| Illinois Department of Natural Resources IDNR Reminds Hunters of New
Regulations in Effect for 2007-08 Deer Hunting Seasons
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding
hunters of new regulations in effect for the 2007-2008 deer hunting
seasons, which are set to begin Oct. 1. The department has received calls
from several individuals looking for clarification about the new changes
for this year, specifically:
 | Governor Blagojevich in August signed House Bill 320, which extends
the allowable hunting hours for firearm deer hunting in Illinois by
one-half hour. The previous firearm deer hunting hours were one-half
hour before sunrise to sunset. The new law extends legal hunting hours
for firearm deer hunting to one-half hour before sunrise to one-half
hour after sunset. |
| Hunters 62 years of age and older are now permitted to use a
crossbow without a special permit. Prior to the change, only persons
with a disability or persons who had obtained a special use permit were
allowed to use the devices. Hunters using a crossbow will need an
archery deer permit and proof of age in the form of an official ID.
Crossbows used in hunting as authorized by a permit issued under this
section shall meet all of the following specifications:
1) Shall have a minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds and a
maximum peak
draw weight of 200 pounds.
2) Shall have a minimum limb width of 24 inches and a minimum overall
length
(from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches.
3) Shall have a working safety.
4) Shall be used with bolts or arrows of not less than 14 inches in
length (not
including point) with a broadhead. Broadheads may have fixed or
expandable blades, but they must be barbless and have a minimum 7/8
inch
diameter when fully opened. Broadheads with fixed blade must be metal
or
flint-, chert-, or obsidian-napped; broadheads with expandable blades
must
be metal.
|
Hunters who are under 62 years old and wish to use a crossbow are
still required to
obtain a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.
Reminder: Some IDNR-managed areas that are open to firearm deer
hunting are closed to all non-hunters during the weekends of Fri., Nov.
16- Sun., Nov 18 and Thurs., Nov. 29- Sun., Dec. 2. Visitors are
encouraged to contact the site office in advance of visiting on these
weekends for more details.
###
Click Here To Return To The
Previous Page |
