POSSESSION
1. Possession limit of legal native turtles is 8 (no more than 4 per taxa)
2. CB offspring, not intended for commercial purposes, are exempt from the possession limit for 90 days
3. It is unlawful to take, possess, transport, purchase, propogate, rehab more than 90 days or dispose of any Alligator Snapper (Macrochelys temminckii), Illinois Mud (Kinosternon flavescens), Spotted (Clemmys guttata), River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna) or Blandings (Emydoidea blandingii) without a permit even if legally acquired in another state.
4. There are no state requirements for a person possessing exotic species not defined as “dangerous animals.”
TAKING FROM THE WILD
1. It is unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, offer to buy or sell, or barter any reptile, their eggs or parts taken from the wild in IL for commercial purposes
2. Turtles, other than Common Snapping Turtles, may be taken only by hand
3. A valid fishing license is required to take turtles.
4. The daily catch limit for common snapping turtles is 2 with a possession limit of 4. The Possession limit is of all other indigenous species is 8 collectively with no more than 4 per taxa.
5. Taking is prohibited in the LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Area in Union County
6. Common snapping turtles may be taken only June 15 through October 15 only by hand, hook and line, or bow and arrow except in the following Illinois counties where bowfishing for common snapping turtles is not permitted: Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski, and Alexander.
COMMERCIAL
1. It is unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, offer to buy or sell, or barter any reptile, their eggs or parts taken from the wild in IL for commercial purposes