Announcements

Deer Firearm & Muzzleloader Lottery opens 3/3! Spring Turkey Permits available OTC 3/10!

Turkey

Season Dates & Limits

Dates & Limits

SEASON	DATES (inclusive)			HOURS	LIMIT	ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS
Spring 2026 (shotgun and archery)	Segment	North zone	South Zone	1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 pm	One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3 spring permits	See map of turkey hunting zones for specific season segments in each zone
	1	13-17 Apr	6-10 Apr
	2	18-23 Apr	11-16 Apr
	3	24-29 Apr	17-22 Apr
	4	30 Apr - 6 May	23-29Apr
	5	7-14 May	30 Apr- 7 May
Youth Spring	28-29 Mar and 4-5 Apr 2026			1/2 hour before sunrise to 1 pm	One tom, jake or bearded hen per permit, counts toward maximum of 3 spring permits	Allowed 1 permit per year. Permit is valid to hunt individual counties or IDNR sites during season dates
Fall Shotgun	24 Oct - Nov 1 2026			1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset	Maximum of 2 Fall Shotgun permits	See map of fall firearm turkey hunting
Fall Archery	1 Oct 2026 - 17 Jan 2027			1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset	Maximum of 2 Fall Archery permits	Season closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting

Licenses & Stamps

Residents and non-residents will need the following to hunt turkey:

Hunting license (unless exempt: see Hunting Licenses: Exceptions)
State Habitat Stamp
Turkey permit

See Licenses/Stamps to find what licenses and stamps you qualify for

Use the Hunt Planner to help determine what type of permit you need

See the Statewide Hunting Regulations for full details on licenses and stamps

Correct, replace or reprint licenses/stamps online

Find your current permits/licenses by logging into your ExploreMoreIL account and checking the “license” section on your homepage

Permits & Lotteries

Use the License Finder to determine what permits you qualify for

Use the Directory or Hunt Planner to determine what type of permit you need for a given hunting site

More details on permits can be found in the Statewide Hunting Regulations

Check the status of your permit application

Correct, replace or reprint permits online

Resident Landowner Program Information

Fee: Landowner permits are free to all qualified Illinois residents

Application Deadline Dates: To receive landowner permits for an upcoming season, the application must be received by February 9 for Spring Turkey permits and September 1 for Fall Turkey and Deer permits. Due to the large volume of applications received, please assist us by submitting your application 5-6 weeks in advance of the application deadline dates, particularly if you wish to receive an upcoming season’s Fall Turkey and Deer permits.

Eligibility Period: Once an application is received, and eligibility approved, Illinois residents remain eligible for 5 years, if there is no change in ownership or residency affecting the permittee’s eligibility for resident landowner permits. At the end of the 5-year certification period, IDNR will mail a Recertification Application (RC-POH) notice. If there is any change in circumstance affecting the permittee’s eligibility for resident landowner permits during the 5-year period, the permittee must notify the Department of the change in circumstances by mailing notice to:

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Attn: Permits Dept. One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702

Any permits received after a permittee becomes ineligible for resident landowner permits shall be returned by mail – unused – to the Department, along with a note of explanation for return.

Qualified applicants are limited to:

Landowners of 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families, resident tenants renting or leasing 40 acres or more of commercial agricultural land and their immediate families, and bona fide current income beneficiaries of a trust that owns 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families. No one may apply for or be issued both a landowner permit and a tenant permit.
“Immediate family of a landowner, tenant, or a bona fide current income beneficiary” means, and is limited to, the spouse, children, brothers, sisters and parents permanently residing on the same property as the landowner, tenant, or bona fide current income beneficiary”.
“Bona fide current income beneficiary” means, an individual who, at the time of application for a permit: is entitled to income (whether income exists or not) from the trust that owns the land the applicant wishes to hunt with no condition precedent (such as surviving another person, reaching a certain age, etc.) other than the trustee distributing the income; and is listed by name in the trust documents as an income beneficiary.

Bona fide equity shareholders of corporations, bona fide equity members of limited liability companies or bona fide partners of partnerships owning 40 or more acres of land in a county. Only one permit per 40 acres, for a maximum of 15 permits per county, for corporations and limited liability companies, and a maximum of 3 permits per county for partnerships, shall be issued based on ownership of lands by corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships.

Landowners need to submit only one permit application to apply for all permits listed below:

Combination firearm deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit) (available only for counties open to firearm deer hunting);
Combination archery deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit);
1 fall firearm turkey permit (available only for counties open to fall firearm turkey hunting);
1 fall archery turkey permit; and
1 spring turkey permit (valid for all 5 regular spring turkey seasons).

For spring turkey hunting seasons, individuals who have received a landowner permit, or who have submitted an application for a landowner permit that is still pending, may not apply for additional permits in the First Lottery drawing for that season. Landowners who receive permits in the First Lottery drawing are not eligible for landowner permits

For firearm deer and fall firearm turkey hunting seasons, individuals who have received a landowner permit, or who have submitted application for a landowner permit that is still pending, may not apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Drawing for that season. Landowners who receive permits in the First or Second Lottery Drawing are not eligible for landowner permits.

All landowner permits issued are valid on all properties owned by that permittee, regardless of in which county the property is located, so long as that county is open for the specific hunting season for which the permit is issued. This includes all permits issued to: 1) A landowner, tenant, bona fide current income beneficiary, or the immediate family of a landowner, tenant, or income beneficiary; or 2) A bona fide equity shareholder, bona fide equity member, or bona fide equity partner and on all lands owned by the corporation, limited liability company or partnership.

All tenant permits issued are valid only on lands rented/leased for commercial agriculture in the counties open for the specified hunting season. “Commercial agriculture” means utilization of land for the raising of hay, grain crops or livestock for profit. A hunting rights lease, or other nonagricultural lease, is not valid as a basis for obtaining a landowner or tenant permit.

Landowner Deer Muzzleloader permits are not issued. You must apply in either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Deer Lottery for a Deer Muzzleloader permit.

For further Resident Landowner application definitions and required documents that must accompany a Resident Landowner Application, please refer to the R-POH Permit Application.

Non-Resident Landowner Program Information

Application: The Nonresident Landowner e ligibility application must be received by February 9 for Spring Turkey permits and September 1 for Fall Turkey and Deer permits.

Due to the large volume of applications received, please assist us by submitting your application 5-6 weeks in advance of the application deadline dates.

Eligibility Period

Once an application is received, and eligibility approved, nonresidents remain eligible for 1 year, if there is no change in ownership or residency affecting the permittee’s eligibility for nonresident landowner permits. Any permits received after a permittee becomes ineligible for nonresident landowner permits shall be returned by mail to the Department, along with a note of explanation for return.

Nonresident Landowner Application Process

Nonresident landowners must complete the Nonresident Landowner Eligibility Application and mail it to the Department along with their required Proof of Land documentation. Once eligibility is approved by the Department, your application will be placed on your profile and you will not be required to submit another application for the year. You MUST, however, still PURCHASE your Nonresident Landowner permits.

Qualified applicants may purchase

One Spring Turkey permit (valid for all 5 regular spring turkey seasons)
Dates to purchase: Nov. 18, 2024 – Feb. 21, 2025
Fee: $37.50
Combination Firearm Deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit) (available only for counties open to firearm deer hunting)
Dates to purchase: March 10, 2025 – Sept. 12, 2025
Fee: $175
Combination Archery Deer permit (1 either-sex and 1 antlerless-only permit)
Dates to purchase: March 10, 2025 – Sept. 12, 2025
Fee: $210
1 Fall Shotgun Turkey permit (available only for counties open to fall shotgun turkey hunting)
Dates to purchase: March 10, 2025 – Sept. 12, 2025
Fee: $37.50
1 Fall Archery Turkey permit
Dates to purchase: March 10, 2025 – Sept. 12, 2025
Fee: $25

Qualified applicants are limited to

Landowners of 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families, and bona fide current income beneficiaries of a trust that owns 40 acres or more of land and their immediate families.

“Immediate family of a landowner or a bona fide current income beneficiary” means, and is limited to, the spouse, children, brothers, sisters and parents permanently residing on the same property as the landowner or bona fide current income beneficiary.

“Bona fide current income beneficiary” means, an individual who, at the time of application for a permit: is entitled to income (whether income exists or not) from the trust that owns the land the applicant wishes to hunt with no condition precedent (such as surviving another person, reaching a certain age, etc.) other than the trustee distributing the income; and is listed by name in the trust documents as an income beneficiary.

Bona fide equity shareholders of corporations or bona fide equity members of limited liability companies owning 40 or more acres of land in a county. For applicants eligible for permits under this Part: A) Only one permit per 40 acres, for a maximum of 15 permits per county, for corporations and limited liability companies shall be issued based on ownership of lands by corporations or limited liability companies. B) Lands leased to corporations, limited liability companies, or trusts shall not be considered a basis for a permit for the shareholders, members, or beneficiaries of the lessee.

Individuals who have received a nonresident landowner firearm permit, or who have submitted an application for a nonresident landowner firearm permit that is still pending, may not apply for additional permits in the First or Second Lottery Firearm Drawings for Fall Turkey or Deer.

Nonresident Landowner Deer Muzzleloader permits are not issued. You must apply in either the 2nd or 3rd Deer Lottery for a Deer Muzzleloader permit.

All nonresident landowner permits issued are valid on all properties owned by that permittee, regardless of in which county the property is located, so long as that county is open for the specific hunting season for which the permit is issued. This includes all permits issued to:

A landowner, bona fide current income beneficiary, or the immediate family of a landowner or income beneficiary; or

A bona fide equity shareholder or bona fide equity member, and on all lands owned by the corporation or limited liability company.

Please refer to the NR-POH Permit Application for instructions and information on how to purchase your non-resident landowner permits.

Spring Season

Hunters may apply for up to one permit in each of the 1^st and 2^nd lotteries. Multiple applications are allowed in the 3^rd lottery, not to exceed three applications, in total, across all lotteries. Maximum of three permits of any type (regular, youth, landowner) during spring.

First Lottery
- Application dates: 1 October – 1 December
- Available to: residents only (excludes landowners with POH permit)
- Apply online
Second Lottery
- Application dates: 12 December – 13 January
- Available to: all hunters (those without a permit will receive priority)
- Apply online
Third Lottery
- Application dates: 24 January – 10 February
- Available to: all hunters (multiple applications allowed, not to exceed three total)
- Apply online
Over-the-counter period
- Permits remaining after the lotteries will be available at vendors on a first-come-first-served basis on 12 March
- May purchase one or more permits, up to three permits maximum (including lottery-drawn, youth, landowner, and OTC)
- Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the specific turkey season for which the permit is being requested.

Youth Spring Season

General rules
- Permits available to resident and non-resident hunters who will not reached their 18th birthday prior to the opening date of the youth season
- Limited to 1 Special Hunt Area Permit or County Permit per youth hunter. Restrictions on Youth and Apprentice hunting licenses apply
- Allows youth hunter to use either a shotgun or bow and arrow
- Youth permits count toward the maximum of 3 turkey permits a person can be issued for the Spring Wild Turkey Season
Special Hunt Area (i.e., public land specific) Permits
- Apply online
- Application dates: 21 January – 17 February
- Only valid for the area written on the permit
County Permits
- Purchase over-the-counter from physical vendors from 5 March until permits run out
- Only valid for the county written on the permit

Fall Gun Season

Hunters can only apply for one permit per lottery, but does not apply to applicants who have or will have a landowner property-only permit. People with landowner permits are exempt from the first and second lotteries in fall gun season. Maximum of two permits during the Fall Gun Season.
1. First Lottery
  - Application dates: 6 May- 7 July
  - Available to: Illinois residents only
  - Apply online
  - Click here to print and mail a paper application
  - Group Hunt applications are accepted in the first lottery.
  - Landowner Fall Turkey Shotgun permit applicants/recipients are NOT eligible to apply- may purchase one additional permit over-the-counter.
2. Second Lottery
  - Application dates: 18 July – 25 August
  - Available to: unsuccessful Illinois residents from the first lottery, residents that did not apply in the first lottery, and non-residents.
  - Apply online
  - Click here to print and mail a paper application
  - Group Hunt applications are accepted in the second lottery.
  - Landowner Fall Turkey Shotgun permit applicants/recipients are NOT eligible to apply- may purchase one additional permit over-the-counter.
3. Over-the-counter period
  - Permits remaining after the lotteries will be available at vendors 22 September on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the shotgun season.
  - May purchase one or more permits, up to two permits maximum.

Fall Archery Season

Permits sold over-the-counter at vendors starting August 1. No lottery. Maximum of two permits during the Fall Archery Season. Permits are valid statewide.

Season Specific Regulations

During all season it is unlawful to leave in the field or transport a wild turkey without first immediately attaching the leg tag securely around the leg as instructed on the permit. Leg tag must remain attached to the leg of the turkey until it is at the legal residence of the person who legally took or possessed the turkey and the turkey has been checked in

During all seasons it is unlawful to field dress or butcher a turkey until it has been checked in. All harvested turkeys must be registered by 10 pm on the same calendar day of harvest by calling 1-866-452-4325 or online

Be sure to check regulations for the IDNR site(s) you intend to hunt, as some sites have more restrictive regulations on equipment, harvest reporting, etc. You can find site-specific regulations using the Directory or Hunt Planner

Full details on turkey hunting can be found in the Statewide Hunting Regulations

Spring

Can use:
- Shotguns
  - Must be within range of 28 to 10 gauge, including .410
  - No. 4 shot is the largest size shot that may be used
  - Barrel length shall not be less than 18 inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches
  - Shotgun cannot be capable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Any shotgun having a capacity of more than 3 shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined
  - You may not possess any other gun while turkey hunting, but see rules on Concealed Carry in firearms section here
- Vertical compound bow or traditional bows (recurve or longbow)
  - Minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw
  - Arrows must be at least 20 inches long (not including point)
- Crossbows
  - Minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds
  - Minimum length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches
  - Has a working safety
  - Fletched bolts or arrows must be at least 14 inches long (not including point)
- Points (all bows)
  - Broadheads must have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces and a minimum ⅞ inch in diameter when fully opened
  - Broadheads with fixed cutting surfaces must be metal or flint-, chert- or obsidian-knapped; broadheads with expandable cutting surfaces must be metal
Clothing requirements: None. But wearing a blaze orange/pink hat when walking to and from hunting location is recommended for safety
See map below for counties open to Spring hunting. Permits are specific to the county and/or Special Hunt Area (SHA) and dates indicated on permit

Youth Spring

See map above for counties open to Spring Youth hunting. Permits are specific to the county and/or Special Hunt Area (SHA) and dates indicated on permit
Can use: same equipment regulations as Spring Season above
Clothing requirements: None. But wearing a blaze orange/pink hat when walking to and from hunting location is recommended for safety
Supervision: each youth hunter must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult that is in immediate control of the youth hunter at all times during the hunt. The adult must have a current Illinois hunting license if a non-resident or if the youth is using an Apprentice or Youth hunting license

Fall Shotgun

Can use:
- Shotguns
  - Must be within range of 28 to 10 gauge, including .410
  - No. 4 shot is the largest size shot that may be used
  - Barrel length shall not be less than 18 inches, and the overall length shall not be less than 26 inches
  - Shotgun cannot be capable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined. Any shotgun having a capacity of more than 3 shells must be fitted with a one-piece plug that is irremovable without dismantling the shotgun or otherwise altered to render it incapable of holding more than 3 shells in the magazine and chamber combined
  - You may not possess any other gun while turkey hunting, but see rules on Concealed Carry in firearms section here
Clothing requirements: None. But wearing a blaze orange/pink hat when walking to and from hunting location is recommended for safety
See map below for counties open to Fall Gun hunting. Permits are specific to the county and/or Special Hunt Area (SHA) and dates indicated on permit
Download Fall Turkey Hunting Information Sheet

Fall Archery

Hunting is permitted in all 102 counties and permits are valid statewide
Season closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting
Can use:
- Vertical compound bow or traditional bows (recurve or longbow)
  - Minimum pull of 30 pounds at some point within a 28-inch draw
  - Arrows must be at least 20 inches long (not including point)
- Crossbows
  - Minimum peak draw weight of 125 pounds
  - Minimum length (from butt of stock to front of limbs) of 24 inches
  - Has a working safety
  - Fletched bolts or arrows must be at least 14 inches long (not including point)
- Points (all bows)
  - Broadheads must have fixed or expandable cutting surfaces and a minimum ⅞ inch in diameter when fully opened
  - Broadheads with fixed cutting surfaces must be metal or flint-, chert- or obsidian-knapped; broadheads with expandable cutting surfaces must be metal
Clothing requirements: None
Download Fall Turkey Hunting Information Sheet

Pertinent Administrative Rules: 510, 685, 710, 715, 720

Management & Ecology

The restoration of the wild turkey is one of the greatest success stories in wildlife conservation. Once completely extirpated in Illinois, wild turkeys now occur in robust numbers in every county. To rebuild the state’s population, IDNR conducted trap and release efforts beginning in the 1950s, concluding the program in the early 2000s. Today, the Forest Wildlife Program at IDNR manages wild turkeys and their habitat to maintain these healthy populations. For more information on the recovery of wild turkeys in Illinois, see the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan – Forest and Woodland Campaign. To learn more about the Eastern Wild Turkey, view the species info page on Wildlife Illinois.

Spring Turkey Annual Reports

Wild Turkey Survey

Survey Submission Form

Instructions for conducting the survey with the mobile app

Survey Data Dashboard

More information about the wild turkey survey

QR code for mobile devices:

Additional Resources

Should turkey hunters be concerned about avian influenza? With spring turkey season underway, the IDNR notes that wild turkeys are less likely to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) given their behavior and the habitats they occupy. However, turkey hunters can protect themselves by thoroughly cooking game meat to an internal temperature of 165 °F and implementing other guidance found here: Hunters-Protect Your Poultry and Pet Birds from Avian Influenza (usda.gov).