The Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season begins this weekend in southern Illinois, including Washington County, with youth hunting Saturday and Sunday with the regular season beginning April 7th. Last year, hunters harvested 14,133 wild turkeys, including the youth seasons. There were nearly 16,000 in 2012 though. In Washington County, there were 133 wild turkeys killed, while there were 157 in 2012. Youth harvested 923 wild turkeys last year and 1,300 the year before. Paul Shelton, Illinois Department of Natural Resources says there was record rainfall in many areas and that has a direct impact on the survival of young turkeys.