Access Illinois Outdoors

06/01/2026

Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested in 2025.

The top counties for turkey harvest during the 2026 season were Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties, tied with 646 birds harvested; followed by Marion, 530; Pike, 525; and Wayne, 464.

This year, hunters purchased 94,704 permits compared to 89,580 last year. This year’s total included a record youth spring turkey season harvest of 2,326 birds compared to 2,099 birds in 2025.

A total of 70,158 individual hunters purchased permits for the 2026 spring turkey season. Preliminary figures indicate approximately 22% of permits sold were filled this year, compared to 20.3% last year.

Spring turkey hunting was open in 100 of Illinois’ 102 counties. The 2026 regular season dates were April 6 through May 7 in the south zone and April 13 through May 14 in the north zone. The youth spring turkey season was held March 28-29 and April 4-5 statewide.

02/05/2026

As we wrap up another very successful season of our Access Food - Feed the Hungry program, we want to thank Great Rivers BankGreat Rivers Bank for helping us get across the finish line with a $2,000 donation!

01/06/2026

We are so grateful for the generous donation of $1,000 from Eagle Valley Bank to our Access Food - Feed the Hungry deer donation program. It's been a record setting year and this donation helped us keep providing meat to so many families in need! Thank you!

12/18/2025

Just want to say thank you so much to Whitetail Properties for their generous donation to our Access Food deer donation program! Their donation covered 4800 meals for families in need this year!

12/18/2025

Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 81,225 deer during the seven-day 2025 Illinois firearm deer season that concluded Dec. 7. Comparatively, hunters harvested 82,496 deer during the 2024 firearm season.

The preliminary harvest for the second weekend of the firearm season Dec. 4-7 was 29,816 compared with 27,835 deer harvested during the same period in 2024. The preliminary harvest for the first weekend of this year’s firearm season Nov. 21-23 was 51,409 deer.

Remaining 2025-2026 deer hunting opportunities in Illinois include:
• Late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease (CWD) season, in designated counties only, Jan. 1-4 and Jan. 16-18.
• Archery deer season continues through Jan. 18.
More information about deer hunting in Illinois can be found online.

11/19/2025

Hunger is rising. Together, we can fight back.

This year marks the 20th year of the Access Food Feed the Hungry Project—and the need is greater than ever. Our donated deer numbers are at an all-time high!

✅ Last year: 13 tons of meat processed for local food pantries
🚨 This year: 20% more families need help

We’re determined to meet—or beat—last year’s record, but we can’t do it without you. Our program runs entirely on donations, and every gift puts food directly on the tables of local families.

👉 Donate today at www.accessil.org/donations (tax deductible).

Together, we can ensure no family goes hungry. 💙

Donations Name * Email * Donation Amount * Captcha If you are human, leave this field blank. Submit

11/04/2025

Having the extra space to store our donated deer until food pantries can come pick up is critical to our Access Food -Feed the Hungry program. Thank you so much Refreshment Services Pepsi and McNay Truck Line

We would like to take a moment to thank Refreshment Services Pepsi and McNay Truck Line for donating this re**er trailer for our Feed The Hungry meat. We are still accepting donated deer!

10/28/2025

Hunger Can’t Wait

Food pantries saw a 20% increase in families needing help last year. Rising costs mean more neighbors are struggling to put meals on the table.
You can be the reason families eat. 💛
Donate now:

Donations Name * Email * Donation Amount * Captcha If you are human, leave this field blank. Submit

10/21/2025

Illinois youth deer hunters set a new record for the season, harvesting a preliminary total of 4,714 deer Oct. 11-13. Top harvest counties include Randolph, 259; Pike, 164; Adams, 155; Jefferson, 155; and Marion, 135.

Comparatively, youth hunters took 4,097 deer during the season in 2024.

Youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit may still hunt with the permit during the upcoming firearm deer seasons Nov. 21-23 and Dec. 4-7. This is the first year that unfilled youth permits are valid for both segments of the firearm season.

10/15/2025

For 20 years, the Access Food Feed the Hungry Project has provided meals to families in need. Last year we delivered 13 tons of food—and with your help, we can do even more in 2025. 💙 Donate today: www.accessil.org/donations.