Several other properties in northern Illinois have good dove hunting. One of these is the Double T State FWA in Fulton County. It is open to dove hunting from Sept. 1-30, but there is a quota drawing during a portion of the season. Double T is nine miles west of Canton on Route 9. Call (309) 647-9184 for more information.

There are 32 acres specifically managed for dove hunting at the Hennepin Canal State Trail. Dove hunting is allowed at the Main Complex area where the Visitor Center is located. The season runs from Sept. 1-30, with varying regulations throughout the season. Hunters should contact the site at (815) 454-2328 to familiarize themselves with these regs and to obtain more info.

Other areas to consider are the Sand Prairie Habitat Area and the Green River State Wildlife Area, both of which are in Lee County. Information on both of these sites is available by calling (815) 379-2324.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS
Central Illinois dove hunters have several good choices. Cole said the public hunting area surveys point to three locations as being tops in this section of the state. Shelbyville WMA, Horseshoe Lake State Park and Jim Edgar Panther Creek State FWA all have been good to hunters in recent years.

Shelbyville WMA is located in Moultrie County. Both the Okaw Unit and the Kaskaskia Unit have areas that are managed for doves, as well as open lands. Regulations vary between the two types of hunting areas. Both the general hunting areas and dove management areas require you to obtain a free site permit before hunting. Additionally, hunters must be successfully drawn before receiving a permit for the dove management areas. During the first five days of the season, hunting is allowed from noon until 5 p.m. After that, hunting is permitted from noon until sunset.

Shelbyville WMA is six miles southwest of Sullivan and three miles southeast of Bethany. The site can be reached by phone at (217) 665-3112.

The Horseshoe Lake area has some great options for dove hunters, but hunting there is strictly controlled. There are a variety of specific regulations covering everything from where you can hunt to how to retrieve downed birds. A quota is used to limit the number of hunters on the area at any one time. Permits are required, as is checking in and out on the day of your hunt. Horseshoe Lake State Park is on Highway 111 about one mile west of Granite City. Although the regulations make this area a little tougher to hunt, the excellent shooting opportunities here outweigh some of extra effort required. Contact the site at (618) 931-0270 to learn more.

Jim Edgar Panther Creek State FWA has been thrilling dove hunters on a regular basis. Dove hunting has been very successful there, and with good reason. This FWA has both open lands and food plots planted especially to attract doves. There are over 10,000 acres of open land and some six different areas with food plots. Hunting is limited by drawings during a portion of the season, but the remainder is open and does not require being drawn. A windshield site permit is required of all hunters using the area.

Jim Edgar Panther Creek FWA is in Cass County between Ashland and Chandlerville. The site superintendent can be reached at (217) 452-7741.

Two other areas to consider in central Illinois are the H.B. Woodyard State Natural Area in Vermilion County, (217) 442-4915 or (217) 662-2714), and the Moraine View State Recreation Area in McLean County, (309) 724-8032.