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Youth licenses, supervised hunting, youth-only seasons, and prices for veterans, seniors and disabled hunters
Illinois Youth and Veteran Hunting
Illinois hunters under 18 buy a $7.00 youth hunting and trapping combination license, hunt deer on their own October weekend and turkey on two spring weekends, and have youth waterfowl days in every zone. Certified veterans pay half price, disabled veterans may hunt without a license, and senior and super senior licenses cost $6.00 and $1.00. The apprentice license lets a newcomer of any age try hunting without a safety course.
Photo: DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Illinois rules for young hunters, from the Digest
The Illinois youth definition shifts by game: under 18 for most hunting, a hunter who has not turned 18 before the first hunt day for turkey, and 17 or younger for waterfowl. The permits cost the same for residents and nonresidents, and adults who supervise do not carry a weapon on a youth hunt unless they hold their own permit.
Youth age limits
Youth hunters are under 18 (youth turkey: have not reached 18th birthday before the first hunt day; waterfowl youth: 17 or younger).
Youth deer
Youth firearm season Oct 10-12, 2026; youth combination permit $10 (resident or nonresident); youth on an apprentice or youth license must be accompanied by a non-hunting, validly licensed adult 21 or older; other youth by a non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian or responsible adult).
Youth turkey
Spring youth Mar 27-28 and Apr 3-4, 2027; youth permit $10.
Youth waterfowl
Youth waterfowl days: North Oct 17-18, Central Oct 24-25, South Nov 7 and Jan 30.
Hunter safety card
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.
Apprentice hunters
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.
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 14; IDNR youth deer page; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 5; IDNR hunter safety page. Checked: each figure matched to its Digest page on November 13, 2026.
Illinois youth fees
The $7.00 youth combination covers hunting and trapping, the youth deer permit is $10.00 for one either-sex and one antlerless deer, and the youth turkey permit is $10.00. The apprentice license is $7.00.
| License or permit | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting Apprentice | Either | $7.00 | $7.50 | Supervised by a licensed hunter 21 or older; hunter safety course not required. |
| Youth Hunting and Trapping Combination | Either | $7.00 | $7.50 | Under 18; supervised by an adult 21 or older. |
| Resident Youth Trapping | Resident | $7.50 | $7.50 | |
| Deer Youth Firearm Combination (1 ES + 1 AO) | Either | $10.00 | Not listed | |
| Spring turkey Youth Over-the-Counter Permit | Either | $10.00 | Not listed | One youth permit per year. |
| Spring turkey Youth Special Hunt Area Permit | Either | $10.00 | Not listed | Lottery Jan 19-Feb 15, 2027. |
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 15; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 26; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 45; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 5. Checked: each figure matched to its Digest page on November 13, 2026.
Every youth-only season in Illinois (5)
Youth deer hunters get a firearm weekend before the regular seasons, spring turkey hunters two weekends before the segments open, and young waterfowlers a pair of days in the North and Central Zones and a split of days in the South Zone.
| Game | Season | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Youth Firearm | Oct 10 to Oct 12, 2026 | Counties open to youth deer hunting |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Oct 17 to Oct 18, 2026 | North Zone |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Oct 24 to Oct 25, 2026 | Central Zone |
| Youth waterfowl days | Youth waterfowl | Nov 7, 2026 and Jan 30, 2027 | South Zone |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Mar 27 to Mar 28, 2027 and Apr 3 to Apr 4, 2027 | Statewide |
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 14; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 24; 2026-27 Illinois Hunting and Trapping Digest. Checked: each figure matched to its Digest page on November 13, 2026.
Illinois Veterans, seniors and disabled hunters, line by line
A certified veteran pays $6.00 for the annual hunting license and $12.75 for the sportsman combination, while a resident aged 75 or older pays $1.00 and the habitat stamp is free apart from vendor fees. Disabled veterans can hunt without a license but still need the stamps.
Veterans
Illinois veterans certified by IDNR (DD214) buy half-price licenses; disabled veterans may hunt without a license (stamps still required); see military fee exemptions page.
Seniors
Senior (65-74) and Super Senior (75+) licenses at reduced prices; Super Senior habitat stamp free (vendor fees apply).
Disabled hunters
Disabled Hunter Opportunities: dnr.illinois.gov/doo.
Military fee 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.
| License | Who | Digest price | IDNR fee table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Senior Hunting (65-74) | Resident | $6.00 | $6.50 |
| Resident Super Senior Hunting (75+) | Resident | $1.00 | $1.50 |
| Illinois Veteran Hunting | Resident | $6.00 | $6.50 |
| Resident 3-year Senior Hunting (65-74) | Resident | $18.50 | $18.50 |
| Resident 3-year Super Senior Hunting (75+) | Resident | $3.50 | $3.50 |
| Resident 3-year Veteran Hunting | Resident | $18.50 | $18.50 |
| Illinois Veteran Sportsman Combo | Resident | $12.75 | $13.50 |
| Resident Senior Sportsman Combo (65-74) | Resident | $12.75 | $13.50 |
| Resident Super Senior Sportsman Combo (75+) | Resident | $2.00 | $2.75 |
| Resident 3-year Senior Sportsman Combo | Resident | $39.00 | $39.00 |
| Resident 3-year Veteran Sportsman Combo | Resident | $39.00 | $39.00 |
| Resident 3-year Super Senior Sportsman Combo | Resident | $6.75 | $6.75 |
| Super Senior Habitat Stamp | Resident | Free | $0.50 |
Sources: 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 14; IDNR military fee exemptions; 2026-27 Digest, PDF page 5. Checked: each figure matched to its Digest page on November 13, 2026.
Illinois youth and education events
10 upcoming hunter education classes and youth hunts start November 13, 2026 or later, and the events page gives organiser and sign-up details for each.
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 14, 2026 | IDNR Hunter Education class, Essex · class | Essex, Will County |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Youth Clinic & IL Youth Pheasant Hunt at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area · youth hunt | Whittington, Franklin County |
| Dec 28, 2026 | IDNR Hunter Education class, Edwardsville · class | Edwardsville, Madison County |
| Jan 30, 2027 | IDNR Hunter Education class, East Alton · class | East Alton, Madison County |
| Apr 17, 2027 | IDNR Hunter Education class, East Alton · class | East Alton, Madison County |
| Jun 21, 2027 | IDNR Hunter Education class, Edwardsville · class | Edwardsville, Madison County |
| Oct 11, 2027 | IDNR Hunter Education class, Edwardsville · class | Edwardsville, Madison County |
| Oct 23, 2027 | IDNR Hunter Education class, East Alton · class | East Alton, Madison County |
| Nov 11, 2027 | IDNR Hunter Education class, Edwardsville · class | Edwardsville, Madison County |
| Dec 28, 2027 | IDNR Hunter Education class, Edwardsville · class | Edwardsville, Madison County |
Illinois youth and veteran questions
Who must supervise an Illinois youth deer hunter?
Youth firearm season Oct 10-12, 2026; youth combination permit $10 (resident or nonresident); youth on an apprentice or youth license must be accompanied by a non-hunting, validly licensed adult 21 or older; other youth by a non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian or responsible adult).
What does the Illinois youth hunting license cost?
$7.00 for the youth hunting and trapping combination for anyone under 18; the youth deer permit is $10.00 and the youth turkey permit $10.00.
Which days are Illinois youth waterfowl days?
Youth waterfowl days: North Oct 17-18, Central Oct 24-25, South Nov 7 and Jan 30.
When are the Illinois youth turkey weekends?
Spring youth Mar 27-28 and Apr 3-4, 2027; youth permit $10.
What do Illinois seniors pay for a hunting license?
Senior (65-74) and Super Senior (75+) licenses at reduced prices; Super Senior habitat stamp free (vendor fees apply).
What do Illinois veterans pay to hunt?
Illinois veterans certified by IDNR (DD214) buy half-price licenses; disabled veterans may hunt without a license (stamps still required); see military fee exemptions page.
At what age can an Illinois child hunt deer?
The sources set no minimum age here; youth under 18 hunt on a youth license or the $7.00 apprentice license with a supervising adult, and the youth deer weekend is October 10 to 12, 2026.
Can a first-time hunter of any age try Illinois hunting without a safety course?
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.
Do kids need hunter safety before a youth hunt?
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.
IDNR wording, unfiltered
Fees, dates and counts here came from the IDNR Digest, IDNR fee tables and harvest reports, then were read again on November 13, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0); Russ (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); CheepShot (CC BY 2.0); ALAN SCHMIERER (CC0 1.0).