Additionally, Vermilion County ranks among the top bowhunting counties in our state. Kickapoo SRA, (217) 442-4915, offers excellent bow and muzzleloader access. Shelby led all counties in Region 3 for overall kill in 2005, and the Kaskaskia corridor provides an important winter refuge. Shelbyville FL, (217) 774-3951, and Shelbyville WMA, (217) 665-3112, offer excellent bowhunting. Clark County boasts the highest harvest density of the region, and the big focus is in the Wabash River Valley. Lincoln Trail State Park, (217) 826-2222, has a new archery program that is worth checking into. Coles County and Cumberland County share the Embarras River Valley. Fox Ridge State Park, (217) 345-6416, offers bowhunting.

REGION 4
With the top overall harvest and some of the highest densities in Illinois, if given the choice, many Prairie State deer hunters would opt to try Region 4. You can find deer anywhere here, but some places are better than others.

One of the most prominent late-season hotspots in Region 4 can be found in the corridor between the Illinois River and Mississippi River. Calhoun County has one of the highest densities in the state, and the entire county is superb wintering ground. There are over 18,000 acres that offer public access for all three late seasons. Contact the Calhoun County Conservation Area at (618) 376-3303 for more information.

On the other side of the Illinois River, the western half of Jersey and Greene counties likewise provide superb habitat and harbor a high density of whitetails, primarily in bluffs and bottoms adjacent to the river. Pere Marquette State Park, (618) 786-3323, offers public bowhunting and muzzleloading opportunities.

Pike County led the state in all kill totals in 2005. Excellent facilities exist in Mississippi River Pool No. 24. Numbers of deer that were pursued in the western bluff area of the county seek refuge in the lowlands, and the hunting can be awesome when that happens. Call (217) 285-2221 for more information.

DNR biologist Brad Poulter oversees the hot triangle of Adams, Brown and Schuyler counties. “Adams County is the No. 2 deer harvest county in the state,” Poulter said. In addition, Brown and Schuyler counties have remarkable deer densities and good harvest reports, plus a textbook balance of forest and agricultural ground that boast a phenomenal concentration of winter whitetails. Prime locations include the ridge area in the eastern part of both counties and the LaMoine River bottoms “I highly recommend Siloam Springs State Park (217/894-6205) and Weinberg-King State Park (217/392-2345) for great late-season archery, and the Great River National Wildlife Refuge (Long Island Division at 217/285-2221) near Quincy for excellent late archery and muzzleloading.”

The Kaskaskia River corridor through St. Clair, Monroe and Randolph counties constitutes what could be the most prominent winter yard Illinois has to offer. “The late herd is tremendous,” said Nick Middleton, site superintendent of Kaskaskia River FWA at (618) 785-2555. “There are so many deer, it’s sickening.” Heavy bottomlands draw deer pushed from the strip-mining regions to the east, and offers 14,000 acres of public bowhunting, muzzleloading and late-season antlerless access for hunters with either a Randolph, St. Clair or Monroe County permit.

Additionally, the Sangamon River corridor through Sangamon, Menard and Mason counties is an important winter deer yard. Oakford CA, (309) 597-2212, Sanganois CA, (309) 546-2628, and Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Forest, (217) 542-7741, offer muzzleloader and archery hunts.