Wild Turkey Hunting

Did you know that turkeys were once nearly extinct in Illinois?

Timeline:

• 1903: Turkey hunting officially closed by the Illinois Legislative Assembly; native wild turkey populations presumed extirpated.
• 1954–1958: The Illinois Department of Conservation released several thousand game-farm turkeys in southern Illinois. These half-wild birds were the result of crosses between domestic hens and wild gobblers. All releases failed.
• 1959–1967: 65 wild-trapped turkeys from Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia were released in Shawnee National Forest.
• 1970: Rocket netting used to relocate turkeys from stable populations to other parts of Illinois; a limited hunting season opened (three counties, three days — gobblers only).

Want more? Watch our Q&A with Luke Garver, IDNR Wild Turkey Project Manager.

Learn to identify the Eastern Wild Turkey — the only wild turkey species in Illinois — and recognize the sign they leave behind.

Discover how seasonal differences in turkey behavior determine the best hunting strategies for spring and fall seasons.

Choosing between private and public land influences the species you can hunt, the permits required, and your season preparations. Illinois is mostly comprised of private land, but both private and public options offer good opportunities depending on access and site rules. Learn what each option involves and how to plan your next steps on the Where to Hunt in Illinois page.

Ethics and etiquette often overlap but are distinct concepts. Explore our resources to understand both concepts, learn why they matter, and discover how to apply them in the field, particularly when hunting on public land.

There are no blaze orange or pink requirements during turkey seasons, but wearing some when entering and exiting your spot — especially when carrying a bird or decoys — is strongly encouraged for safety.

Download our turkey hunting equipment checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

Listen to Turkey Hunting Gear You ACTUALLY Need on our podcast for more advice.

Turkey Calls

Learn how to use turkey calls with these videos:

• Turkey Calls Pros and Cons
• Turkey Tip #1: Turkeys can Purr!? What It Is and How to Use It

Consulting public land harvest reports and scouting both online and in person can help you choose excellent hunting locations.

Reading Harvest Reports

The Public Hunting Area Reports (Public Land Harvest Reports) provide data on harvest effort and wildlife take at IDNR-managed sites.

The How to Use Hunting Harvest Report to Find a New Turkey Hunting Spot video explains how to interpret harvest numbers to identify productive hunting areas.

Scouting

Scouting — both online and in-person — is one of the most effective ways to improve your success.

• Remote/eScouting: Use Google Earth, ArcGIS, or hunting apps to identify promising habitats. Some apps help find landowner contact information, which may also be available in local tax records. Scouting can help you locate parking lots, access points, and land features, as well as areas with dense cover, food, and water. You can also locate habitats for wildlife, such as oak-hickory woodlands, meadows, and edge habitats.
• Boots-on-the-Ground (Field): Once you have leads based on past harvest reports and remote/eScouting, visit the site to confirm, sign, listen for vocalizations, and note landscape features.

Learn where to aim when hunting turkeys with a shotgun or bow to make a clean, ethical shot.

After confirming your turkey is dead, follow the required steps for tagging, reporting, and processing your harvest.

Explore creative and practical ways to prepare and use your harvested turkey.

Wild turkeys are less likely to contract highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) than other types of wild birds, due to their behavior and habitats. To stay safe, cook game meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.