Where can I hike and camp?

[Sniper 79]

My friend and I would like to take our rucks and hike in someplace and primitive camp. I would also like to be able to pack my side arm and maybe a .22 rifle and even shoot some squirls or rabbits for dinner. We both love to fish also. I am in NW Indiana and my buddy is located south of kankakee IL. Is there any place we could go and do that sort of thing or is this a lost art and we are dreaming?

 

[upalot]

Don't know about the Northern part of the state, but in the South there is a vast amount of state and fed land that is open to hiking, hunting etc.. Suggest you contact your local DNR for some advice.

 

[nucular]

I can't think of too much up in that area. Head north to Chicago, then keep going to Milwaukee. Once you get there, keep going North.

 

[70worm]

Morgan Monroe Forrest down by Bloomington. Or go to the U.P.

 

[PistolBob]

Squirrel and Rabbit season are both over in about 10 days. SO you better take some peanut butter and bread with ya. Come down south and hike/camp along the knobstone, or in Morgan Monroe, or down in the Hoosier.

 

[NastyNate]

The hoosier national forest sounds like what youre looking for. Numerous camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking opportunities.

 

[danil]

Try the DNR: DNR Home website-- we've hit several of the state parks and have had great hiking-- especially down at Turkey Run which is not too far from you.

 

[Sniper 79]

It is not going to be any time soon. We both are married with kids and need someplace close for a weekend thing. That is about all the our wives will let us have. I think it has been at least six years since our last camp. I will have to research it further. I do know of a spot in the UP.

 

[gunbunnies]

Well up here in NW Indiana there isn't much... You can get away with hiking around some of the larger farm properties in Newton, Jasper, LaPorte, or Stark counties but it will be mainly flat land with samll lots of tree's distributed throughout them. In the summer it will be lots of corn or soybean... Hunting would have to be done during proper legal seasons... You could get away with a outing if you do alittle meet and greet session with some of the local farmers up here.

Now if you want to leave out the hunting portion of the trip there is a neat trail down in Harrison-Crawford State Forest at the bottom of the state. It is a workout with full pack and you can camp on the trail... The Park doesn't have camping anymore I believe... I think they closed it last year, but the trail is still open and it is s lot of fun/work... Here's a link to it...

Harrison Crawford Adventure Trail

 

[Archbishop]

Decent hiking for the two of you to meet up would probably be Shades State Park or Turkey Run State park. I'm pretty sure hunting is not allowed though. I think you can hunt in Morgan Monroe State park.
Even the parks that let you hunt though often separate the areas you can hunt and camp for safety reason. You'll have to check into that
Good luck to you guys.

 

[AtTheMurph]

I can't think of too much up in that area. Head north to Chicago, then keep going to Milwaukee. Once you get there, keep going North.

Good advice. You can hit a good place about 45 miles N of Milwaukee Kettle Morain North. Lots of trails, backpack camp areas, hunting, lakes, hills and you might even jump a grouse or two. Kettle Moraine North - Wisconsin DNR

 

[astenftenagel]

The Ferdinand Forest in Dubois CO. is a large woods, with a campsite and several lakes, primitive camping isn't actually allowed, but if you hike off far enough into the woods away from the camping area I'm sure you would be fine

 

[Lethgar]

Jasper County chiming in here, and unless you're already in with a farmer, you'll have to head south. There just isn't anything.

Well up here in NW Indiana there isn't much... You can get away with hiking around some of the larger farm properties in Newton, Jasper, LaPorte, or Stark counties but it will be mainly flat land with samll lots of tree's distributed throughout them. In the summer it will be lots of corn or soybean... Hunting would have to be done during proper legal seasons... You could get away with a outing if you do alittle meet and greet session with some of the local farmers up here.

...this I don't really suggest. Most farmers, or even those who live on houses with a lot of land, such as myself, keep all four corners posted. Seeing two guys hiking through my fields at random isn't something we greet with...delight...around here. Good luck on a meet and greet, most farmers in Newton would be more than happy to have you. As for most of the guys in Jasper, not so much. Getting them to agree to let you walk to a deer that's run into their land and died is hard enough, let alone hiking and camping on it. I've never had a negative interaction with land owners from the surrounding counties. Must be something in the air.

FWIW. I would love to head down south myself this spring.

Good luck!

 

[Boonl1776]

The Deam Wilderness in Hoosier National Forrest (South side of Lake Monroe) is a great destination - even a couple of caves.

 

[sly14]

Morgan Monroe state forrest does allow hunting in certain areas, there are two small ponds that you can fish. There is a primitive camp ground there are several hiking trails.
hoosierhikerscouncil.org wiill give you information on the trails