Champaign County · IDNR East Central region
Champaign hunting grounds, seasons and services
From Champaign: Gifford Pheasant Habitat Area 18 miles out, 4 public areas within 25 miles, and the Champaign County deer, turkey and CWD rules below.
Photo: Gary Todd (CC0 1.0)
Champaign public places in the 10 and 25 mile rings
The 10-mile ring around Champaign holds no listed public ground, so the first sites are in the 25-mile band. Champaign has no listed public acres within 10 miles; 1,190 lie inside 25.
No red tag on Gifford Pheasant Habitat Area, 18 miles out, which makes it the first row to try. Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area closes out the 25-mile list at 23 mi; 3 categories of land come before it.
| Place | Category | From town | Zone | Located in | Rule summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gifford Pheasant Habitat Area | Habitat area | 18 mi | Within 25 | Champaign | Some hunts by permit |
| Weldon Springs State Park | State park | 20 mi | Within 25 | Piatt | Some hunts by permit |
| Perdueville Pheasant Habitat Area | Habitat area | 20 mi | Within 25 | Champaign, Ford | Some hunts by permit |
| Salt Creek Waterfowl Management | Wildlife management area | 23 mi | Within 25 | DeWitt | Some hunts by permit |
| Clinton Lake SRA | Recreation area | 27 mi | Farther out | DeWitt | Some hunts by permit |
| Middle Fork SFWA | Fish and wildlife area | 28 mi | Farther out | Vermilion | Some hunts by permit |
| Kickapoo SRA | Recreation area | 29 mi | Farther out | Vermilion | Some hunts by permit |
| Saybrook Pheasant Habitat Area | Habitat area | 29 mi | Farther out | McLean | Some hunts by permit |
Rings and distances from places.json (lands.json points to the Census point of Champaign, straight lines); access cells from each record’s own fields (IDNR Hunt Illinois fact sheets, 50 CFR 32.32 for refuges, Corps and program records). Acres are the sizes printed in those records. Checked November 13, 2026.
Three closest sites from Champaign
Size, game and seasons for the three nearest mapped places around Champaign:
Gifford Pheasant Habitat Area
Some hunts here run by permit or reservation, so read the site rules before you go.
Weldon Springs State Park
The fact sheet lists lottery or reservation hunts here alongside the ordinary seasons.
Perdueville Pheasant Habitat Area
The fact sheet lists lottery or reservation hunts here alongside the ordinary seasons.
From lands.json (IDNR Hunt Illinois fact sheets and the 2025-26 Public Hunting Areas Report, 50 CFR 32.32, USFS and Corps pages). Checked November 13, 2026.
Champaign deer, turkey and CWD rules
Champaign County is open to firearm deer hunting, and Champaign lies inside it. IDNR does not publish the original county quota, but it does show what remained in Champaign County: 69 either-sex and 0 antlerless for firearm hunters. The counts are leftovers, never the original quota, and they sell over the counter from October 20. Champaign County is a Restricted Archery Zone, where antlered deer may be taken only from October 1 to 31.
No CWD confirmation is listed for Champaign County in the sources we read.
Spring turkey dates for Champaign: North Zone, April 12 to May 13, 2027. First on the strip below is November 20, 2026, marked "Shotgun deer opens". This county has 55 dated season lines across 25 species; the table shows opening and closing days for each.
| Rule | In this county |
|---|---|
| Firearm deer | Open |
| Archery deer | Split by gun seasons |
| Spring turkey zone | North Zone |
| CWD confirmed | Not listed |
| Special CWD season | No |
| Check station needed | No |
| Late-winter antlerless | No |
| Restricted Archery Zone | Yes |
| Leftover firearm permits | 69 either-sex, 0 antlerless |
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Bow season opens |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth deer weekend |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Pheasant and quail |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Muzzleloader weekend |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day |
| Apr 12, 2027 | Spring turkey opens |
County rules from the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest (Illinois Department of Natural Resources); firearm counties, CWD counties, check stations, spring turkey zones and the permit inquiry system. Checked November 13, 2026.
Dated seasons for Champaign
Archery deer, spring turkey and furbearer dates run well beyond the November shotgun weekends, so most of Champaign's calendar is outside the gun seasons.
| Species | Hunt | Permit or stamp | Area | Opening day | Final day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | |
| Eastern cottontail | 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 (sora and Virginia) | 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 (groundhog) | 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.
Champaign hunters and the Champaign County deer tally
The 2025-26 report puts the Champaign County deer harvest at 678, with archery the larger share at 410.
| Group | Count |
|---|---|
| Deer, all seasons | 678 |
| Male deer | 442 |
| Female deer | 236 |
| Archery | 410 |
| Firearm | 241 |
| Muzzleloader | 10 |
| Youth | 17 |
| Late-winter and CWD | 0 |
| Spring turkey 2026 | 26 |
| Turkey, youth | 5 |
| Turkey, segment 1 | 5 |
| Turkey, segment 2 | 6 |
| Turkey, segment 3 | 5 |
| Turkey, segment 4 | 6 |
| Turkey, segment 5 | 4 |
Deer: IDNR deer harvest by county (2025-26 seasons); turkey: spring turkey harvest by county (2026); county figures, not town figures. Checked November 13, 2026.
Champaign IDNR district and CWD drop-off
On the IDNR wildlife districts map, Champaign County belongs to the Eubanks district; its biologist is Bryan Eubanks. From Champaign to the headquarters in Springfield is about 76 miles. Drop a head at IDNR Office (Gibson City) (24 miles), the closest listed CWD station.
Eubanks district biologist
IDNR headquarters
IDNR Office (Gibson City)
Middle Fork SFWA
Kickapoo SRA
District biologists from the IDNR District Wildlife Biologists page and the IDNR wildlife districts map (as of August 16, 2026); drop-off stations from the 2026-27 CWD sampling locations (services.json); straight-line distances. Checked November 13, 2026.
Hunting trade around Champaign
Champaign hunters have 13 stores for gear and 1 taxidermist inside 25 miles. No processor within 25 miles; Forrest (Slagel Family Meats) is 44 miles off. The IDNR outfitter and preserve lists carry 2 licences in Champaign County, and outfitter addresses are mailing addresses.
Listings from Yellow Pages, store locators, IDNR outfitter and preserve lists, CWD vendor and Hunters Feeding Illinois lists (services.json); chain stores left out and not every listing was checked as open, so call first. Checked November 13, 2026.
Local banquets and classes by Champaign
Kinds in range: NWTF banquet. That is 3 dates ahead, led by Champaign County Boss Gobblers NWTF Banquet. Fundraiser nights among them: 3, sold by the chapter.
| Day | What | Away | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2027 | Champaign County Boss Gobblers NWTF Banquet category: NWTF banquet | 4 | 903 N Dunlap Ave Savoy | Event page | Source |
| Jan 30, 2027 | Douglas County Gobblers NWTF Banquet category: NWTF banquet | 22 | 122 W. North Central Ave | Tickets | Source |
| Feb 27, 2027 | Ford County Turkey and Conservation Chapter Banquet category: NWTF banquet | 25 | 207 North Lawrence Gibson City | Tickets | Source |
Practice ranges handy to Champaign
Hunters Haven is the quickest range run from Champaign, about 2 miles.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 13, 2026.
Shooting light in Champaign
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 Champaign rows.
| Day | Why it matters | Sun up | Sun down | Deer window | Regular waterfowl | Gobbler hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2026 | Bow season opens | 6:48 a.m. | 6:37 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 7:07 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. | Not in season |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Youth deer weekend | 6:57 a.m. | 6:23 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 6:53 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 6:23 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Pheasant and quail | 6:28 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 5:58 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 5:58 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | Not in season |
| Nov 20, 2026 | Shotgun deer opens | 6:44 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 11, 2026 | Muzzleloader weekend | 7:05 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:28 p.m. | Not in season |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Year's shortest day | 7:11 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Not in season |
| Apr 12, 2027 | Spring turkey opens | 6:21 a.m. | 7:27 p.m. | 5:51 a.m. to 7:57 p.m. | 5:51 a.m. to 7:27 p.m. | 5:51 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.
Load the truck for Champaign
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Chest waders
Illinois River backwaters and flooded corn run knee to waist deep in Illinois.
Champaign hunting questions
Can I plan a Sunday hunt out of Champaign?
Neither the Digest nor the IDNR pages say anything about Sunday hunting, so this page makes no claim; ask IDNR or the site manager.
Is Champaign County in the North or South upland bird zone?
No county list exists for the duck and goose zones, which is why this page does not name one for Champaign.
How many gun and outdoor stores lie within 25 miles of Champaign?
2 licensed outfitter or preserves list Champaign County as their licensed county, and the services directory has the rest of the state; outfitter addresses are mailing addresses.
What do the Champaign County harvest numbers show?
Spring 2026 turkey hunters took 26 birds in Champaign County, a success rate of 14.7 percent.
How many public places can a Champaign hunter reach within 25 miles?
4 records on this site fall inside 25 miles, 0 of them inside 10, and Gifford Pheasant Habitat Area is the nearest open one at 18 mi.
What is the firearm deer rule around Champaign?
The county is open to firearm deer, and the same county line decides which lottery and leftover permits apply around Champaign.
Are deer permits left for Champaign County?
After Lottery 3, Champaign County showed 69 either-sex and 0 antlerless firearm permits, and 32 and 0 for muzzleloader. Leftovers sell over the counter from October 20, 2026.
How many spring turkey segments reach Champaign County?
It sits in the North Zone; the segment dates are in the season table, and the full span is April 12 to May 13.
Must I check my deer at a station in Champaign County?
Champaign County is not on the confirmed list. The nearest CWD head drop-off station is IDNR Office (Gibson City), 24 miles from Champaign.
When does sunrise come at Champaign on December 21?
Shooting light for deer at Champaign spans 6:41 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. that day, by the NOAA formula and Central Time.
How much is a resident hunting license for Champaign County hunters?
Yes, a hunting license plus any permits and stamps for the game; anyone born on or after January 1, 1980 first needs hunter safety education or a prior-year license.
Must a Champaign deer hunter wear orange?
Firearm deer hunters wear a blaze orange or pink cap plus a 400 square inch upper garment; the Digest says orange is not required for turkey.
From places.json, lands.json, regs.json (the 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest, hunter orange, Sunday hunting, license fees, CWD), counties.json, harvest.json and services.json. Checked November 13, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Philip Brewer (CC BY 2.0); Philip Brewer (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District (CC BY 2.0); David Brossard (CC BY-SA 2.0).