CWD deer season area · Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Special CWD Deer Season counties
Illinois, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About Special CWD Deer Season counties
Special CWD Deer Season counties is a CWD deer season area in Illinois, United States, set by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 36,570 km² (14,120 mi²). Towns inside it include Joliet, Rockford, Peoria, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and Crystal Lake.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Illinois Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for White-tailed deer.
- Unit code
- CWD
- Area
- 36,570 km²
- Area (miles)
- 14,120 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,049 km² of public or protected land inside it, 3% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Department of Natural Resources | 260 | under 1% |
| Rock Island | 111 | under 1% |
| Private owners (names not shown) | 81 | under 1% |
| Forest Service Region 09 Eastern | 74 | under 1% |
| McHenry County Conservation District | 56 | under 1% |
| Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife And Fish Refuge | 49 | under 1% |
| UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE | 49 | under 1% |
| The Nature Conservancy | 30 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 403 | 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Illinois Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Dec 31, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 | firearm source |
| White-tailed deer | Jan 15, 2027 to Jan 17, 2027 | firearm source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Units around it
Other hunting units that cover part of it
What HuntGrid shows for Special CWD Deer Season counties
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is Special CWD Deer Season counties (CWD deer season area)?
About 36,570 km² (14,120 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Illinois Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Special CWD Deer Season counties?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,049 km² of public or protected land, 3% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Special CWD Deer Season counties?
This page lists 2 seasons a person has checked against Illinois Department of Natural Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Illinois DNR (area definition); U.S. Census Bureau (county boundaries). Licence: Area defined in the 2026-2027 Illinois Digest (IDNR regulations); county boundaries public domain (U.S. Census Bureau). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.