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Phillips district
Williamson County, Illinois Hunting
What a Williamson 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: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District (CC BY 2.0)
Williamson County at a glance
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. Regional membership here is derived from neighbours; IDNR itself does not print it. Marion anchors a county of 67,064 people by the 2024 Census estimate, 0.1% down from the 2020 base of 67,154.
The Census gazetteer measures 420 square miles of land and 24 of water, the 68th largest land area of the 102. The county shares its lines only with Franklin County, Jackson County, Johnson County, Saline County and Union County. IDNR assigns Williamson County to the Phillips district, where Adam Phillips 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 Williamson County
Deer in Williamson County: permits and gun rules
Firearm deer hunting is open in Williamson 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 2,467 firearm permits unsold for Williamson County: 1,655 either-sex and 812 antlerless.
| Permit type | Either-sex left | Antlerless left | Total left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firearm | 1,655 | 812 | 2,467 |
| Muzzleloader | 60 | 90 | 150 |
Only 13 firearm counties had more permits left over after Lottery 3. For the December muzzleloader weekend, 150 permits were unsold, 60 either-sex plus 90 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.
What governs deer in Williamson County
| Rule | In this county |
|---|---|
| Firearm deer | Open |
| Archery deer | Split season |
| Check station | Not required |
| Leftover permits | 2,467 |
| 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 Williamson County
IDNR has not confirmed CWD in Williamson County; the confirmed list covers 28 other counties. Williamson County makes the list of 31 late-winter antlerless counties this year, and the list changes yearly. Spring turkey hunters in Williamson 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 Williamson 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.
County harvest numbers, Williamson County
Hunters took 3,400 deer in Williamson County during 2025-26 by IDNR county figures, 1,767 of them male. A rank of 9th statewide goes with a density of roughly 8.1 deer harvested per square mile. Statewide the harvest was 174,006, so this county accounts for 2.0% of it.
| Season | Deer taken | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Archery | 1,359 | 40% |
| Firearm | 1,692 | 50% |
| Muzzleloader | 47 | 1% |
| Youth | 58 | 2% |
| Late-winter and Special CWD | 244 | 7% |
Against an earlier average of 3,215 deer a season, the most recent total is above the pattern. Season by season the leader is firearm, which produced 50% of the deer.
In the 2026 spring season the county gave up 354 turkeys, and about 37.1% of permit holders tagged out. Youth hunters accounted for 48 of those birds, and the first segment yielded 91.
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.
When each Williamson County hunt starts and stops
56 season lines for 25 species reach Williamson 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 Williamson County
500,135 acres across 3 public sites make up the listed hunting ground in Williamson County. Shawnee National Forest is the biggest, at 286,498 acres of national forest.
| Site | Kind | Acres | Quota hunt | Trips 2025-26 | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crab Orchard | Wildlife refuge | 44,415 | Yes | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mourning dove |
| Shawnee National Forest | National forest | 286,498 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey |
| Hidden Springs Ranger District | Ranger district | 169,222 | No | — | white-tailed deer, wild turkey |
Look at Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) for managed access beyond the public areas.
Permit hunts are common on state fish and wildlife areas, while many state parks open only a few species.
Closest sites outside Williamson limits
Not open for hunting here: Tunnel Hill and Little Grassy Fish Hatchery.
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.
Williamson County towns and services
Williamson County holds 17 Census places; Marion, Herrin and Carterville lead in population.
| Town | Kind | People 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Marion | City | 17,021 |
| Herrin | City | 12,253 |
| Carterville | City | 5,821 |
| Johnston City | City | 3,309 |
| Cambria | Village | 1,793 |
| Crainville | Village | 1,493 |
| Energy | Village | 956 |
| Hurst | City | 750 |
| Pittsburg | Village | 561 |
| Creal Springs | City | 498 |
| Freeman Spur | Village | 271 |
| Bush | Village | 237 |
15 listed hunting businesss sit inside Williamson County, and the cards below add the closest ones from nearby counties.
Williamson wildlife staff and headquarters
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.
Williamson County listings by date
3 dates ahead, starting Dec 12, 2026 with Williamson County Dinner – 50th Anniversary. Of the total, 3 ask for a ticket from the hosting group.
| Starts | Name | Site | Go | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 12, 2026 | Williamson County Dinner – 50th Anniversary kind: DU banquet | Sweet Magnolia – Wedding and Event Center, 11442 Plumville Road | Tickets | Source |
| Feb 20, 2027 | RMEF Shawnee Chapter Banquet kind: RMEF banquet | Carterville | Tickets | Source |
| Mar 6, 2027 | Little Egypt Longbeards ’2nd Amendment’ Bash NWTF Banquet kind: NWTF banquet | 1305 Crane Dr | Tickets | Source |
Williamson County: club benches and clay fields
Williamson County has 4 ranges on file.
Upcoming here
| When, name | Type | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 5, 2026 | NASP tournament | Posted at |
| Jan 9, 2027 | NASP tournament | Posted at |
| Jan 23, 2027 | NASP tournament | Posted at |
| Feb 6, 2027 | NASP tournament | Posted at |
| Feb 20, 2027 | NASP tournament | Posted at |
| Feb 27, 2027 | NASP tournament | Posted at |
Ranges from the IDNR archery and hand-trap page, the Sparta complex pages, club sites and directory listings, checked November 13, 2026.
Williamson County sunrise and legal hours
The Digest sets deer hours at half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset, so the window around Williamson 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. | 4:53 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. to 4:53 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens | 6:41 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. to 4:43 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 | 7:07 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Late-winter days | 7:11 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | Not in season |
| Apr 5, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:37 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 7:51 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. to 7:21 p.m. | 6:07 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.
Williamson 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.
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)
Orange sunset over Horseshoe Lake with the St. Louis skyline beyondPhoto: Bryan Werner (CC BY 2.0)
Williamson County: common questions
Can I report a deer online in Williamson County?
Yes, through the IDNR harvest reporting site, or by phone at 1-866-452-4325.
Can I use a mineral lick for deer in Williamson County?
Store-bought deer baits and attractants are illegal at any time in Illinois except for licensed captive cervid owners.
Are there discounts on a Williamson hunting license?
Seniors 65 to 74 pay $6.00 and those 75 or older $1.00; veterans $6.00.
Who needs hunter orange in Williamson 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 Williamson 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 Williamson County?
One-half hour after sunset: 5:13 p.m. on opening day of firearm season, November 20, 2026.
Can I hunt waterfowl in Williamson 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.
Is there a gun shop in Williamson County?
5 sporting goods or gun listings appear for Williamson County.
When can I buy leftover deer permits for Williamson County?
Over the counter from October 20, 2026. Check the IDNR permit inquiry page for the live count, which began at 2,467 firearm permits for Williamson County after Lottery 3.
Should Williamson 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 Williamson County?
The question does not arise in Williamson County, which has no Special CWD season; elsewhere those deer do not count toward the antlered limit.
What time does turkey hunting stop in Williamson County?
At 1 p.m. each day in spring; shooting starts one-half hour before sunrise.
Is there a state fish and wildlife area in Williamson County?
None is listed inside the county; the sites above are other kinds of public land.
How many archery deer are taken in Williamson County?
1,359 in 2025-26, 40% of the county total.
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.