Additionally, many enthusiasts consider these cartridges to to be more accurate than shotgun slugs and the .350 legend produces substantially less recoil than many shotgun slugs and muzzleloader bullets. Illinois is going to let us use rifles, but not without some rules. We were pleasantly surprised to have seen plenty of deer and even a few mature bucks even though they were not in range. I do wonder what the speed of a bottleneck cartridge is however coming out of a contender "pistol", which as referenced above is legal in IL. JavaScript is disabled. Follow this link forproposed and adopted administrative rules. For shooting big bucks, what is the hardest hitting rifle that is legal to use in Illinois now? I heard talk from both sides.". Single shot does not include: (a) a rifle in the possession of a person who is also in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that would allow the rifle to be capable of holding more than one round or (b) a revolver. My grandad used to say only reason you cant see China is because the earth curves. In addition to the traditional use of approved shotguns, muzzleloaders, and handguns, hunters will now be able to lawfully take deer with single shot centerfire rifles beginning in 2023. Effective January 1, 2023, a new Illinois law will allow hunters to use centerfire, single-shot rifles in certain calibers for deer hunting. Thanks to mandatory hunter safety training, Missouri has nearly zero firearms fatalities during deer seasons that last from Sept 15-Jan 15 but allows everything from spears to .50 bmg during various portions. Single shot means a gun that is either manufactured or modified to hold only one round in the magazine and chamber combined, according to a fact sheet issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Back in the late 1990's over 50% of the private land in Pike County IL was leased to non-residents as was the case in all the counties in IL's infamous deer "Golden triangle" as well as other counties that became known for producing the biggest bucks. This is one of the most commonly used firearms in hunting. IDNR posted on its Facebook page Aug. 24 that it has received. 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. Pritzker on May 27, allows for the use of centerfire, single-shot rifles for deer hunting in the firearm set as set by the director of natural resources every year. Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maine, and Rhode Island are among the states represented. It is illegal for someone who has received a Landowner permit but has an application pending to apply for an additional permit in the First or Second Firearms Lottery Drawings. The new law amends Sections 2.25, 2.26, and 2.33 of the Wildlife Code and adds two new sections to the Code, 1.2aa and 1.2bb. The pistol hunting season is single-shot, and the DNR worked with me pretty closely on this legislation, he said. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Acceptable cartridges must be available as a factory load, with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.. A collaborative effort between the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Wildlife Federation, and others resulted in the creation of the Illinois Deer Management Plan. As a fan of muzzleloading and single shot rifles, the new Illinois deer hunting changes aren't a huge issue for me, but the rules still don't allow me to take out my .30-30 lever action. Paddle vs. Modification of a rifle originally manufactured as a repeater (a lever action/bolt action/pump action/semi-automatic, etc.) Starting January 1, 2023, Illinois will allow deer hunters to start using rifles to deer hunt. But, there are some stipulations. Often asked: How Many States Is The Ar-15 Banned For Hunting? Permits deer hunting with a rifle. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, single-shot rifles may be used to hunt deer in a caliber meeting the laws criteria. Pedal Kayaks: What Do You Need? I also have a Magnum Research BFR in 350 Legend that I use. Copyright 2023 Free Range American. What constitutes the illegal baiting of deer in Illinois? Never one to sit still and look pretty, Alice is also a self-defense instructor and competitive archer. I never once saw a Illinois State Police Occifer while taking that route (which was fortuitous as I was quite often in violation of several Illinois state firearm laws). Centerfire. Politics aside, what are some of my best options? Davidsmeyer said the state is trying to manage a deer population that is rather large and so he was less concerned with how deer are harvested. Muzzleloading season runs from December 10-12, firearms season runs from November 19-21 and December 2-5, and youth hunting season runs from October 9-11. Which might reduce the population marginally. Traditional bolt action rifles, on the other hand, do not currently have the same range as modern weapons. I was considering getting a muzzleloader for the season next year (I'm a new hunter from IL). Join the list to receive special offers and updates! An applicant may only apply for and receive one Nonresident Combination Archery Deer permit during a license year. Single Shot Rifles for Deer Hunting in Illinois - Real Guns People Bolt action rifles are used by deer hunters all the time. But is that really a bad thing for Illinois or the deer herd? The total preliminary deer harvest for all seasons compares with a total harvest for all seasons of 162,752 deer in 2020-21, according to information from the State of Illinois. That will remain unchanged when the new centerfire rules go into effect in January. According to hunter-ed.com, some centerfire bullets can travel several miles. Whitetail hunters across the state of Illinois will soon be able to use rifles for deer hunting (**starting the fall of 2023**). Will Illinois allow rifles for deer hunting? This content is restricted to subscribers of OutdoorNews.com. I havent deer hunted in a long time, but I might consider doing it again in the future after this, he said. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters that centerfire rifles are not legal until Jan. 1, 2023. Those who own or lease land but do not live on it must be accompanied by a valid Illinois hunting or sporting license. (The Center Square) - Deer hunters may soon have more firearm options in Illinois. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Other notable gun companies that make single-shots are CVA, which produces a .300 BLK break-action rifle, and Traditions. 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. For a tube-fed lever or pump action, just put a full-length plug rod in the tube so it wont accept any rounds. We will absolutely never give, sell or rent your name to any 3rd party, and of course you can unsubscribe at any time. I used to have 300+ acres to hunt and now that gets leased up for more than it should cost to pay the loan on owning the damn thing. Central and Southern Illinois has beautiful country and good conservative people who are, unfortunately, ruled by Chicago. at the Lodge >>, Pike County, IL Whitetail Hunts 2023 Season Dates/Rates, Bowhunting October Trophy Whitetails in Illinois, The Way of the Turkey GunSights, Chokes, and More, The Turkey Woods- Lessons Learned from Seasons Past. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A non-resident hunting license, as well as a permit and habitat stamp, are required if you are not a resident of the state. From the IL DNR 2019 Deer Hunting Fact Sheet.. Its coming, just like crossbows last year. The state Department of Natural Resources wishes to inform hunters that it is always illegal to conceal a firearm while hunting. Some hunters engage in deer drives while others engage in group hunting. I have only taken one deer in my life with a shotgun, and I will never do it again. Recoil is more like a shove than a punch to a deer hunter, according to Dale. Permits hunting with a rifle for the taking of deer. However, these laws are often changing, so it's a good idea to check with your state to see if hunting with a . During firearm season, a light, single shot rifle can help you ensure that your first shot is successful. Straight-walled, centerfire, rimless cartridges have bullets ranging in diameter from 0.357 to 0.500, as well as a case length ranging from 0.850 to 1.800. This just opens up other options & choices . E-Mail me today for more information at Zach@HeartlandLodge.com or call 217-982-4039. Each hunter will want to confirm what specific caliber complies with the law in Illinois. The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2023. Yes iI am interested in me, my 19 year old son, and 60 year old brother coming out during your rut for rifle hunts. Taking mower out for drive at 4 a.m. leads to DUI arrest Jacksonville issues second boil order precaution, Baseball player shot during game by stray bullet, Kampsville man faces domestic battery charge. Twitter The house has approved the bill so far . On June 15, 2022 at 3:16 pm, Herschel Smith said: On June 15, 2022 at 4:04 pm, Georgiaboy61 said: Lived in the Land of Lincoln for many years as a younger person. They usually make no sense because politics have entered into it and screwed it up. . If I could reload for it ammo with the same effective performance as factory ammo (but I can not and no one else can for that matter) I would buy a 20 gauge Savage 220. SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS - Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 147,004 deer during all 2021-2022 archery and firearm seasons that concluded Jan. 16. But this doesnt just open the doors to all rifles. He filed this bill on February 11, 2016. Yet, in the long run if more does are harvested and the carrying capacity is below what it should be it will be in the best interest of all hunters and lead to a healthier deer herd, in turn helping bucks reach their full potential of antler development. Linkedin, Your email address will not be published. For a semi-auto or bolt action, you can use a mag block so it wont accept any stored rounds. Specific information on when rifles will be allowed during deer season will be established by administrative rule. I've heard Henry makes a really good 350 Legend. Been a gunsmith for 27 years, taught ballistics and handloading at Colorado Gunsmithing Academy. You are using an out of date browser. By doing so, you will not only be ensuring you have the proper paperwork to hunt, but you will also be contributing to the reduction of deer populations. deer hunting is a popular pastime in Illinois, and the rifle season offers hunters a chance to bag a big buck. The quote below was from a post on Archerytalk. Rifle bill signed into law - Outdoor News The terms possession and close proximity are not easy to define, but suffice it to say, I will be leaving all my magazines at home or using a true single shot rifle. Tags: Deer, Hunting, Illinois DNR; Hand-Picked For You. Usually I transited south of Cairo where I would be feet dry for less than a mile leaving Missouri and entering Kentucky. A rifle shall be considered a single shot if there is no magazine in possession of or in close proximity to a hunter in the field and the gun can only hold a total of one round. On June 16, 2022 at 11:38 am, SamlAdams said: Family is from downstate. That flat. The new policy has been met with some criticism, but it is hoped that it will help to improve the deer population in the state. Single shotdoes not include a rifle in the possession of a person who is also in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that would allow the rifle to be capable of holding more than one round or a revolver. One of the most popular guns that our clients use at the lodge is the Savage 220 bolt-action slug gun. I will attempt to edit this post if IL DNR issues any guidance on this topic related to specific cartridges and compliant firearms. It is legal to hunt deer with a rifle in the surrounding states of Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Michigan and Arkansas. In Illinois, the first of two short gun seasons occurs as the rut is just past peak in mid-November. As a result of this new law, Illinois hunters will now have access to a wider range of hunting firearms to hunt down their deer prey. I'm on the opposite side of this argument. Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Washington, and West Virginia require larger bullets to be used to hunt game. I will be using a 350 legend and not the traditional slug. Deer - Hunt Illinois For additional information, please review the following list of frequently asked questions and answers. When I go and get me tags I and a lot of hunters I know only get 1 to 2 tags for firearm season. The amendment and rule change had not been without its detractors, as evidenced by the string of comments on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Facebook page. On May 1, this year, a new Illinois law went into effect that allows hunters to use centerfire, single-shot rifles in certain calibers during deer hunting season. The list of approved cartridges includes .45-70 Government and .450 Bushmaster. 1.2aa. Whitetail hunters across the state of Illinois will soon be able to use rifles for deer hunting (**starting the fall of 2023**). Deer zones are areas of the state where the season dates and regulations differ from year to year. The following information can be viewed from the FAQ page mentioned in the tweet from Illinois DNR. What most people dont understand is that the corn belt runs through Illinois. I've heard Henry makes a really good 350 Legend. OnMay 27, 2022, Governor Pritzker signed HB 4386 into law which will likely be of particular interest to those who hunt deer in the State of Illinois with firearms. Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB2783, The Best Deer Hunting Ammo For Straight-Wall Rifle Cartridge States, https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Documents/IDNR-DeerPrelimHarvest-Feb2021.pdf. In Minnesota, the most common way to hunt deer is to sit in a standing or ground blind and wait for the deer to come in. The firearm deer season typically runs from the first Saturday in November through the first Sunday in January. More deer equal lower overall habitat health, which equals bucks that are not reaching their full potential due to lack of prime browse and stressors that come with an overpopulated carrying capacity. Here the controllers are giving up something for the deer hunters by giving them a rifle to hunt. A spokesman for Yednock said the bill was filed on behalf of his constituents, many who came to him to ask for the change that would allow using rifles to hunt deer. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, the legal calibers for single-shot rifles are: These caliber specifications are the same that hunters may be familiar with for handgun deer hunting in previous years. Amid confusion, state reminds hunters change in Illinois rifle rules Rifles chambered in the soft shooting .350 legend will likely become a very popular choice for hunters, especially youth, in Illinois. Jayette Bolinski, a spokeswoman for the Department of Natural Resources, said the law was not a department initiative, but rather one brought up by a member of the General Assembly, so they would not be able to speak about the changes while administrative rules are still being developed. Administrative rules are still being developed to accommodate the new law. The Illinois legislature unanimously passed a measure permitting the use of centerfire single-shot rifles for deer hunting. Hunting deer with a rifle is still illegal in Illinois, but that will change Jan. 1 when administrative rules issued by the Department of Natural Resources will go into effect that will allow deer hunting with center-fire single-shot rifles of certain calibers. Until then, 100grs of 777 f I r her with her Traditions Youth Buckstalker. Coyotes may be hunted on private property by dogs, archery devices, any type of handgun, any type of legal rifle, including large capacity semi-automatic rifles, and shotguns with any type of shell. ** See footnote below. Yes, AR-15s are popular hunting rifles (in most states). It has a simple break-action design that works well with an optic, as well as a dependable external hammer. 1:46. Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Centerfire rifle hunting isn Pritzker on May 27, allows for the use of centerfire, single-shot rifles for deer hunting in the firearm set as set by the director of natural resources every year. When looking at an article from Hornady, the company advised not using rounds for the blackout with the whisperI really don't want to buy another rifle. Capitol Outdoors - Illinois' Hunting and Fishing Resource 5 Things to Keep in Mind, a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding one and two-fifths inches, OR. The Illinois State Congress passed a bill, which was signed by the governor to allow single shot rifles for deer hunting in the 2023 season. House Bill 4386, signed by Gov. Seen well over 100 deer during our stay. B. Pritzker pushed for this law change. To hunt deer, hunters must first plan their hunt in the area where they will be hunting. I think because it came from my side of the aisle, it just made the majority feel more comfortable with it, Yednock added. to a single shot can take many forms, including but not limited to: Hunters may not be in possession of or in close proximity to a magazine that is capable of making a rifle not a single-shot firearm. Women, according to him, will enjoy hunting with lighter rifles. Provides that current ammunition and caliber restrictions on handguns that may be used for hunting deer also apply to rifles. While there are several single-shot centerfire rifles available that are designed for hunting in a bevy of calibers, allowing a three-round centerfire capacity would potentially open up the use of many bolt-action rifles and lever guns for hunting, as well as semi-autos with restricted magazines. I'd go for a Ruger M77. Additionally, Section 2.25 was amended to specify what type of centerfire ammunition would be allowed: The only legal ammunition for a centerfire handgun or rifle is a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding one and two-fifths inches, or a straight-walled centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger, both of which must be available as a factory load with the published ballistic tables of the manufacturer showing a capability of at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. Rifles for Deer Hunting in Illinois? What recent amendments to the proposed and adopted administrative rules, Coyote Sounds: The Major Types And Their Uses, Hawk Sounds and Their Meanings With Real Sounds, 5 Factors When Buying a Gun Safe For Your Sniper Rifles. One antlerless deer per permit. In Illinois, guns that can be used for deer hunting include shotguns, muzzleloading rifles, and handguns that are at least .357 caliber. Effective January 1, 2023, a new Illinois law will allow hunters to use centerfire, single-shot rifles in certain calibers for deer hunting. Deer driving is best done in landscapes and habitats with a good amount of predictability when it comes to escape routes. I would prefer lighter recoil, myself, hunted for years with a TC Contender in 44 Magnum, so shot placement is key to me. He put us on deer every day, every time! In fact, .30-30 isn't allowed at all because the Illinois deer hunting act specifies: "a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a . Hunting with a shotgun presents several disadvantages for many hunters the felt recoil of a 12-gauge, or even 20-gauge alone, can be too much for some. In Illinois, deer hunting is permitted during the months of October 1-January 16, muzzleloading is prohibited from December 10-12, firearms are prohibited from November 19-21, and youth firearms hunting is permitted from October 9-11. The food was amazing, the land was beautiful, will definitely be coming back. Illinois deer hunters will soon have more tools available to them during the hunting season after the signing of a recent law. **If youre interested in rifle hunt in Illinois for next fall, we have rifle hunts available for 2023! Illinois HB2549 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly - LegiScan On May 27, 2022, Governor Pritzker signed HB 4386 into law which will likely be of particular interest to those who hunt deer in the State of Illinois with firearms. Those who go hunting as young as children will benefit from a gentler recoil, according to him. What Hunting Season Is Coming Up Illinois? Or what do you recommend. I have. A bill, introduced as HB 4386 and sponsored by state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, paved the way for the new rules by allowing certain centerfire, single-shot rifles to be used for deer hunting. 10-12FirearmsNov. Master hunter, instructor and owner of . Despite wind and cold, harvest is up in first portion of Illinois The boom of the trophy hunting era has put an emphasis on hunting big bucks. I was comfortable supporting it.". Deer hunting in Illinois will soon be legal with rifles. The boys I take deer hunting in IA use it- low recoil, extremely accurate, and good expansion ( I use 165gr Hornady FTX bullets with H110). He made the trip for us. Single-shot rifles will be permitted for deer hunting in Illinois beginning today. The biggest question is who will be allowed. Yes, some hunters will complain that they are seeing less deer and the IDNR needs to restrict hunting methods. During firearm season, some pistols may be legal, but not automatic or semi-automatic. J.B. Pritzker on May 27. It sounds like outfitter control is the direction of the future of hunting if something doesnt change. Public Act 102-0932is effectiveJan. 1, 2023. Michigan groups rally to preserve Cornwall Creek Flooding dam Victor . Centerfire, single-shot rifles approved for deer hunting in Illinois It permits rifle hunting for deer. Up until now, it was shotgun slugs only, which means you were pretty much limited to a hundred yards or so. These lighter rifles join the list oflegal hunting firearms, which includes slug-ammunition shotguns, muzzleloading rifles and centerfire handguns. Floor Amendment #1 provides that legal handguns and rifles include any bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not . Starting January 1, 2023, Illinois will allow deer hunters to start using rifles to deer hunt.