Can You Legally Shoot a Wild Turkey in Your Illinois Yard?

Let's talk turkey, not just any turkey, but those wild ones strolling around our neighborhoods in Rockford. Have you noticed a sudden surge in their numbers lately? It's like they're having a block party on every street corner!

Where in Illinois are Wild Turkey's Most Prominent

Turns out, every county in Illinois plays host to these gobblers. From Jo Daviess to Vermilion, those wild turkeys are strutting their stuff everywhere.

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The University of Illinois Extension folks did some digging, and they determined that there's a whopping 150,000 of these birds across the state. That's a whole lot of gobble-gobble going on!

READ MORE: Hunters in Illinois are Banned from Using This Tool

So, what's the deal with these feathery friends suddenly showing up in droves? Are they just looking for a change of scenery? Maybe they heard about our famous deep-dish pizza and couldn't resist? Who knows!

But one thing's for sure, if you're out for a stroll in the neighborhood, keep an eye out for these feathered friends. You might just have a turkey-tastic encounter!

When Does Wild Turkey Hunting Season Begin?

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Spring 2024 Turkey Archery season begins on April 8 for the south zone, and April 15 for the north zone.

Fall firearm turkey hunting is only allowed in some Illinois counties. CLICK HERE to see which counties allow firearm turkey hunting.

Can You Legally Shoot a Wild Turkey in Your Backyard?

According to the IDNR website, if you want to legally hunt wild turkeys on your personal property, you must hold a valid hunting license, a state habitat stamp, and at least one valid turkey permit, according to eregulations.