Can You Be Fined in Illinois For Shooting a Turkey In Your Backyard?

Does it seem like there are more wild turkeys roaming around the neighborhoods of northern Illinois than there normally are?

Every single county in Illinois has a wild turkey population, and according to the U of I Extention, there are around 150,000 wild turkeys in the state.

READ MORE: Why Rockford Seems to Be Overrun with Wild Turkeys

Over the past couple of weeks, it feels like there are 100,000 wild turkeys just hanging out behind our radio studios in the neighborhood off Brendenwood Road.

When Does Wild Turkey Hunting Season Begin?

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the 2024 fall archery turkey season in Illinois runs from October 1, 2024, to January 19, 2025. The Fall shotgun turkey season is from October 19 through the 27, according to HuntIllinois.org.

READ MORE: Hunters in Illinois are Banned from Using This Tool

There's a Fall firearm turkey hunting lottery and hunting is only allowed in some Illinois counties. CLICK HERE to see all the information from the IDNR.

Can You Legally Shoot a Wild Turkey in Your Backyard?

According to the IDNR website, if you want to hunt wild turkeys on your personal property legally, you must hold a valid hunting license, a state habitat stamp, and at least one valid turkey permit, according to regulations.

Even if you do have valid permits and licenses to hunt wild turkeys, it still may not be legal to discharge a firearm in your neighborhood depending on where you live, but using the bow and arrow may be permitted if you're within the hunting season dates and in the fall hunting zone.

READ MORE: Weird Facts About Wild Turkeys in Illinois

To see all the hunting information from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, CLICK HERE.