Applications are now being accepted for archery deer hunting on private land in October through the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP). The application deadline is Aug. 23.
IRAP has more than 20,600 acres of private land leased for public access. At least 200 sites are available to the public for archery deer hunting for the month of October through IRAP in 30 counties, including Adams, Bureau, Calhoun, Christian, Clay, Coles, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Jasper, Jersey, Johnson, Lee, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, McDonough, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Pope, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, St. Clair, Wayne, Whiteside and Williamson.
To participate, hunters must submit an application by Aug. 23 to be eligible for the IRAP archery deer drawing. Applicants must have passed a hunter safety course if born in 1980 or after, have a valid hunting license, and choose whether they prefer to hunt Oct. 1-15 or Oct. 16-31.
IRAP is open to both resident and nonresident hunters. Youth hunters are encouraged to apply and are given preference in the lottery when sites are assigned.
Find applications for IRAP Archery Deer Hunting here.
Successful applicants will be notified by mail approximately three weeks before their assigned hunting period. The notice will include the location of their hunting site, a site map and an IRAP site permit.
The program is funded through a Voluntary Public Access Habitat Improvement Program grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
For more information on the program, click here.