Windhorst Highlights Southern Illinois’ Rich Hunting and Fishing Tradition

Dating back centuries, southern Illinois has been home to some of the best hunting and fishing opportunities in the United States. Southern Illinois, in particular, is a region rich in natural resources, beautiful forests, abundant lakes, rivers, and streams, and a plethora of fishing and hunting spots to land a variety of species of fish and wild game.

Early settlers to the area farmed, hunted, and fished the expansive public lands and waterways, taking deer, turkey, waterfowl, and a variety of fish to help feed their families. As the means of production improved, the need to hunt and gather to provide sustenance gave way to more readily available and easily attainable food sources. However, the tradition of hunting and fishing has remained a staple for millions of southern Illinoisans.

The traditions of hunting, sport shooting, and fishing have become more than a pastime for many youth in the region, as trapshooting and bass fishing teams continue to grow in popularity at southern Illinois public and private schools, and indeed, schools throughout the state. The sports have grown so popular that students are receiving scholarships to attend various colleges and universities to continue on with the hunting and fishing sports that they love.

Southern Illinois families and tourists from all over the country head out into Illinois' forests and state parks each fall to harvest white-tailed deer (the state's official mammal). According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois hunters harvested more than 170,000 white-tailed deer in the 2024-2025 hunting seasons using a variety of methods, including archery, shotguns, and muzzleloaders.

State Representatives Dave Severin (R-Benton), Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis), and David Friess (R-Red Bud) represent districts in deep southern Illinois with ample resources and opportunities for fishing and hunting.

Recreation and conservation areas are peppered throughout the region south of the I-70 corridor.

State Representative Patrick Windhorst's 117th district is home to large swaths of the Shawnee National Forest, the Cache River State Natural Area, and Fort Massac State Park, where anglers can access the Ohio River and its tributaries. The district is also home to Lake of Egypt, a 2300-acre reservoir which serves as one of the region's top destinations for bass, crappie, and catfish fishing.

"If you're looking to hunt some of the biggest white-tailed deer you'll find anywhere in the world, or if you're looking to catch the biggest bass and catfish or the tastiest crappie, southern Illinois is the place you want to go," Windhorst said. "We have a great tradition of hunting and fishing and the dozens of state parks, lakes, and forests. Come to southern Illinois and experience what we have to offer!"

Rep. Severin, a native of Benton, lives near Rend Lake, and represents the 116th district, which is home to not only the massive lake but also the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area. The site sees campers, hunters, and anglers year-round, and hosts events like bass and crappie fishing tournaments and guided hunts for disabled veterans.

"I am blessed to represent a district rich in natural resources and tourist attractions like Rend Lake and the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area," Severin said. "We have a rich hunting and fishing tradition in southern Illinois, and it is indeed big business, as hunting and fishing tourism continues to be an economic driver for the region. In Illinois, our politics may get ugly at times, but no one can argue that the southern Illinois region is anything but beautiful. Our state parks and recreation and conservation areas are a big contributor to that natural beauty and the natural attraction of folks from all over the country who come here to enjoy these resources and opportunities."

State Representative David Friess' 115th district is home to the Sparta World Shooting & Recreational Complex, a world-class shooting facility located in rural Sparta, Illinois. The 1600-acre facility hosts two of the greatest traditions in sport shooting in the country.

"The Sparta Shooting Complex has long been a cornerstone of Southern Illinois values. The Shooting Complex brings families and young people together to enjoy the outdoors and learn about conservation," Rep. Friess said. "I want to thank Skip Klinger, the current director of the Shooting Complex, and all the employees who support the Shooting Complex; they are passionate advocates for our youth. They provide our youth with great opportunities to work and participate in these world-class events. That's why I proudly sponsored HB2327, which allows 14- and 15-year-olds to work as scorers in the U.S. Open and Grand American Championships while ensuring their safety. We must continue to encourage our young people to get outside, hunt, fish, and appreciate the natural beauty of our region. I will keep fighting for these Southern Illinois values."

From early roots in hunting and gathering, to the preservation of green spaces and natural habitats at state parks and national forests, to education, sporting opportunities, and scholarships for youth, to major drivers of tourism and economic development, southern Illinois' hunting and fishing traditions are rich in history, with a bright future surely ahead.