AOCMCMC
Shooter
Based upon my 35 years of experience hunting SE Illinois modern slugs or revolver are the way to go. The recent move to allow straight walled cartridges is over rated by single shot requirement. With a slug gun you have 3 rounds available or 6 with the revolve. Four years ago I being bored of using long gun I moved to a 41mag Redhawk taking at least one each season. Over the years very few shots have been out handgun range, longest being 143yards. Due to the short firearm’s season and cost of licensing for out of state archery season could be worth looking into. Not to mention October is generally warmer than November/December. Keep in mind AR’s and Semi-Auto pistols are not allowed. When Hornady came out with the Whitetail line of slugs went with them exclusively in both 12 & 20. To be fair about straight wall cartridges one of my buddies bought a 360 Buckhammer barrel for his TC Encore. Both his deer dropped in their tracks. The two in the truck were taken with our old slug 870’s.