Just got my dove permit in the mail for 9/2 in silver springs.

My wife and I walked all around S.S. the other day. We live down the road and go there for long walks after work.

The corn and sunflower stands are about as healthy looking as they can get. I'll pay attention if I see any doves out there hanging out. They sure are around my neighborhood.

Tried dove hunting once and found out I can't sit still like that. I need to stalk things.

I try to get the free permits for the pheasant habitat areas every year and have never got one. If I do get one finally, at least I know you might be interested in going.

My friend took back his Belgian Browning over/under that he had lent me. I'm bummed. Not sure pheasant hunting with a 20 gauge pump will work well enough. I do have an ancient single shot 12 gauge, but it hurts when I pull the trigger.

Thats the only thing I dont like is sitting there in the corn especially if your not seeing alot of birds. I just started going dove hunting about 2 or 3 years ago and I love it when theres alot of action but last year was pretty slow everywhere I went. No access to private land so it was Kankakee, DesPlaines and Silver Springs. Never been pheasant hunting at Silver Springs if I go its usually at DesPlaines but if you ever go want to go for dove or pheasant let me know ahead of time let me know and I would be up for it. I'm thinking of trying for some squirrel this year at SS too; thats something I've never tried.

I went to Iroquois years ago, used to go there a lot for pheasant too.
Did the doves in the morning, then squirrel in the afternoon with a .22 which you can use out there, then doves again late afternoon.

I highly recommend Iroquois instead of Des Plaines for pheasant. Back then I had time during the week and I would show up on standby. They never filled their quota. Des Plaines is more like a zoo with so many people.

Put in for the free pheasant permits. They should be online soon at the DNR site. I haven't got one in 7 years of trying, but I've gone with friends that have. Nothing like trying to shoot wild birds instead of pen raised.

Most of the parks start squirrel hunting on Sept. 1. Iroquois starts August 1st. That's when it's too hot and the rodents are filled with fleas. Nothing like sitting in the woods in camo in 80 degree weather. There are a few parks that go to the end of the year. I usually won't go till there's been at least one frost and most of the leaves are off the trees.

I won a permit for clifton 2 or 3 yrs ago so my uncle and I went but didn't stay long. I had a hell of a stomach flu that day and was getting sick about every 50 yards thinking I could fight through it but just couldn't do it. He won a permit there last year and the day we had it was around 10 degrees with winds around 30 mph. We dropped one bird that the dog couldn't find but. we didnt stay long that day either; the dogs paws were building a lot of ice. Applications should be starting this month so I will keep checking and let you know when you can apply. I think I will try Iroqoius this year but unfortunately this year I will be hunting without a dog.

Just saw this on the DNR website:



2010 Free Upland Game Hunt Permit Online Application available July 19th, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.

Thanks Frank. I tend to forget to visit the IDNR site.