ndr,

You are best off just driving down there and stopping for flyers at the hunting shack on Arsenal Road. The archery proficiency test is approx. June 1st every year. I have a 5 year pass, which you can earn by scoring well on a 3D shoot in July or August.

I've been hunting there for around 8 years. Basically it's the best public land available close to Chicago, but I no longer waste the prime rut there. Much better spots for that downstate away from the crowds. However, I use it early and late season just for somewhere to go because it does have a lot of thick cover other public areas lack, and management is good there. Hunter pressure is high though, and the deer very educated.

They have lots of photos of nice bucks taken there every year but if you do the math, you can calculate about 20 P&Y bucks taken per 400 hunters only amounts to 5% success rate. I can do waaaaay better downstate.........like about 90% chance over the last 8 years. It's an OK place to go if the weather is perfect and I am stuck in this area. Better than not hunting.