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2026-27 Digest prices beside the IDNR fee tables
Illinois Hunting Licenses and Fees
All 64 license, stamp and permit rows from the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest and the IDNR fee tables: the annual and three-year hunting licenses, sportsman combinations, the State Habitat Stamp and waterfowl stamps, every deer permit for residents and nonresidents, the turkey permits, trapping licenses and the outfitter and breeder fees. Each row shows the Digest base price and the higher price in the IDNR fee table, which adds a vendor fee.
Photo: Courtney Celley (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Which license and which permit for Illinois hunters
Illinois sells an annual hunting license from March 1 to March 31 of the next year, then a permit for each deer or turkey and a stamp for each kind of bird. The $12.00 resident license is the base for most hunts; deer and turkey need their own permits, ducks and geese need the $15.00 state stamp, the $25.00 federal stamp and HIP certification, and every hunter also needs the $5.00 habitat stamp.
Who needs what
A hunting license (or applicable exemption) plus a State Habitat Stamp are required to hunt; deer needs a deer permit, turkey a turkey permit, waterfowl the State and Federal waterfowl stamps and HIP certification, doves and woodcock HIP certification.
License year
Annual hunting licenses and state stamps go on sale 1 March and are valid through 31 March of the following year.
Where to buy
Online at exploremoreil.com or from license vendors; some permits by lottery.
Exemptions
Illinois residents with a Type 1 or Type 4 Class 2 disability, disabled veterans, active-duty military on leave and others may be exempt from the license (stamps may still be required); see the Digest.
Digest price
Base hunting license (Digest, excludes vendor fees): Resident $12.00, Senior $6.00, Super Senior $1.00, Veteran $6.00, Apprentice $7.00, Youth Hunt/Trap $7.00, Resident Lifetime $360.00, Sportsman Combo $25.50, Veteran and Senior Combo $12.75, Super Senior Combo $2.00, Lifetime Combo $765.00, Nonresident $57.00, Nonresident 5-day $35.00. Three-year licenses cost three times the annual fee.
Fee table price
IDNR fee tables list prices with vendor fees added (resident hunting $12.50). See regs_flagged.json.
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 5; IDNR hunting license fees. Checked: links reopened on November 13, 2026.
Illinois fees, row by row (64)
The Digest column is the base price IDNR prints; the fee-table column is what the IDNR fee page lists once the vendor fee is added, for example $12.50 against $12.00. Rows marked Either carry one price for residents and nonresidents, and a row with no fee-table price is not on those pages. Three-year licenses cost three times the annual fee.
Hunting licenses (14)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting | Resident | $12.00 | $12.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Resident Senior Hunting (65-74) | Resident | $6.00 | $6.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Ages 65-74 inclusive. |
| Resident Super Senior Hunting (75+) | Resident | $1.00 | $1.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Age 75 or older. |
| Illinois Veteran Hunting | Resident | $6.00 | $6.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Half-price license after IDNR certification of qualifying service (DD214). |
| Hunting Apprentice | Either | $7.00 | $7.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Supervised by a licensed hunter 21 or older; hunter safety course not required. |
| Youth Hunting and Trapping Combination | Either | $7.00 | $7.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Under 18; supervised by an adult 21 or older. |
| Resident Lifetime Hunting | Resident | $360.00 | $360.50 | Lifetime | |
| Nonresident Hunting | Nonresident | $57.00 | $57.75 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Nonresident Hunting (5 day) | Nonresident | $35.00 | $35.75 | 5 consecutive days | |
| Resident 3-year Hunting | Resident | $36.50 | $36.50 | 3 years | Digest: three-year licenses cost three times an annual one. |
| Resident 3-year Senior Hunting (65-74) | Resident | $18.50 | $18.50 | 3 years | |
| Resident 3-year Super Senior Hunting (75+) | Resident | $3.50 | $3.50 | 3 years | |
| Resident 3-year Veteran Hunting | Resident | $18.50 | $18.50 | 3 years | |
| Nonresident Hunting Preserve | Nonresident | $12.50 | $12.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Price from the IDNR fee table only (not in the Digest). |
Sportsman combination licenses (9)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Sportsman Combo (Hunt/Fish) | Resident | $25.50 | $26.25 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Illinois Veteran Sportsman Combo | Resident | $12.75 | $13.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Resident Senior Sportsman Combo (65-74) | Resident | $12.75 | $13.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Resident Super Senior Sportsman Combo (75+) | Resident | $2.00 | $2.75 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Resident Lifetime Sportsman Combo | Resident | $765.00 | $765.75 | Lifetime | |
| Resident 3-year Sportsman Combo | Resident | $77.25 | $77.25 | 3 years | |
| Resident 3-year Senior Sportsman Combo | Resident | $39.00 | $39.00 | 3 years | |
| Resident 3-year Veteran Sportsman Combo | Resident | $39.00 | $39.00 | 3 years | |
| Resident 3-year Super Senior Sportsman Combo | Resident | $6.75 | $6.75 | 3 years |
State and federal stamps (4)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Habitat Stamp | Either | $5.00 | $5.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Required with the hunting license (exemptions: pre-1993 lifetime license holders, legally disabled veterans and former POWs; exempt under 18 for turkey). |
| Super Senior Habitat Stamp | Resident | Free | $0.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Free in the Digest (age 75+, pay vendor fees); IDNR fee table shows the vendor-fee price. |
| State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp | Either | $15.00 | $15.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Required age 18+ to hunt migratory waterfowl (HIP and hunting license also required). |
| Federal Duck Stamp (Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation) | Either | $25.00 | $25.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Required age 16+; federal duck stamp is not required for the light-goose Conservation Order. |
Deer permits (17)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Firearm Either-Sex (ES) | Resident | $25.00 | $25.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Firearm Either-Sex (ES) | Nonresident | $300.00 | $300.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Firearm Antlerless-Only (AO) | Resident | $17.50 | $18.00 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Firearm Antlerless-Only (AO) | Nonresident | $25.00 (with an ES permit) or $100.00 | $100.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Muzzleloader Either-Sex (ES) | Resident | $25.00 | $25.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Muzzleloader Either-Sex (ES) | Nonresident | $300.00 | $300.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Muzzleloader Antlerless-Only (AO) | Resident | $17.50 | $18.00 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Archery Combination (1 ES + 1 AO) | Resident | $25.00 | $26.00 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Archery Combination (1 ES + 1 AO) | Nonresident | $410.00 | $411.00 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Archery Single Either-Sex (resident only) | Resident | $15.00 | $17.00 | 2026-27 deer seasons | The Digest and the IDNR fee table swap the single either-sex and antlerless amounts, so confirm at purchase. |
| Archery Deer, Single Antlerless-Only (AO) | Resident | $17.50 | $15.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons | The Digest and the IDNR fee table swap the single either-sex and antlerless amounts, so confirm at purchase. |
| Deer Landowner Firearm Combination (1 ES + 1 AO) | Either | Free (resident) / $175.00 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Landowner Archery Combination (1 ES + 1 AO) | Either | Free (resident) / $210.00 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Youth Firearm Combination (1 ES + 1 AO) | Either | $10.00 | Not listed | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Late-Winter Antlerless-Only (county-specific) | Resident | $17.50 | $18.00 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Special CWD Antlerless-Only (county-specific OTC) | Either | $5.00 | $5.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons | |
| Deer Special Hunt Area Antlerless-Only (late-winter / CWD lottery) | Resident | $17.50 | $17.50 | 2026-27 deer seasons |
Turkey permits (8)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring turkey Permit (county-specific) | Either | $15.00 (resident) / $125.00 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | Maximum 3 spring permits including youth and landowner. |
| Spring turkey Youth Over-the-Counter Permit | Either | $10.00 | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | One youth permit per year. |
| Spring turkey Youth Special Hunt Area Permit | Either | $10.00 | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | Lottery Jan 19-Feb 15, 2027. |
| Spring turkey Landowner Property-Only Permit | Either | Free (resident) / $37.50 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | |
| Fall turkey Gun Landowner Property-Only Permit | Either | Free (resident) / $37.50 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | |
| Fall turkey Archery Landowner Property-Only Permit | Either | Free (resident) / $25.00 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | |
| Fall turkey Archery Permit (OTC) | Either | $5.00 (resident) / $75.00 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | Maximum 2 fall archery permits. |
| Fall turkey Gun Permit (county-specific) | Either | $15.00 (resident) / $125.00 (nonresident) | Not listed | 2026 fall / 2027 spring turkey seasons | Maximum 2 fall gun permits. |
Trapping licenses (5)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Trapping | Resident | $10.50 | $10.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | 3-year option available. Price from IDNR fee table. |
| Resident 3-year Trapping | Resident | $30.50 | $30.50 | 3 years | |
| Resident Youth Trapping | Resident | $7.50 | $7.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Nonresident Trapping (with state reciprocity) | Nonresident | $175.50 | $175.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | |
| Nonresident Trapping (without state reciprocity) | Nonresident | $250.50 | $250.50 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year |
Waterfowl, upland and other free permits (3)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIP Certification | Either | Free | $0.00 | March 1 to March 31 of the next year | Required for doves, woodcock, waterfowl; not required for crows. |
| Public Duck / Goose Hunting Area Permits, Free Upland Game and Dove Permits | Either | Free | $0.00 | Per site / season | IDNR fee table lists Public Duck Hunting Area, Public Goose Hunting Area, Free Upland Game Hunting and Free Dove Hunting permits at $0.00 (lottery or site-specific). |
| River Otter Temporary and Registration Permit | Resident | $5.00 | $5.50 | Purchase within 48 hours of taking an otter | Digest price $5.00 vs IDNR fee table $5.50 (vendor fee). |
Outfitter and breeder licenses (4)
| License, stamp or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Valid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Outfitter License | Resident | $500.00 | $500.00 | License year | Price from the IDNR fee table only. |
| Nonresident Outfitter License | Nonresident | $2500.00 | $2500.00 | License year | Price from the IDNR fee table only. |
| Game and Bird Breeder License (Class A) | Either | $10.50 | $10.50 | License year | Price from the IDNR fee table only. |
| Game and Bird Breeder License (Class B) | Either | $20.50 | $20.50 | License year | Price from the IDNR fee table only. |
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 5; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 15; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 26; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 32; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 44; IDNR outfitter rules; IDNR commercial license fees; IDNR hunting license fees. Checked: links reopened on November 13, 2026.
Illinois fees by residency
The gap is widest on deer: a nonresident either-sex firearm permit costs $300.00 against $25.00 for a resident, and the nonresident archery combination is $410.00. A nonresident also buys the $57.00 license, or the five-day license for $35.00.
| Item | Resident (Digest) | Nonresident (Digest) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting license | $12.00 | $57.00 | 4.8 times |
| Deer firearm, either sex | $25.00 | $300.00 | 12.0 times |
| Deer firearm, antlerless only | $17.50 | $25.00 (with an ES permit) or $100.00 | 1.4 times |
| Deer muzzleloader, either sex | $25.00 | $300.00 | 12.0 times |
| Deer archery combination | $25.00 | $410.00 | 16.4 times |
| Spring turkey permit | $15.00 | $125.00 | 8.3 times |
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 15; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 26; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 5. Checked: links reopened on November 13, 2026.
Illinois Tagging and harvest reporting, line by line
Every deer and turkey has to be reported the day it is taken, by phone or online, and in 18 counties a firearm deer must also go to a check station. Hunters who use IDNR sites also carry free windshield cards, which are returned with harvest details before February 15.
- Report by 10 p.m.Report deer by phone (1-866-452-4325) or online (exploremoreil.com/wildlife/harvest) by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest (or immediately the next day if not retrieved by 10 p.m.). In the 18 mandatory-check counties, firearm-season deer must be checked at a station.
- Tag at the killAttach the temporary harvest tag immediately; antlered deer: attach both tags if head/antlers will be separated.
- Turkey reportsMandatory turkey harvest reporting: register by 10 p.m. on the same calendar day by phone (1-866-452-4325) or online (exploremoreil.com/wildlife/harvest).
- Deer tagging ruleDeer permits must be signed and in possession; attach the temporary harvest tag immediately and before moving or field dressing; report by 10 p.m. the day of harvest by phone (1-866-452-4325) or online; mandatory check-station rule in 18 CWD counties during the first two firearm seasons.
- Windshield cardsFree windshield cards are required at many Illinois public hunting sites; hunters return to record harvest before February 15.
- Another hunter's gameMay not possess game or furbearers over the daily or possession limit; each hunter must keep a separate bag; wildlife of another person must be tagged with name, address, species count and date unless in a home.
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 16; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 26; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 7. Checked: links reopened on November 13, 2026.
Safety cards, stamps and landowner permits for Illinois hunters
Illinois asks for a hunter safety certificate from anyone born on or after January 1, 1980, unless a prior-year hunting license shows the course is behind them. The apprentice license needs no course but puts a licensed hunter 21 or older beside the apprentice, and the card is good for life.
Who must take it
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 must complete hunter safety education (certificate of competency) or show a prior-year Illinois hunting license issued by Illinois or another state before buying a hunting license.
How long it lasts
Hunter safety certificates are valid for life (IDNR hunter safety page). Apprentice hunting license: no course needed; supervised by a licensed hunter 21 or older.
Trapper education
First-time trappers born on or after January 1, 1998 must complete a trapper education course (the Digest PDF).
Habitat stamp
Required with the hunting license (exemptions: pre-1993 lifetime license holders, legally disabled veterans and former POWs; exempt under 18 for turkey).
Waterfowl stamps
The state stamp is $15.00 for hunters 18 and older and the federal stamp $25.00 from age 16; HIP certification is free and also covers doves and woodcock.
Landowner permits
Resident landowners get the firearm and archery deer combination permits free, while nonresident landowners pay $175.00 for firearm and $210.00 for archery.
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 5; IDNR hunter safety page; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 15. Checked: links reopened on November 13, 2026.
Illinois license questions
Do Illinois hunters need a habitat stamp?
Yes, the $5.00 State Habitat Stamp is required with the hunting license. Required with the hunting license (exemptions: pre-1993 lifetime license holders, legally disabled veterans and former POWs; exempt under 18 for turkey).
When are Illinois harvest reports due?
Report deer by phone (1-866-452-4325) or online (exploremoreil.com/wildlife/harvest) by 10 p.m. on the day of harvest (or immediately the next day if not retrieved by 10 p.m.). In the 18 mandatory-check counties, firearm-season deer must be checked at a station.
Must I hold a hunter safety card before buying a license?
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 must complete hunter safety education (certificate of competency) or show a prior-year Illinois hunting license issued by Illinois or another state before buying a hunting license.
What does a 2026-27 Illinois hunting license cost?
Residents pay $12.00 in the Digest and $12.50 in the IDNR fee table, and nonresidents pay $57.00. Licenses go on sale March 1 and run to March 31 of the next year.
Why does IDNR list $12.50 when the Digest says $12.00?
The Digest prints base prices without vendor fees, and the IDNR fee tables add the vendor fee, so a resident license shows $12.00 in one place and $12.50 in the other. Three-year licenses show the same price in both.
What do older and veteran Illinois hunters pay?
A resident senior license (ages 65 to 74) is $6.00, a super senior license (75 and older) is $1.00, and a certified veteran license is $6.00.
What does an Illinois youth hunter pay?
The youth hunting and trapping combination is $7.00 for anyone under 18, and the youth deer combination permit is $10.00; a youth turkey permit is $10.00.
What does an Illinois deer permit cost a resident?
An either-sex firearm permit is $25.00 and an antlerless-only firearm permit $17.50; the archery combination of one either-sex and one antlerless permit is $25.00, all before vendor fees.
What stamps go with a waterfowl hunt here?
A hunting license (or applicable exemption) plus a State Habitat Stamp are required to hunt; deer needs a deer permit, turkey a turkey permit, waterfowl the State and Federal waterfowl stamps and HIP certification, doves and woodcock HIP certification.
Read the Digest yourself
Cell coverage thins out in the river bottoms and the Shawnee hills, so save the Digest PDF and your permit confirmations to your phone before the drive.
Other photos on this page: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); ALAN SCHMIERER (CC0 1.0); ZionNPS (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).