Illinois · License · 2026 Edition
Illinois Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $12.50 for residents and $57.75 for nonresidents. Just visiting? Nonresident Hunting License (5-day) costs $35.75.
Illinois requires a separate State Habitat Stamp (in addition to the hunting license) for almost every hunter, and it — like the deer, spring turkey and waterfowl permits — is priced the same for residents and nonresidents; only the base license itself carries a residency premium. Deer and turkey permits are quota-based: most are sold through lottery applications first, with leftovers sold over the counter (OTC) once the lottery closes — the OTC price is shown below since that's what most hunters end up paying.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $12.50 | |
| Resident Senior Hunting License | $6.50 | |
| Resident Super Senior Hunting License | $1.50 | Age 75+. |
| Resident Veteran Hunting License | $6.50 | Prior military certification required. |
| Resident Lifetime Hunting License | $360.50 | |
| Hunting Apprentice License | $7.50 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. For hunters without hunter education certification yet; must hunt with a licensed mentor. |
| Youth Hunting and Trapping Combo License | $7.50 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. |
| State Habitat Stamp | $5.50 | Same price for residents and nonresidents. Required for almost all hunters 18+ in addition to the hunting license; exempt if 75+, disabled veteran, former POW, or a pre-1993 lifetime license holder. |
| Nonresident Hunting License | $57.75 | |
| Nonresident Hunting License (5-day) | $35.75 |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Deer Archery Permit (Either Sex & Antlerless, OTC) | $26 |
| Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader County Permit (Either Sex, OTC) | $25.50 |
| Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader County Permit (Antlerless Only, OTC) | $18 |
| Youth Deer Season Statewide Firearm Permit (Either Sex) | $10.50 |
| Nonresident Deer Combo Archery Permit (Either Sex & Antlerless, OTC) | $411 |
| Nonresident Deer Firearm/Muzzleloader County Permit (Either Sex, OTC) | $300.50 |
| Nonresident Deer OTC Antlerless-Only Permit | $25.50 |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total |
|---|---|
| Spring Turkey Lottery Permit | $19 |
| Nonresident Spring Turkey Lottery Permit | $129 |
04 — Waterfowl stamp
| Stamp | Total |
|---|---|
| State Migratory Waterfowl Stamp (Electronic) | $15.50 |
| Federal Migratory Waterfowl Stamp | $25.50 |
Waterfowl hunters 16+ also need the free federal HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Illinois duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
Illinois requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1980, unless they can show proof of a prior Illinois hunting license. Youth and Apprentice license holders are exempt while they complete certification.
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through ExploreMoreIL, the state's official portal.
Illinois hunting licenses are valid April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 (sales for the new license year open March 1). Deer and turkey permits follow their own lottery/OTC sale windows within that year.
Verified · Illinois Department of Natural Resources · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the IDNR license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-02-15. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.