Turn off the television and video games and grab your turkey call; there are more places for young turkey hunters to go hunting this spring! The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is leasing property from private landowners to provide for more places for youth turkey hunting. With a three-year grant from the USDA-FSA, the IDNR is leasing property from private landowners in Illinois to make additional hunting areas available to young turkey hunters (under age 16) to go hunting. "Just the Facts" will provide additional information.
IDNR’s new program, the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) is rapidly signing up landowners who are willing to lease their property for specific public access use. One such activity is youth turkey hunting. Three spring turkey seasons will be available for youth hunters through IRAP. Please complete one of the following applications, plus a Liability Waiver, and if applicable a Parent Authorization.
Spring Youth Season Application: This gives kids a head start on turkey season:
March 31 - April 1 (southern zone)
April 7-8 (northern zone)
Season 3 Application:
April 21 - April 25 (southern zone)
April 27 - May 2 (northern zone)
Season 4 Application:
April 26 - May 2 (southern zone)
May 3-9 (northern zone)
Two additional forms need to be completed with the application:
Liability Waiver
Parent Authorization (another person to accompany youth).
Hunters will need chose the county they wish to hunt in and then a random drawing will be held for each county/site. Youth hunters can request up to two turkey permits. For example, they can request to hunt the Spring Youth Turkey Season and Season 4. Applications will be taken until February 13, 2012 for the Spring Youth Season. For Season 3 and 4, applications will be taken up to 10 days prior to the hunt. All youth hunters will also need to have a non-hunting parent or guardian accompany them at all times during the hunt.
Not all counties will have youth turkey hunting available. One will need to check the IDNR’s website, to see which counties have IRAP youth turkey hunting available as well as how many hunting sites there are per county. Currently, there is more than 6,000 acres enrolled in IRAP in 17 counties:
Adams
Bond
Bureau
Christian
Fulton
Iroquois
Lee
Macoupin
Monroe
Mason
McLean
Morgan
Pike
Sangamon
Scott
Schuyler
Woodford
**More sites are being added weekly so it is important to check IDNR’s website.
This program is just a start in addressing several challenges the IDNR faces. IRAP’s goal is to promote outdoor activities to our youth and families in hopes of educating and recruiting additional outdoor enthusiasts who might otherwise not have the opportunity to participate. In addition, this provides for access to specific locations that may otherwise be closed to the public, expanding outdoor opportunities in general.
For more information, contact Tammy.Miller@illinois.gov or call 217-782-0137.