Illinois Captive Hunting Laws and Regulations

No Ban: Mammals permitted.

Statute

Illinois law specifies that an "exotic game hunting area permit" is required by "any person who imports into Illinois wild or semi-domestic mammals from other states or foreign countries for the purpose of providing hunting with bow and arrow or gun with or without dogs..." 520 I.A.S §5/3.34.

Each such hunting area cannot be under 640 contiguous acres nor more than 2560 acres in size and must be fenced in a manner capable of holding the mammals released. Id. In addition to the annual fee for such a permit ($1,000), a $10,000 bond also must be obtained "to cover damages that may occur if the mammals escape from the enclosure." Id.

Any mammals released into such areas "must be inspected and certified disease free from a licensed Illinois veterinarian." Id. In addition to such private exotic game hunting areas, the State of Illinois also operates the Wilmington, Glen D. Palmer, and Mt. Vernon State Game Farms. Id. at §5/1.9-1.

It is unclear what activities are permitted on these state game farms.

Regulation

An Illinois Department of Natural Resources representative indicated that Illinois has no regulations governing the establishment and operation of shooting preserves for mammals. The official also indicated that there were no such shooting preserves in the state.

This may be the case, however, the statute does authorize the establishment and operation of exotic game hunting areas. Illinois does have regulations for evaluating hunting of birds on game breeding and hunting preserve areas. See 17 I.A.C. at §745 et seq.

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