Northern Lake County I can pretty much guarantee you won't find land for less than 25K/acre - same with McHenry. Farmland in Boone County is going for 15K+/acre, JoDaviess is seeing 6K+/acre right now and climbing. I'm not sure about DeKalb, but I'm gonna guess somewhere in the 8-10K/acre range.

Unless you've got a lot of cash, your best bet is still to head South of Chicago. Way south.

The line of over priced FARM land due to 1031 exchanges and development is hovering around Springfield. Which is bad becasue you go much further South and you end up in the overpriced due to hunting... It is a no win situation. Truth be told if I was an out of stater I would look to buy land in a different State than Illinois. I think you could get more bang for your buck in Iowa or Missouri to be honest. Don't know what there out of state rules are concerning landowners and hunting liscenes but something to think about.

Land in Bureau county is going all over the place but mostly I have been seening 3000+ an acre and that has been for average crop ground. In demand ground has tipped 4000-5000 and heaven forbid if there is access nearby.. Than I have heard of small parcels going for 10+.. Developers money.

I grew up in Kane County and saw the price of land Explode during the 80's and 90's. There are TREMENDOUS deer in that County but it is very hard to hunt them because lack of land open to hunting. In Eastern Kane/Western Dupage I used to see a few deer, now when I visit my folks they are everywhere and they are big... and with no Shotgun east of 47 (I think it is 47) It won't change anytime soon in the areas with good woodlots.

Land here in So. IL. isn't getting any cheaper either as I said in my first post. Maybe, just maybe if you go way down into So. IL then you might find some cheaper land, not positive though.

IL Rancher you are right about that.I hunt eastern Kane western dupage matter of fact on my Father in laws nursery,and there is some big deer in the area.I used to have permission to hunt just west of 47 near Elburn but that land too is getting bought up so fast.GPS&Fords,my uncle did have some land near you and was selling it for 2k and acre at the time.I'm origanally from Benton and hunt down there too.Some of these Northern Illinois deer get huge,and I think it's because they don't get hunted bcause of all the private lands.

I have permission on about 20 acres in Eastern Kane County if I ever choose ot hunt there, probably won't but it is always nice to have the permission. The benifits of growing up in an area and having your folks still live there with friends and having some neighbors you used to mow the lawn for and help take care of their dogs in your younger days. That and the exploding deer population has people just sick to death of them.

We have looked at a propery down in Southern Illinois as this land is now worth more to us sold than it is in our possesion. Shame really but it is not my choice to make. There are a few areas down there were you can get good sized (300+ acre) chuncks for under $2000 but as soon as you are looking at hunting property the price goes up real fast.

Forget about buying into the "golden triangle", it's starting to get overhunted by outfitters who lease out the good spots. A few years back I bought 80 acres in Rock Island county for $1600 an acre. It's great hunting but not because of my land but because of my neighbors like deer too. We have classic midwest small woodlots surrounded by seas of corn and soybeans. I'm only about a mile from the Misissippi in the far western half of the county. Trust me, we grow big deer here.
Take a look at what this real estate agent has to offer, he specialises in farms and hunting properties. Most of what he offers is in the southern half of the state but I'm sure you can find something good. Try not to think of yourself as buying real estate. People buy cars, dinner, shoes for their kids and gear for hunting but real estate is an investment. It's like money in the bank, you can always sell it and get what you've paid back.
http://www.buyafarm.com/index.html

Well,

If you're not "turned off" by the thought of land in the deep South portion of the state—I might be able to help.

We have private ground in Alexander County—adjoins Shawnee National Forest.

May have just the right amount opening up in our area in the near future. Won't be "cheap"—but it'd be less expensive than the prices further North in the state.

FYI, in the past 6 years, my ole man has harvested 3 bucks that were all over 140"—and we've seen at least another 8-10 that easily reach 130-170 in the past 2 seasons.

Don't think ALL the big boys are up in the North part of the state. You just might have to search a little harder down in the Shawnee area,

I agree with the above statement! There are some knarly bucks in So. Illinois.....people just don't realize it......ssssshhhh!!

Why not buy a piece in PA or ohio ? Your drive time would be cut in half so would your cost.It might give you more hunting time too. I'm in north west Pa if you are interested.