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Apply now for IRAP spring turkey hunting

Apply now for IRAP spring turkey hunting

By Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Applications from youth and adult turkey hunters for spring 2022 turkey hunting on private land through the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) are now being accepted. The spring turkey permit first lottery application deadline is Dec. 1.

The DNR has leased just more than 20,000 acres of private land for the spring 2022 hunting season through IRAP, creating 635 public access turkey sites in 41 counties. Sites are available during the 2022 Spring Youth Turkey Hunt and during the third and fourth segments of the 2022 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season at no cost to the participant. All applications are now to be completed entirely online.

Youth hunters aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a non-hunting supervisor, a parent or designee of parent.

Both youth and their supervisors must complete an IRAP application online by 5 p.m. Feb. 14, 2022. Youth hunters must acquire their over-the-counter permits prior to the start of their hunt if awarded an IRAP hunting site. A total of 254 sites are available for the two-weekend youth season (March 26-27, 2022, and April 2-3, 2022).

Another 370 IRAP sites are available for spring turkey season segments 3 and 4 to youth and adult turkey hunters. These sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters must have completed an approved Hunter Education Course (if born in 1980 or after) and received a spring turkey permit through the IDNR lottery for an IRAP-eligible county (see map on the IRAP webpage).

After a hunter receives their spring turkey permit, she or he may apply for an IRAP turkey site in the county for which they received their permit. More IDNR spring turkey hunting information can be found here.

Applications for IRAP Spring 2022 private land turkey hunting sites can be found here.

Only successful applicants will be notified by mail three weeks prior to their assigned hunting period, upon which they shall receive a map, driving directions and an IRAP site permit allowing them to hunt on their assigned, privately-owned turkey hunting site.

Turkey hunting on IRAP leased property is available during 2022 seasons, including Youth Season March 26-27 statewide and April 2-3 statewide; Third Season April 15-20 south zone and April 22-27 north zone and Fourth Season April 21-27 south zone and April 28-May 4 north zone.

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