Can you hunt wild turkeys in Illinois?
Today, the Forest Wildlife Program at IDNR manages wild turkeys and their habitat to maintain these healthy populations. There are three hunting seasons available to wild turkey hunters in Illinois: Spring, Fall Gun, and Fall Archery. Click here for more information on wild turkey hunting in Illinois.
Where can I hunt turkey in Illinois?
Enjoy hunting big Eastern turkeys in beautiful Pike and Calhoun County, Illinois. An abundance of CRP fields mixed with mature hardwoods and food plots of milo and clover produces some of the best habitat ideal for turkey hunting. Turkey hunting at Heartland is a favorite among hunters visiting the lodge.
Are there any turkey tags left in Illinois?
Over-the-Counter Permit Sales County-specific Spring Turkey permits remaining after the Lottery 3 Drawing will be available for sale over the counter from License Vendors beginning March 8, 2022. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of season May 12, 2022.
When can you hunt turkeys in Illinois?
Dates & Limits
| SEASON | DATES (inclusive) | ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (shotgun) | 23-31 Oct 2021 | See map of fall firearm turkey hunting |
| Fall (archery) | 1 Oct 2021–16 Jan 2022 | Season closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting |
How many wild turkeys are in Illinois?
150,000 wild turkey
There are approximately 150,000 wild turkey in Illinois. The largest populations of this non-migratory bird occur in the southern, western, and northwestern counties. Wild turkeys in Illinois breed in April.
What type of turkeys are in Illinois?
The eastern wild turkey is one of six recognized subspecies of turkey in the United States but is the only subspecies found in Illinois.
Can you turkey hunt with a bow in Illinois?
Permission to hunt on private property must be obtained from the property owner or tenant. Weapons: The only legal hunting devices to take or attempt to take turkey are: 1) A long, recurved or compound bow with a minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw. Minimum arrow length is 20 inches.
Is it turkey season in Illinois?
Spring turkey hunting was open in 100 of Illinois’ 102 counties. The 2021 season dates were April 5-May 6 in the South Zone and April 12-May 13 in the North Zone. The Youth Spring Turkey Season was March 27-28 and April 3-4 statewide.
Can you turkey hunt with a 410 in Illinois?
All other bows and arrows, including electronic arrow tracking devices utilizing radio telemetry, are illegal; 3) Shotgun (20 gauge to 10 gauge only, no . 410 or .
How many turkeys can you harvest in Illinois?
Bag Limit: One male turkey (gobbler); or one hen with a visible beard per permit, with a maximum of 3 permits. Once you have your limit, you may not further participate with a weapon in any turkey hunting party.
What do wild turkeys eat in Illinois?
Wild turkeys eat a variety of foods including, but not limited to, acorns, beechnuts, hickory nuts, wild grapes, crabapple, black cherry, several species of berries and grasses, “waste” grain, grasshoppers, crickets, and beetles. Click to expand.
Where do turkeys live in Illinois?
An estimated 150,000 turkeys now live in Illinois, mostly in southern, western and northwestern Illinois. While there are six subspecies of turkey in the United States, the one that lives in Illinois is the eastern wild turkey. Wild turkeys can be found throughout the Will County forest preserves.
When is the spring turkey hunt in Illinois?
2021 SPRING YOUTH TURKEY HUNT March 27 & 28 and April 3 & 4, 2021 The North Zone and South Zone are open concurrently for all four days of the Youth Season. For more information, please visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/hunting/Pages/Youth-Turkey-Information.aspx
How many acres are available for turkey hunting in Illinois?
ICF Pins – Proceeds go to support IDNR youth programs and events. The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) has leased 15,000 acres for turkey hunting from private landowners in 39 Illinois counties. Apply today.
What do you need to know about hunting in Illinois?
It also provides information such as seasons, harvest limits, and required permits. The Public Hunting Areas Report provides both hunting and trapping efforts and wildlife harvest information on Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) owned, leased or managed public hunting sites.
What does the National Wild Turkey Federation do in Illinois?
The NWTF has divided the country in six areas — America’s Big Six of Wildlife Conservation — to focus our effort on the most critical wildlife habitat needs. Illinois is part of America’s Crossroads. NWTF Illinois is committed to improve water quality and forest health and restore grasslands.