A Survey of Illinois Turkey Hunters

by Luke Garver | August 3, 2020 | Recreation

Two wild dark brown and tan turkeys forage at the edge of a woodland.

Photo by Michael R. Jeffords.

Lotteries, quotas, zones, season segments…Illinois’ spring turkey hunting season structure can sound a little complicated to some. There is a method to all the madness, however. Each component of the system serves a purpose to help conserve the wild turkey natural resource and to provide a safe, high quality hunting experience for Illinois’ turkey hunters. But is it time Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) considered changing things up? Illinois has used quotas and season segments since its inaugural turkey season in 1970. And the exact system used today has been in place for nearly 20 years. When considering possible changes to a season, however, a balance has to be struck between the biology of the bird and the preferences of hunters.

A turkey hunter carrying a harvested bird on her/his back and an a bow in the other hand. The hunter is silhouetted by a sunset in the background. — Photo by Jake Vancil.

IDNR collaborated with the Human Dimensions Department of the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois to conduct a survey of Illinois turkey hunters (see Sidebar). Hunters were asked questions about their turkey hunting habits and level of satisfaction or support with current and potential regulations. Satisfaction and support were measured on a scale of 1 to 7, with a 4 considered unsure or neutral. See the report for a summary of the survey design and hunter demographics.

A graphic indicating highlights of results from the 2019 Illinois Turkey Hunter & Landowner Report. At the bottom of the graphic is a black and white male turkey strutting in full courtship display.

Attitudes Toward Quotas

Each county in Illinois has an annual quota designed to limit the total number of permits sold in order to reduce the effects of harvest pressure on wild turkey populations and decrease hunter density, allowing for a safe, high quality hunt. The quotas are determined by several factors including turkey population and harvest trends, reproductive success, and hunter density. It seems that most hunters recognize the value of the quota system according to the survey.

15 percent of general hunters were opposed to permits being allocated by quota while 57 percent were in support.
47 percent opposed permits being valid statewide with no quota while 33 percent were in support.
General hunters’ satisfaction on drawing a permit for a county, site or season segment, and opinion of the number of permits available in their area, was 70 percent or higher.

Attitudes Toward Season Segments

While quotas are set to reduce hunter numbers in a defined area, the season segments are in place to reduce pressure over time. In Illinois, turkey season begins before peak breeding, when populations can be most sensitive to harvest pressure. To offset these effects, the 32-day season is broken up into five season segments. Earlier season segments are shorter than later segments, the first being only five days and on weekdays only.

Most general hunters were in favor of the length (64 percent) and dates (63 percent) of the season segments.
45 percent of general hunters would be in favor of a single, continuous season with no segments, like Indiana and Missouri; 43 percent were opposed.
48 percent were supportive of maintaining segmented seasons; 22 percent were opposed.

A hunter proudly displaying a harvested turkey. The hunter is kneeling next to a child. A wooden fence is in the background. — Photo courtesy of Luke Garver.

Other aspects of the survey included in the full report are:

participants’ preferences between hypothetical season and permit changes
participants’ motivations and values regarding hunting
more information on hunter demographics and perceptions

Overall, it appears Illinois turkey hunters are accustomed to many of the regulations in place, and even favor some of them over alternatives. However, this doesn’t mean IDNR will not strongly consider making some changes in the upcoming seasons. For example, in the survey, hunters indicated they would enjoy more time to hunt, either with all-day hunting, permits valid for longer timeframes, or both. Anyone who has turkey hunted in other states knows no two have the exact same season structure. Further evaluation of this survey, and possibly public meetings and/or more focused, shorter surveys, will help define our spring turkey season. We are confident there is a solution that improves hunter satisfaction, while ensuring the future of Illinois’ wild turkey population.

For more, read the report at 2019 Illinois Turkey Hunter and Landowner Report.

Luke Garver is the Wild Turkey Project Manager at IDNR, where he compiles and analyzes information regarding wild turkey hunting seasons, population, and habitat management. He has a BS from the University of Illinois and an MS from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He strives to use his prior experience in private land stewardship and natural resource conservation to contribute to the management of wildlife resources in Illinois. Garver tries to find time for all outdoor pursuits with his family and enjoys hunting a variety of game, particularly deer, turkey, waterfowl, doves and grouse.