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

TURKEY HUNTING

Attention 2025 Spring Turkey Hunters

Over-the-Counter Permit Sales

Remaining county-specific Spring Turkey permits after the 2025 Lottery 3 drawing will be available for sale over the counter (OTC) from License Vendors beginning March 11, 2025, on a first-come, first-served basis.  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.

Special Hunt Area permits are only available during the lottery application process and are not sold OTC.

Landowner Programs

License, Permit, & Application Links

Harvest-Related Links

  • Report Your Harvest
    Harvest check-in is simply a phone call away, or you can report your success online.

  • Windshield Card Harvest Reporting
    Hunters will need to go to this page to print out their site Windshield Card for each IDNR owned, leased or managed public hunting sites they intend to hunt at. All trip/harvest activity must be reported online at this same Windshield Card link.

Related Material

  • Buy a Turkey Pin
     ICF Pins - Proceeds go to support IDNR youth programs and events.

  • Print My First Turkey Certificate
     Fill out and print a certificate to always remember your first turkey hunt

  • Public Access Turkey Hunting Sites - IRAP
     The Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) has leased 15,000 acres for turkey hunting from private landowners in 39 Illinois counties. Apply today.

  • Season Dates - Rules of Thumb
     Many hunters need to plan vacations and hunting trips in advance of the annual distribution of the Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations. For such planning purposes, here are the general rules of thumb used for setting annual season dates.

  • Wild Turkey Management
     Find information on how the Forest Wildlife Program at IDNR manages the wild turkey population in Illinois, Annual Turkey Harvest Reports, and more.

  • Wildlife Management
     Find information on how the IDNR Division of Wildlife Resources manages wildlife populations and their habitats, meet the division, contact your local District Wildlife Biologist, and more.

  • Hunting & Trapping Digest
     Summary of Illinois hunting and trapping regulations. It is designed as a guide to help you understand the laws and regulations for hunting and trapping in Illinois. It also provides information such as seasons, harvest limits, and required permits.

  • Public Hunting Areas Reports
     The Public Hunting Areas Report provides both hunting and trapping efforts and wildlife harvest information on Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) owned, leased or managed public hunting sites.

  • Illinois Licensed Wild Turkey and Deer Outfitters
     List of all licensed outfitters in Illinois. These individuals are experienced outdoorsmen and woman who can guide clients on their hunting trips.

  • Hunter Fact Sheets
     Find summaries for each state-owned property that describes the types of hunting that are offered, as well as any special regulations and restrictions that may be in effect.

  • National Wild Turkey Federation
     Learn more about how the NWTF enhances wild turkey populations, hunting and wildlife habitat. ​​

  • United Bow Hunters of America​
     An organization of traditional bowhunters that represent the interests of Illinois bowhunters while promoting outdoor ethics and values.