Youth turkey hunt sets new record

Young turkey hunters strutted away with a record number of birds killed during the Illinois youth wild turkey season.

Dates were March 31 - April 1 in the South Zone and April 7-8 in the North Zone.

The preliminary total of 1,300 birds taken in both north and south zone hunters is well above the previous record of 748 turkeys killed in 2011.

For this year’s youth season, 4,100 youth turkey permits were issued, including 137 for special hunt areas, compared to 3,718 last year with 131 for special hunt areas. 

“Excellent hunting weather this year during both weekends was a very important reason for the record harvest,” said Paul Brewer, IDNR Wild Turkey Project Manager.  “A wet spring in 2011 once again contributed to below-average turkey reproduction in many areas, but a good mast crop and a very mild winter were working in favor of late spring broods.”

Preliminary harvest tables are included below.