Places to hunt in IL
 

Guys, I am looking for a place to hunt in IL on a DIY hunt since I only have one point for Iowa.
I hunted Shawnee near Galconda 3 years ago and saw lots of does and little bucks and over all wasn'tthat impressed.

I am wondering if someone could point me in the right direction for a chance to have a quality hunt and maybe see a buck that would make my jaw drop a little. Maybe I will give Shawnee another chance the sign was there just didn't see the big boys. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

MichiganBirdMan, there's a way better public area for you to hunt. It's called Clinton Lake, in Dewitt county. They have strict requirements and they have a lottery each morning, but you'll never be able to hunt deer of this calibur without having to pay through the nose.... I'm not sure about this, contact clinton lake and they can tell you more...... I think you have to pass a competancy course with your bow, which shouldn't be a problem for a die-hard. Then if you are selected in the lottery, you must shoot a doe before you can harvest a buck, and the buck must have a spread wider than 18"(width of ears) and/or at least for points on one side. It has been stated, that 80% of bucks taken from this area make P&Y book. If you shoot a button while going for doe, your done... Awesome place to hunt, lots of people try to hunt there, you can forget about the weekends, your best chance isjust before rut, during the week!!!! Hope this helped......

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

I've never hunted public ground, but Silom Springs is located in the Golden Triangle (Pike, Adams, Brown) and I guarantee you that's gonna give you the best chance at a jaw dropper. You'd need to check into the requirements to be sure you can hunt there, but if you can, it would be worth making the trip down.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

Thanks for the info guys.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

I can put you in contact with a private farmer I have known for over 19yrs, he will only charge about 140.00/day? Pike county, and trust me their is plenty of big boys running around.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

Don't forget the Shawnee National Forest! Thousands of acres.

Good luck-

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

MIBirdman, sent a PM .. Walt

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

you may try "Jubilee State Park"in Peoria county. I know guys that have shot some nice bucks there last year.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

we have lots of ground around southern il,crab orchord,rend lake,or pyramid state park,to name a few,i hunt all of them,let me know if i can help.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

If you willing to drive to Ogle county I have a few public spots I would
be willing to show you. either the first two weeks of the season or the first two weeks of november would be the best times. PM for more details.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

I think you are being misinformed about Clinton Lake...Unless that applies to out of state hunters. But for me, all I have EVER done or EVER required to do was just go into the DNR office, sign up, they give you a card to put in the dash of your truck and keep track of what you take and turn the card back in no later than Feb 15th. Yes you do have to take a doe first, but that is easy over there and there are some BIG deer there.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

There is some goodpublic hunting at Pere Marquet State Park, in Jersey County. Don't know any rules or regs but I have seen some bruisers come from there.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

I have heard that the Pere Marquette state park is pretty good. 8000 acres I believe. The only thing is that is a concern is driving all that way to hunt and have my hunt spoiled by alot of people.

How many non resident permits are issued for Siloam Springs?

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

Michigan....You get a out of state tag and tell me when you can hunt, I would be more than happy to have you tag along on some private ground. Most of days off are during the week so I have very few hunting buddies during the week, but if you take vacation time it would work out. Let me know.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

I have researched several different locations and hunting pressure does seem to be an issue especially during the peak times. Hunting public grounds is difficult for non-residents especially since we typically only have a week or two of vacation every year tohunt. I appreciate people like "solocamcan" to take a fellow hunter under their wing and assist them.The sheer numbers of out of state hunters wanting to come toaspecific state to hunt says a lot about that states Wildlife Management Program. It benefits the state, business owners and the hunters. I amlookingforward togoing back to Ilinois this year, provided a tag is coming my way.Would appreciate anyhelp anyone can give me in finding some land to hunt.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

Let me know when, I am by no means going to promise a P&Y but the county I hunt is in the top 10% in ILLINOIS for produceing big deer.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

I am thinking about the last week in October, first of November. The only thing that worries me about that is the number of people in the woods goes up.

Is shawnee always the land of little deer or did I just hit it wrong. Saw a ton of deer no big deer.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

You won't have to worry about number of people if you want to come down where I am, we will be hunting private ground, and I have 3-4 different sections located in 3 different counties. I've never hunted down there, but have heard that it's hard to hunt. Email me if this sounds like a possible plan. [email protected]

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

I think that Pere Marquette is 5000 huntable acres(alot of hills)(alot of oak, hickory, and persimmons everywhere), divided into 2 parts.
About 3000 is a draw area spit 3 ways(each about 1000 acres). Each part of the draw area is open to 5 hunters per week for three weeks only.
The open area is about 2000 acres, with nice wide paths cut thru it.
I have spent alot of time walking the open area. I finally scored on a 130" typical 11 point this year the week before first gun season. My second biggest of 6 bucks I've taken since 2002. I passed on a 9 pointer from the same tree two weeks earlier, not wide enough and needed more mass.I have been trying to pass on the smaller ones.

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

Hey,
I live 35 north of Bloomington, Illinois. From there, where would be the closest/best area to hunt public ground.
I too went to Golconda last year,got a nice doe and seen a small buck. Stayed at Bay City Cabins, was cheap enough and hunted about 4 minutes from there. Had a good time anyway!
crutch

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

starved rock has many sites open to public , it would be about 25 to 30 north of you

RE: Places to hunt in IL
 

thanks Bob d,

Going to do some checking!
Crutch