|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,931
Posts550,843
Members14,460
|
Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 312 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 312 Likes: 1 |
From early November to mid-January, the Illinois Dept. of Conservation offers public pheasant hunting in about a dozen state parks. Cost is $35 to shoot two birds of either sex. There is an on-line reservation system, but usually one can just show up by 8 a.m. (except for holidays). They put out 50 to 200 adult good-sized birds every day, except Monday and Tuesday (closed those days). Non-toxic shot is required, maximum size #3. A dog is most helpful.
It is a good program, and surprising for what some consider to be an ant-gun state.
I hunt the Carlyle Lake locale, since it is near St. Louis. Typically hunt at least a dozen days. Gives my dog a lot of extra field time.
gold40
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 249 Likes: 16
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 249 Likes: 16 |
I do that several days a year also. Usually at Jim Edgar Panther Creek, in the Virginia, IL area. I've never made a reservation. Always just show up and draw and have never had a problem.
Nothing the government gives you is free.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,598 |
It is a good program, and surprising for what some consider to be an ant-gun state.
I hunt the Carlyle Lake locale, since it is near St. Louis. Typically hunt at least a dozen days. Gives my dog a lot of extra field time.
gold40
Good for you. It is designed to allow anyone in Illinois at least some time in the field with a reasonable chance of success. It is a way for the guy with a young family on a small budget to have some fun. Pete
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859 |
When I moved to Texas in 2007 I really missed the Illinois state run pheasant hunting program. Back then I believe it was $18 for three birds, but $35 for two birds is still an incredible deal compared to what it cost to hunt pheasants in Texas game preserves. Ive spent the last few weeks visiting friends in Illinois and I also purchased a new hunting dog three weeks ago. Ive been having a fun time hunting him at the nearby Illinois State pheasant hunting facility. Meet Kelakye's Cowboy Back n Town aka Trace my new furry hunting partner. Here Trace is again with his very first pheasant. He found it hiding 15 up in a pine tree. Good dog! Steve
Last edited by Rockdoc; 11/08/16 09:48 PM.
Approach life like you do a yellow light - RUN IT! (Gail T.)
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,814 Likes: 2 |
You look warmer than you did at my place...Chuckh on the left
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 312 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 312 Likes: 1 |
We hunted pheasants this morning at the local Illinois State Park. It was the "first day" of the 2016 season. Only a dozen or so hunters; mostly retired FOWG's like me (Fat Old White Guys). I think they put out about 60 birds.
A bright sunny day, with temperature in the 50's. About ideal. Our three pointing dogs worked well, including the 10 month old pup. My hunting partner and I each limited with two roosters in less than hour. Then off to lunch at Mickey D's.
Some days it is much more difficult...
gold40
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 333 Likes: 11
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 333 Likes: 11 |
Sadly, I remember when it scarcely took longer than that to bag a limit of wild bobwhiites in St. Francois county. We'll not see those days again. Enjoy, Jerry.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,438 Likes: 1 |
As much as I disliked Illinois for political reasons I could never fault the hunting. I got a nice buck every year hunting down along the Illinois River. I lived in a town called Elburn and I shot my limit in Pheasants(2 per day) in my back yard opening day one year. Jim
The 2nd Amendment IS an unalienable right.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,859 |
I just returned from hunting at Silver Springs Fish and Wildlife Area with my friend Charlie. It was nice having Charlie along for two reasons. Hes my good friend and unlike me Charlie seldom ever misses, if it flys it dies! My novice flushing dog Trace put up 5 birds. Charlie got 2 (good Charlie!), I shot at and missed one (bad Steve!), and 2 were flushed way out of range (bad dog!). All in all it was a nice day hunting at Silver Springs. Other than my friends here, hunting Illinois pheasants is something Ill miss when I return to Arizona. Steve
Approach life like you do a yellow light - RUN IT! (Gail T.)
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,158 Likes: 114 |
"If it flies, it dies" Flys are for whacking on the kitchen countertop with a swatter from Ace Hardware.
"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
|
|
|
|
|
|