Region 4
For serious bowhunters, Region 4 is the place to be. From Schuyler County down through Brown, Pike and Calhoun counties is where Illinois’ best whitetail hunting is right now.

“A biologist could not have created better deer habitat,” biologist Major said.

Schuyler County scored high in all categories except for recent BBRP entries. Densities are among the highest in the state, and it increased in harvest over last year. Brown enjoyed a top 25 finish in harvest, has a top 25 density rating, and is a historical contender for bragging-sized racks. Pike County had the highest kill, a significant increase in kill, the highest harvest density and is a great destination for rack-happy bowhunters. Calhoun County boasted the second-highest density, a top 25 harvest rating and a considerable kill increase over 2005.

Good luck getting on private ground in Region 4, but excellent public opportunities exist. In Schuyler and Brown counties, Weinberg-King, (217) 392-2345, and Siloam Springs, (217) 894-6205, manage plenty of acreage for archery. In Pike County, don’t overlook Pool 24 on the Mississippi River, (217) 285-222, but you will need to bring a boat to reach the islands and sloughs. Calhoun County is basically nothing but public land, including Bachtown Fish & Wildlife Area, (618) 376-3303, and Pere Marquette State Park by Grafton, (618) 786-3323.

Additionally, Adams and Hancock counties are very strong, with top 25 ratings in harvest and increase. Mississippi River Forest Land, (217) 285-2221, has great access. In Hancock County, there is Nauvoo State Park, (217) 453-2512, and newly acquired Cedar Glen State Nature Area, (217) 453-2512, which biologist Major said is an incredible hunt that few people know about.

Coming next are Sangamon, Macoupin, Greene, Madison and Randolph counties, all of which scored well in the areas of overall harvest, density, increase and trophy entries.

Region 5
Region 5 produced seven of the top 25 counties. Starting in Fayette and traveling straight south through Marion, Jefferson, Franklin and Williamson, these five counties scored in the top 25 for harvest. Marion, Jefferson and Williamson counties have plenty of whitetails. Pope County isn’t too far behind, and Wayne County also was a top producer in 2006.

Other considerations are Crawford, Hamilton, Hardin, Saline, Massac, Johnson, Union and Perry counties. All enjoy top rankings for deer density, and as one local hunter put it, all are “lousy with deer.”

From Williamson County south, the Shawnee National Forest, (618) 253-7114, serves bowhunters well. It has excellent archery hunting, maybe the best opportunities in Illinois. DNR chief wildlife biologist Paul Shelton said it is hard to find a better area, but be sure you get a map from the U.S. Forest Service to see just where private ground intermingles with public land.

In Fayette County, some of the best hunting occurs on Carlyle Lake WMA, (618) 425-3533. Brushy river lowlands harbor numbers of deer, and trophy bucks. In Marion County, try Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area, (618) 547-3381. In Jefferson and Franklin counties, Rend Lake WMA, (618) 279-3110, and Rend Lake Forest Land, (618) 724-2493, offer a collective 15,000 acres of deer-thick lowlands. And alongside the Shawnee National Forest in Williamson County, there are 23,000 acres of public land in Crab Orchard Forest Land, (618) 997-3344.

Additional public access in the other counties include Crawford County Fish & Wildlife Area, (618) 563-4405, Hamilton County Fish & Wildlife Area, (618) 773-4340, Saline County Fish & Wildlife Area, (618) 276-4405, Ferne Clyffe State Park, (618) 995-2411, Mermet Lake Fish & Wildlife Area in Massac County, (618) 524-5577, and Pyramid State Park in Perry County, (618) 357-2574.

THE TOP COUNTIES
Applying the formula mentioned earlier, we are able to make a prediction on the top 25 counties for you to focus your efforts on this year. Whether you are looking to see numbers of deer or to arrow a Booner buck, all of the following counties should be considered this season.