Springfield, IL – Young hunters in Illinois have set a new record during the 2024 youth turkey hunting season, with a reported harvest of 2,006 birds, surpassing the previous high from 2020. The season, which spanned two weekends—March 30-31 and April 6-7—saw a significant increase in participation with 6,001 permits issued, up from 5,283 in the previous year.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the increase in harvest numbers is a testament to the growing interest in turkey hunting among the state’s youth. Randolph County led the tally with 71 turkeys, followed by Fayette with 66, and Jefferson County with 63. Notably, public lands contributed 160 birds, accounting for 8% of the total harvest.
This year’s success reflects the commitment to wildlife conservation and management in Illinois, providing a controlled and educational environment for young hunters to learn and practice responsible hunting. The table provided by the state department offers a detailed breakdown by county, comparing the numbers from the past two years.
