•June 3, 2026•
The Illinois first dove hunting lottery is June 1st through June 30th and is statewide. Dove permits are free for the first five days of the lottery. View information about the first dove and youth dove hunting lotteries online at https://dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/dove/onlinepermitapplication.html. Don’t forget to report your federal dove band online at https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBL/Bander_portal/login/reportband.php if you harvest a banded bird. Your cooperation on reporting band numbers gives biologists a wealth of information useful in managing the resources to provide hunters with maximum recreational opportunities while protecting dove populations.

