I would go with a good muzzleloader over those cartridges. Both 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. You can use a 6 shot revolver, a 3 shot auto loader or pump, or bolt action shotgun, a two shot muzzleloader but because they want no semiautos with magazines or something else, nope cant use them. Ill be doing as much research on this as possible but I think the DNR explains everything very well. Per a tweet by the Illinois DNR on August 25, 2022, there is a new law that will allow rifles to be used for deer hunting in Illinois. More decisions to take into account but the choice is yours to make . Other states have a minimum of a .35 caliber, while others have a minimum of .40 caliber and at least 400-foot pounds of energy at the muzzle. 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. Down state does not agree with this but Chicago rules the state. 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.. When the long pause began, the whitetail population in the state had been overhunted to near-elimination. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, any rifle chambered in a legal caliber and either manufactured or modified to be a single shot (capable of holding only one round in the magazine and chamber combined) may be used to hunt deer. Register today and take advantage of membership benefits. I've only ever shot a whitetail at 80 yards max, but passed up many at out to 200 at my stand. It has a simple break-action design that works well with an optic, as well as a dependable external hammer. You can see in the list above, your list of actual rifle ammo is pretty short and you would think that your only option is going out and picking up a single shot to use. For more information on laws and regulations on rifle hunting visit the IDNR website Here>> What effect will this have on the deer population and deer hunting in the state? (The author realizes that many hunters are currently obtaining great accuracy with certain slug guns.). 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. However, these laws are often changing, so it's a good idea to check with your state to see if hunting with a . Instagram There are virtually no bottleneck cartridges out there that are legal to use in IL for deer hunting, 300 Black Out is about all that comes to mind. For shooting big bucks, what is the hardest hitting rifle that is legal to use in Illinois now? It is a deer cartridge that is suitable for use with the.223 Remington. What Are The Hunting Seasons In Illinois? Can I use a centerfire rifle for hunting in Illinois? The harder hitting .450 Bushmaster also has its proponents in other straight-walled states. 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. The two new sections of the Code define the terms centerfire and single shot:, Sec. I have no problem with that . 1-Jan. 16MuzzleloaderDec. Deer are permitted to hunt it in the majority of states, and it is a suitable hunting cartridge. In these states, firearms hunters can use any handgun they want. This is big news for hunters in IL as we have been limited to shotgun slugs . Deer Hunting - dnr.illinois.gov Additionally, the law makes it illegal, during deer hunting season, to possess or be in proximity of a non-centerfire rifle or a magazine capable of making a rifle not a single shot. Illinois can use 450 Bushmaster/350 Legend type guns, what to get? Mike was top shelf, when we return I want Mike as my guide! What will now be allowed includes centerfire rifles that fit the following description: Single-shot rifles that use 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. Owners who applied for a lease before September 1, 2022 will not be able to take it forward. She currently resides in rural North Carolina with her children, non-hunting husband, and a well-stocked chest freezer. Back when Indiana was restricted, I had a whole lot of luck with my .458 Socom. It may not display this or other websites correctly. With 22LR, you can take down small to medium-sized animals with short to medium ranges. But will it? ** See footnote below. Multiple deaths, dozens of injuries in dust storm crash on Interstate 55. There are many deer populations thriving in most parts of the state. This is big news for hunters in IL as we have been limited to shotgun slugs, muzzleloaders, and pistols for as long as I can remember. 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). Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maine, and Rhode Island are among the states represented. (The Center Square) - Deer hunters may soon have more firearm options in Illinois. How much authority do conservation police officers and game wardens have. I looked at what cartridges are 1.4" or less and come up with the .300 whisper and .30 wagshul. The Illinois hunting season will be open for ten days beginning on Saturday, October 14th. For additional information, please review the following list of frequently asked questions and answers. There are virtually no bottleneck cartridges out there that are legal to use in IL for deer hunting, 300 Black Out is about all that comes to mind. 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. Provides that a rifle may be used in deer hunting if it has a bottleneck centerfire cartridge of .30 caliber or larger with a case length not exceeding 1.4 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. Usually I transited south of Cairo where I would be feet dry for less than a mile leaving Missouri and entering Kentucky. The term centerfire means using a gun that will only fire a round that contains primer in the center of the cartridge and not on the rim of the cartridge. Some may argue that rifle hunting in Illinois will be detrimental to the overall deer herd.. E-Mail me today for more information at Zach@HeartlandLodge.com or call 217-982-4039. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Although several of the soon to be legal rifles will have the capacity to shoot much further than a couple hundred yards, in general, most of them are around or under the 200-yard range. Twitter New Hunting Laws for Illinois Deer Season 2023. The firearm deer season typically runs from the first Saturday in November through the first Sunday in January. For those in Illinois who are simply rejoicing at the fact that they get to shop for a new centerfire deer gun, Henry Repeating Arms is one of several companies that makes a solid single-shot rifle; its a simple break-action design with an external hammer thats dependable, can accept an optic (via Weaver 82 mounts or a Picatinny rail).