Efforts to manage Illinois’ wild turkey population saw a slight decline this season, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). During the October 18–26 fall firearm season, hunters harvested 255 turkeys, down from 294 in 2024. The state record remains 1,218 birds taken in 2005. Of the turkeys harvested this year, 57% were females and 43% were jakes or toms.
Locally, harvest numbers were mixed:
Wayne County: 11 (up from 10)
Marion County: 9 (down by 7)
Clay County: 5 (up from 4)
White County: 4 turkeys (up from 2 in 2024)
Edwards County: 4 (up from 2)
Gallatin County: 2 (down from 3)
Hamilton County: 3 (down from 4)
Saline County: 3 (down from 6)
Jefferson County: 16 (slightly down from 17 in 2024)
Overall, the season showed modest variation across the southern Illinois region, with Jefferson County recording the highest harvest.