Illinois Odyssey

September 3, 2020 Hunting,SCA Articles

When the subject of pheasant hunting comes up, most people think of South Dakota. For bobwhite quail hunts, they envision a Southern plantation. Who thinks of upland hunting in Illinois?

As a lifelong resident of this state, I can understand the lack of enthusiasm for midwestern upland hunting. Gone are the days of driving a few miles out of Chicago, knocking on a farmer’s door and expecting a fun day in fields full of birds. Civilization and modern agricultural practices have put an end to those dreams.

My own journey has taken me farther and farther away from the city to a spot of ground four miles from the Mississippi River in Whiteside County. A couple hours west of Chicago and 500 miles east of South Dakota, here I can enjoy those hunts we remember from years gone by. All it took was the right property and a great deal of work.

Habitat is the key to maintaining a healthy wildlife population. If you want birds to survive midwestern winters and nest successfully in the spring, you must get it right. I have been aided in these efforts by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District and our local chapter of Pheasants Forever. To anyone looking to improve their land for wildlife, I strongly recommend you take advantage of what these organizations have to offer.

I have spent the last 12 years establishing and improving our native prairie grasslands. The work starts with spring controlled burns and interseeding of legumes and wildflowers. Sorghum, corn and sunflower fields are planted, then left unharvested through the winter to provide food and cover. Non-native invasive species control and eradication is a time-consuming and expensive year-round proposition, but well worth the effort.

Nearly six thousand native shrubs and plum trees have been established to provide exceptional protection from avian predators. Wooded areas are managed, improving deer and turkey habitat in addition to woodcock.

There was a time I was somewhat offended when hunters asked me if there was any work to do when the season ended. Now I take this query as a compliment. It is a testament to my stewardship of the land when people assume what they see is all naturally occurring. It is rewarding to see the benefits to not only the game species, but all wildlife.

The survival rate of pheasants and quail has increased and the mortality rate of our wild-born chicks has decreased. Now, with our periodic general release program, the birds are plentiful.

It is a thrill to see hunters, smiles on their faces, heading home with coolers full of native gamebirds, secure in the knowledge they have found a destination devoted to that bygone era and that our hunting heritage still exists in Illinois.

Now to answer my original question: Who thinks of upland hunting in Illinois? More people than you would think.

At Hilltop Meadows Hunt Club, we have hosted hunters from as far away as Mexico City and Toronto and folks from Chicago find us an easy day-trip. Many hunters from the East and South have discovered us and no longer travel west of the Mississippi River to fulfill their upland hunting passion. Hunters from Ohio, Tennessee, Massachusetts, West Virginia and North Carolina make this their annual journey.

It is a pleasure to spend time afield with fellow bird hunters from across the country. Whether we hunt with my dogs, or I tag along to see their dogs work, I never tire of seeing a pheasant flush or a covey rise of quail.

I love to share and show off the splendor of this bird-hunting oasis. If you are looking for something different or a new stop on your yearly journey, contact Mike at (815) 535-1056 or go to www.hilltopmeadowshuntclub.com.