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Illinois Upland Zones, North and South Pheasant Quail and Partridge Line
The road line that splits Illinois into North and South upland zones, with season dates, limits and the controlled hunting exception.
Photo: marneejill (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Illinois upland zones at a glance
Rooster pheasant, bobwhite quail and Hungarian partridge are hunted in two zones. The North Zone closes January 8, 2027 and the South Zone January 15, 2027, and both open November 7, 2026. The Digest draws the line along roads: Zones for rooster pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge are divided by US Route 36 from the Indiana state line to Springfield, Illinois Route 29 from Springfield to Pekin, and Illinois Route 9 from Pekin to Dallas City, then due west to the Mississippi River. No county list exists, so a county near the line may lie on either side, and this page assigns none. Limits are 2 pheasants, 8 quail and 2 partridge a day, only roosters may be taken outside controlled hunting areas, and the Digest hours table does not give a reading we can use for upland birds, so none are printed.
From Digest upland zone pages (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
Dates by zone and the road line
| Species | Zone | Dates | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pheasant | North Zone |
| 2 daily, 6 possession |
| Pheasant | South Zone |
| 2 daily, 6 possession |
| Bobwhite Quail | North Zone |
| 8 daily, 20 possession |
| Bobwhite Quail | South Zone |
| 8 daily, 20 possession |
| Hungarian Partridge | North Zone |
| 2 daily, 6 possession |
| Hungarian Partridge | South Zone |
| 2 daily, 6 possession |
Zones for rooster pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge are divided by US Route 36 from the Indiana state line to Springfield, Illinois Route 29 from Springfield to Pekin, and Illinois Route 9 from Pekin to Dallas City, then due west to the Mississippi River.
From Digest upland zone pages (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
Controlled hunting and the free upland permit
Hen pheasants are illegal except on controlled hunting areas. Free Upland Game Permit lottery August 1-31, 2026. IDNR also runs controlled pheasant hunting at selected sites; see the program page linked below.
From IDNR permit information (Illinois Department of Natural Resources), checked November 13, 2026.
A ring-necked pheasant hen on the edge of a marshPhoto: James Mann (CC BY 2.0)
A ring-necked pheasant rooster in dry reeds (photographed in Iowa)Photo: Jessica Bolser (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
A ring-necked pheasant rooster in green grass (photographed in Iowa)Photo: Joanna Gilkeson (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
What hunters ask about the upland zones
Where is the North and South line?
Zones for rooster pheasant, quail, Hungarian partridge are divided by US Route 36 from the Indiana state line to Springfield, Illinois Route 29 from Springfield to Pekin, and Illinois Route 9 from Pekin to Dallas City, then due west to the Mississippi River.
Which zone is my county in?
The Digest names roads, not counties, so no county is assigned here; check the road line against a map.
When does upland bird season open?
November 7, 2026 for rooster pheasant, bobwhite quail and Hungarian partridge in both zones.
When does it close?
January 8, 2027 in the North Zone and January 15, 2027 in the South Zone.
What are the limits?
Pheasant 2 a day and 6 in possession, quail 8 and 20, Hungarian partridge 2 and 6.
Can I shoot hen pheasants?
Not outside controlled hunting areas; roosters only.
Is there a free upland permit?
Free Upland Game Permit lottery August 1-31, 2026.
What are the legal hours?
The Digest table does not give a reading we can use for upland birds, so this site prints none; read the hours column in the Digest.
What shot is legal?
Shotguns; steel or other non-toxic shot is required on many public sites, so read the site page.
Other photos on this page: James Mann (CC BY 2.0); Jessica Bolser (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Joanna Gilkeson (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) (Public Domain Mark 1.0).