Originally thought to require vast tracts of forested land, most of the turkeys were released in the Shawnee National Forest in the southern tip of the state. After the turkeys had taken firm hold in the southern counties, it became apparent that they could prosper in varying landscapes if it included mixed woods and agricultural land. At that point, turkeys were introduced in the central and northwestern counties. A population boom followed the stockings and today the turkey is common throughout Illinois, and has become popular among bird watchers.

Every year, reports from citizens filter in about wild turkeys showing up in suburban parks and golf courses, especially those bordering forest preserve properties. Like the coyote, the turkey is rapidly filling every piece of vacant habitat it can find.

In addition to the vast amount of outdoor experiences afforded Illinois’ sportsmen, turkey hunting also represents an economic windfall of tens of millions of dollars, according to IDNR acting director Sam Flood. This figure includes not only license sales and fees, but money spent on travel, lodging, clothing, gear, ammo and guns.

The 2007 spring hunt resulted in 14,767 wild toms taken, just short of the 2006 season when a record-setting 16,607 birds were harvested. Actually, the turkey harvest over the past five years has been remarkably consistent.

Biologists think the lower kill rate last season was because of poor weather conditions during the first two weeks of the season. The cold, windy weather kept many hunters out of the field early on and delayed nesting activity, which encouraged the toms to stick close to the real hens.

Also, a smaller-than-usual number of 2-year-old birds, because of a poor hatch in 2005, resulted in a lower turkey population.

Judging solely from my own observations in northern Illinois, the birds enjoyed a very good nesting effort in spring 2007 and that promises much better hunting success this spring. Last fall, every flock I saw numbered between 15 and 20 birds and most of them were young. If that condition prevails statewide, a new record may be in the offing.

Top counties in the northern zone were JoDaviess (542), Pike (528), Adams (456), Macoupin (400) and Fulton (386). Other high-scoring counties included Randolph, Pope, Schuyler, Jefferson, Marion, Brown, Greene and Calhoun that registered more than 300 gobblers each.

If I can shoot a wild turkey, anyone can. Believe me, I do not own the latest in camouflage suits, I will never win a turkey-calling contest, I don’t hunt in the hottest turkey county in the state and I don’t hunt with a guide who sets up the bird, taps me on the head and says, “Shoot now.”

Still, I have connected on a gobbler nine out of the past 12 years and in two of the three times I failed, it was simply hunter error that led to my downfall . . . I missed! My system is very simple, one tailored for hunting the small wood lots most Midwesterners are used to.

I’ll explain it to you, for what it is worth.

First, the equipment. I shoot a Remington 1187 auto-loader with a 26-inch barrel. The stock, barrel and receiver are matte finished, so I don’t bother trying to camouflage them. I install an extra full choke, but I suspect a normal full-choke tube would do just as well. Automatic, pump, side-by-side even a single shot, it doesn’t matter.