Illinois bird

[nsselle]

I hear ya about the Shawnee, congrats again on some good birds!

[TRG3]

While I applied for White County (Illinois) as my first choice for the third/random drawing, I got my second choice which was Pope County. It's been 10 years since I hunted the hills of the Shawnee Forest. I've dug out my old forest service maps and will be heading down there for the fourth season. I've learned a few things over the past 10 years and the Funky Chicken will definitely be making the trip with me. The place I hunted years ago required a 30 minute walk from the truck and I never saw another hunter that far back in there. Lugging a turkey out was a chore, but I look forward to the challenge.

[Dr Juice]

Congrats with such a fine bird!

[Happy]

Congrats. That's a good one.

[renegade19]

While I applied for White County (Illinois) as my first choice for the third/random drawing, I got my second choice which was Pope County. It's been 10 years since I hunted the hills of the Shawnee Forest. I've dug out my old forest service maps and will be heading down there for the fourth season. I've learned a few things over the past 10 years and the Funky Chicken will definitely be making the trip with me. The place I hunted years ago required a 30 minute walk from the truck and I never saw another hunter that far back in there. Lugging a turkey out was a chore, but I look forward to the challenge.

Never hunted Pope but it's rugged, beautiful country.  I may be wrong, but I don't think the Shawnee gets as much pressure as it once did.  I've had real good success mid morning when everyone else has moved on.  Did see two guys walking a power cut Monday but that was it.  I killed a good one a couple years ago and had to haul it out from way back in the sticks.  Seems like it was uphill all the way too!  Good luck 4th season.  I'll be back after them 5th season.

[OldSchool]

Congrats to you both!! Thanks for sharing.

Bob

[cramerhunts]

Sounds like a blast! Congratulations on a great bird!

[surehuntsalot]

congrats

[MerriamMac]

Nice story.... totally jealous!

[ilbucksndux]

Funny thing about the Shawnee is you can hunt for a week and not see ore hear another hunter,go back the next week and its packed. In some places its better to stay close to the road because others go way back.