Southern Sojourns
So, go south, young man! Go south!

When the Canada geese stopped coming to southern Illinois most of the hunters did, too, and understandably so. But Mother Nature has a way of filling wildlife voids, and the Quota Zone in southern Illinois was no exception. The expanding hordes of snow geese winging into the region soon discovered the now-empty, food-filled refuges and put them to their own use. Suddenly Illinois’ Southern Quota Zone again became the best-kept secret in Prairie State waterfowling.

The population of these truly wild nomadic birds waxes and wanes, but substantial numbers of snow geese can be found in the southern refuges all during January. The same can be said of the white-fronted -- or specklebelly -- geese that moved in on the heels of the retreating Canadas (except for very small populations of wintering migratory and resident Canada geese).

As a result, the region’s fee-hunting clubs in the Quota Zone have rebuilt their organizations to accommodate all species of geese and the styles of goose hunting that account for good hunting success. (Author’s Note: Many of the waterfowl hunting clubs in southern Illinois also flood corn fields annually to attract swarms of mallards, teal and wood ducks.) And it is the variety in waterfowl hunting in southern Illinois that many wingshooters are discovering. The resurgence of duck and goose hunting opportunities in southern Illinois is a story that rivals the Canada goose “miracle” in the state’s Northern Zone.

Striking Afield
Whatever you do, don’t hang up that shotgun during January. Yes, few public waterfowl-hunting areas remain open this late in the season, but those that are open are listed in the Digest of Hunting and Trapping, published by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, including the phone number for each site. Call ahead to learn details of the hunt, if any birds are present, and what -- if any -- ice conditions prevail. The pamphlet is available free at any state hunting license retailer or IDNR office.

Hunters in the Northern and Central zones do well to try their luck on one of the many fine daily-fee clubs located in all the right places. These operations provide everything -- including a professional guide -- to make your day enjoyable and productive.

In Lake and McHenry counties, check out: Porter’s Hunt Club -- (800) 345-0259, or visit the Web site at www.PortersOutdoors.com./” Ultimate Waterfowlers -- (847) 487-9603, or visit the Web site at www.Ultmatewaterfolwers.com./” Bob Rosa Guide Service -- (815) 343-7492. C&J Honkers -- (815) 385-2898. In Kane and DuPage counties, check out: Fox Valley Guide Service -- (630) 264-1802. Brestal’s Waterfowl Adventures -- (815) 264-3810. The Southern Zone offers both public and fee-hunting sites. Public hunting takes place on three refuges, as well as at Rend Lake, a perfect site for do-it-yourself hunters. This 19,000-acre Corps of Engineers impoundment is open to the public for waterfowl hunting all season long. For more information, call the IDNR regional office in Benton at (618) 435-8130. Or try Southern Outdoor Resources Service at (618) 325-1554, which specializes in Rend Lake waterfowl hunts.

Among the best public waterfowl hunting sites is 44,000-acre Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, west of Marion. Call the refuge manager at (618) 997-3344 to request hunting information. And state-supported hunting sites include the IDNR’s Union County State Fish and Wildlife Area, near Jonesboro. Advance permits are required at Union County SFA (go online to dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R5/UNIONCO.hrm/” for more information), but stand-by hunters are allowed to draw for unclaimed blinds each morning.

Daily-fee clubs abound in the Southern Zone. Contact details for many can be found online at www.southernmosttourism.com/” or by calling (800) GEESE99.