Illinois
Illinois is home to the Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). The Eastern wild turkey is the most widely distributed, abundant and hunted turkey subspecies of the five distinct subspecies found in the United States.
As the need to trap and transfer wild turkeys becomes less necessary, it is critically important to look toward the future of one of North America's greatest game birds and work to make sure that future is bright. The North American Wild Turkey Management Plan: An Intergraded Approach to Wildlife Management, is designed to do just that.
The North American Wild Turkey Management Plan is a compilation of regional and state/provincial plans that will outline goals to help wildlife management agencies and the NWTF's dedicated volunteers target the most important factors in wild turkey conservation and protecting our hunting heritage. In support of the North American Wild Turkey Management Plan and the continued efforts of wild turkey conservation Illinois State Chapter and its members have spent more than $3,119,349 in Illinois since 1985. The money has been raised through Hunting Heritage Super Fund banquets and administered jointly by the NWTF, the Illinois State Chapter and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Illinois State Chapter's priorities fall into four categories: Habitat Enhancement and Restoration, Hunter Access, Wild Turkey Research, and Outreach and Education.
Habitat Enhancement and Restoration
- Improve the quality of upland forests and shrublands on both public and private land. Reverse the decline of oak regeneration by promoting proper management.
- Restore bottomland hardwoods and riparian corridors.
- Restore open woodland habitats such as savannas, hill prairies and glades. These are some of the most imperiled habitats in the state and provide excellent turkey brood and nesting habitat, as well as habitat for many species of concern.
- Reduce non-native invasive species (NNIS), particularly those that invade open woodlands and forests such as bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard and buckthorn.
Hunter Access
- Increase huntable acres in Illinois - a predominately private-owned state - through the NWTF's More Places to Hunt initiative.
- Increase hunting access on existing public lands.
- Promote access and hunting in state, federal and local land management plans.
- Promote the concept of net-gain of public hunting lands.
- Work with corporate partners and other industrial landowners to provide hunting opportunities.
Wild Turkey Research
- Work with Illinois Department of Natural Resources and University personnel to develop wild turkey population and habitat research priorities for Illinois.
Outreach and Education
- Support and encourage local chapter outreach events and activities.
- Support organizations defending our 2nd Amendment rights.
- Promote participation in the shooting sports through the National Archery in the Schools Program, 4-H Shooting Program and other relevant events.
- Provide local and state scholarships to qualified students.
- Provide wild turkey education boxes to interested educators.
Download a print-friendly PDF of the
NWTF's Illinois Wild Turkey Strategic Plan