Migratory birds 2026-27

Illinois dove & migratory bird hunting

Mourning Dove · Eurasian Collared-Dove · American Woodcock · Wilson's Snipe · Sora · Virginia Rail

Home state

Open now

Dove, Wilson's Snipe, Sora & Virginia Rail

Nonresident cost

$62.50

For the season · $40.50 for a 5-day trip

Dove

15 a day

Opens Sep 1

Species

Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Woodcock…

How nonresidents hunt dove and migratory birds in Illinois

Nonresidents need the hunting license plus the State Habitat Stamp and free HIP certification; covers dove, woodcock, snipe and rail.

Woodcock Oct. 17 - Nov. 30.

Season calendar

SepOctNovDecJan

Dove

Wilson's Snipe

Sora & Virginia Rail

American Woodcock

Today

Seasons & bag limits

Dove

Regular

Sep 1 – Nov 14, 2026
Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027

Dove15 daily45 poss.

Wilson's Snipe

Regular

Sep 5 – Dec 20, 2026

Wilson's Snipe8 daily24 poss.

Sora & Virginia Rail

Regular

Sep 5 – Nov 13, 2026

Sora & Virginia rail (combined)25 daily75 poss.

American Woodcock

Regular

Oct 17 – Nov 30, 2026

American Woodcock3 daily9 poss.

What a nonresident needs to buy

State Habitat Stamp

Ages 18 and up, for deer, turkey, upland birds, squirrels, rabbits and furbearers; not needed for waterfowl. Price from a secondary source; confirm with IDNR.

Source · checked Sep 23, 2026 ·

$5.50

Hunting license: choose one

Nonresident Hunting License (annual): Excludes vendor and transaction fees.

Nonresident Hunting License (5-day): Excludes vendor and transaction fees.

Source · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·

$57.00

Total for the season

Pick a license above to compare

$62.50

Official sources

Illinois migratory bird regulations Illinois Department of Natural Resources Licenses & fees

Last checked Oct 14, 2026.

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Illinois dove & migratory bird hunting

How nonresidents hunt dove and migratory birds in Illinois

Season calendar

Seasons & bag limits

Dove

Wilson's Snipe

Sora & Virginia Rail

American Woodcock

What a nonresident needs to buy

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