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Illinois Turkey Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Fall Archery
–
Oct. 1 through the 1st Sunday after Jan. 13, except closed during firearm deer seasons.
Fall Archery
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One either-sex turkey per permit, maximum of 2 Fall Turkey Archery permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset. Season open in all counties, statewide. Closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting.
Fall Shotgun
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One either-sex turkey per permit, maximum of 2 Fall Turkey Shotgun permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to sunset. See map of fall firearm turkey hunting for open areas.
Spring Season Weekend 1
–
Youth hunters
1 permit per year. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, counts toward maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Permit is valid to hunt individual counties or IDNR sites during season dates.
Spring Season Weekend 2
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Youth hunters
1 permit per year. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, counts toward maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. Permit is valid to hunt individual counties or IDNR sites during season dates.
Spring Season Segment 1 South
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. South zone segment 1.
Spring Season Segment 2 South
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. South zone segment 2.
Spring Season Segment 1 North
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. North zone segment 1.
Spring Season Segment 3 South
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. South zone segment 3.
Spring Season Segment 2 North
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. North zone segment 2.
Spring Season Segment 4 South
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. South zone segment 4.
Spring Season Segment 3 North
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. North zone segment 3.
Spring Season Segment 4 North
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. North zone segment 4.
Spring Season Segment 5 South
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. South zone segment 5.
Spring Season Segment 5 North
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Shotgun and archery. One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 Spring permits. Hours: half hour before sunrise to 1 p.m. North zone segment 5.
Fall Archery Wild Hunting
Dates vary by unit
Turkeys of any sex are legal to harvest during the fall archery season. Two permits may be obtained. Permits available over-the-counter from license vendors only, no lottery required.
Fall Gun
Dates vary by unit
Shotgun
The nine days beginning on Saturday of the 2nd complete two-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday) after Oct. 10.
Fall Gun Wild Hunting
Dates vary by unit
Turkeys of any sex are legal to harvest during the fall gun season. Maximum of two permits total for fall gun season including landowner permits. Permits are issued for a specific county or area and valid only in that designated county or area.
Spring
Dates vary by unit
Shotgun · Youth hunters
The two consecutive weekends prior to the opening of South Zone's first season.
Spring Season North Zone
Dates vary by unit
Shotgun
Begins on the 2nd Monday in April after April 2 and ends 32 days later. Lengths for each season (in days) are 5, 6, 6, 7 and 8, respectively.
Spring Season South Zone
Dates vary by unit
Shotgun
Begins on the 1st Monday in April after April 2 and ends 32 days later. Lengths for each season (in days) are 5, 6, 6, 7 and 8, respectively.
Spring Wild Hunting
Dates vary by unit
Only toms, jakes (males), or hens with a visible beard are legal to harvest. Maximum of three permits total for spring season including regular, youth, and landowner permits. Permits are county/area specific.
Spring Wild Hunting
Dates vary by unit
Youth hunters
Open only to hunters who have not reached their 18th birthday before the first day of the hunt. Must have valid Youth Turkey Hunt permit and valid hunting license or apprentice hunting license. Youth using Apprentice or Youth Hunting License must be accompanied by non-hunting, validly-licensed adult 21+. Other license-exempt youth must be accompanied by non-hunting supervisor (parent, guardian, or responsible adult). If youth hunting with firearm, nonresident supervisor must have valid IL hunting license.
Illinois Turkey Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Archery OTC Turkey Permit (Resident) | OTC | — | $5.00 |
OTC = over-the-counter at vendors. | |||
| Fall Gun Turkey Permit (Resident) | Draw | — | $15.00 |
Available via lottery, online, vendors, or paper application. | |||
| Landowner Fall Archery Turkey Permit (Resident) | — | Landowner | $0.00 |
Landowners and resident tenants (of commercial agricultural leases) must have at least 39.5 acres of land to qualify. Permits are only valid on the owned/leased land. Paper application only. | |||
| Landowner Fall Gun Turkey Permit (Resident) | — | Landowner | $0.00 |
Landowners and resident tenants (of commercial agricultural leases) must have at least 39.5 acres of land to qualify. Permits are only valid on the owned/leased land. Paper application only. | |||
| Landowner Spring Turkey Permit (Resident) | — | Landowner | $0.00 |
Landowners and resident tenants (of commercial agricultural leases) must have at least 39.5 acres of land to qualify. Permits are only valid on the owned/leased land. Paper application only. | |||
| Spring Turkey Permit (Resident) | Draw | — | $15.00 |
Available via lottery, online, vendors, or paper application. | |||
| Spring Youth OTC Turkey Permit (Resident) | OTC | Youth hunters | $10.00 |
OTC = over-the-counter at vendors. | |||
| Spring Youth Special Hunt Area Turkey Permit (Resident) | Draw | Youth hunters | $10.00 |
Available via lottery and online only. Resident only. | |||
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Archery OTC Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | OTC | — | $75.00 |
OTC = over-the-counter at vendors. | |||
| Fall Gun Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | Draw | — | $125.00 |
Available via lottery, online, vendors, or paper application. | |||
| Landowner Fall Archery Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | — | Landowner | $25.00 |
Landowners and resident tenants (of commercial agricultural leases) must have at least 39.5 acres of land to qualify. Permits are only valid on the owned/leased land. Paper application only. | |||
| Landowner Fall Gun Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | — | Landowner | $37.50 |
Landowners and resident tenants (of commercial agricultural leases) must have at least 39.5 acres of land to qualify. Permits are only valid on the owned/leased land. Paper application only. | |||
| Landowner Spring Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | — | Landowner | $37.50 |
Landowners and resident tenants (of commercial agricultural leases) must have at least 39.5 acres of land to qualify. Permits are only valid on the owned/leased land. Paper application only. | |||
| Spring Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | Draw | — | $125.00 |
Available via lottery, online, vendors, or paper application. | |||
| Spring Youth OTC Turkey Permit (Nonresident) | OTC | Youth hunters | $10.00 |
OTC = over-the-counter at vendors. | |||
