SPRINGFIELD – Firearm deer hunting season is approaching in Illinois. The first season is Nov. 16-18 and the second season is Nov. 29-Dec. 2.

Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Persons hunting deer must have their gun unloaded during hours when deer hunting is unlawful.

The following is more important information for hunting seasons in Illinois:

• Remaining Firearm Deer Permits: A limited number of Illinois firearm and muzzleloader deer permits are available over-the-counter (OTC) from DNR Direct license and permit vendors through Dec. 2, or until quotas are exhausted. Find a vendor near you at this link: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/LicensePermitVendors.aspx
• Archery Deer and Fall Turkey Permits: Illinois Archery Deer and Illinois Archery Fall Turkey seasons are open through Jan. 20, 2019. Permits are available over-the-counter at DNR Direct license and permit vendors. Find a vendor near you at this link: http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LPR/Pages/LicensePermitVendors.aspx
• Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader, and Late-Winter/CWD Seasons CWD Sampling: Deer hunters statewide are encouraged to allow samples to be taken for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing from adult deer they harvest. Check the IDNR website at this link for locations that are serving as CWD sampling stations, taking samples from entire deer or deer heads through the end of the season (Jan. 20, 2019): http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/programs/CWD/Documents/CWDSamplingLocations.pdf
• Spring Turkey Applications: Resident hunters can apply for the first lottery for 2019 Illinois Spring Wild Turkey Season permits online. Go to the IDNR website for more information at this link: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/TurkeyHunting.aspx. The application deadline for the first lottery for 2019 resident spring turkey permits is Dec. 1, 2018.