RE: hunting Illinois for the first time
I hunt Macoupin County near Palmyra and have to agree about how the deer are after first gun season. BUT.....That doesn't mean you wont see anything. I would be curious to know if the land will be gun hunted. If not and the surrounding land is then they might be hiding out there.
It'll be tough but a bad day in the timber is still better than a good day at home.