Shawnee question Part III

noland06 · 07-10-2006, 10:15 PM

I need some help. This coming season will mark my first trip to Illinois and the Shawnee National Forest. I tried to do some research but I am still unsure how hunting in the National Forest works, exactly. Here are my questions:

1. Can you just bowhunt basically anywhere within the 270000 acres of the forest? I mean, what are the rules? Down where I'm from in Alabama all the land is private or leased out. Are there check stations? Can you just drive anywhere within the park boundaries and pull off the side of the road by a field that looks good and climb a tree? (I know that is actually 4 questions in 1 but, hey, it's late).

2. Everything I read about treestands says that your portable stand is not supposed to "pierce the bark" of a tree. That eliminates all the climbing stands that I have. Can you hunt with the likes of an Ol'Man or Summitt climber?

Any info that I could get would be greatly appreciated. My friend and I are super-psyched about hunting some BIG deer in the heartland this year. I have downloaded some topo's and aerial's of Shawnee and just want to make sure I abide by the rules and hunt areas that I can legally hunt.

Thanks.

plampley · 07-11-2006, 12:12 AM

Good luck to you... The Shawnee forest is a vast area, covering many miles.,....
No you cannot just hunt anywhere you please... some areas are marked returned to nature meaning "NO ENTRY BY ANY MEANS" You have to park in pre-designated areas, and you can never operate a moterized vehicle anywhere on forest property!
My advise to you would be to contact one of the several sight offices that have jurisdiction for the Shawnee forest area. The best one I have always had luck with is on Hwy. #45 north of Vienna Illinois. Those guys may have some info to mail out to you...
Take care,
Paul