A few of my buddies are looking for a hunting trip in a couple of weeks, to get a way after football season, are there any good places to hunt and camp down there?

As in Shawnee County, Kansas?

Shawnee NF? Southern IL?

Lots of places to camp and lots of public land to hunt. Start your surfing at IDNR.

Man..here in Gallatin/Hardin County we have many places in the Shawnee to hunt.I Turkey hunted in them one mourning..had an encounter with 2 AWESOME LONGBEARDS..hopefully the deer ar big as well.We found 3 sheds.

Shawnee southern Il.

I hunt turkeys in Hardin Co. Never deer hunted there. Haven't seen much sign either. They must be there. They kill alot of deer in that county. I've seen more sign in Saline Co.

We hunt Hardin for Deer and Turkey every year. Check your new copy of Illinois Game and Fish for the counts on Counties in the National forest areas. In past years there has been increased numbers of out ot state bow hunters in our area but that goes with the area. There are quite a few camping areas all through the whole federal area and there should be little competition for camp sites. Good luck and untill the first good frost freeze be ready for the ticks.

I figure Hardin Co. is only about 2 hours from us, We are in crawford co., I think we hve decided to go there and take our chances. Thank you

Spent a few years in the late 90's at Southern Illinois University and every waking moment out of class, well, when I wasn't chasing girls or hanging at the bars, I was in the woods hunting or fishing. If your looking for some good hunting, Crab Orchard always treated us great. There was an abundance of Rabbit, Doves and Quail. We would always get a few of each every time out and never had the benefit of a dog, just walking the fields and fence rows. They leave some great cover up for small game there. There are also PLENTY of deer unless things have changed. We mainly hunted small game, but carried a bow with us and all had deer tags in case the right opportunity came along. Kicked up many nice 8 and 10's down there, but never within 30 yards. While guys were bowhunting the thick woods, we would be kicking up bucks out of areas that you think wouldn't hold a rabbit. Kicked an ENORMOUS 12 out of a 1/2 acre pond near the road.Was hiding from all the deer hunters and no one probably ever thought to look there. The size of this buck still haunts me. Well, this aint Shawnee, but its close. Just thought Id throw in my 2 cents worth. Id still be hunting down there if I didn't live in Chicago. Good luck and let me know if you need any more info on spots to hunt, I remember mybest spots vividly.

I'd stay in Crawford if I were you unless your just doing it to "get away". Crawford is loaded with deer and bigger. Shawnee is massive, so finding where the deer are will take some leg work. Good Luck.