State
CWD rules in Illinois
CWD zone status
Agency
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Last verified
June 16, 2026
CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.
Bringing a carcass into Illinois
Illinois is the regulating authority for what you can bring in. IDNR FAQ explicitly lists allowed parts as antlers on a cleaned skull cap, boned-out meat, and hides. Additional allowed items (canine teeth, finished mounts) per 17 Ill. Adm. Code 635.30 as referenced by IDNR. Ban is general (not limited to CWD-positive states).
Allowed for import
- boned-out (deboned) meat
- antlers attached to a cleaned skull cap/plate
- antlers (no tissue attached)
- upper canine teeth
- hides/capes
- finished taxidermy mounts
Restricted from import
- whole carcasses
- brain tissue
- spinal cord / spinal column
- head with brain tissue
Handling + processing
Import ban applies to hunter-harvested deer and elk brought into Illinois from out of state; codified at 17 Ill. Adm. Code 635.30.
Taking a carcass out of Illinois
When you hunt in Illinois and bring the carcass to another state, that destination state sets the rule. Because Illinois has confirmed CWD detections, several destination states apply their stricter "from a CWD-affected state" rule to carcasses originating here — plan to bring back lower-risk parts only.
Illinois on the CWD map
- CWD confirmed in state
- Under heightened surveillance
- No known CWD detections
Zone status is informational, not a hazard rating. Detections expand over time — confirm current status with each state's wildlife agency.
CWDCrossing provides informational summaries of state CWD carcass-transport regulations. Rules change annually pre-hunting-season; verify with both the origin and destination state wildlife agencies before transport. Failure to comply may result in citations. Not affiliated with the CWD Alliance, the National Deer Association, or any state agency.