IDNR-GRAY FOX SEASON

104th Regular Session Introduced by Linda Holmes and 2 co-sponsors

Empowers the DNR to set/modify gray fox seasons and bag limits by administrative rule, with emergency rules allowed for up to one year to respond quickly to population changes.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0019

Summary / Purpose

HB 3760 (Public Act 104‑0019), enacted June 30, 2025, amends the Illinois Wildlife Code and the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to (1) give the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) greater flexibility to set and modify gray fox hunting/trapping seasons and limits by administrative rule and (2) grant DNR temporary emergency rulemaking authority to implement the changes in this Act.

Key provisions

Adds a new emergency‑rule provision to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (5 ILCS 100/5‑45.65):

Authorizes the DNR to adopt emergency rules under Section 5‑45 to implement the changes made by this Act.
States that adoption of those emergency rules is necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.
The new §5‑45.65 is repealed one year after this Act’s effective date.

Amends Wildlife Code §1.4 (520 ILCS 5/1.4):

Explicitly references the DNR’s authority to adopt emergency rules under Sections 5‑45 and the newly added 5‑45.65.

Amends Wildlife Code §2.30 (520 ILCS 5/2.30) as to gray fox:

Changes the statutory language so an open season for gray fox “may” be set annually by the Director (previously “will” be set) within the Nov. 1 (12:01 a.m.) to Feb. 15 (midnight) window.
Grants the Director authority, by administrative rule, to set or modify the dates (lengthen, shorten, or close a season) when gray fox may be taken.
Allows the Director, by administrative rule, to set, reduce, or increase daily bag limits and possession limits for gray fox.

Existing provisions for other fur‑bearing mammals and rules on seasons, bag/possession limits, and exceptions remain largely unchanged.

Who is affected

Hunters and trappers targeting gray fox in Illinois (season dates, bag/possession limits may change via rule).

DNR and its wildlife management programs (greater administrative flexibility).

Permit/license planning bodies, hunting organizations, and the sporting public who rely on published seasons for planning.

Procedural / Timeline highlights

Introduced: March 4, 2025 (Rep. Lawrence “Larry” Walsh, Jr.).

Senate sponsor: Sen. Linda Holmes; co‑sponsor: Sen. Julie A. Morrison.

Passed both chambers and received amendments (Senate Committee Amendment No. 1).

Governor approved: June 30, 2025. Effective date: June 30, 2025.

Emergency rule authority provided by §5‑45.65 expires one year after the Act’s effective date.

Practical effect

The law modernizes and centralizes management authority for gray fox, enabling the Director to respond more quickly to biological conditions (population changes, disease, human‑wildlife conflicts) by adjusting seasons and limits through administrative rules — with temporary emergency rule powers available to facilitate immediate implementation for up to one year.

Bill