Illinois public land

[Swampmonkey]

Long story short I'm married to a girl from the Chicago suburbs. We go up a lot and I've been interested in chasing long beards in Illinois. I know there is a lottery and all that and I've missed it for this year. But if I was to apply for 2021 what would be some good areas to apply for? Not asking for anybody's spots just some pointers. The whole wma  system up there seems a little confusing to me. Thanks for any help.

[fallhnt]

Private ground would be best. Public in the Shawnee Natl. forest next and 4th or 5th season in west central IL after. NR can't draw until 2nd draw. What little good public ground there is,residents get in 1st draw. IL isn't a real good turkey state. I'm sure you could get 4th or 5th season permits now. Look on line and see what's available. I have knowledge of most public land in Peoria, Pike,Brown,Knox,Schuyler,Adams,Mason. PM me. Glad to help.

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[Hobbes]

IL's tag structure and app process is difficult for some folks to understand.  However, you can definitely kill birds in the Shawnee in 4th or 5th season.  However, the Shawnee isn't even close to Chicago.  Just an fyi, the second drawing (available to NRs) has nothing to do with which season.  It only means that residents have already snagged a lot of first and second season tags. 

[fallhnt]

Here is a list of what is available on public at this time if you choose to apply.

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[fallhnt]

Looks like you better get on line and look. My phone is a POS. There are permits left on all public I hunt for 4 and 5 season.

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[renegade19]

It wouldn't be unheard of to draw a 1st or 2nd season tag in the 2nd lottery depending on which county.  In most instances public land is county specific UNLESS it's a special hunt area which will be listed like a county. For example, the Shawnee National Forest runs across the entire southern 1/3 of the state.  To hunt that, you'll pick a county that is in the National Forest.  When you put in for the lottery, pick your county or special hunt area then pick your season.  Simple as that.  Shoot me a PM and I'll be glad to tell you what I know about the southern 1/2 of the state.  BTW, The Shawnee forest is a good 4-5 hours from Chicago.  Maybe more depending on traffic.

Oh yeah, one other thing, the special hunt areas down south (Crab Orchard) are very limited and those tags always are gone to residents in the 1st lottery. 

[Hobbes]

The existing list is leftover after first lottery.  The second lottery deadline has already passed.  You can get into the third lottery, but I'd wait until the list labeled "Tags remaining after second lottery" is posted (usually before third lottery deadline) so you don't apply for tags that are already gone.

Also, when you look at season dates be sure to look at either northern or southern zone depending where you plan to apply.