Hunting Shawnee NF Illinois

[Wysocki22]

Going to be hunting Shawnee National Forest Pope county for the first time this turkey season, any one ever hunt down there and have any suggestions?

Thanks

[MDbowman]

Worked a check station there a long time ago.  A guy brought in a guinea hen.    That's all I got! Good luck.

[Dtrkyman]

I hunted union years ago, plenty of birds then and I know guys who still hunt it and the birds have been plentiful in recent years.

Tons of ground to cover and some rugged terrain, get in shape and cover some ground! 

[nsselle]

ridges are steep, be prepared to walk.  If you time it right, morels galore. great area, but as stated above it can be rough country and the woods are huge, be sure to study a map of the area prior to arrival.

[renegade19]

I hunt the Shawnee in a different county.  What season did you draw?  Bring a GPS just in case.  Mid to late morning has been good to me many a time.   

[hobbes]

I lived the majority of my life in Southern IL and hunted Pope from 1990 to 2006 in the Shawnee while still a resident in IL.  I hunted it from 2007 to 2011 as a Nonresident driving from CO.  Now in MT, our schedules don't allow us to get back home to visit in April.  Shoot me a PM with a few more details of what you are looking for and how much you know of the area and I'll share some info.  I won't be so specific as to put you on top of friends and family that still hunt it, but I'll try to help.

[Wysocki22]

I hunt the Shawnee in a different county.  What season did you draw?  Bring a GPS just in case.  Mid to late morning has been good to me many a time.

3rd season