Best dates to deer hunt Illinois 2009

longbow1 · January 05, 2009, 04:44:00 PM

For all you Illinois bowhunters, I'm booking a trophy deer hunt in Pike county for 2009 with Illinois trophy bowhunters Inc.. The outfitter has two dates available, Oct. 31st-Nov.5th or Nov.12th-Nov.17th. If you only had 6 days to hunt when would you go? Also, if anyone knows anything about this outfitter, any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

George

pintail_drake2004 · January 05, 2009, 04:47:00 PM

12-17th. weekend befor shotgun season. earlier dates is OK (i shot several deer before november 1) but they still have summer fur, and still building body mass.

pronghorn23 · January 05, 2009, 04:55:00 PM

I would take Nov 12-17th. It seems to me alot of big bucks are killed right around Veteran's Day.

flint kemper · January 05, 2009, 05:31:00 PM

12th-17th for sure. From an Illinois boy. Flint

blind one · January 05, 2009, 05:36:00 PM

Definately 12th-17th.

cooncrazy · January 05, 2009, 06:11:00 PM

this year it seemed like they were running does real hard about the 10 thur the 20 th of november thats ussaly a realy good week right before the 1st shot gun season thats a special time around here

JDinPA · January 05, 2009, 07:08:00 PM

I would pick Nov.12th-Nov.17th.

Jason R. Wesbrock · January 05, 2009, 07:10:00 PM

I'd also go with the 12th - 17th.

longbow1 · January 05, 2009, 07:19:00 PM

Thanks boys, you have been a great help. Now, has anyone hunted with this outfitter (Illinois trophy bowhunters)

flint kemper · January 05, 2009, 07:24:00 PM

Longbow is he out of Pittsfield,Illinois and what is his name? Flint

kbaknife · January 05, 2009, 08:53:00 PM

The first 14 days following the second full moon after the Autumnal Equinox.
That's the 3rd through the 16th.
I'd take the 12th through the 17th as well.

longbow1 · January 05, 2009, 09:43:00 PM

Flint, his name is Steve Phelps out of Petersburg.

waknstak IL · January 05, 2009, 09:53:00 PM

From the 5th thru the 12th would be my pick. But out of the 2 choices you have I'd go with the latter as well. In Pike co. either one would be good.

DBerrard · January 06, 2009, 02:15:00 AM

12th through 17th sounds better to me also. I'd rather let it get a bit colder than 40-50 degrees with rain.

toddster · January 06, 2009, 07:37:00 PM

Longbow1- Have not heard alot about this outfitter. Make sure you talk to him, alot of them are restricting there buck's to 170 or higher class deer. They got hit pretty hard this last year with blue tounge disease. You can hunt two of the as good places (in my opinion) alot cheaper if wanting to camp, public land JEPC and Shelbyville. Harder hunting, but more deer and just as big. As far as dates, Rutting period is usually the week before our first shotgun season right through it (always weekend before thanksgiving). The Bucks will be moving fairly good at the begining of November.

flint kemper · January 06, 2009, 09:13:00 PM

I have not heard of him either. Flint