Illinois extends late season deer deadline (non-resident clarification added)

The application period for Illinois residents to hunt in the late-winter antlerless-only deer season has been extended until Monday, Dec. 8.

IDNR spokesman Chris McCloud sent a list of the open counties. I posted it after the details from the IDNR:

``The IDNR has reopened the online application system for permits for the Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Hunting Season. Hunters may apply for the permits in select counties through the online DNR Direct Permit System through Mon., Dec. 8. (No paper applications for these permits can be accepted at this time). The Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Season is Jan. 16-18, 2009. Due to a change in designating some northern Illinois counties for the upcoming Late-Winter season, some hunters missed the previous application deadline on Nov. 14. To accommodate those and other hunters, the online application system has been reopened through Dec. 8. Hunters can access DNR Direct online through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us. Click on the DNR Direct button on the right side of the home page. The Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Season is open to Illinois residents only. ''

Missouri resident Scott Daniels wanted to make sure there was a clarification for non-resident hunters, as stated on the information form for the late season:

``Nonresident hunters must have an unfilled firearm or muzzleloader deer permit valid for the previous firearm or muzzleloader deer season and valid for one of the open counties.''

Open counties: