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Illinois county hunting, 2026-27
Stephenson County Hunt Planner
From the first bow day on October 1 to the last January antlerless weekend, this Stephenson County page lays out dates, permits, zones, land and local services.
Photo: Adam Moss (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Stephenson County in brief
Among the five IDNR public land regions, Stephenson County falls in the northwest one, which covers the Rock River valley, the Driftless hills around Galena, the Quad Cities and the Illinois River corridor. The 2024 estimate of 43,088 residents (3.6% down from the 2020 base of 44,700) tells you how busy the roads around Freeport get on opening weekend. At 564 square miles it is the 43rd biggest county in the state, so scouting by road takes planning.
The county touches Carroll County, Jo Daviess County, Ogle County and Winnebago County and, over the state line, Green County (WI) and Lafayette County (WI); licenses bought elsewhere do not carry over. On the IDNR wildlife districts map the county belongs to Brodie Eddington's Eddington district.
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}
Stephenson County firearm status and leftover permits
Shotgun hunters get two statewide weekends here, November 20 to November 22, 2026 and December 3 to December 6, 2026, plus a muzzleloader weekend on December 11 to December 13, 2026. Archery in Stephenson County follows the statewide split, three segments between October 1 and January 17. The permit inquiry system shows 1,505 either-sex and 1,351 antlerless firearm permits left in Stephenson County when the third lottery closed.
| Permit type | Either-sex left | Antlerless left | Total left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearm | 1,505 | 1,351 | 2,856 |
| Muzzleloader | 275 | 186 | 461 |
The leftover ranking has Stephenson 9th of 99; low numbers mean the permits sold out faster elsewhere. Black-powder hunters can pick from 275 either-sex and 186 antlerless leftovers. Leftover county permits go on sale over the counter starting October 20, 2026, until they run out, and counts change as they sell. Special CWD deer do not count against the two-antlered-deer yearly limit that applies to all other seasons.
Quick deer rules for Stephenson County
| Rule | In this county |
|---|---|
| Firearm deer | Open |
| Archery deer | Split season |
| Check station | Required |
| Leftover permits | 2,856 |
| 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.
CWD, late winter and gobblers in Stephenson County
At least one deer has tested positive for CWD in Stephenson County; the confirmed list now runs to 28 counties. Table 1 of the CWD report credits Stephenson County with 275 positives and shows 35 positives in 238 adult samples for fiscal 2026. The county is on the mandatory check list of 18: bring first or second season deer in whole or field-dressed by 8 p.m. Address: Stephenson Co. Fairgrounds, 2250 S Walnut Rd, Freeport, IL 61032. The county takes part in the Special CWD season (December 31 to January 3, January 15 to 17), a hunt aimed at thinning deer where the disease is found.
| Flag | Status |
|---|---|
| Confirmed CWD | Yes |
| Special CWD season | Yes |
| Late-winter antlerless | No |
| Firearm check station | Required |
| Spring turkey zone | North |
| Restricted Archery Zone | No |
IDNR puts Stephenson County in the North Zone, so segment one begins April 12 and segment five ends May 13, 2027. Spring turkey hours end at 1 p.m., and mandatory harvest reporting is due by 10 p.m. that evening.
| 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 |
Sampling sites around Stephenson County
Lake Le Aqua Na…
Lowden State Park
Each site is self-serve; hunters fill out a submission card and leave adult deer heads.
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.
Stephenson County harvest history
1,133 deer made the 2025-26 county harvest total here, a split of 681 male and 452 female deer. Among 102 counties it places 68th by total deer, or 2.0 per square mile. Compared with the state total of 174,006, the county share is 0.7%.
| Season | Deer taken | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 480 | 42% |
| Firearm | 504 | 44% |
| Muzzleloader | 5 | 0% |
| Youth | 18 | 2% |
| Late-winter and Special CWD | 126 | 11% |
Looking back to 2016, the average of 1,208 puts the newest season below normal. 504 deer, 44% of the total, came in the firearm category, more than any other.
Turkey harvest for spring 2026 stands at 171 in Stephenson with a 29.6% success rate. Segment one produced 47 turkeys and the youth weekends added 22. The same report lists 126 Special CWD deer for the county.
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 Stephenson County
Duck, goose and upland rows name the zone because IDNR draws those lines along roads rather than county borders, so find out which side of the road Stephenson County sits on.
| Quarry | Weapon | Needs | Applies to | Start | Stop | 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.
Hunting areas listed inside Stephenson County
IDNR and federal fact sheets name 2 places to hunt here, together close to 682 acres. Biggest by acres is Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area (560 acres, recreation area).
| Site | Kind | Acres | Quota hunt | Trips 2025-26 | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin Highlands Pheasant Habitat Area | Habitat area | 122 | Yes | 42 | white-tailed deer, rabbit |
| Lake Le-Aqua-Na | Recreation area | 560 | Yes | 39 | white-tailed deer, mourning dove |
Many Illinois sites run permit hunts through the quota lottery, and each site rules on hunter orange, hours and weapons.
Hunting sites over the Stephenson line
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.
Towns, shops and contacts around Stephenson County
Towns to stage from: Freeport, Lena and Pearl City, the biggest of the county's 12 places.
| Town | Kind | People 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Freeport | City | 23,140 |
| Lena | Village | 2,666 |
| Pearl City | Village | 756 |
| Orangeville | Village | 739 |
| Cedarville | Village | 645 |
| Davis | Village | 568 |
| Dakota | Village | 479 |
| German Valley | Village | 417 |
| Rock City | Village | 287 |
| Winslow | Village | 270 |
| Ridott | Village | 123 |
| Willow Lake | Cdp | — |
Our service data has 7 listings for the county itself; nearby counties fill in the rest.
IDNR people to call about Stephenson County
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.
Where Stephenson County hunters confirm a rifle or slug zero
Stephenson County has 1 range on file.
Ranges from the IDNR archery and hand-trap page, the Sparta complex pages, club sites and directory listings, checked November 13, 2026.
Clock times for Stephenson County hunters
Hunters in Stephenson County must be done by 1 p.m. in the spring turkey season, even though deer hunters keep shooting light until after dark.
| Day | Note | Sunup | Sundown | Deer day | Goose day | Turkey day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Bow season opens | 6:54 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 7:12 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. | Not in season |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth deer weekend | 7:04 a.m. | 6:27 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 6:57 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 6:27 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Pheasant and quail | 6:39 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens | 6:55 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Muzzleloader weekend | 7:17 a.m. | 4:27 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 4:57 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 4:27 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:24 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 4:29 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Late-winter days | 7:27 a.m. | 4:35 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:35 p.m. | Not in season |
| Apr 12, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:24 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 8:05 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. to 7:35 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.
Stephenson County hunting kit
Chosen to match the game on this page.
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Hang-on stand
Cornfield edges give little cover, so most hunters climb into a hardwood draw in Illinois.
The Stephenson County Courthouse in FreeportPhoto: Nyttend (Public domain)
Rolling green farmland near Kent in Stephenson CountyPhoto: IvoShandor (CC BY 2.5)
Morning light reflecting on the Ohio River at Paducah, across from Massac CountyPhoto: jjmusgrove (CC BY 2.0)
Plain answers about Stephenson County
What do the sources say about Sunday hunting in Stephenson County?
The 2026-27 Digest and the IDNR pages we read contain no statement on Sunday hunting, so we cannot say it is allowed or banned.
Is hunter orange required in Stephenson County?
In firearm deer seasons in counties open to firearm hunting: cap and upper garment of solid blaze orange or pink, 400 square inches minimum.
What stamps do I need for ducks in Stephenson County?
The State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp ($15.00) and the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp ($25.00), plus the license and habitat stamp.
What are deer hunting hours in Stephenson County on opening day?
6:25 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. on November 20, worked out with the NOAA solar formula on Central Time.
Are firearm deer permits still available in Stephenson County?
Yes, as of November 13, 2026 IDNR showed 2,856 firearm permits left after Lottery 3 (1,505 either-sex, 1,351 antlerless), sold over the counter from October 20 until gone.
How many hunting businesses are in Stephenson County?
Our directory lists 7 within the county and more nearby.
What permit covers winter deer hunting in Stephenson County?
A county-specific antlerless-only permit, sold over the counter from December 8, 2026 through January 17, 2027.
Do I have to get my deer tested for CWD in Stephenson County?
Testing is voluntary at head drop-off stations, though firearm hunters in Stephenson must visit a check station the day of the kill.
How much public hunting ground is in Stephenson County, in acres?
Roughly 682 listed acres across 2 sites, by Hunt Illinois fact sheet figures.
How many turkey segments does Stephenson County get?
Five regular segments in the North Zone, beginning April 12, plus youth weekends.
How do I report a deer harvested in Stephenson County?
By phone at 1-866-452-4325 or online at exploremoreil.com by 10 p.m. the day of harvest, or the next day if the deer is not recovered by then; firearm deer also go to a check station.
What share of the Illinois deer harvest comes from Stephenson?
0.7% of the 174,006 deer reported statewide for 2025-26.
Can nonresidents hunt in Stephenson County?
Yes, with a nonresident license ($57.00 base price) and the permits for what they hunt; Lottery 1 is for residents only.
Is feeding deer legal in Stephenson County?
Not at any time: Illinois bans feeding deer and hunting over bait, including store-bought attractants.
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.