I handgun hunt in your great state of IL usually during the 1st 3-day season and have a blast--literally. I started out with the cannons (.500 & .460) and with the .460 made my longest kill on a Pike Co. alfalfa field @ 175 yards, laying on top of a round bale of hay with a bull bag. I have since began to down-size and enjoy hunting from my lock-ons with one of my .44s using a stick rest. Just like bowhunting except the shots can be alot longer. So there's my advice to add to the great advice you have already received--when hunting with a handgun, don't be Clint Eastwood. Use some type of rest!