Updates: IL DNR has issued the following guidance regarding modification of firearms to comply with the discussed regulatory changes: Modification of a rifle originally manufactured as a repeater (a lever action/bolt action/pump action/semi-automatic, etc.) The ability to reload quickly with the current law requirements on most rifles will take a few seconds longer when compared to a good old fashion bolt-action or pump slug gun. The following information can be viewed from the FAQ page mentioned in the tweet from Illinois DNR. It's just been extended to single-shot, long guns," Dale said. I will attempt to edit this post if IL DNR issues any guidance on this topic related to specific cartridges and compliant firearms. House Bill 1309 . Only to visit on a work assignment. *The buck harvested in the picture was harvested at 180 yards.. Several custom muzzleloader companies also make long distance guns that can shoot 300+! What Hunting Season Is Coming Up Illinois? Under the new law, hunters in Illinois will be able to use lighter rifles for deer hunting. Copyright 2023 Free Range American. Each hunter will want to confirm what specific caliber complies with the law in Illinois. Those who own or lease land but do not live on it must be accompanied by a valid Illinois hunting or sporting license. 223/ 5.56 caliber make the perfect gun for young or small-frame hunters. We were pleasantly surprised to have seen plenty of deer and even a few mature bucks even though they were not in range. According to Ed Yednock, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, it took him a long time to convince quite a few people that our weapons were not machine guns. A current, valid hunting license is required for all youth hunters who wish to hunt. Dale walks with a cane as he approaches his 70th birthday. Could you please send me your catalogue of available hunting programs for the rest of the year? How much authority do conservation police officers and game wardens have. Couldnt agree more. During archery season, no handgun is permitted. Illinois is going to let us use rifles, but not without some rules. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Centerfire, single-shot rifles approved for deer hunting in Illinois But, there are some stipulations. Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Washington, and West Virginia require larger bullets to be used to hunt game. In Illinois, the first of two short gun seasons occurs as the rut is just past peak in mid-November. The Illinois legislature unanimously passed a measure permitting the use of centerfire single-shot rifles for deer hunting. I might have understood it a bit more if they had limited it to straight walled cartridges as they do in some states, but in this case, they want no semiautomatics, or at least, no magazine to be found near the hunter. Among the illegal semi-automatic firearms are assault rifles with more than ten rounds of magazine capacity, as well as pistols and shotguns with more than six rounds of magazine capacity. Because of my body, Im avoiding the physical shock of recoil, Larry Dale, a hunter in his 70s, told The Center Square. FAQs: Single-shot rifles and deer hunting in Illinois - Hunting The firearm deer season typically runs from the first Saturday in November through the first Sunday in January. Winchester Ammunition. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, ammunition is restricted to .30-caliber or larger centerfire cartridges that are less than 1 2/5 inches in length or straight-wall cartridges of at least .30 caliber. However, rifles do have their drawbacks, including safety concerns. Down state does not agree with this but Chicago rules the state. We needed to get their approval, and they actually helped write the bill. Join the list to receive special offers, updates, and everything Free Range American. A table of preliminary Illinois firearm deer harvest totals by county for the first weekend of the 2022 season, and comparable totals for 2020 and 2021, can be found below. The new law effectively eliminates Illinois as an island where rifle hunting for deer was illegal. You can see in the list above, your list of actual rifle ammo is pretty short and you would think that your only option is going out and picking up a single shot to use. Single shot only. 1-Jan. 16MuzzleloaderDec. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Yednock also said the expansion to include single-shot rifles for whitetail deer hunting also helps remove barriers that may have kept some women and young hunters from participating in the sport. Restore Clarity And Brightness: Get Your Steiner Binoculars Recoated! Some may argue that rifle hunting in Illinois will be detrimental to the overall deer herd.. Will Illinois allow rifles for deer hunting? This will bring more people to the forest.. Politics aside, what are some of my best options? The .300 Blackout and .44 WCF are also on that list, along with a half-dozen other bottleneck rounds, but most of the approved rifle rounds are straight-wall cartridges. What states allow 223 for deer hunting? This has been on the books for the House in Illinois for about 3 years. I don't think it can have a magazine attached (not sure about that though). Just how corrupt and venal are Illinois politics? For those who hunt in states that allow straight-walled rifle cartridges to be used as deer hunting ammo, these are the best options. 223 diameter bullet or an AR-15 rifle. Now the 350 Legend has quite a following as well.. 444 and 450 Marlins and 45/70's are to long. RSS feed for comments on this post. Deer numbers are strong and healthy in most areas of the state. On June 15, 2022 at 6:56 am, June J said: I lived in Illinois for 20 years. Floor Amendment #1 provides that legal handguns and rifles include any bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not . Modification of a rifle originally manufactured as a repeater (a lever action/bolt action/pump action/semi-automatic, etc.) 1:46. Other states have a minimum of a .35 caliber, while others have a minimum of .40 caliber and at least 400-foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Is a 5.56 good for deer hunting? It is generally accepted within the hunting and shooting communities (and apparently state legislatures) that straight-walled cartridges lack the effective range of bottleneck cartridges and are therefore less likely to strike unintended targets downrange. Yeah, with that case length restriction, Ill just stick with my muzzle-loader. A sport trainer may also be beneficial to people of lesser stature, as well as people with disabilities or an aging parent. If the round has the same ballistics as a 20 guage [sic] why not allow 3 rounds? asked one commenter. at the Lodge >>, Rifle Hunting FOR 2023 SEASON WHAT Rifles will be legal. Effective January 1, 2023, a new Illinois law will allow hunters to use centerfire, single-shot rifles in certain calibers for deer hunting. I have no problem with that . Illinois will be the last state to allow only shotguns when the new law takes effect on January 1, 2023. For more information on laws and regulations on rifle hunting visit the IDNR website Here>> What effect will this have on the deer population and deer hunting in the state? Its no surprise that these firearms are the best choice for deer hunting in Illinois because theyre lighter and more accurate than other firearms. B. Pritzker pushed for this law change. Im not buying any new rifle, my Knight Elite has been most excellent. What most people dont understand is that the corn belt runs through Illinois. If youre shooting with a rifle chambered for a cartridge larger than.223, make sure the bullet is being shot from an expanding-type bullet rather than straight-walled rounds. ** See footnote below. The population was bouncing back in the late 1950s, so a restricted, shotgun-only deer season was instituted to limit harvest numbers while still allowing hunting while the states whitetail population could continue to grow. **No hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her possession, may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year, including the youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm . One of the most popular guns that our clients use at the lodge is the Savage 220 bolt-action slug gun. Or handguns? Here the controllers are giving up something for the deer hunters by giving them a rifle to hunt. I don't think it can have a magazine attached (not sure about that though). The governor is likely to sign the measure soon. Recoil is more like a shove than a punch to a deer hunter, according to Dale. 449 S 12th St.Tampa, Florida 33602United States, Nonresident Combination Archery Deer permit, Deer Hunting On Maui: The Best Place To Hunt Deer In Hawaii, Designing Lanyards for Corporate Events: Dos and Donts, Unlock The Benefits Of Stabilized Binoculars: Discover Why You May Need Them And Which Ones Are Best For You. One deer. Unveiling The Mystery Of CA: Understand Chromatic Aberration And Get The Best View Through Your Binoculars, Exploring Nature With 8 X 32 Binoculars Understanding The Power Of Magnification, Make Outdoor Watching Easier: Discover Why You Should Use A Camera Tripod For Your Binoculars, How To Mount Leica Trinovid Binoculars To A Tripod: A Step-By-Step Guide, Unlock The Power Of Binoculars In Pokemon Learn Where To Find And How To Use Them, Maximizing Your Binoculars Performance: The Importance Of Using Eyecups, Exploring The Phenomenon Of Ghosting In Binoculars What You Need To Know Before Shopping For A Pair, Bring Your Binoculars To The French Open Everything You Need To Know.