PointsAfieldSeason2026–27
Illinois · Migratory

Mourning dove

Opens in 11 days
Season 2026-27
2 windows on one classification

Season windows

  1. Window 101 SEP – 14 NOV 202675d
  2. Window 226 DEC 2026 – 09 JAN 202715d

As publishedSept 1 – Nov 14, 2026, and Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027 (statewide, split season)

What you may take, and when

Take and hours

Bag limit15 daily / 45 possession

Licence and outlook

HIP requiredRequired
Exceptions posted at the boundary

Statewide.Same dates/limits apply to white-winged dove. Eurasian collared-dove, ringed turtle-dove, and pigeon are separately deregulated (non-native/invasive) and harvestable year-round with no limit — not part of this season. HIP certification required annually.

Population outlook

Illinois 2026

Awaiting survey — Illinois 2026

No Illinois-specific dove survey; only the federal USFWS Mourning Dove Population Status report (Eastern Management Unit) applies. Re-confirmed via direct fetch 2026-08-19: the expected 2026 PDF path still 404s; the 2025 edition was published August 2025. Expected within the next few weeks.

Issuing agencyIllinois Department of Natural Resourcesdnr.illinois.govRecord year 2026