IL. season

[Archie]

Went out once last weekend, sat for 3 hours but didn't see any deer.  Took a shot at a squirrel but missed.  I was sitting in a ghilllie suit and boy, was that squirrel surprised!  He still doesnt know where that arrow came from!

[bofish-IL]

I was out for 3 days in Central IL. Saw 3 small bucks, one decent buck, and thousands of Mosquitoes. I was smart enough to take a thermacell was I ever glad I had it. Even on the windy nights the bugs were bad.

[Fletcher]

Outstanding, Jeremy!  Congratulations!!    

[Huntschool]

I have taken my bow for a short walk only one time so far.  I have several "spots" here at the house that are good for me as I can not walk the way I once did... Damn COPD.... so I toured those spots.... slowly.

I must admit I cant get to up when the temps are high.

I have been seeing deer for the last few weeks but nothing I am really interested in.  I hope cooler temps will prevail as my schedule opens up at the end of the month.  Just the right time.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Went out last night and right before the end of shooting time, I had bucks chasing does all over the woods. It was crazy! Ive never seen seeking and chasing behavior this early in the season.

[J. Holden]

Was out on public land last night from 1:00 to sunset, saw nothing...

Jeremy

[Brianlocal3]

Been raining here since Thursday night, it's stopped now, heading out for a quick evening hunt. Gonna leave the seat and do some still hunting as the ground is plenty wet!!!!!!!!

[Brianlocal3]

Ran into 4 hunters, no critters

The joys of il public land!! Fun outing though

[KevO]

I have been out 5 times & seen a a total of 19 deer from the stand.  5 were antlered & 5 have been within my range but I chose not to shoot or they did not offer a shot.

[yeager]

I hunt just south of Marengo, IL in McHenry County and have only been out once.  Was on a 2 week cruise in the Mediterranian and just got back on Sunday. And now I have to go baby-sit for a week in St. Louis.  When I get back next week, I'll finally be able to hit the woods in force.  That first time out, saw only a squirrel and a few flocks of geese, but I did acquire another farm to hunt on.

Good luck everyone!!!!

[Hoyt]

Can't do much hunting for the rain around here. Went one morning in Shawnee behind the house a couple days ago and had a little 4 pt chase a doe by me before I could get a shot at either.

Scrapes and rubs everywhere ..earliest and most I've seen around here. Think it's because doe numbers are down.

A break in the weather and cold front should really be good.

[bowtough]

Rain, rain, and more rain. Crops are way behind being harvested and will prolly be well into nov. around here. Fields super muddy and temps. still warm. Looks like better weather later this week maybe will trigger better movement. So far been very slow!  

[Wallydog]

Been out 4 times now. Its looking like another slow year for me. One deer sighted at dark-thirty. Im planning a Matthesion hunt later on. Maybe during rut? Ill be camped at Starved Rock if anybody wants to visit.

[longbow fanatic 1]

I spent Friday and Saturday morning in the treestand. Friday morning, I was at my stand an hour before shooting light and wouldn't you know it, the deer were right there. I bumped them out. Once light came, I didn't see a deer all morning. I should have known better. My game camera was telling me the deer were there then, but I thought somehow I would get by with it. I think I'm going to try it in the afternoon. Saturday morning, I tried a different stand. I did see two year and a half forky twins. They were carrying their tails up, so that's a good sight. It was a nice encounter. Sunday, I had the dreaded south/east wind. None of my stands are right for that wind, so I passed on going out.

Rut is upon us and I have November 1st-4th off. Bring it on! Good luck to everyone!

[bowtough]

Hunted my honey hole last Friday eve, perimeter scrapes are just now starting up. Saw a mature doe at five come by my stand. Her tongue was hanging out and she kept looking behind at her backtrail. Got ready but nothing ever showed, obvious though that something had been chasing her. Young doe and this years fawn showed up right at dark. Watched them lick each others face for five mins. Then doe walked out in front of my stand at fifteen yards broadside and I couldn't bring myself to kill her. Ha, man I am getting soft in my old age. But had a solid time!  

[toddster]

Pretty good, got a Doe, seen plenty deer, got a chance to chase turkey too

[ranger 3]

Got out for the first time last night and never seen a thing.

[Tater]

Hunted Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Yesterday morning, seeing Deer every day.
    Had a spike tempt me Saturday morning but I'm not ready to burn my Buck tag just yet.
    I think the activity is just getting started and will pick up in the next weeks.

 Pat

[meatCKR]

Here's a tree that is 20 yards out from my setup on the ground.
 

That was about two weeks ago when I was scouting out that part of the Chain O' Lakes State Park - not a mark on it.  Now, here is that same tree yesterday:
 

Man - just seeing that Rub got my juices going! Man, I love this time of year!  Hung out there all day yesterday and nothing showed up.  But there are good bucks to be had in there - I just know it.

Good luck everyone!

[SportHunter]

I went out last Saturday morning and didn't see anything from the stand.

Changed tactics and went to public ground, stalked into a ravine and came upon two does ahead feeding slowly, a small buck was trailing them.

I stalked them for about three hours. Setup two intercept points and was busted both times by swirling winds. Still a good day in the field.