Illinois youth turkey hunters set new harvest record
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has released the numbers for this year’s youth turkey harvest.
According to IDNR, youth turkey hunters in the state harvested a preliminary total of 2,006 birds during the 2024 youth turkey season, breaking the previous harvest record of 1,733 set in 2020.
The dates for this year’s season were March 30 through March 31 and April 6 through April 7.
A total of 6,001 youth turkey permits were issued this year, compared to 5,283 in 2023, according to the IDNR. Last year, a total of 1,297 turkeys were taken.
Here’s a table showing the youth turkey season preliminary harvest figures in our region by county with numbers from 2024 and 2023:
| County | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander | 23 | 27 |
| Franklin | 36 | 34 |
| Gallatin/Hardin | 44 | 33 |
| Hamilton | 46 | 36 |
| Jackson | 42 | 24 |
| Jefferson | 63 | 52 |
| Johnson | 27 | 23 |
| Massac | 22 | 15 |
| Perry | 43 | 23 |
| Pope | 27 | 25 |
| Pulaski | 23 | 14 |
| Saline | 26 | 15 |
| Union | 33 | 26 |
| Williamson | 46 | 18 |
Randolph County had the most in the state with 71.
A preliminary total of 160 wild turkeys were taken on public land.
For more information, and the full list of harvest numbers, click here.
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