Illinois

The Prairie State is home to a vast array of experiences, from fishing on Lake Michigan in the shadow of Chicago’s skyscrapers to hunting deer, turkey, and even black bear in the southern part of the state. Iconic lands of Illinois include the Shawnee National Forest, which features rocky hills, tranquil streams, and even the “Little Grand Canyon.” For anglers, Illinois boasts plentiful smallmouth bass, catfish, and carp. Waterfowl hunting is excellent in the Illinois River Valley, and the state’s plentiful corn and soybean fields contribute to trophy whitetail deer populations.

For more information on the elected officials protecting and promoting the sportsmen’s traditions in Illinois, please contact: Bob Matthews

Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus

Representative Mike Bost Representative Darin LaHood

Illinois Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus Leadership

Senator Neil Anderson Representative Larry Walsh

Illinois Policy Highlights

In 2023, the Illinois Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus secured the ability of Illinois hunters to use center fire, single-shot rifles to take White-tailed deer.

Also in 2023, the Caucus created discounted fishing licenses for new or lapsed anglers that had not purchased a license in more than ten years.

In 2024, the Caucus also secured use of small-bore shotguns, including .410-bore and 28 gauge, to take turkeys in an effort to expand hunting opportunities for youth, smaller-framed, or otherwise recoil-sensitive hunters.

Paid Hunting License Holders

Paid Angling License Holders

.3 M

Generated for Wildlife Conservation

Federal Land Hunting & Angling Access

Many sportsmen and women depend on federal lands managed by agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and… Read more.

No-Net-Loss

“No-Net-Loss” of public lands has become increasingly important to ensure access to public lands and waterways for current and future generations of sportsmen and women.… Read more.

30×30: Recognizing Sportsmen’s Contributions to Conservation

Concerned about the uncertainty that 30×30 policies may pose for hunting and fishing access, the sportsmen’s community issued the Hunting and Fishing Community Statement on… Read more.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a progressive, fatal, degenerative neurological disease occurring in farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, caribou, and moose. The disease was first… Read more.

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October 19, 2026

Youth Deer Hunting Success Reaches New Heights in Illinois

Why It Matters: Youth hunting seasons provide valuable opportunities to introduce the next generation of sportsmen and women to our time-honored outdoor traditions. Participation by young hunters is paramount to carrying on these traditions and sustaining the American System of Conservation Funding, through which sportsmen and women serve as the primary funders of state-level conservation […]

August 10, 2026

Dedicated Conservation Funding: Hunting for a Solution by Fishing in New Streams

Why It Matters: Although sportsmen and women have long carried the banner as the primary funders of conservation, supplemental revenue streams are needed in nearly every state to meet fish and wildlife management needs. Without alternative funding sources that complement the long-standing leadership of sportsmen and women, conservation programs, and associated outdoor opportunities, are likely to suffer. Highlights: Throughout the country, conversations in the halls […]

October 6, 2025

Expanded Opportunities Available to Great Lakes Hunters this Season

Why It Matters: Although hunters are at home in the field or woods, they must still be aware of what happens in the halls of their state government. Changes and updates to hunting laws and regulations can impact the pursuit of sportsmen and women’s favorite species, and hunters must stay on top of those changes…

February 10, 2025

Caucus Co-Chairs in Michigan, Illinois Introduce Bills to Allow Hunter Education in Schools

Why It Matters: Hunters are the backbone of conservation and to continue carrying that banner, new sportsmen and women must be exposed to the woods and fields. However, as fewer folks dress themselves in camouflage and orange, there are fewer to pass on our time-honored outdoor traditions to new generations. Allowing schools to instruct safe…

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Illinois – 2026 American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet

Illinois: American System of Conservation Funding Fact Sheet

2013 Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report – Illinois

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Impact You Can See

Legislatures in AL, AR, DE, GA, IL, KY, LA, MS, NH, NV, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, UT, VT, and WV celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program and formally recognized the crucial role that sportsmen and women play in funding conservation efforts through the “user pays, public benefits” structure of the American System of Conservation Funding.