How many turkeys were harvested in Illinois during the fall firearm season?

Turkey hunters killed 262 birds during the 2023 fall firearm season in October, according to preliminary figures released Friday by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The season ran from Oct. 21-29.

The harvest included these southwestern Illinois counties: Calhoun, 1 turkey; Jersey, 1 turkey; Madison, 5 turkeys; Monroe, 3 turkeys; Perry, 8 turkeys; Randolph, 3 turkeys; and Washington, 4 turkeys.

Last year’s total harvest was 267 in Illinois, with the record in 2005 with 1,218.

Here are other facts about the turkey harvest this year, quoted directly from the state agency’s announcement.

“Fall turkey firearm was open in 56 of Illinois’ 102 counties. The top counties for harvest this year were Jo Daviess, 23; Marion, 14; Williamson, 14; Franklin, 13; and Pope, 12. Preliminary data show 55% of the harvest were female birds and 48% were male.”

This story was originally published November 19, 2023 at 6:00 AM.