Springfield, IL – Hunters across Illinois now have another option this fall. The state’s 2025 Archery Turkey Fall Season opened Wednesday, Oct. 1, and will remain open through Jan. 18, 2026, according to the Illinois Learn to Hunt program.
The season is available in all Illinois counties, with over-the-counter permits priced at just $5 each. Each permit allows the harvest of one either-sex turkey, with a maximum of two Fall Archery Turkey permits per hunter. Hunting hours run from a half-hour before sunrise until a half-hour after sunset.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, hunters should note that the turkey archery season is suspended during deer firearm season in counties open for deer hunting. Specific site regulations may also vary, and hunters are urged to review requirements such as windshield cards and local restrictions before heading out.
For many hunters, the fall turkey season offers a chance to get outdoors in cooler weather and even secure a Thanksgiving bird early. The affordability of the permits makes it one of the state’s most accessible hunting opportunities.
Full details, including the official Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations for 2025–2026, can be found online at learntohuntillinois.org or by scanning the QR code on state-issued notices.
