does legal deer shooting light end in Franklin County?
One-half hour after sunset: 5:12 p.m. on opening day of firearm season, November 20, 2026.
Can I hunt waterfowl in Franklin County?
Yes, with the hunting license, habitat stamp, state and federal waterfowl stamps, and attention to site rules; public waterfowl sites are drawn by lottery.
Who do I call with a wildlife question in Franklin County?
Cody Langan, the IDNR district biologist, at (618) 694-6025.
When can I buy leftover deer permits for Franklin County?
Over the counter from October 20, 2026. Check the IDNR permit inquiry page for the live count, which began at 1,361 firearm permits for Franklin County after Lottery 3.
Should Franklin County hunters worry about chronic wasting disease?
It has not been confirmed in the county, but IDNR samples deer statewide and neighbouring counties may be on the confirmed list.
Do Special CWD deer count against my limit in Franklin County?
The question does not arise in Franklin County, which has no Special CWD season; elsewhere those deer do not count toward the antlered limit.
When does turkey season end in Franklin County?
The fifth segment closes May 6, 2027.
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.