Vince, Been to Des Plaines a few times too, be happy to help you out.

I'll be there the day before you unless the weather is absolutly horrible. Looks like showers and lower 50's right now for Fraday, but its still a few days away. Im hoping the weather man is wrong.

Unless the rules have changed, they open up the "Sweat Line" at 7 AM. I recommend getting there no later than 6:30,earlier if you can. Ive never hunted there on a wknd, but by 6:30 on Fridays, there is already a decent line. Also, they have a safety meeting at 8;30 I believe. Make sure you attend that. Basically it is just so one one starts hunting early, from what I believe.

If you get there early and check in, Id go take a drive around and scout out some other spots since you are allowed to switch locations after the first hour. For me, the spots differ at Des Plaines when you have a dog. Ive heard that 11-16 are quite good with a dog. Its shorter grass so the dogs can work a little easier. Also, areas B and C (On the other side of 55) are pretty good. Its a thinner over there with some hedge rows, plus the bird pens are over there so it may attract the birds back over to that area.

Since I don't have a dog, I hit the thickers stuff, mainly 10 to start, but Ive hunted 13, 4 and 9 as well (13 isn't that thick). 13 has prduced some birds and 4 is a very big area which may be very good to hunt with a dog. 10 is pretty thick, some days it has been good, others bad.

Its the same as kankakee with these birds. Im sure you already know it, but when these birds flush, they head straight to the woods. Later in the day, I would hit them for sure. Good luck and if I go Friday and get backin time, I'll throw up a report for you. Good luck and I hope the weather cooperates and the birds are flying for you!

Here is a map of the areas at Des Plaines. If you have time, bring this up and then mapquest the hunting area and get and ariel view. It is pretty detailed and can show you what all the areas look like.

http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/hunter_fact_sheet/R2Maps/dspmap.pdf