Hunting west of Chicago?

C

Carl Guay

New member
My daughter who's an avid hunter and fisherman moved to the Chicago area a couple of years ago for work she's been doing alright fishing and has been target shooting at a local range. We hunt together when she comes home for the Holidays. Now she'd like to go hunting when she's home and has been asking me about it. I really have no idea what direction to point her in. Here in Maine for the most part if it's not posted you just go hunting.

My questions are these what type of hunting does the area offer? How hard is acsess? Is there much public land and does it get pounded? Are the desireable areas sewed up by hunting clubs and for members only? She's mainly interested in hunting waterfowl and upland birds.

I'd appreciate any info.

Thanks
Carl
 
Carl,

All my info is almost 20 years old, but at the least, I thought I could bring this to the top of the page. Back then, public ground in a reasonable driving distance got pounded pretty bad...heard enough horror stories to scare me away. I can't immagine it's got much better since then. I'm also sure that at the rate urban sprawl was when I left, the private spots that you could have gained permission from years ago have gotten fewer and further between.

Sorry I couldn't be more help

Chuck
 
I have lived in DuPage county (collar of Chicago/Cook county). The urban sprawl is probably to the collar, collar, collar counties today. Anyone who has huntible land usually has it leased. Down state a lot of land is locked up by "outfitters". Illinois has become a big turkey & deer hotspot. Some public lands are by state permit that anyone can apply for. Obviously weekends are prime, but most state hunting areas are dead during the week. When I took my daughter we used school holidays or closed days and my vacation days. It worked out quite well. We would even leave afterschool the day before and motel it for a night. The farther from Chicago the better the options. There is the choice of lakes and rivers if you can get access. Illinois allows hunting from anchored boat blinds - in open water or against banks. There are a restrictions to comply with. Having a daughter who wants to hunt with you is the greatest. I only have her so can't compare, but it really is special.
 
Public land is pretty scarce in the Northern Illinois area. There are spots to waterfowl hunt but blinds are drawn in a yearly draw. If the blinds are not occupied the owner by 1/2 hour before shooting they are open to the public. She might try the Fox River Chain of Lakes in Northern Illinois, DesPlaines wildlife area or the Braidwood area, both being south-west of the city. I don't deer hunt, so I can't offer direction there. DesPlaines does offer upland hunting by daily permit. Permits are reserved online starting in late summer, but they show openings on an updates online calendar that you can take on short notice.

It is very hard to get private land to hunt. Most of the farmland in the western burbs is farmed corner to corner, so there is little cover for game animals. Lease prices are sky-high, and getting permission is all but impossible.

The western suburbs are good areas if she likes to shoot the shotgun target sports. There are several good clubs that offer trap, skeet, and sporting clays. West Chicago Gun Club, St. Charles (in Elburn), Sycamore, Knollwood (Near Montgomery), Downer's Grove GC (near Morris), Northbrook, and Maywood all have good clubs. There are others in the southern suburbs as well.
 
Head north, it seams everytime I'm on public land, a lake or camping there is an IL plate in the parked somewhere. Wisconsin has lots of public land just north of the boarder between Madison and Milwaukee south of 94. There are alot of small 40 acre waterfowl production zones that hold a few birds.
 
chain o lakes north of Chicago is a place for waterfowl hunting. As someone said if a blind is open 1/2 hour before light it is yours. its about the only place to hunt in this area. They also have p&T for pheasants, you can show up early and see if there are any openings. Braidwood is good, its a cooling lake for the nuke plant. But you sure dont want to be out there in a wind since its level is higher than the surrounding area. braidwood is about 1 1/2 hrs south on I55.

Most places in the Chicago area have pretty much dried up due to track housing and such. Just 10 years ago I had a 1/2 doz spots for dove, waterfowl, deer all thats pretty much gone.
 
I want to Thank everyone for there replies. I've been reading the hunting laws for Illinois and I'm still scrathing my head.

Paul M J your absolutely right hunting with your Daughter is really special.

I'm going to fly out there and go do some scouting with her. Once again Thanks now I have an idea where to start and what to expect.

carl
 
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