Upland Bird Hunting in Illinois: Pheasant, Quail, Dove, Regulations, and More

While upland hunting opportunities in the Prairie State are limited, they offer a chance to experience remaining bird populations.

Let me be honest: I grew up in Wisconsin. Most of my early experiences in Illinois involved high school field trips to watch musicals in Chicago or ride roller coasters at Six Flags. But the more I edit stories about upland bird hunting, the more I realize Illinois is more than just cornfields, toll roads, and The Bean.

Still, hunting wild birds on public land there is tough. Only 4.1 percent of the state is public land, and bird numbers are low. According to the 2023-2024 Public Areas Hunting Report, Illinois hunters hunted across 401,595 acres and successfully killed 6,020 pheasants—excluding stocked pheasants—and 408 quail. According to that data, there is about one wild pheasant per 67 acres and one wild quail per 108 acres. For comparison, that same report shows 60,000 pheasants harvested in 1990.

To put this in perspective, researchers from the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute recommend halting quail hunting in South Texas when densities fall below one bird per 10–20 acres.

Illinois isn’t Texas, but that contrast paints a bleak picture.

So what can be done? In “Midwestern Bobwhite Quail Conservation: The Time for Action is Now,” upland bird biologists Frank Loncarich and Kyle Hedges put an optimistic spin on this outlook. 

“Right now, the opportunity to conserve bobwhite quail at the national level is at an all-time high,” they wrote. “Restoring native grasslands, especially on private lands, will help conserve this iconic game bird across the eastern United States.” They urge private landowners to explore habitat programs offered by Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, state agencies, and the federal government.

Rather than viewing Illinois’s wild bird scarcity as a failure, maybe we should see it as a call to action—to restore native prairies and midwestern upland birds.

Illinois Upland Bird And Small Game Season Dates And Limits

You can view the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR or DNR) upland hunting regulations here.

Species	Location	Season Dates	Daily/Possession Limits	Notes
Pheasants (roosters only)	See North Zone and South Zone map in hunting regulations	North Zone: Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan. 8, 2025 South Zone: Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan 15, 2025	2/6	Until the 3rd day of the hunting season, you may not possess more than twice the daily limit. Hen pheasants are illegal to harvest or possess, except as specified on controlled hunting areas.
Doves (mourning and white-winged)	Statewide	Sep. 1 – Nov. 14 2024 and Dec. 26, 2024 – Jan 9, 2025	15/45	Protections for the Eurasian-collared dove and ringed turtle dove have been removed, as they are nonnative, invasive species. They can be harvested year-round with no limits, but during dove season, hunters may not remain in the field for taking Eurasian-collared doves or ringed turtle doves after they reach their daily limit for mourning/white-winged doves.
Bobwhite Quail	See North Zone and South Zone map in hunting regulations	North Zone: Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan. 8, 2025 South Zone: Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan 15, 2025	8/20	Until the 3rd day of the hunting season, you may not possess more than twice the daily limit.
Hungarian Partridge	See North Zone and South Zone map in hunting regulations	North Zone: Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan. 8, 2025 South Zone: Nov. 2, 2024 – Jan 15, 2025	2/6	Until the 3rd day of the hunting season, you may not possess more than twice the daily limit.
Rabbits (cottontail and swamp)	Statewide	Nov. 2, 2024 – Feb. 15, 2025	4/10	Until the 3rd day of the hunting season, you may not possess more than twice the daily limit.
American Woodcock	Statewide	Oct. 19, 2024 – Dec. 2, 2024	3/9
Squirrels (gray and fox)	Statewide	1 Aug. 1, 2024 – Feb. 15, 2025	5/10	Closed Nov 22-24 and 5-8 Dec 2024 in counties open for firearm deer hunting. Bag limits are for both species combined.
Crow	Statewide	Oct. 28, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025	No limit

These dates were last updated on July 2, 2025 and may not reflect any changes since that date. For the most up-to-date information visit the Illinois DNR website.

A hunting license and habitat stamp are required for upland hunting in Illinois. Depending on which lands you plan to hunt, you might need a free upland game permit. Additionally, some IDNR properties require the use of nontoxic shot. Be sure to read the rules for the properties you plan to hunt.

Ringed-neck Pheasant Regulations In Illinois

Illinois offers wild and controlled pheasant hunts. Depending on where you plan to pheasant hunt, an upland bird hunting permit may be required. The permit application is free, and it opens August 1 and closes August 31. Note that a fee is charged to apply for a controlled pheasant hunt. Hunters who are awarded a controlled hunt permit may hunt captive-raised birds on state lands and private lands with an IDNR partnership. More details about permits and a list of the upland permit sites available are in the regulations booklet.

It is illegal to shoot a pheasant on the ground unless it has been crippled.  Additionally, “hen pheasants are illegal to harvest or possess, except as specified on controlled hunting areas,” according to IDNR’s regulations. Folks participating in a controlled hunt may shoot two pheasant a day of either sex and must report their harvest to IDNR before leaving the controlled hunting area.

In the North Zone, pheasant hunting opens on November 2, 2024 and closes January 8, 2025. Pheasant hunting opens in the South Zone on November 2, 2024 and closes January 15, 2025. Up to two roosters may be taken per day. During the first two days of the season, the possession limit is four. After that, the possession limit is six.

Bobwhite Quail Regulations In Illinois

Just like pheasant hunts, bobwhite hunting on select lands with public access may require an upland bird hunting permit. IDNR does not offer any controlled quail hunts. If you plan to shoot quail while on a controlled pheasant hunt, a state habitat stamp is required. 

Note that it is illegal to shoot bobwhite on the ground unless it has been crippled. 

In the North Zone, quail hunting opens on November 2, 2024 and closes January 8, 2025. In the South Zone, it opens on November 2, 2024 and closes January 15, 2025. Up to eight quail may be taken per day. During the first two days of the season, the possession limit is 16. Beginning on the third day of the season, the possession limit is 20.

Squirrel And Rabbit Hunting Regulations

Eastern cottontails, swamp rabbits, gray squirrels, and fox squirrels can all be hunted in Illinois. They may be hunted with up to four dogs. While you can hunt rabbits during the gun deer season, you cannot hunt squirrels in counties during the active gun deer season. For rabbits only, you cannot possess more than twice the daily limit for the first three days of the hunting season. 

Rabbits can be hunted statewide from November 2, 2024 through February 15, 2025. Squirrels have an even longer season which takes place from August 1, 2024 through February 15, 2025.

Illinois Upland Bird Hunting License Fees

Below is a list of the resident and non-resident hunting license fees for upland hunters in Illinois.

License	Resident	Non-Resident	Notes
Base Hunting License	$12	$57
5-Day Hunting License		$35
Apprentice Hunting License	$7
Lifetime Hunting License	$360
State Habitat Stamp	$5	$5
Controlled Pheasant Areas	Site Fee	Site Fee	See Upland Game Permit Process section in state regulations for details. Fee may be charged at controlled hunting sites.

These fees were last updated on July 2, 2025 and may not reflect any changes since that date. For the most up-to-date information visit the Illinois DNR website.

The Decline Of Upland Hunting Opportunities In Illinois

The IDNR hunting regulations booklet is very straightforward about reasons for the decline of upland hunting opportunities in the state. 

“Changes in habitat are the primary reasons and includes a decrease in the quantity and quality of habitat,” it says. “There is less suitable habitat because of changes in the landscape including fewer fencerows, pastures, hayfields, small grains (wheat, oats, etc). Second, the existing habitat quality has decreased because of introduced grasses like fescue and brome that are too thick for upland game.” 

In addition to the scarcity of high-quality upland bird habitat, access to hunting land is also restricted. Upland game hunting permits are issued through a draw system, allowing successful applicants to hunt in designated habitat areas and select sites. However, each applicant may receive only one permit per year.

Learn To Hunt In Illinois

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources offers educational classes geared towards adults looking to learn more about hunting. Each workshop is free, and students will learn about deer, turkey, small game, upland game, waterfowl, and furbearers. 

To learn more, visit www.learntohuntil.com.

Does Illinois Require Blaze Orange for Upland Hunting?

Yes, Illinois requires upland hunters to wear solid blaze orange while hunting pheasant, quail, partridge, woodcock, and rabbits on IDNR lands. Additionally, on non-IDNR lands, a solid blaze orange or pink hat must be worn when hunting upland birds (except doves) and rabbits. 

The state’s hunting regulations require a blaze orange or pink hat to be worn in addition to an outer layer displaying at least 400 square inches of the color. Please note that blaze orange or pink clothing with camouflage patterns overlaid on them do not count towards the solid blaze orange clothing requirements.

Project Upland always encourages hunters to wear blaze orange while in the field. 

Hunting Dog Training Requirements In Illinois

Dog training is allowed on DNR lands in Illinois. However, handlers must obtain a dog training area permit first by calling 217-785-8129. Similarly, if live birds are being used for training purposes, a wild game breeder’s permit must be obtained by calling 217-785-3423.

Citizens can hold competitive sporting dog events on IDNR lands as long as a permit is obtained first. IDNR requires that folks submit their applications to host events at least four weeks in advance. 

Illinois’ dog training regulations and guidelines can all be found on the IDNR website.

Illinois Bird Conservation Organizations

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Illinois

Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

Delta Waterfowl

Ducks Unlimited

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Illinois Chapter

The Nature Conservancy – Illinois