Illinois

Sub-species: Eastern 

Tags: Lottery drawing

Application Period: Lottery 1 (residents only) Oct 7 – Dec 1; Lottery 2 Dec 12 – Jan 12; Lottery 3 Jan 23 – Feb 9.  Leftover sales begin March 10.

Electronic or Print at Home Fulfillment: NO

Hunter Education Required: Yes for anyone born after Jan 1, 1980

Limit: One bearded bird per permit, maximum of 3 permits

2026 Spring Season Dates:

Segment 1 South: April 6-10

Segment 1 North: April 13-17

Segment 2 South: April 11-16

Segment 2 North: April 18-23

Segment 3 South: April 17-22

Segment 3 North: April 24-29

Segment 4 South: April 23-29

Segment 4 North: April 30- May 6 

Segment 5 South: April 30 – May 7

Segment 5 North: May 7-14

Special Youth Hunt: March 28-29, April 4-5.  Both North and South Zones are open for all 4 days concurrently.

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: It is illegal to transport a wild turkey without first attaching the leg tag.  The tag must remain attached until it is at the legal residence of the person who took or possessed it and the turkey has been checked in.  All harvested turkeys must be registered online or by calling 866-452-4325 by 10pm on the same calendar day.

Noteworthy Restrictions: # 4 shot or smaller can be used.  Shotguns cannot be capable of holding more than 3 shells.  Overall minimum length of the gun is 26in and minimum barrel length is 18in.  It is illegal for any person to use a call to imitate turkeys sounds in the field from March 15 to the day before the first turkey season in the South Zone and from March 22 to the day before the first turkey season in the North Zone (does not include participants in the youth turkey hunt).  Hunting hours end at 1pm.  It is illegal to shoot a turkey while it is in a tree before 7am.

Department of Natural Resources

 217-782-6302

Purchase License Online

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys