Section 710.20  Statewide Turkey Permit Requirements

a)         To take, or attempt to take, a wild turkey, Illinois residents must first obtain a "Wild Turkey Hunting Permit" from the Department of Natural Resources for a fee of $15.  Lifetime licenses issued after August 15, 2006 shall not qualify a non-resident of Illinois for a resident turkey permit.  Non-resident turkey hunters shall be charged the maximum fee as allowed by Section 2.11 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/2.11] for each wild turkey hunting permit.  All hunters, except those exempted by Section 3.1 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/3.1] are also required to obtain a hunting license before hunting wild turkey.  Permits are issued for a specific county or area and are valid only in the county or area designated on the permit.  Applications for wild turkey permits shall be completed and submitted by visiting one of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' DNR-Direct License vendors, by applying on-line at www.dnr.state.il.us, by calling DNR-Direct License sales at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648) or by mailing to:

Department of Natural Resources – Spring Turkey

One Natural Resources Way

P.O. Box 19446

Springfield, Illinois  62794-9446

b)         Applicants must supply all information necessary to complete the application.  Incomplete applications will be rejected and fees returned.  Each applicant must submit payment for his/her individual application at the time of application.  Not more than 4 applications may be submitted for group hunters.  Applicants submitting applications within three weeks of the season will not be guaranteed receipt of permit by start of season.

c)         Applications from Illinois residents will be accepted through December 1.  Applications received in the permit office after December 1 will be included in the next computerized drawing.  Permits are not transferable and refunds will not be granted.  Permits will be allocated in a computerized drawing to be held in Springfield.  Applicants rejected in this drawing will receive preference in the next year's drawing for spring season permits subject to guidelines outlined in subsection (g).

d)         Permits not issued during the first computerized drawing will be available in a second computerized lottery drawing.  Applications for this drawing will be accepted through the first working day after January 10.  Applications received after this date will be included in the next drawing.  All hunters not receiving a permit in the first computerized drawing and non-residents may apply at this time for the available permits.  All resident permit applications will receive preference over non-resident applications.

e)         Any hunter who has not received a permit, and hunters that have received only one permit, may apply for a first or a second permit in a third computerized lottery drawing for the remaining permits.  All resident permit applications will receive preference over non-resident applications.  Applications for this third drawing will be accepted through the first working day after February 8.  Applications received after this date will be included in the next drawing.

f)          Permits remaining after the three lotteries will be available in a random daily drawing that begins the first working day after March 8.  All applications received on or before the first working day after March 8 will be processed in the first daily drawing.  This drawing period is open to hunters applying for their first, second, or third permits.

g)         The following criteria must be met to obtain preference in the first computerized drawing:

1)         The applicant must apply using the official agency application.

2)         The applicant must be a resident of the State, be eligible to receive a spring turkey permit, and not had turkey hunting privileges revoked.

3)         The applicant must apply for the same county and season choices which he/she listed on the previous year's application.  Preference will not be granted for special hunt areas as listed in Section 710.25 or for permit areas listed in Section 710.50(c).

h)         A $3 service fee will be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department.

i)          The periods for accepting applications for the first three lotteries may be extended if applications are not available to the public by November 1.  A news release will announce the extension of the application periods.

j)          It shall be unlawful to:

1)         Submit applications before the second computerized lottery drawing for more than one permit for the same person.

2)         Submit applications before the third computerized lottery drawing for more than two permits for the same person.

3)         Apply for or receive more than three permits for the spring turkey season.

4)         Provide false and/or deceptive information on a permit application form.  In addition to criminal charges, individuals found guilty of violating this section shall have their application rejected, permit revoked, and fees forfeited.

(Source:  Amended at 31 Ill. Reg. 1958, effective January 16, 2007)