Attention hunters: Visit our FAQ page for information about the use of centerfire, single-shot rifles for deer hunting in Illinois.

2025 Spring Turkey Hunting

Season Dates

Lottery 1: October 1, 2024 through December 1, 2024

Illinois resident hunters may apply for one permit
Click here to submit an online application OR here to print and mail a paper application (available October 1, 2024)
Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 1 (up to 6 individuals may apply to hunt as a group)
Landowner Spring Turkey permit applicants/recipients are not eligible to apply in Lottery 1

Lottery 2: December 12, 2024 through January 13, 2025

All hunters are eligible to apply for one permit
Click here to submit an online application OR here to print and mail a paper application
Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 2 (up to 6 individuals may apply to hunt as a group)
Landowner Spring Turkey permit applicants/recipients may apply in Lottery 2

Lottery 3: January 24, 2025 through February 10, 2025

All hunters are eligible to apply. No applicant may apply for or receive more than three permits in total for Spring Turkey hunting, including lottery-drawn, OTC, youth and Landowner permits.
Click here to submit an online application OR here to print and mail a paper application
Group Hunt applications are not accepted in Lottery 3
Landowner Spring Turkey permit applicants/recipients may apply in Lottery 3

County-specific Spring Turkey permits remaining after the Lottery 3 Drawing will be available for sale over the counter from License Vendors beginning March 11, 2025. Special Hunt Area permits are available only during the Lottery application period and are not sold over the counter.
Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the specific turkey season segment (i.e., of seasons 1 through 5) in the Zone (north vs. south) for which the permit is being requested. Hunters may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability, except that no one may exceed the limit of three permits in total for spring turkey hunting, including lottery-drawn, OTC, youth and landowner permits.

Resident Landowner (R-POH) Application Eligible resident landowners who select the Spring Turkey Program on the application will receive one Spring Turkey Landowner permit, which is valid for all 5 seasons of the Northern or Southern Zone in which the Landowner's property is located. To receive a 2025 Spring Turkey landowner permit, the application and all required supporting documents must be received in our office - and approved - by the February 9, 2025, application deadline date. Spring Turkey landowner permit recipients are not eligible to apply for a Lottery 1 Spring Turkey permit.
2025 Nonresident Landowner Application - available in November 2024