RE: Public Land?
Ok...just foolin with ya. Here in Souther Illnois there are Thousands of Acres that are availble to hunters. Some are Bow only. In the last year or two they have been over ran with hunters from the south (AR,TN,GA) and the guys from Chicago. Many Pope and Youngers but be prepared to have your hunt interrupted at least once by a another travler.
I would look in the Harrisburg,IL region. Lots of land to hunt and cheap hotels within 30 miles. Good Luck and stay out of my yard![8D]jk.