Illinois opens applications for 2026 upland game hunting permits

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its 2026 free upland game hunting permit lottery and controlled pheasant hunting program.

The programs provide opportunities to hunt at select state sites across Illinois this fall.

The free upland game hunting permit program offers lottery-assigned hunting opportunities at no cost for wild upland game, including bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasants and cottontail rabbits.

Applications for the free permit lottery will be accepted through Aug. 31. Hunters may select up to six hunting areas and four dates for each area through the online application. Applicants may select the same hunting area multiple times to increase their chances of receiving preferred dates.

IDNR’s controlled pheasant hunting program is a fee-based program that allows hunters to pursue pen-reared ring-necked pheasants released at participating state sites.

The program uses three lottery drawings before moving to a first-come, first-served permit period.

The third lottery, open to residents and nonresidents seeking a second permit, closes at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24.

First-come, first-served permits will become available at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, and will remain available until quotas are filled or until 9 a.m. the day before a scheduled hunt.

Youth permits will primarily be available during the first-come, first-served period. IDNR also plans to add wingshooting clinics to select youth pheasant hunts, with a complete list of clinics to be announced later.

Controlled pheasant hunting permits cost $35 for Illinois residents and $40 for nonresidents. Eleven Illinois state parks participate in the program.

Hunters can find applications, participating sites, permit rules and additional information through IDNR’s upland game and controlled pheasant hunting webpages.