Illinois is buying 410 acres of land in Pike County and plans to convert it into public hunting grounds.
Governor Pat Quinn said the acquisition is part of the purchase of four sites across the state.
“Our state does not have vast areas of wilderness like some states in the west. We have pockets of wilderness, pockets of nature. And we have to really work very hard, together, to preserve and expand those pockets,” said Quinn.
The four parcels cost the state $2.8 million dollars. The money comes from the "Illinois Jobs Now" capital construction program.
The Pike County site is southwest of Pittsfield and cost $1.8 million, which the state said is the appraised value of the land. The state called the county “a hallowed deer hunting region.”
In a news release, Marc Miller, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, said, “Pike County is a tremendous deer hunting destination with virtually no public access. This acquisition will give hunters an opportunity to pursue white-tails in Illinois’ deer capital.”
The other parcels are in McHenry, Ogle, and Vermilion Counties.
Thanks to Illinois Public Radio and the Associated Press
