Hunting Whitetail deer, squirrels, rabbits, Canada geese, quail, ducks and wild turkeys are hunted in the Shawnee National Forest and at nearby wildlife refuges. Wildlife openings and waterholes are maintained for better wildlife habitation. Hunting season, regulations, hunting licenses, special permits or wildlife stamp information can be obtained from the Illinois Department of Conservation. The mix of trees at the Shawnee National Forest provide an eye-filling autumn spectrum of color. Maple, gum and dogwood produce the brilliant reds of fall.
Beech trees dress in yellow as the days shorten.
Oaks are scarlet-brown at the height of their glory, and pines sprinkle the palette with a dependable array of greens. Enjoy the Shawnee's melting pot of hues. History and Archeology Native Americans settled in the Shawnee Hills about 11,500 years ago. Evidence of the late Woodland Indian period, which ended about 600 years ago, has been preserved and interpreted at several forest locations. Learn about people of this period by visiting the Millstone Bluff National Register site.