RE: public land ect. in Illinois land
cado creek,
I hunted with an outfitter in Illinois. However, if I were to do it again,(and I will) I would hunt Shiloam Springs state park. All these outfitters land borders this state park. I didn't shoot anything when I was there, primarily because of the weather (all the deer were nocturnal...full moon with snow on the ground makes for easy night going) But, around dusk each evening on the way back to the lodge, I saw deer that would make you faint. huge 10 and 12 pointers, the kind that would grace the cover of Outdoor life or Field and Stream. As far as I know, if you bow hunt, all you have to do is show up and register to hunt in there. If it is a gun hunt, you have to apply for a permit from ILlinois DNR.
and Illinois is only shotgun. No rifle.