In terms of central Illinois public hunting, don't overlook Lake Sangchris state park (between Springfield and Decatur). They have trophy-management areas where you have to kill a doe first and then to take a buck, it has to have at least 5 points on one side (there are a lot of nice 8s out there that no one can legally shoot). Also, the Jim Edgar Panther Creek wildlife area about 25 mi west of Springfield has 17000 acres of public hunting. Some great bucks have been coming out of there. Finally, a great new area in Brown, Adams county has opened in the past few years to resident bow hunters only- the Buckhorn Management Unit. You have to get a parking pass at Siloam Springs state park (5 mi away). They have 5 parking areas with (I think) 6 spots each. Thus, 30 hunters total for about 3000 acres per day. I know of a nice 11-pointer killed there this year.