Hunting
Wild Turkeys Present Challenge For Hunters
By Sam VanCamp
Wild turkey season is divided into five seasons and begins April 16 and ends May 17 in the north zone.
Spring hunting in Vermilion County revolves around the spring wild turkey season, which began April 7 with the youth turkey season. The turkey season itself is divided into five seasons and begins April 16 and ends May 17 in the north zone.
Turkey hunting has become a great sport, giving Illinois' hunters a second big-game season to compliment the deer hunting season. Not only does turkey hunting allow hunters to hunt during the spring of the year, but it also gives them a very formidable quarry, as turkeys are very difficult to hunt.
To hunt Vermilion County, a turkey hunter must have a valid permit for Vermilion County and this would allow the hunter to hunt only private land. There are three public areas in which turkeys can be hunted; Kickapoo State Park, the Middle Fork Fish and Wildlife Area, and the Babe Woodyard Area east of Georgetown.
In order for a hunter to use either of the three above mentioned areas, the hunter must have a "site specific" permit. Having a Vermilion County turkey permit does not allow a hunter to hunt any of these three sites. To hunt any of the three public areas, the permit, for example, must be marked, "Kickapoo State Park"
With our hardwood forests, our deep ravenous woods and our acre upon acre of row-crop land, we have a tremendous wild turkey population in Vermilion County. Wild turkey are so plentiful that home owners on the edges of our cities and towns see them on a very regular basis, while many times they are spotted in yards near the center of residential areas.
An old "tom" will weigh close to 25 pounds and is as difficult an animal to hunt as any you will ever encounter.
Spring is the mating season for wild turkeys and many times the males, called "toms" are seen in their spring courtship ritual with their wings drooped and their tail feathers fanned in an effort to attract the females.
An old "tom" will weigh close to 25 pounds and is as difficult an animal to hunt as any you will ever encounter.
Along with his beautiful spring plumage, the bird also has a tuft of hairy-like feathers that grows out of the center of his chest called a "beard." The "tom" with the largest "fan" and the largest "beard" is what is considered the top prize among turkey hunters.
Turkey hunting comes at the same time as mushroom hunting around this area, so both hunters should be aware of the presence of the other while in the woods. With the head of the turkey being red, white and blue, it is suggested that these colors be avoided by those hunting mushrooms.
A turkey, deep fried in a turkey fryer, is among life's tastiest meals. Although hunted by many area residents, the wild turkey has become a bird enjoyed for viewing by many throughout the year as they feed along roadsides throughout the area.
All that is needed to hunt the turkey is an Illinois hunting license, a valid permit, and a place to hunt. There's a lot in Vermilion County to do so put hunting turkey on your list of things to do while you are here.
