RE: Shabonna hot spots (IL)
hunted there way back in the day, late season bow, in january, saw a ton of them all bunched up, maybe 50+ in one group.
I'd check out google earth, and see if you can try and find some areas....back in the day I used some aerial maps to help me pick out a spot or two.
Good luck to you, pressure I think is the biggest problem. I hunted an area probably about as far south as you could. there was a creek bottom, train tracks/bridge going over the creek. I believe it would be the spillway creek if you followed it down south.
Wouldn't say it was a hot spot, but I think looking from topside down you may find some areas to checkout.
I think ive seen 2 bucks in all my time out there, 1 was a big 10pt, the other a dead 6pt in the lake with an arrow in it. So take your does and help that place out!