Deer Hunting with Shotguns: A Central Illinois Hunter's Guide to Success

From the Bench: Preparing for Illinois shotgun deer season

By Hootey Cline, Blue Coat Arms Company

Originally published 2019 | Updated July 2, 2025

With Illinois shotgun deer season approaching (typically beginning November 22nd), now is the perfect time to start preparing your equipment and skills. As someone who's worked on countless deer hunting shotguns over the years, I've learned that success in the field depends as much on proper preparation and understanding your equipment as it does on hunting skills.

Let me share what I've discovered about optimizing your shotgun setup for Illinois deer hunting, always with the understanding that I'm still learning something new about these versatile hunting tools with every season.

Illinois Deer Hunting: The Shotgun Reality

Why Shotguns in Illinois

Here in Illinois, approximately 70% of all hunting is done with shotguns due to our terrain and regulations. For deer hunting specifically, shotguns offer several advantages in our landscape.

Practical benefits for Illinois hunters:

• Effective range matches most Illinois hunting situations (under 100 yards)

• Slug performance has improved dramatically with modern ammunition

• Safety considerations in populated agricultural areas

• Versatility for multiple hunting applications throughout the season

Modern Slug Performance

Today's slug ammunition is far superior to what was available even a decade ago:

• Improved accuracy with sabot and rifled slugs

• Better terminal performance with modern bullet designs

• Consistent velocities and trajectories

• Specialized loads for different hunting situations

Shotgun Setup for Deer Hunting

Slug Gun Considerations

Unlike bird hunting, deer hunting with shotguns requires a different approach to equipment setup and shooting technique.

Key differences for deer hunting:

• Sights are essential for accurate slug placement

• Rifled barrels often provide better accuracy with sabot slugs

• Scope mounting becomes important for longer shots

• Trigger quality affects accuracy more than with shot loads

Sight Systems for Deer Hunting

You DO need sights on a slug gun – this is the major exception to the "shotguns don't need sights" rule.

Recommended sight options:

• Fiber-optic sights: Excellent for low-light conditions

• Low-power scopes: 1-4x or 2-7x work well for most situations

• Red dot sights: Fast target acquisition in thick cover

• Iron sights: Reliable backup or primary option

What I've learned: Fiber-optic elements are excellent at picking up ambient lighting and allow faster target acquisition during those crucial dawn and dusk hunting periods.

Gun Fit: Critical for Accurate Slug Shooting

Why Fit Matters More with Slugs

Proper gun fit becomes even more critical when shooting slugs because you're placing a single projectile precisely rather than relying on shot pattern coverage.

What proper fit accomplishes for deer hunting:

• Consistent sight picture for accurate shot placement

• Natural pointing reduces time to get on target

• Comfortable shooting for extended periods in the stand

• Better recoil management with heavy slug loads

Length of Pull for Deer Hunting

The old "90-degree angle" measurement method is largely ineffective and doesn't account for hunting clothing and shooting positions.

Considerations for deer hunting fit:

• Heavy clothing in late season affects length of pull needs

• Shooting positions (standing, sitting, shooting sticks) vary from clay sports

• If in doubt, go slightly shorter – easier to shoot accurately

• Your eye must be in the same place every time you shoulder the gun

Cast and Pitch for Hunting Applications

Stock dimensions affect where your slugs impact:

• Cast adjustments help align your eye with the sights naturally

• Pitch angle affects both comfort and point of impact

• Most shotguns have too much down pitch for the average hunter

• Proper pitch helps manage recoil from heavy slug loads

Shooting Technique for Deer Hunting

Pointing vs. Aiming with Slugs

Deer hunting with slugs requires a hybrid approach – you're still pointing the gun naturally, but with more precision than bird hunting.

What this means practically:

• Get on target quickly but take time for precise shot placement

• Use your sights but maintain natural gun mount and pointing instincts

• Focus on the deer while being aware of your sight picture

• Smooth, controlled movements rather than rushed shots

Follow-Through in Deer Hunting

Follow-through remains important even with the single-shot nature of deer hunting:

• Hold your sight picture through the shot

• Don't immediately look for results – complete the shot first

• Maintain gun position until the deer is down

• Watch the deer's reaction to your shot for tracking purposes

Ammunition Selection for Illinois Deer

Modern Slug Options

Today's slug ammunition offers unprecedented performance:

Rifled slugs (for smooth bores):

• Foster-style slugs: Traditional, reliable, affordable

• Improved designs: Better accuracy and terminal performance

• Effective range: 75-100 yards with proper setup

Sabot slugs (for rifled barrels):

• Higher velocities: Flatter trajectories than rifled slugs

• Better accuracy: Often sub-2" groups at 100 yards

• Premium terminal performance: Controlled expansion designs

• Extended range: Effective to 150+ yards in capable hands

Choke Considerations

Choke selection affects slug accuracy:

• Improved Cylinder: Generally best for most rifled slugs

• Rifled chokes: Can improve accuracy with some slug/gun combinations

• No choke restrictions: Some slugs perform best with no choke

• Pattern testing: Essential to find the best combination

Preparation and Practice

Pre-Season Preparation

Now is the perfect time to begin preparing your equipment and skills:

Equipment preparation:

• Professional cleaning and inspection of your shotgun

• Sight adjustment and zeroing with your chosen ammunition

• Function testing to ensure reliable operation

• Scope mounting or sight installation if needed

Skill preparation:

• Range practice with hunting ammunition

• Position practice from hunting stances

• Low-light shooting practice for dawn/dusk conditions

• Follow-up shot practice for quick second shots

Zeroing Your Slug Gun

Proper zeroing is essential for ethical and successful deer hunting:

Recommended zeroing process:

• Start at 25 yards to get on paper

• Move to 50 yards for initial zero

• Confirm at 100 yards for final adjustments

• Test multiple loads to find the most accurate combination

What I've learned: There's no point in getting your gun serviced if you won't be able to hit anything with it – practice is as important as equipment preparation.

Action Types for Deer Hunting

Choosing the Right Action

Different actions offer different advantages for deer hunting:

Semi-automatic shotguns:

• Fast follow-up shots for multiple deer or missed shots

• Reduced felt recoil due to gas operation

• Good for hunters with shorter arms or those sensitive to recoil

• Reliable in cold weather with proper maintenance

Pump-action shotguns:

• Reliable and simple operation

• Affordable option for many hunters

• Versatile for different ammunition types

• May not work well for hunters with shorter arms

Break-action shotguns:

• Simple and reliable with minimal maintenance

• Accurate due to rigid barrel mounting

• Quick barrel changes for different applications

• Traditional appeal for many hunters

Special Considerations for Illinois Hunting

Terrain and Shot Opportunities

Illinois hunting conditions present unique challenges:

• Agricultural fields: Longer shots across open areas

• Timber hunting: Close shots in thick cover

• Edge habitat: Variable distances and quick shots

• Weather conditions: Cold, wet conditions affect equipment

Hunting Regulations

Stay current with Illinois hunting regulations:

• Legal ammunition: Ensure your slugs meet state requirements

• Season dates: Confirm current season dates and bag limits

• Hunter safety: Orange requirements and other safety regulations

• Property permissions: Proper landowner permissions and access

Youth and New Hunters

Starting Young Hunters Right

For children beginning deer hunting, proper equipment selection is crucial:

Recommended approach:

• Start with lighter recoiling loads to build confidence

• Ensure proper gun fit for the young hunter's build

• Use shooting sticks or rests for steady shooting positions

• Emphasize safety and ethical shot placement over quick shots

Gun Selection for Youth

Consider these factors for young deer hunters:

• 20-gauge options: Adequate power with less recoil

• Shorter length of pull: Proper fit for smaller statures

• Quality sights: Good sights help build confidence

• Manageable weight: Guns they can handle comfortably

Safety Considerations

Damascus Barrel Warning

NEVER fire modern ammunition in Damascus barrels – this cannot be overstated, especially with the high pressures of slug loads.

What to watch for:

• Distinctive twisted steel pattern in older barrels

• Pre-1900 shotguns are most likely to have Damascus construction

• When in doubt, have it inspected by a qualified gunsmith

• The only exception: High-end British Damascus ($30,000-$40,000 range)

Cold Weather Considerations

Illinois deer season means cold weather hunting:

• Lubrication changes: Use appropriate cold-weather lubricants

• Condensation issues: Prevent moisture buildup in the action

• Glove compatibility: Ensure you can operate your gun with gloves

• Battery life: Cold affects electronic sights and optics

Modern Developments Since 2019

Ammunition Improvements

Slug technology continues advancing:

• Better ballistic coefficients: Flatter trajectories and less wind drift

• Improved terminal performance: Better expansion and penetration

• Reduced recoil loads: Effective hunting power with less kick

• Specialized designs: Slugs optimized for specific applications

Optics and Sights

Sight technology has improved significantly:

• Better low-light performance: Improved fiber-optics and illuminated reticles

• More durable construction: Scopes built for shotgun recoil

• Faster target acquisition: Red dots designed for hunting applications

• Better mounting systems: More secure and reliable scope mounts

Shotgun Design

Modern shotguns offer improved features:

• Better triggers: Improved accuracy potential

• Enhanced ergonomics: More comfortable for extended use

• Improved actions: More reliable cycling and operation

• Specialized deer hunting models: Guns designed specifically for slug shooting

Final Thoughts

After years of working on deer hunting shotguns and talking with successful Illinois hunters, I've learned that preparation and understanding your equipment are just as important as hunting skills when it comes to success in the field.

What continues to impress me is how much difference proper setup and practice make in hunting success. A properly fitted gun with the right ammunition and sights will consistently outperform an expensive gun that's poorly set up.

Key takeaways for Illinois deer hunters:

• Start preparation now – don't wait until the week before season

• Proper gun fit is critical for accurate slug placement

• Practice with hunting ammunition in hunting positions

• Sight systems are essential for ethical shot placement

• Modern ammunition offers unprecedented performance for shotgun deer hunting

Remember: The goal isn't just to harvest a deer, but to do so ethically and efficiently. Proper preparation with your shotgun setup gives you the best chance of success when that moment of truth arrives.

No matter your era, we got your six – whether you're hunting with a classic pump gun or a modern semi-automatic, understanding your equipment and practicing with it will make you a more successful deer hunter.

Questions about shotgun setup for deer hunting, slug gun modifications, or sight installation? Blue Coat Arms Company provides comprehensive services for deer hunting shotgun optimization. Contact us at 217-416-5962 or BlueCoatArms@gmail.com to get your gun ready for the upcoming season.