Illinois turkey hunters bagged a reported 15,159 turkeys, the second highest spring harvest.
That preliminary statewide harvest trails only the 16,605 in 2006.
Last year the total was 14,766.
Hunters took 15,159 (compared to 14,196 in 2007) during the regular seasons, and an additional 633 (570) during the youth season. North Zone hunters accounted for 9,505 (8,641) birds; South Zone hunters took 6,287 (6,125), according to the IDNR.
Top 5 North Zone Counties: JoDaviess 568, Pike 552, Adams 507, Fulton 415, and Macoupin 399.
Top 5 South Zone Counties: Marion 347, Randolph 344, Pope 329, Wayne 303, and Jefferson 299.
Notable: The South Zone started out slowly in cool, rainy weather conditions, but improved over the course of the seasons and finished with its largest 5th season harvest ever. North Zone conditions were generally favorable, although cool weather and heavy rains on Sunday of the last weekend (5th season) dampened results slightly.
