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Fall Turkey Shotgun Season

October 18 - October 26, 2025

Lottery Application Dates

Lottery 1: May 6, 2025 - July 7, 2025

  • Illinois Residents Only

  • Limit 1 application 

  • 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 18, 2025 - August 25, 2025

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

  • Nonresidents

  • Limit 1 application 

  • 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

Over-the-Counter Permit Sales

Remaining county-specific Fall Turkey Shotgun permits after the Lottery 2 drawing will be available for sale over the counter (OTC) from License Vendors beginning September 22, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis. Permits will be sold until quotas are exhausted, or until the close of the season, October 26, 2025. 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. Special Hunt Area (SHA) permits are only available during the lottery application process and are not sold OTC.  

Fall Turkey Archery Season

October 1, 2025 - January 18, 2026*

*Fall turkey archery season is closed during firearm deer seasons Nov. 21-23 & Dec. 4-7, 2025, in counties open to firearm deer hunting. 

How to Purchase a Fall Turkey Archery Permit

Illinois Residents and Non-Residents:  August 1, 2025 - January 18, 2026 - Purchase in-person over the counter at a License Vendor (two-permit maximum).