ROCK ISLAND -- 3
After four years with harvests in the teens, they broke the streak in 2003 and 2004 with 30 and 29 birds, respectively. Archers took a dozen birds in each of the last two fall seasons. Access is provided to archers and gunners on public land.

SALINE -- 2
The three-year harvest average is 8.7 birds, and eight were killed last season. The 2003 season was the only fall in the last seven in which harvest numbers reached double digits (13). Access is available on public land for archers and gunners.

SCHUYLER -- 4
The previous high harvest mark was 57 kills reached during the 2000 fall season. They finally matched that number again last year. Archers bagged 18 birds last fall, tripling their portion of the kill from the previous year. The three-year average harvest is 45.33, and access is available for gunners and bowhunters

SCOTT -- 2
They have had a rough time of things in Scott County. Last fall produced the best numbers seen in three seasons (22) but still remains half of what was taken in 1999 (43). A lack of access for the public doesn't help.

STEPHENSON -- 2
Two years of improvement brought last fall's harvest numbers back in line with those experienced in 1999 (37). The 2004 season saw eight bowhunters and 28 gunners bag their birds. A lack of public access keeps the score under the radar.

UNION -- 4
The numbers here have bounced around a bit over the years but have been strong the last three seasons. Last fall's harvest of 68 was a new late-season record, 10 of those having been taken with bow. Access is available for gunners and archers.

WAYNE -- 3
This area has also produced good numbers the last two seasons with 61 and 67 birds taken, respectively. Archers were responsible for taking 16 last year and 17 the year before. The three-year average harvest is 57.67 birds. No public land access is available to gunners.

WHITESIDE -- 3
The three-year average kill is 16.33 and last season came in at 17, with four falling to the bow. Access for both archers and gunners helps.

WILLIAMSON -- 4
It isn't clear whether last year was a positive glitch or a promise for the future in Williamson County. The 2002 and 2003 fall seasons gave up 15 and 16 turkeys, respectively, while last year it jumped to 26, nine of which were with bow and arrow. Public access for both gunners and archers brings them additional merit.

WINNEBAGO -- 2
This area simply shows no trends. Fall harvest totals for the last five years were eight, three, seven, 15 and 11, respectively. Bowhunters killed three in each of the last two seasons. A gun hunt for the disabled is offered.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARCHERS
In addition to those counties previously listed, bowhunters have the opportunity to chase turkeys in other areas of Illinois. The following summary briefly outlines the harvest success and public-land access opportunities afforded those opting to hunt with bow and arrow.

The following counties offer public access to archers. Last fall's bow harvest is indicated by the number in parenthesis: Bureau (4), De Kalb (3), De Witt (3), Effingham (3), Fayette (8), Franklin (4), Hamilton (4), Iroquois (3), La Salle (10), Lee (2), Marshall (2), Massac (6), Ogle (12), Peoria (16), Sangamon (11), Shelby (1), Tazewell (7), Vermilion (7) and Washington (9).

Finally, those counties which recorded a bow harvest but do not offer access to public ground are as follows: Bond (8), Boone (3), Christian (2), Clay (7), Clinton (7), Coles (3), Cumberland (6), Edgar (3), Edwards (8), Grundy (3), Kankakee (1), Logan (2), Macon (3), McLean (2), Menard (5), Montgomery (7), Pulaski (3), Putnam (2), St. Clair (9), Wabash (3), Warren (2), White (2), Will (1) and Woodford (3).

Enjoy your time afield this fall, and take a kid with you to introduce him or her to this great opportunity.