Illinois Hunting?

[rascal]

While looking for work I have a possible opportunity in Illinois, Peoria area to be precise.  As I dont have much of an idea how the hunting regulations, fees, etc work there (and the DNR site is of little help) I was wondering if any of you fellas over that way might toss me a little information.

The bad part would be moving away from my current location in Iowa where Ive finally carved out a nice little hunting property and gotten to know the local flora and fauna as well as some land owners.

What can I expect in Central Illinois for outdoor recreation?

[glass76]

The P&Y record whitetail (typical) was killed in Peoria county IL forty five years ago. Several nice ones since then too. Not a bad place to hunt deer.

[adeeden]

Plenty of good deer in central IL. access can be very difficult as most properrtys are privately owned. The public use areas get hunted hard. Good deer are taked on public land every year but it is not easy!

[Morning Star]

You can expect having to lease in order to hunt a decent place.  You can expect lots of non resident hunters trying to share your public spots or outbid your private spots.  You can expect disgusting Chicago politics running/ruining a mostly rural State.

That's what my buddy from Illinois tells me anyhow.........  :eek:

[statedriller]

We'll be neighbors...  

The fees for residents aren't too bad.  Access can be tough though.  You might have to drive a little ways to find something decent.  I know a few landowners I could introduce you to....

[John Krause]

Dennis, Set this guy straight will you?    IL is tough. I moved here (Troy, IL) after living 47 years in MO    If I didn't own some land in S Mo and have connections in N MO it would be tough although there is some public land. I really haven't needed to push it hard.

[illwhttail]

Theirs quite a bit of good public land within a hour or so from there.
one is buckhorn that is by siholom springs state park its bow only illinois residents only.and theres a traditional club that camps and hunts there every year.
they sure have some giants.

[nschlag]

good news is that all the deer are north of I 70. we have basically no deer down here and all that we do have are spike bucks.
i would recommend hunting as far north as possible  

[reddust]

Good luck hope you have lots of $$$$

[Burnsie]

Yep, finding access can be tough (I do a lot of public land hunting).  I just keep my eyes and ears open, and whenever I make a new acquaintence and I find out they own land or have connections to someone who does I ask questions and eventually ask for permission if it looks like their may be a real possibility.  Just recently got invited to go look at a piece of land that a gentleman bought about an hour south of me. Sounds promising.

[adeeden]

I relocated here about 12 years ago myself from west central IN. I got lucky and found a couple small tracks to hunt that my neighbors owne on a good old fashined handshake. Sometimes I still wonder why I stay here though as I had just as good hunting and better access before living here! My wifes family is from here that is the only plus.

Of course nobodys mentioned the high taxes and goofy gun laws! If I was relocating for a job it would have to be an extreme pay increase myself! I'm looking more the other by moving away Iowa's on the list so I guess the grass is always greener!

[bowtough]

Don't think just because its Il there is a booner around every tree,not so! Maybe on ground managed by an outfitter. Il deer hunting has changed drastically due to liberal game laws and hunters killing as many deer as they can. Seems everyone who comes to Il has expectations of seeing and killing big bucks,good luck with that.

[bofish-IL]

Public land is hunted hard by residents and non-residents. If you do find private ground to hunt without leasing you should feel lucky. It will most likely get leased sometime. Outfitters will surround you no matter where you hunt. Everybody that I know has lost hunting access on property they hunted for years one way or another.

[rascal]

Yeah the shame is I have 500 acres in Iowa that I have control of for hunting and Ive taken some nice deer and seen even better (talking some real once in a life time bruisers) that I would be giving up. Ive heard the taxes are out of whack but havent heard anything unusual concerning the gun laws. Whats up with the gun laws in Illinois?

[Morning Star]

You need to be registered with the State if you are a gun owner if memory serves me right. FOID card, they call it.  
Stay in Iowa....it's much less irritating.      I live on the Miss...and it just irritates me looking across the river at that messed up State.  :D   Chicago politics are mind numbing.

[adeeden]

yup the foid card is required to own a firearm or ammunition. You must have one to purchase ammo as well. IL is also one of 2 states that doesn't allow concealed carry.

[painthorse]

If it possible, stay where you are at.At the rate this state is going the work you have here may be gone tomorrow.
Hunting is good if you find the right location. I hunt public mostly and take deer every year.Learn how to pattern other hunters and you will do ok.
Gun laws are a mess. Google FOID card and see what comes up.
Illinois used to be good place to live.Still lots of good people here but I think most would relocate if they could.
If after reading all the posts you still move here then all I can say is welcome to Illinois.

[Montanawidower]

Don't let em fool you... Il is loaded with big deer.  Access is what you make it.  I have family in Southern IL and the deer I see there are insane by Montana standards.  

PS  the hunting in MT sucks and everything is locked up here too.    

[Huntschool]

In true Southernmost Illinois there is a thing called "Shawnee National Forest" 350,000+ acres of public land.  There are also numerous state lands that are huntable cause everyone else is looking for or is on a lease.

I have my own ground but hunt public several times during the season.  The deer are there and killable.

Gun card sucks, no right to carry (although we may get it soon) and a Governor who is an idiot along with many of the northern lib. legislators, and the state is broke...  added to our income tax to pay for their mistakes...

All in all not too bad a place

[jonsimoneau]

Illinois is still recognized as being one of the best places to hunt truly big whitetails.  However, things have changed dramatically over the past 10 to 15 years, and not for the better.  The area you are talking about is a nice area.  Getting a place to hunt will be extremely difficult if not impossible unless you are open to the idea of getting in on a lease.  Even this will be difficult.
   Deer numbers in Illinois are down from what they were even 5 years ago, as per plan by our DNR.  The real problem though is that quality is suffering.  Yes we still have some huge bucks, but not in the numbers we used to have them in.  Liberal seasons, and the fact that both residents and non-residents can kill 2 bucks a year has had a definite negative effect.  I believe Iowa gives out like 11,000 non resident tags, good for one buck?  Illinois has been giving out like 24,000 the past few years.  And this is just archery tags!  
   So, the hunting here is still better than most areas when talking about quality whitetails, but not nearly as good as it was.  Honestly, at least as far as hunting goes, I would want to stay in Iowa.  Good luck to you either way!