where to go

Jason, Questions for you. You said you just recieved some guns from your dad. Do you have a FOID card? If you dont(and please tell me you do), you'll need to get one ASAP.
Have you ever operated a firearm? If not, might I suggest taking a gun safety course. Lastly, have you ever hunted before? If not, it would be a good idea to take a hunters safety course, and go with someone that knows what they are doing. Sorry I had to ask these questions, but, by your post, it sounds like you are a newbie to the sport of hunting. No big deal, everyone has to start somewhere. Feel free to ask questions here. There are a lot of good hunters that post on this board that will help you out. as far as places to hunt, here is a link to the IDNR website. It has all the info you are looking for.
http://dnr.state.il.us/

Hope this helps. Remember, start at square one. Learn as much as you can. It's a fun sport.

Take care. Be safe.

Frank (furter)

your fortunate because G.A.T has not only a range for your firearm's...But they also have an archery range upstair's..Or atleast they used to..I haven't been there in a few year's..Now where to hunt...Well that's a question many of us ask...My suggestion would be...If your a very personable character..Try your luck @ getting permission from some land owner..If you can't get private land to hunt on...Your only left with public land..Those land's are listed @ the IL DNR website..Just make sure you read the site specific rules very carefully...The rules & reg's can & will change from site to site..One other option is to join a hunting club..

Now we don't have a rifle season here in IL..
The season's we do have are shotgun/muzzleloader,handgun & bowhunting..
You'll have much more oppertunity to hunt with bow rather than the other's..Bow season is CLOSED during any firearm season..Except in counties that don't have a firearm season..

Now i'm sure you know this alreadybut...When you pickup that license..get the sportsman's license rather than a seperate hunting & fishing...You can even purchase them off the DNR website..But I don't know if they have the 2002 licence for sale online yet..The nice thing about purchasing them online is that you cab print as many copies as you want & just store them everywhere..
Now we come to your new bow..I would definitely tell you to tune that bow to it's lowest limit's & start out with just the basic'swhich would be site,basic arrow nock,basic arrow rest & either a glove release or finger tab..If you feel you'd be pretty good instinctive shooting...By all mean's go that route...The more you have on your bow..Is more thing's that can go wrong during a hunt...Just consintrate on your form...Make sure you do everything the same every time you shoot & thing's will fall into place..

Have fun & good luck...