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South region
Union County for Hunters
Plan a Union County season around its own permit count, its CWD status, the south turkey zone, 14 IDNR sites and the shops near Jonesboro.
Photo: Curtis Abert (CC BY 2.0)
Union County overview
On IDNR maps of public hunting areas the county sits in the south region, alongside the Shawnee Hills, the Ohio and Wabash river counties and the Cache and Kaskaskia bottoms. Jonesboro is the county seat, and the Census Bureau counted 16,886 residents here in 2024, 2.7% down from the 2020 base of 17,353. Size-wise the county places 71st of 102, with 413 square miles of land and 9 of water.
Check each neighbour before driving over a line: Alexander County, Jackson County, Johnson County, Pulaski County and Williamson County, and in other states Cape Girardeau County (MO) and Perry County (MO). The IDNR wildlife biologist for this county is Kenneth Delahunt of the Delahunt district, reachable at (618) 529-6426.
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}
Union County deer hunting rules
The county is one of 98 where IDNR opens firearm deer seasons; the gun days are November 20 to November 22, 2026 and December 3 to December 6, 2026. Bowhunters stop for the firearm weekends, with seasons from October 1 to November 19, from November 23 to December 2 and from December 7 to January 17. Once Lottery 3 was done, Union County held 120 either-sex firearm permits and 0 antlerless ones, 120 in all.
| Permit type | Either-sex left | Antlerless left | Total left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearm | 120 | 0 | 120 |
| Muzzleloader | 39 | 22 | 61 |
Among the 99 counties with firearm permits, Union places 87th for permits left unsold. The muzzleloader side of the leftover list shows 39 either-sex and 22 antlerless permits. IDNR has not published the original county permit quotas, so only these leftover counts exist; they shrink every time someone buys one. Two antlered deer is the yearly ceiling for any hunter, counting all seasons except Special CWD, with one deer per permit.
Union County deer rules at a glance
| Rule | In this county |
|---|---|
| Firearm deer | Open |
| Archery deer | Split season |
| Check station | Not required |
| Leftover permits | 120 |
| 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.
What the CWD and turkey lists say about Union County
As of the 2026 report, Union County sits off the confirmed list, and no Special CWD season is held in it. Union County has no late-winter or Special CWD hunting days in 2026-27. For gobblers, Union County belongs to the South Zone; the season stretches from April 5 through May 6, 2027. Youth turkey weekends, March 27 to 28 and April 3 to 4, come before the regular segments, and spring hunters must report birds by 10 p.m. the day of harvest.
| Flag | Status |
|---|---|
| Confirmed CWD | No |
| Special CWD season | No |
| Late-winter antlerless | No |
| 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 |
Nearest places to drop a deer head
Kaskaskia River Lock and Dam Parking Area
Harry "Babe" Woodyard State Natural Area
Sampling stations are separate from the mandatory firearm check stations.
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.
Union County deer and turkey harvest figures
In the 2025-26 deer seasons the county gave up 2,109 animals, 1,204 male and 905 female. Per square mile of land the harvest is close to 5.1, and by total it ranks 30th of 102. Illinois hunters took 174,006 deer in all, and 1.2% of them came out of this county.
| Season | Deer taken | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 780 | 37% |
| Firearm | 1,211 | 57% |
| Muzzleloader | 54 | 3% |
| Youth | 64 | 3% |
| Late-winter and Special CWD | 0 | 0% |
Measured against 2,273, the mean of the years 2016 to 2024, the latest total is below trend. Firearm accounted for the biggest share, 1,211 deer or 57% of the county total.
Spring 2026 turkey hunters in Union County took 259 birds on county permits, a success rate of 23.0%. The opening segment gave 79 and youth hunts 34.
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.
Union County permits and windows by species
Rows marked Deer permit need a lottery win or a leftover permit; the rest need only the license, habitat stamp and any stamps for migratory birds.
| Species | Season | License | Reach | First | Last | Today? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 Union County
14 IDNR or federal sites lie wholly or partly inside Union County, adding up to about 484,940 acres of listed huntable ground. Acreage leader: Shawnee National Forest, 286,498 acres.
| Site | Kind | Acres | Quota hunt | Trips 2025-26 | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | Fish and wildlife area | 6,202 | Yes | 726 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
| Dug Hill | Fish and wildlife area | 282 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
| Devil’s Island Wildlife Management Area | Wildlife area | 2,741 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
| Crab Orchard | Wildlife refuge | 44,415 | Yes | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mourning dove |
| Cypress Creek | Wildlife refuge | 16,758 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel |
| Trail of Tears | State forest | 4,784 | No | 449 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mourning dove |
| Shawnee National Forest | National forest | 286,498 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey |
| Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District | Ranger district | 117,276 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey |
| Giant City | State park | 2,891 | No | 573 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mourning dove |
| Ferne Clyffe | State park | 450 | Yes | 223 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mourning dove |
| LaRue Swamp Federal Lands | Federal site | 1,000 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
| Bluff Lakes Federal Lands | Federal site | 516 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
| Guthrie Cave Land and Water Reserve | Land and water reserve | 80 | No | — | white-tailed deer |
| Cypress Pond | Natural area | 1,047 | No | 290 | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ducks |
Always read the site fact sheet before you go, because Illinois public areas restrict centerfire rifles and may close to hunting during other uses.
Closest sites outside Union limits
These listed places are closed to hunting: Berryville Shale Glade, Brown Barrens and Union State Tree Nursery.
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.
Supplies, meat processing and contacts for Union County
Base yourself in Anna and Jonesboro or one of 4 smaller places for gas, food and a bed.
| Town | Kind | People 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Anna | City | 4,165 |
| Jonesboro | City | 1,655 |
| Cobden | Village | 1,040 |
| Dongola | Village | 645 |
| Alto Pass | Village | 305 |
| Mill Creek | Village | 56 |
Local listings number 9; closer-by neighbours add to them below.
Biologist and Springfield office for Union 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.
Dated events inside Union County
Within the county line the listings show 1 date ahead: NWTF banquet. Read November 13, 2026. Fundraiser nights among them: 1, sold by the chapter.
| When | Title | Location | Tickets or sign-up | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2027 | Trail of Tears NWTF Banquet sorted under NWTF banquet | 70 VFW Lane Anna | Tickets | Source |
Where Union County hunters confirm a rifle or slug zero
Union 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.
Union County hunting hours by date
All of Illinois keeps Central Time, which falls back on November 1, 2026 and returns on March 14, 2027; watch the clock jump in the Union County rows.
| Day | Why it matters | Sun up | Sun down | Deer window | Regular waterfowl | Gobbler hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Bow season opens | 6:51 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:12 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:42 p.m. | Not in season |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth deer weekend | 6:59 a.m. | 6:28 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 6:58 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. to 6:28 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Pheasant and quail | 6:27 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens | 6:41 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:14 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Muzzleloader weekend | 7:01 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:08 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | Not in season |
| Apr 5, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:38 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 7:52 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. to 7:22 p.m. | 6:08 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.
Union County gear picks
Built around prairie, farm and river country.
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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)
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)
Union County FAQ
Does Union County sit in a single waterfowl zone?
We cannot say: the zones are described by roads, and a county can be split by a road line.
Do hunting hours change when daylight time ends in Union County?
Yes. Clocks fall back on November 1, 2026, so November sunrise comes earlier on the clock: 6:41 a.m. here on November 20.
Can I buy a Union firearm permit over the counter?
Leftover permits go on sale from October 20, 2026. For Union County the leftovers were 120 either-sex and 0 antlerless for firearm hunting.
Are there taxidermists in Union County?
1 taxidermist listed inside the county.
Does Union County have a Special CWD season?
No. Special CWD seasons are held in 25 counties, and Union is not one of them.
Can I take deer carcass parts out of Union County?
Illinois does not publish a carcass-transport ban for Union County in the Digest sections we read; check the current CWD rules and the state where you are heading before moving a carcass.
Are there closed public sites in Union County?
Yes, 3 listed places such as Berryville Shale Glade do not allow hunting.
Is Union County in the North or South turkey zone?
IDNR lists it in the South Zone (34 counties), so the spring dates start April 5.
Where do I check in a deer taken in Union County?
Reporting is by phone (1-866-452-4325) or online; no station visit is required in the county.
How many deer are taken in Union County each year?
IDNR reports 2,109 deer in the 2025-26 seasons, ranking 30th of 102 counties.
What license do I need to hunt in Union County?
A hunting license (resident $12.00 base price), the State Habitat Stamp ($5.00), the right permits, and waterfowl stamps if you hunt ducks or geese.
How long after removing bait can I hunt in Union County?
An area is considered baited for 10 consecutive days after the bait is gone.
Is there a Sunday ban on hunting in Union County?
None is stated in the Digest or IDNR pages we read, and we cannot confirm one way or the other.
Can kids hunt in Union County?
Yes. Youth have their own deer weekend (October 10 to 12) and turkey weekends, and an apprentice license skips the course if a licensed hunter 21 or older supervises.
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.