Guides · Feral hog laws by state · Checked September 30, 2026
Feral hog laws in Illinois
In Illinois, feral swine may only be shot by deer hunters holding a valid deer permit during the firearm, muzzleloader, late-winter and CWD deer seasons. Outside those dates you need a Nuisance Wildlife Permit, and every hunter-killed hog must be reported to IDNR at (773) 636-0819.
The rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Swine count as feral when they are unrestrained and have adapted to living in a wild or free-roaming environment. source
- Season
- Only by hunters who are deer hunting during the firearm deer seasons, including the late-winter and CWD seasons. source
- License
- A valid firearm, muzzleloader, late-winter or CWD deer permit, used during that deer season. Outside those dates, only a holder of a Nuisance Wildlife Permit from a District Wildlife Biologist may take feral swine. source
- Bag limit
- Not stated by the Illinois DNR
- Trapping
- IDNR calls corral trapping the most efficient way to remove whole family groups. source
- Moving live hogs
- Releasing, transporting or possessing feral swine is illegal. source
- Night hunting
- Not stated by the Illinois DNR
- Eradication or bounty
- Free help from the state: checking a property for swine, training, and removal. source
What makes Illinois different
Releasing any hog onto land in Illinois is against the law. Report releases to IDNR Law Enforcement at 1-877-2DNRLAW.
Guiding feral swine hunts and hunting feral swine in an enclosure are also illegal, and hunters must make sure the swine they shoot are not escaped livestock.
Where to report hogs
Hunters must report every feral swine they kill to IDNR's Wildlife Disease and Invasive Animals Program Manager, (773) 636-0819, and may keep the animal. Report sightings at wildlifeillinois.org/report-sightings/report-feral-swine-sightings/.
Every state also has a USDA Wildlife Services office. The federal feral swine program (Squeal on Pigs!) links to yours.
Knowing the rules is half of it
Whether you hunt, trap or call it in, it helps to know what is actually on your land.
HogSight reads the trail-camera photos you already have and maps the sounder: group size, timing, and which individuals keep coming back. See how HogSight reads your camera roll →
Sources
Checked against these official pages on September 30, 2026. Due for a re-check by September 30, 2027.
Rules next door
This guide is informational. Wildlife and animal-health rules change and can vary by county. Always confirm current rules with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources before acting.