Section 550.20  Statewide Regulations

a)         Raccoon, Opossum

1)         Zones:  The State of Illinois is divided by U.S. Rt. 36 (New Rt. 36) into a Northern Zone and Southern Zone.

2)         Northern Zone hunting dates:  November 5 through the next following February 10, except as noted in Section 550.10(a) of this Section.  Hunting outside the set season dates is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

3)         Southern Zone hunting dates:  November 10 through the next following February 15, except as noted in Section 550.10(a).  Hunting outside the set season dates is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

4)         Hunting hours:  November 5 in the Northern Zone and November 10 in the Southern Zone open for hunting at sunrise; during archery deer season, raccoon and opossum bow hunting hours shall coincide with the statewide archery deer hunting hours as specified in Section 2.26 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/2.26]; otherwise, hours are unrestricted.  Hunting prior to sunrise on opening day is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).  Hunting prior to ½ hour before sunrise on opening day or during the archery deer season, or hunting after ½ hour after sunset during the archery deer season, is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine, and a maximum $5,000 fine, in addition to other statutory penalties (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(y)).

5)         Daily limit and possession limit:  None.

b)         Red fox and gray fox

1)         Hunting dates:  November 10 through the next following January 31, except as noted in Section 550.10(a).  Hunting outside the season dates is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

2)         Hunting hours:  Opens November 10 for hunting at sunrise; during archery deer season, red fox and gray fox bow hunting hours shall coincide with the statewide archery deer hunting hours; otherwise, hours are unrestricted.  Hunting prior to sunrise on opening day is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).  Hunting prior to ½ hour before sunrise on opening day or during the archery deer season, or hunting after ½  hour after sunset during the archery deer season, is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine and a maximum $5,000 fine, in addition to other statutory penalties (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(y)).

3)         Daily limit and possession limit:  None.

c)         Coyote and Striped Skunk

1)         Hunting dates:  Year around except as noted in Section 550.10(a).

2)         Hunting hours:  One-half hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset, except from the opening date of the red fox and gray fox hunting season through February 15, when statewide hunting hours are unrestricted, and except during archery deer season when coyote and striped skunk bow hunting hours shall coincide with the statewide archery deer hunting hours.  Hunting before ½ hour prior to sunrise or after ½ hour after sunset is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine and a maximum $5,000 fine, in addition to other statutory penalties, except hours are unrestricted (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(y)).

3)         Daily limit and possession limit:  None.

d)         Woodchuck (groundhog)

1)         Hunting dates:  June 1 through the next following March 31, except as noted in Section 550.10(a).  Hunting outside the season dates is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).

2)         Hunting hours:  Sunrise to sunset.  Hunting from ½ hour before sunrise to sunrise or from sunset to ½ hour after sunset is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.30).  Hunting prior to ½ hour before sunrise or after ½ hour after sunset is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine and a maximum $5,000 fine, in addition to other statutory penalties (see 520 ILCS 5/2.33(y)).

3)         Daily limit and possession limit:  None.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 12471, effective July 28, 2005)