Unfortunately most of the public land in this area is special draw only so you can't just walk in for the day. If you're in NE IL I'd look at making the extra 30-45 minute drive and hunt WI public ground instead. There's a lot more of it and a lot less hoops to jump through to get out in the woods.
If your by me there's 6 public spots you can just walk right into no draw no sign in at all most are around 2000 acres or more also that's were I hunt.
I can tell you of a bunch of spots around here just pm me also I'd be more than happy to meet up with you to show you some or hunt just let me know.
Congrats on a great buck! Volo bog and Moraine Hills are by draw only and you have to apply in August. I used to drive down to LaSalle Co all the time to hunt public and they do have a lot of it. And I agree with Justin that I would look into going across the boarder to Wisconsin.
What he said! Or, head downstate to Shawnee National Forest. Hundreds of thousands of acres you are allowed to hunt. Plus, if you've been going to Metropolis, it is the same distance.
Hunt th morris wetlands or heidecke lake or desplains all you do is print a parking pass for the season and walk right in that buck I shot was from one of those places I go every day basically I live 3 blocks from 2 of them both wetlands and heidecke are on pine bluff Rd and you park and walk in at the free outdoor archery range but I wanted to say thanx again everyone.
Congrats on your public land deer...I hunted public for a decade over here and I know how challenging it can be. Good on you for being generous with information to help other hunters out...there are so many out there who are possessive about public land and don't want anyone else hunting where they are.
Yeah its very difficult between there being so many people just walking around out there and stealing my gear when I leave it but I can't be possessive over something I don't own were all in it togethere and to have a great time and make memories not to be ****s about hunting or were we hunt if a guy is mad at me cause I supposedly took his spot then I say this should of woke up earlier and beat me to it lol but I hunt were most people don't think to hunt or won't go and guess what that's were they push all the deer to but hopefully this weekend guys I csn put down another buck was out last night and seen 2 at 3:30 looking for does.
