Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Illinois turkey hunters harvested 292 wild turkeys during the 2024 fall firearm season, a 10% increase from last year’s total.

The record harvest for the fall season was set in 2005, with hunters taking 1,218 birds. This year, 1,756 permits were sold, slightly fewer than last year’s 1,771 permits. The highest permit sales were recorded in 2007, with 4,968 sold.

Hunting was allowed in 56 of Illinois’ 102 counties. Jefferson County led this season’s harvest with 17 turkeys, followed by Jasper and Marion with 16 each, Jo Daviess with 13, and Cass with 12. Preliminary data indicates 57% of harvested turkeys were female and 43% were male.