Published on April 9, 2025 2:27 pm
Last Updated on April 9, 2025 2:27 pm
Illinois youth turkey hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 2,091 birds during the 2025 youth turkey season, breaking the previous harvest record of 2,010 set in 2024.
A total of 6,573 youth turkey permits were issued this year, compared to 6,541 in 2024.
There were 69 turkeys taken in both Jefferson and Pike counties, 67 in Randolph County, 62 in Fayette County, and 60 in Macoupin County.
Ironically, that total for Fayette County is down from 70 turkeys taken there in 2024.
As far as other area counties and their totals:
There were 42 turkeys taken by youth in Effingham County, up from 35 in 2024…49 in Clay County, the same total as one year earlier…7 in Coles, the same as a year earlier…21 in Cumberland County, up from 15 in 2024…29 in Jasper County, down from 42 the year before…and 32 in Shelby County, up from 23 in 2024.
