Illinois Turkey Season 2026
Illinois turkey season dates start with Apr 6-10, 2026. The table below keeps every listed turkey row together with zones and notes where available.
Quick answer
Illinois's listed 2026 spring turkey season runs Apr 6-10, 2026.
1st Season Wild Turkey opens Apr 6, 2026 and closes Apr 10, 2026.
Spring - 2nd Season Wild Turkey opens Apr 11, 2026 and closes Apr 16, 2026.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Illinois DNR.
Turkey
20 listed rowsWild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
1st Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 1st Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
1st Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
3rd Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 3rd Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
2nd Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 2nd Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
4th Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 4th Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
3rd Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 3rd Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 4th Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 5th Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
5th Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: South Zone
Wild Turkey
4th Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
5th Season
Spring Turkey
Zone: North Zone
Wild Turkey
Spring - 5th Season
Spring turkey lottery permit required. OTC permits available beginning March 10, 2026 for remaining quotas.
Zone: North Zone
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Nearby turkey seasons
Illinois Turkey Season FAQ
When does turkey season open in Illinois?
April 6, 2026 is the earliest listed turkey opener in Illinois — spring - 1st season wild turkey runs Apr 6-10, 2026. Confirm zone and permit details with Illinois DNR.
What are the 2026 turkey season dates in Illinois?
Illinois lists 20 turkey season windows: Spring - 1st Season Wild Turkey (Apr 6-10, 2026); 1st Season Wild Turkey (Apr 6-10, 2026); Spring - 2nd Season Wild Turkey (Apr 11-16, 2026); 2nd Season Wild Turkey (Apr 11-16, 2026); Spring - 1st Season Wild Turkey (Apr 13-17, 2026); 1st Season Wild Turkey (Apr 13-17, 2026); 3rd Season Wild Turkey (Apr 17-22, 2026); Spring - 3rd Season Wild Turkey (Apr 17-22, 2026); and more. Always verify against Illinois DNR before hunting.
Are there different turkey seasons in Illinois?
Yes — Illinois lists separate turkey seasons for Spring - 1st Season Wild Turkey, 1st Season Wild Turkey, Spring - 2nd Season Wild Turkey, 2nd Season Wild Turkey, 3rd Season Wild Turkey, Spring - 3rd Season Wild Turkey. Each can carry its own dates, zones, and weapon rules; see the table above and Illinois DNR.
Do I need a license to hunt turkey in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois generally requires the appropriate hunting license, and turkey hunting may also require tags, permits, stamps, or zone authorizations. Confirm requirements with Illinois DNR.