Illinois Just Set a New Spring Turkey Harvest Record Over 18,000

It was a record-breaking Spring for Illinois Turkey hunters who turned in a massive number of birds during the season.

Illinois Sets New Spring Turkey Harvest Record

According to a press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), there was a preliminary total of 18,189 wild turkeys harvested during the 2025 spring turkey season.

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This is the highest record spring turkey harvest in the state's history, surpassing the 2024 total of 17,208 turkeys. Growth was driven by the perfect weather conditions for the turkey hunting season, according to the press release.

Top Harvest Counties and Participation Growth

With 628 turkeys, Daviess County led the state with the most harvested, followed by Jefferson County (518), Pike (468), Marion (428), and Pope County (425).

Winnebago County had 245 turkeys harvested in 2025, compared to 194 last year, while in Boone County, they were down this year with 72, compared to 94 in 2024.

What's Driving the Surge?

89,687 hunting permits were sold in 2025. That is up from 86,083 last year, which was led by increased interest from both experienced hunters and newcomers.

Officials also point to improved habitat, conservation efforts, and more youth engagement as a reason for the record-setting numbers in the 2025 spring season.

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