Illinois is a state that favors the bow hunters (Thank god). The gun seasons are short and out of the rut. That is why big deer survive here. Many, many more public land options during our long archery seasons. To rely on gun seasons certainly would be frustrating. If you really only want to gun hunt I'd strongly recommend studying the public options and don't waste your applications on public lands in the northeast part of the state. Illinois does not publish the odds, but I know they are dismal. Too many hunters don't want to travel far from Chicago area and you will never draw.

Have you been drawing turkey tags? They are easy to draw.