Area Counties Show Significant Increases in 2026 Turkey Harvest Totals

Illinois spring turkey hunters set record with 20,821 birds harvested in 2026.

May 31, 2026 8:15 AM

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested in 2025.

Area counties' harvest totals increased throughout the region in 2026. The comparison totals in 2026 were as follows: Calhoun 345 in 2026 compared to 249 in 2025. Greene County 220 in 2026 compared to 176 in 2025.

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Jersey County had 289 turkeys harvested in 2026 compared to 216 in 2025, while Madison had 321 in 2026 compared to 297 in 2025. Macoupin County had 356 turkeys harvested compared to 350 in 2025.

St. Clair County had 203 turkeys harvested in 2026 compared to 158 in 2025.

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The top counties for turkey harvest during the 2026 season were Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties, tied with 646 birds harvested; followed by Marion, 530; Pike, 525; and Wayne, 464.

This year, hunters purchased 94,704 permits compared to 89,580 last year. This year’s total included a record youth spring turkey season harvest of 2,326 birds compared to 2,099 birds in 2025.

A total of 70,158 individual hunters purchased permits for the 2026 spring turkey season. Preliminary figures indicate approximately 22% of permits sold were filled this year, compared to 20.3% last year.

Spring turkey hunting was open in 100 of Illinois’ 102 counties. The 2026 regular season dates were April 6 through May 7 in the south zone and April 13 through May 14 in the north zone. The youth spring turkey season was held March 28-29 and April 4-5 statewide.

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