Planning on going to the Shawnee National forest this fall. Was told that you can carry a pistol as long as it’s unloaded and stored in your pack.
That’s about as useful as shoes for Sergeant Dan.
I done a check on IDNR web site and this is the information found pertaining to the carrying of a sidearm while hunting.
CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS RELATED TO HUNTING IN ILLINOIS
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reminds Illinois Concealed Carry Permit
holders that they must comply with current wildlife code laws and regulations while hunting in
Illinois. Below are some common questions and answers to help guide Concealed Carry Permit
holders who hunt on or utilize IDNR properties
1) May a person possessing a valid Illinois Concealed Carry Permit carry a concealed firearm
when deer or turkey hunting?
Under the current regulations, Concealed Carry Permit holders are not allowed to possess any
firearm, including a concealed firearm, when deer or turkey hunting unless the firearm carried is
legal for taking the species being hunted. For example, an archery deer hunter would not be
able to carry any firearm, whether concealed or not, when archery deer hunting. However, if a
concealed carry permit holder is hunting deer during the legal “firearm” deer seasons, he/she
may carry a concealed firearm, but only if that firearm is of the legal type for firearm deer
hunting. It is not unlawful for a Concealed Carry Permit hunter to possess a concealed firearm in
their vehicle. The specifications for legal deer hunting handguns can be found on page 17 of the
2013-2014 Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations at the following link;