Youth turkey hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 1,541 birds during the Illinois Youth turkey season March 25-25 and April 1-2.
This was the first year that two youth turkey hunting weekends were open for the entire state.
Much of the state received rain during one or both days of the first weekend. However, it didn’t seem to slow down the young hunters, as they harvested 776 birds over those two days. Weather was more favorable overall for the second weekend, and 765 birds were taken.
Previously, there was one weekend dedicated for the north zone and one for the south. In 2016, a total of 1,058 turkeys were harvested, combining both seasons and zones.
In 2017, a total of 5,601 youth turkey permits were issued, including 106 permits for special hunt areas. Last year, 4,761 permits were issued, including 113 for special hunt areas. The previous youth season record harvest was in 2012, when 1,300 birds were taken.