The great outdoors just got a little greater for Illinois pheasant hunters this season. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has officially announced it's extending the controlled pheasant hunting season, giving hunters more time to target these colorful game birds. According to a recent release, the IDNR is stretching the season dates at certain wildlife areas throughout the Prairie State, with some sites enjoying an extra one to two weeks of hunting action.
For those looking to reload and head back out into the field, you'll want to check the permit calendar on the controlled pheasant hunting website, stat. Simply because the permits for these extended dates are flying faster than, well, a pheasant in peak season. Sites getting the go-ahead for an extended season include Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area in Will County, Silver Springs State Park in Kendall County, and a handful of others scattered across the state's rolling prairies and lush woodlands.
And here's a nifty twist for the tech-savvy hunters out there: securing a Reserved Controlled Pheasant Hunting Permit is just a few clicks away. The IDNR has streamlined the process, now allowing hunters to reserve a permit right up until 9 a.m. the day before the big hunt. So, forget about having to plan your hunting trips weeks in advance; spontaneity is the new orange vest.
For those hunters calling Illinois home, an online permit will set you back $34, while nonresidents need to cough up $39. And yes, forking over the fees is as easy as online shopping for camo gear; you can do it over a secure system using a major credit card.
