Hunting in Illinois: 6 Things to Know About Hunting on Private Lands

There are a plethora of public lands available to hunters in Illinois from marshes and rivers to forests and parks but, sometimes, hunters want to veer off the beaten path and bag their game somewhere less well traveled.

In a study released in 2002 by the Human Dimensions Research Program and Illinois Natural History Survey, 59 percent of hunters depend on private lands for their hunting needs, but hunters can't simply meander onto private property and commence hunting.

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Here are six things to know about hunting on private lands in Illinois:

1. Get Permission
It is illegal to hunt on private property without first obtaining permission. If permission is granted, the landowner and hunter should fill out and retain a Land Access Permission form that states the hunter has permission and will conduct himself or herself in a responsible and ethical manner while on the property, as well as assume responsibility.

2. Licenses and Permits
The same licenses and permits are required to hunt on public and private land. Most can be obtained on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website.

3. Make Sure Landowners Observe the Recreational Use of Land and Water and Areas Act
This act encourages landowners to make their private property available to hunters and fishermen by providing a certain level of protection and limited liability to the owners as long as they don't charge a fee for land use.

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4. Wear Blaze Orange
On private land, a blaze orange hat must be worn while hunting small game. Most other species require at least 400 square inches of blaze orange plus a hat.

5. Know the Use of Dogs Rules
On private property, dogs can be used to hunt coyotes as can bows and handguns, which are not permitted on public lands.

6. Be Gracious
When the hunting has ended and daily limits are met (or not), make sure to show appreciation for the landowners that allowed you to hunt on their property. It's certainly not required, but a thank-you gift of one of the small birds shot or even a card expressing gratitude goes a long way.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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