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

Governor JB Pritzker Illinois.gov Contact IDNR DNR A to Z

FALL TURKEY PROGRAM

2023 FALL TURKEY SHOTGUN SEASON

October 21 - October 29, 2023

2023 Fall Turkey Shotgun Hunting Season Open Counties List

2023 Fall Turkey Hunting Information Sheet

LOTTERY APPLICATION PERIODS

Lottery 1: May 2, 2023 - July 3, 2023

  • Illinois Residents Only

  • Limit 1 application (online or paper application)

  • Click here to submit an online application (available May 2, 2023)

  • Click here to print and mail a paper application (available May 2, 2023)

  • Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 1

  • Landowner Fall Turkey Shotgun permit applicants/recipients are not eligible to apply - may purchase one additional permit over the counter

Lottery 2: July 14, 2023 - August 21, 2023

  • Illinois residents who did not apply/were not successful in the 1st Lottery Drawing

  • Nonresidents

  • Limit 1 application (online or paper application)

  • Click here to submit an online application (nonresident application, available July 14, 2023)

  • Click here to print and mail a paper application (nonresident application, available July 14, 2023)

  • Group Hunt applications are accepted in Lottery 2

  • Landowner Fall Turkey Shotgun permit applicants/recipients are not eligible to apply - may purchase one additional permit over the counter

FALL TURKEY SHOTGUN OVER-THE-COUNTER PERMITS

  • County-specific Fall Turkey Shotgun permits remaining after the Lottery 2 drawing will be available for sale over the counter from License Vendors beginning September 18, 2023, on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the season, October 29, 2023. Persons may purchase one or more permits during this period, subject to availability, except that no one may exceed the limit of 2 permits in total, including Lottery-issued and Landowner permits.

2023-2024 FALL TURKEY ARCHERY SEASON

  • For Cook, DuPage and Lake counties, and that portion of Kane County east of State Route 47: October 1, 2023, through January 14, 2024

  • For all other counties and that portion of Kane County west of State Route 47: October 1, 2023, through January 14, 2023. NOTE: Fall Turkey Archery hunting is CLOSED during Deer Firearm Seasons Nov. 17–19 & Nov. 30; Dec. 1–3, 2023.

ILLINOIS RESIDENTS

DATES TO PURCHASE FALL TURKEY ARCHERY PERMITS (two-permit maximum)

  • Between August 1, 2023 - January 14, 2024 - Purchase over the counter at a License Vendor only.

NON-RESIDENTS

DATES TO PURCHASE FALL TURKEY ARCHERY PERMITS (two-permit maximum)

  • Between August 1, 2023 - January 14, 2024: Purchase over the counter at a License Vendor only.