SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Hunters in Illinois are preparing for the start of spring wild turkey season.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Friday the spring wild turkey season opens April 7 in the south zone and April 14 in the north zone.

Youth hunting will take place March 29-30 in the south zone and April 5-6 in the north zone.

The north zone includes all counties north of Crawford, Jasper, Effingham, Fayette, Bond and Madison. The south zone includes the rest of the state.

Last year, spring wild turkey hunters in Illinois bagged more than 14,000 turkeys in Illinois, including those taken during youth seasons.

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Online: www.dnr.illinois.gov/news/Documents/SpringTurkeyHarvestTable2013.pdf