Hunters preparing to take to the fields for the upcoming Illinois firearm deer season, which runs from Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7, are being reminded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to visit mandatory check stations in counties affected by chronic wasting disease (CWD). In an effort to effectively manage the disease, which has been detected in deer populations, IDNR has announced new check stations in Bureau, Ford, and Lee counties, bringing more hunters under CWD surveillance in 2025. The full list of impacted counties now includes Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Ford, Grundy, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will, and Winnebago.
According to a recent press release from the Illinois authorities, hunters who are successful in these CWD counties are advised not to attempt to report their deer online or by phone, as in-person check-ins are crucial for proper monitoring. Check stations are slated to operate daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the hunting season, with a comprehensive list of testing locations available online for those requiring more information on the matter.
In addition to mandatory checkpoints, voluntary stations will be accessible in Adams County at Twin Oaks Club and at the Jubilee College State Park office in Brimfield. These stations are also scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, offering additional access points for hunters. Meanwhile, in Adams and Peoria counties, hunters are still required to check their deer through the website ExploreMoreIL.com or by calling 866-452-2325 (866-IL-CHECK).
For hunters seeking further convenience, various taxidermists, meat processors, and head drop-off locations are located across the state, enabling deer to quickly get tested for CWD. An interactive map detailing these sampling locations can be accessed online to swiftly steer hunters toward the nearest testing site. The IDNR, marking its 100th anniversary, has extended its reach to approximately 400 sites statewide and continues to exert a multiplex stewardship over Illinois's natural resources, as can be seen on its website.
