Southern Michigan is shotgun only (plus black powder) too but there were recent laws passed that allowed the shooting of handgun caliber ammunition in rifles that accommodate them. I have no idea what impact that is on our hunting population...........
With that being said, the .223 cartridge is useless when hunting deer or any larger animal and is more suitable for varmints......Everyone I know who ventures up north to hunt with rifles use higher caliber rifles...........
Thanks for the correction.
I did not know center fire was allowed for deer in Illinois.
Speaking with my brother about it, I was told it’s still shotgun only in southern part of the state.