HB5439 (2026): Landowner and Tenant Hunting Permits
HB5439 (2026): Landowner and Tenant Hunting Permits
House bill that would issue free deer, turkey, and combination hunting permits to qualifying Illinois resident landowners and tenants, with special provisions for chronic wasting disease areas.
What the Bill Would Do
HB5439 would amend the Wildlife Code to provide free deer, turkey, and combination hunting permits to qualifying Illinois resident landowners and tenants. Key provisions:
- Deer, turkey, and combination permits issued without charge to specified resident landowners and tenants
- IDNR would set the total number of permits and fee structure by rule
- Resident tenants hunting only on their own land in counties with confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) would receive free deer permits
- Per-person limits: one either-sex and one antlerless-only permit for firearm season, same for archery season
- Permits must be carried while hunting
Sponsors
The bill was introduced by Rep. Tony McCombie (R) with Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Charles Meier (R).
Current Status
Introduced on February 6, 2026 and referred to the Rules Committee. Assigned to the Agriculture & Conservation Committee on March 18, 2026. Received a unanimous Do Pass vote (9-0-0) on March 24, 2026, advancing to the House floor.
Context
This bill addresses two issues: the cost burden on landowners who hunt their own property and the growing threat of chronic wasting disease in Illinois deer populations. By incentivizing hunting on affected land, the CWD provision aims to help control deer populations in areas where the disease has been confirmed. Illinois joins several other states that provide reduced or free hunting permits to resident landowners, recognizing that they already bear the cost of wildlife habitat on their property.