SB2488 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 07395 BDA 17436 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2488

Introduced 2/7/2025, by Sen. Patrick J. Joyce

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

520 ILCS 5/2.10	from Ch. 61, par. 2.10
520 ILCS 5/2.11	from Ch. 61, par. 2.11

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department-set daily time limits for hunting wild turkey shall be the same for youths and adults and shall begin no later than sunrise and end no earlier than sunset. Provides that unfilled Wild Turkey Hunting Permits from one season may be carried over to any other wild turkey season in the same year. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning wildlife.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended by changing Sections 2.10 and 2.11 as follows:

(520 ILCS 5/2.10) (from Ch. 61, par. 2.10)

Sec. 2.10. The Department may, on an annual basis, establish a spring wild turkey open season within the period beginning on March 1 and running through May 31, and a fall wild turkey season within the period beginning on October 1 and running through January 31. The Department may, on an annual basis, establish a youth-only spring wild turkey season which shall include 2 consecutive weekends. The daily time limits set by the Department for the taking of wild turkey during the wild turkey season shall be the same for youths and adults and shall begin no later than sunrise and end no earlier than sunset. It shall be unlawful for any person to take wild turkey without possessing a valid "Wild Turkey Hunting Permit". Persons holding a spring permit may take female wild turkeys with visible beards or male wild turkeys during the spring open season. Persons holding a fall permit may take turkeys of either sex during the fall open season. The Department shall cause notice of administrative rules setting forth the prescribed rules and regulations, including those counties of the State where open seasons are established, to be given in accordance with Sections 1.3 and 1.13.

The Department shall adopt rules to implement the provisions added to this Section and Section 2.11 by this amendatory Act of the 104th General Assembly.

(Source: P.A. 99-869, eff. 1-1-17.)

(520 ILCS 5/2.11) (from Ch. 61, par. 2.11)

Sec. 2.11. Before any person may lawfully hunt wild turkey, he shall first obtain a "Wild Turkey Hunting Permit" in accordance with the prescribed regulations set forth in an administrative rule of the Department. The fee for a Resident Wild Turkey Hunting Permit shall not exceed $15.

Upon submitting suitable evidence of legal residence in any other state, non-residents shall be charged a fee not to exceed $125 for wild turkey hunting permits.

The Department may by administrative rule allocate and issue non-resident Wild Turkey Permits and establish fees for such permits.

Unfilled Wild Turkey Hunting Permits from a season may be carried over to any other wild turkey season in the same year.

It shall be unlawful to take wild turkey except by use of a bow and arrow or a shotgun of not larger than 10 gauge nor smaller than .410 bore. The Department may by administrative rule restrict shot size, material, or density. No person while attempting to so take wild turkey may have in his possession any other gun unless in accordance with the Firearm Concealed Carry Act.

It shall be unlawful to take, or attempt to take wild turkey except during the time from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset or during such lesser period of time as may be specified by administrative rule, during those days for which an open season is established.

It shall be unlawful for any person to take, or attempt to take, wild turkey by use of dogs, horses, automobiles, aircraft or other vehicles, or conveyances, or by the use or aid of bait or baiting of any kind. For the purposes of this Section, "bait" means any material, whether liquid or solid, including food, salt, minerals, and other products, except pure water, that can be ingested, placed, or scattered in such a manner as to attract or lure wild turkeys. "Baiting" means the placement or scattering of bait to attract wild turkeys. An area is considered as baited during the presence of and for 10 consecutive days following the removal of the bait.

It is unlawful for any person to take in Illinois or have in his possession more than one wild turkey per valid permit.

For the purposes of calculating acreage under this Section, the Department shall, after determining the total acreage of the applicable tract or tracts of land, round remaining fractional portions of an acre greater than or equal to half of an acre up to the next whole acre.

For the purposes of taking wild turkey, nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent the manipulation, including mowing or cutting, of standing crops as a normal agricultural or soil stabilization practice, food plots, or normal agricultural practices, including planting, harvesting, and maintenance such as cultivating. Such manipulation for the purpose of taking wild turkey may be further modified by administrative rule.

(Source: P.A. 102-237, eff. 1-1-22; 103-622, eff. 1-1-25.)