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Bow hunting in Southern Illinois
Posted on 10/10/16 at 9:50 am
Posted on 10/10/16 at 9:50 am
Going on a trip around the 1st of November to Golconda, IL hunting the Shawnee National Forest. Has anyone ever been around this place? Heard the deer population was insane. This is my first time going, looking for the muey grande.
4
Posted on 10/10/16 at 11:35 am to PolyPusher86
I live up here, but I don't hunt. You should be very successful if the weather is good. The deer are out of control in Southern Illinois. Illinois leads the nation in car/deer accidents, and it is common to see 15-20 feeding in the corn fields. I am from Louisiana, and I never saw deer as thick as they are here. Huge trophy bucks are harvested in the Shawnee NF. Very pretty area with rock outcroppings that look like mountains to a LA boy. There are good people in this area and you should have a great time.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:02 pm to jpbond
Weather should be really nice, 40's to mid 60's. Excited to get up there and do some scouting. 
Posted on 10/10/16 at 1:42 pm to PolyPusher86
Lived and hunted there for a year and a half, everything you have heard about the deer is true. Good luck and take pics.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:04 pm to purpleguy2
I lease two 300 acre farms with soy and corn planted year round and farmed-we have creeks and nice rolling hills. I too will be up there from Nov 1 -Nov 6th, typically that is the rut. We have tagged out every year for 15 years, avg kill is above 160 but have killed 175 and a 189 a few years back. We are staying at the Hotel 7 Inn in Vienna IL-message me, come meet up and drink a beer w us.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 2:07 pm to purpleguy2
I hunted private property in Golconda this weekend, seems that we see fewer deer every year. The weather sucked for us. Mid 80's for highs until Saturday.
Never hunted the national forest but heard its good hunting. We'll be heading back the 1st week of November. Seems like 60% of Pope County is government land. Good Luck
Never hunted the national forest but heard its good hunting. We'll be heading back the 1st week of November. Seems like 60% of Pope County is government land. Good Luck
Posted on 10/10/16 at 3:51 pm to PolyPusher86
Watch your speed on the interstate for the first 10-15 miles as you enter Illinois on I-57. The bottom counties always have city cops, sheriff deputies, and state troopers out. It is quite the speed trap.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 4:13 pm to PolyPusher86
quote:
Weather should be really nice, 40's to mid 60's. Excited to get up there and do some scouting.
You are going to want most of your scouting to be done online with maps. During the rut you don't need to hunt sign as much as funnels and pinch points. Hopefully the rut is in for you. Definitely have a grunt tube.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 5:29 pm to Phattie Jet
How do you go about getting a lease up there?
Thinking about trying to do this instead of booking hunts with outfitters.
Thinking about trying to do this instead of booking hunts with outfitters.
Posted on 10/10/16 at 9:43 pm to jpbond
That's the truth! I used to drive those back roads in the winter going to work and we used to say it looked like a Mardi gras parade where they threw deer instead of beads.....tire tracks and dead deer everywhere. They were thick! You're right about the people, great people up there!
Posted on 10/11/16 at 2:03 am to PolyPusher86
Is there a special permit for that national forest, or is it open to the public (lottery draw or no)?
I've done a lot of research on public lands in the Midwest and it seemed all of them had one odd rule that stuck out. The location of the Shawnee is great.
What are the lodging options around the area you are hunting? Cabins to rent, hotel, or primitive camping?
I hunted Pike County last year and have an open invite to go back this November. To say the hunting was special is an understatement of epic proportions. The three week old baby I'm feeding now is my hold up for next month's trip. Good luck and hope you stick a good one.
I've done a lot of research on public lands in the Midwest and it seemed all of them had one odd rule that stuck out. The location of the Shawnee is great.
What are the lodging options around the area you are hunting? Cabins to rent, hotel, or primitive camping?
I hunted Pike County last year and have an open invite to go back this November. To say the hunting was special is an understatement of epic proportions. The three week old baby I'm feeding now is my hold up for next month's trip. Good luck and hope you stick a good one.
Posted on 10/11/16 at 8:26 am to jpbond
quote:
Watch your speed on the interstate for the first 10-15 miles as you enter Illinois on I-57. The bottom counties always have city cops, sheriff deputies, and state troopers out. It is quite the speed trap.
This can not be overstated. I've been making the trip to hunt the area for the last 10+ years, and every time there is someone being pulled over, or cops running radar not far past the bridge.
Posted on 10/11/16 at 9:58 am to LSUNathan
I may have spots open for next year-1K per man, you pay your own lodging, license, etc, I usually cook several meals to bring up for us all. I lease the land and we bow hunt only and only that 5 day period. So its not a full season, just a 5 day run. Anybody interested email me dixiechicken75@gmail.com
Posted on 10/11/16 at 12:07 pm to 4LSU2
No special permits needed. The license will cost around $500, we've got a 3 bedroom house rented directly north of Golconda for 7 nights for $1300 split 4 ways. I figured it will be right around $1000-1100 for a 7 day trip. Gonna try and get some really good Topo maps and study them before going and having a few spots picked out.
This post was edited on 10/11/16 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 10/11/16 at 9:45 pm to PolyPusher86
I work with a guy that has hinted public up there for years and done WELL. Just make sure you follow the rules. It's a totally different experience than LA hunting from what he said. I'd get a good pair of binocs for sure before going.
Posted on 10/12/16 at 10:22 am to gorillacoco
This is one my brother shot last year...they hunt in a area called the golden triangle, and they are heading up in a couple of weeks.
Posted on 10/12/16 at 10:43 am to PolyPusher86
Please post pics and reviews. This is a place I'm interested in taking a closer look at for next year.
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