Possible Illinois hunting club? UPDATE!

Curtiss Cardinal · July 31, 2009, 04:57:00 PM

Jon I gave you a call, left a message. I can see Illinois from main street in the town in Indiana I live in and have never hunted there. One thing all we nonresidents should keep in mind is that we can only buy Illinois tags online or by phone and they go fast after they start. In fact last year or the year before all non-resident tags were gone in less than 24 hours.

2treks · July 31, 2009, 07:09:00 PM

I thought that Jon just told me they had some left.

Featherbuster · July 31, 2009, 10:11:00 PM

I have never had a problem of getting tags in Illinois. Sometimes i have waited three weeks after they opened up the system to order and still have gotten my tag. Not saying they will not run, but i have never run in to that problem.

jonsimoneau · August 09, 2009, 09:51:00 PM

Hey guys, obviously there has been alot of interest in this concept. I just want to say that this will most likely not be happening this season. However, I have recently been talking to a realitor whom I have known my whole life who deals with many properties in the west central part of the state AKA the "Golden Triangle" He feels he can help me find the right property, as finding a large block of property in Illinois is becoming more and more difficult. We have agreed that we want to deal with only one landowner. We want a property that is large, or a few broken properties in close proximity to each other. He will do this for me for no commision due to being a family friend. I am open to any suggestions from anyone on this site as far as properties, and/or rules. However, I have already come up with some on my own and they are as follows if it is agreed by everyone.

There will be ABSOLUTELY no guns whatsoever allowed on the property for any reason (this includes turkey hunting) Not that I really need to mention that here, but just to be sure.

NO compound bows! I don't mean to be too picky, but I am looking for membership of a bunch of like minded individuals. Nothing against compounds, but they will not be allowed here.

NO four-wheelers period. Four wheel drive trucks will be allowed to retrieve deer as long as they never leave a road. If your buck is big enough to shoot, you won't mind dragging it out! HA! I will make myself available to help drag out deer any chance I am able.

This property will NOT be near my home. It will not be something that I am hunting non-stop while out of state members are not around. I have to work for a living like most of you and will be doing most of my hunting near home until November rolls around. November.....makes me salivate just hearing the word!

Membership will be limited, and will be on a first come first serve basis. Members from this site will absolultely come first. I am looking for something fairly long-term. I am thinking 5 years to start with. If you join, and need to get out for any reason, a new member will be required to fill your spot. We can work together on this, and I doubt it will be much of a problem to work this out if needed.

Access will be allowed YEAR ROUND for members, for scouting, hanging treestands, fishing, turkey hunting etc.

This operation will be done FOR NO PROFIT in any way. I don't have the time nor the desire to be an outfitter. Video cameras are fine, but NOT for anything that will be sold for a profit. I will not make a dime and will likely lose money, but I feel it will be worth it.

As far as restrictions on deer size goes...I would be open to your suggestions, other than NOBODY will be fined for shooting a buck that does not meet someone elses critera. We can set goals, but will not penalize someone if they make a mistake. Let me know how you guys feel on this.

I'm getting really excited about this, and feel it will happen in the near future.

Please address any concerns, or give suggestions/comments here.

Herdbull · August 09, 2009, 10:20:00 PM

As you you know, Illinois has many different rules and definitions. I would be very carefull as you guys go forward, and find out from authorities about the definition of "Outfitter." It may not be your intension to be an outfitter, or to make any money or "monetary" income, but the definition is very loose. If you take a large tract that has not been hunted, that is one thing, but if you indirectly move other people off so your "club" can hunt, it oftentimes creates bad feeling. These other people can call you in and request to check your outfitting license, and insurance etc. It has happened, and the law can be a little vague and changing.

jonsimoneau · August 09, 2009, 10:28:00 PM

Mike, good information to know. I'd be willing to hear anymore info you have about this. I guess if necessary, I could get the license, and all of that. But still it will be for no profit. I don't want to move people off of land they are hunting. I hate that. It's happend do me so many times...as I am sure it has happend to you here too. There will be many things to consider. Thank you for the help man! By the way...can I have those two bucks in your avitar? What a couple of beauties!!!

jonsimoneau · August 09, 2009, 10:36:00 PM

Kevin Bahr? Are you still interested? Let's work together here man!

craftwelder · August 10, 2009, 03:49:00 AM

I definately would be interested in being a part of thet

Herdbull · August 10, 2009, 07:46:00 AM

Jon.. the one on the left is older but doesn't have as many or as long of tines. I past him up two years earlier and his live image is in Primal Dreams. I filmed the one on the right in velvet the same year I took him, but the footage was too dark use in our film.

I have hunted over 13 Illinois counties, and yes, things are changing. Leasing is not what we all want, but is becoming a fact of life I guess. It is a way to give back to the land as well, if your landlord will allow you guys to plant trees, make brush piles, put up bird houses etc. Enjoying nature goes far beyond the kill. Mike

jonsimoneau · August 10, 2009, 06:48:00 PM

Mike, I gotta watch the video again and find that buck. What a beauty!

I agree with you too, nothing new there. What you are talking about is exactly what I am looking for. By the way, if you want to send those two bucks to me, my address is 3150 River Rd. Kankakee, Il, 60901! No way I could carry them both out of the field at once, but I bet I can carry both mounts! HAAAAAAAAAAAA!

jonsimoneau · August 10, 2009, 06:50:00 PM

Thanks for the info also!

Bill Tell · August 10, 2009, 08:10:00 PM

I would be interested as well. Keep me posted please.

todd secker · August 10, 2009, 10:16:00 PM

Jon, I may be interested in something like this also. Thanks

Herdbull · August 11, 2009, 02:35:00 PM

Jon, It took some doing, but I got both those deer packed and I sent them to you today. Look for them to arrive on Thursday, USPS. Mike

jonsimoneau · August 11, 2009, 06:07:00 PM

Ohh..I'm not falling for that one again mike!!!

Burnsie · August 11, 2009, 07:26:00 PM

Jon,
Definitely a lot of interest being shown, not sure how to get on the fist come first served list, but I am definitely interested. Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist. I live near Champaign, Il. and would be willing to do some field trips to the west side of the state.

Kevin Bahr · August 12, 2009, 10:31:00 AM

Hey Jon, yep, still interested. Just depends on where and how much. Just got the first tuition bill for Chase at ISU...YIKES!

jonsimoneau · August 13, 2009, 10:12:00 PM

Kevin, I'll be getting in touch with you. Chase needs a place to "chase" critters too!

adeeden · August 14, 2009, 08:53:00 AM

Jon, I'm still very interested in this as well!

jonsimoneau · December 16, 2009, 01:15:00 AM

For those interested in this, I am still looking into it and have been talking with 4 different landowners. I feel I will have something put together for next season.