I grew up in a household without firearms in Los Angeles and later Chicago. Not being one who enjoyed the hustle/bustle of big city life, I moved to central Illinois after college.

People would often bring deer sausage into work in the fall. I love the stuff! My neighbor across the street generally harvests 2-3 deer a year (he has permission to hunt on a large tract of private land), and often gives me some of the meat as he has so much. I'm hooked, and I want more.

I have a Remington 870 that I use for trap/skeet, and it came with a rifled slug barrel. I'd like to give deer hunting a try, but I have no idea where to start. I've read everything I can on the state's DNR website, but I'm in no way certain that I fully understand everything (and am reluctant to go out and make a mistake before I do).

I thought the best thing to do would be to try to find someone to tag along with. But in the absense of that happening (I have no close friends that hunt, and am reluctant to invite myself along with acquaintances), I wonder what else I might do? I'm extremely patient. I'd like to go out next fall, but if it doesn't happen for 2-3 years, I won't mind.

What are some other resources I can check out?

Can someone give me an overview of how things that work in Illinois?

Thank you for your help!