Boulder has some of the best hunting in the state for many different species from ducks and geese to small game and whitetail deer.
Deer hunting in this area is almost like a right of passage and is almost considered a holiday as some young hunters are allowed to take opening day of deer season off from school.
Most of the hunting in this area takes place on private land, but there are some really good hunting opportunities on public land as well.
Hunting on Private Land
In this area of the state everybody knows everyone else, so there are always places to hunt on private land. If you are from the area, all that you need to do is knock on doors and introduce yourself. Explain why you are there and simply ask for permission to hunt. You may get some nos, but yes is only a matter of time.
Hunting on Public Land
The best resource in the area for hunting on public land is the Carlyle Lake recreation area. There is an abundance of game animals and the area is managed for wildlife with food plots and land management techniques that provide quality habitat and an awesome hunting experience.
What Can You Hunt?
There are opportunities for hunting many different species in this area including:
- Waterfowl
- Whitetail Deer
- Turkey
- Rabbit
- Squirrel
- Doves
- Bobwhite Quail
- Pheasant
Hunting For People With Disabilities
One thing that Carlyle Lake Recreation Area does really well is include opportunities for disabled Americans to participate in the great outdoors.
They provide handicapped accessible waterfowl blinds at multiple locations inside the park. All you need to do is call the office to reserve the blinds for whatever day you wish to hunt.
They also conduct a special dove hunt specifically for sportsman with disabilities.
Hunting Whitetail Deer
Probably the most sought after game in this are is the whitetail deer and there are plenty of places in the park to pursue the deer.
The best advice is to find a place that is overlooked by other hunters. This usually means trekking as far from the access area as you can.
Most of the deer hunting here is done from tree stands, but the park has a regulation that you cannot leave a tree stand in the woods. All tree stands must be removed each day, so that limits hunters to using climbing tree stands.
For more deer hunting regulations as well as seasons and bag limits visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Conclusion
Hunting in the Boulder area is a sport steeped in tradition and taken very seriously by local residents. The coffee shops will be full before dawn and the local sport shops will be very crowded with hunters during deer season.
If you would like to try your hand at hunting in the Boulder area, follow the advice above and see if you can be successful. Please remember to share our traditions with the next generation of sportsman by taking a kid hunting.