Section 715.20  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 allowed by Section 2.11 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/2.11] for each turkey hunting permit. All hunters, except those exempted by Section 3.1 of the Wildlife Code [520 ILCS 5/3.1], are 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.  Hunting without a valid turkey permit is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.9).  Applications for wild turkey permits shall be completed by applying on-line at www.dnr.state.il.us or by calling DNR-Direct License sales at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648).

b)         Applicants must supply all information necessary to complete the application. Incomplete applications shall be rejected and fees returned.  Each applicant must submit payment for his/her individual application at the time of application.  Not more than 6 applications may be submitted for group hunters.  Applicants submitting applications within three weeks prior to the season shall not be guaranteed receipt of permit by start of season.

c)         Applications shall be accepted from residents only from the date on which they became available through the first Monday in July.  Permits are not transferable and refunds shall not be granted.  Permits shall be allocated in a computerized drawing to be held in Springfield. Applications received after the first Monday in July shall not be included in the drawing.

d)         Permits not issued during the first computerized drawing shall be available in a second computerized lottery drawing.  Applications for this drawing will be accepted through the seventh Monday after the initial lottery deadline. Applications received after this date will not be included in the drawing. All hunters not receiving a permit in the first computerized drawing and non-residents may apply at this time for the available permits.  Illinois residents will be given preference for permits allocated in the second lottery drawing.

e)         Permits remaining after the two lotteries will be available in a random daily drawing that begins on the fourth Monday after the second lottery deadline.  All applications received on or before this date will be processed in the first daily drawing.  This drawing period is open to hunters applying for their first or second permits.  Hunters may obtain a maximum of two permits for the fall gun season.

f)          A $3 service fee shall be charged for replacement permits issued by the Department, except when permits are lost in the mail, no charge will be made.

g)         It shall be unlawful to:

1)         Submit applications before the second computerized lottery drawing for more than one permit for the same person.  Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.9);

2)         Apply for or receive more than two permits for the fall gun turkey season.  Violation is a Class B misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.9); or

3)         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.  Violation is a Class A misdemeanor (see 520 ILCS 5/2.38).

(Source:  Amended at 32 Ill. Reg. 14830, effective August 27, 2008)