IL HB2783

Adds new definition of "rifle" to Wildlife Code as any firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder using a fixed metallic cartridge to fire a projectile through a rifled bore.

Permits deer hunting with shotguns, handguns, rifles, or muzzleloading rifles during a firearm season of no more than 14 days between November 1-December 31, and allows a 3-day youth-only season between September 1-October 31.

Specifies legal handguns and rifles for deer hunting must be bottleneck centerfire cartridges of .30 caliber or larger with case length not exceeding 1.4 inches, or straight-walled centerfire cartridges of .30 caliber or larger with published ballistic tables showing at least 500 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.

Requires handgun barrels to be at least 4 inches in length and prohibits full metal jacket bullets for harvesting deer.

Allows separate harvest periods for disease management and surplus deer removal during September 1-February 15, with unused permits able to roll over within 6 months at no additional cost.