REGIONAL OUTLOOK
With careful consideration to the previous analysis, we have compiled the best areas to bowhunt in Illinois. Regardless of where you hang your camouflage coat, a good opportunity is nearby.

Region 1
Region 1 in northwestern Illinois once again had a strong showing last year. Two areas that really stood out were Peoria and Fulton counties along the southern edge of the region. Both of these counties have an extremely dense deer population and excellent potential for trophy racks.

Public ground is available for bowhunting in Jubilee College State Park, (309) 446-3758, Banner Marsh Fish & Wildlife Area, (309) 647-9184, Rice Lake Fish & Wildlife Area, (309) 647-9184, and Anderson Lake Fish & Wildlife Area, (309) 759-4484.

Knox County has a top harvest rating, and La Salle County had the most new entries statewide for trophy bucks last year. For Knox County public-land options, try Spoon River or Snakeden Hollow, (309) 879-2607. In La Salle County, try Matthiessen State Park, Starved Rock State Park, (815) 667-4726, or the Marseilles Fish & Wildlife Area, (815) 795-2448.

Tazewell County scored well in all categories. Public hunting land includes Spring Lake Fish & Wildlife Area, Pekin Lake Fish & Wildlife Area and Mackinaw River Fish & Wildlife Area, (309) 963-4969.

Jo Daviess rounds out the top counties. Public access includes Apple River Canyon State Park, (815) 745-3302, which offers some of the best opportunities in its main annex, plus numerous satellites throughout the county. Also, try the Mississippi Palisades, (815) 273-2731, and Mississippi River Forest Land at Pool 12, (815) 273-2732.

DNR regional wildlife biologist Tom Biessel suggested bowhunters concentrate their efforts on riparian and forest/agricultural edges. He said private ground can be difficult to gain access to, but many of the public areas are underutilized, and they offer access to areas that funnel whitetails, and subsequently, the best opportunities for success.

Region 2
A predominant urban setting prevents Region 2 in the upper northeast corner of Illinois from being a bona fide bowhunting destination, but one county that always finds its way into the top 25 is Will County.

“This is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and hunting is limited to archery in many areas,” said DNR biologist Bob Massey. “The reason the deer population is so high is because of the many parks and forest preserves. There is no hunting in these areas, but for savvy hunters who find areas on the edge of these places and intercept deer moving in and out, the hunting can be phenomenal.”

Public-land options include Midewin National Tall Grass Prairie, (815) 423-6370, and the Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area, (815) 423-5326. Both are overrun with deer.

Region 3
The best county to try in Region 3 is Vermilion because of its top 25 harvest ranking.

Kickapoo State Recreation Area, (217) 442-4915, manages about 5,000 aggregate acres of bowhunting opportunities. DNR wildlife biologist Deck Major said that in this predominant agricultural setting, hotspots can be found along field edges next to water, but especially the North and Middle forks of the Vermilion River.

Farther south, the counties of Edgar and Clark enjoy similar status, if not the top kill ranking. Both are perennial monster-buck producers. Edgar County saw a significant increase in harvest, and Clark County has many recent entries into the BBRP. A new archery program at Lincoln Trail State Park, (217) 826-2222, is a great opportunity in this neck of the woods.