fly

Glad to hear of your success Billygoat! Looking foward to seeing the pics.

About a mile is the longest. However, the drag out was fairly level and there was a trail. I did not have a cart, I used a rope. It only took me about 2 hours because the deer wasn't real big (about 120lbs). The hardest drag out was this year. The distance was nearly 3/4 mile (I measured it on my map and came up with 0.7 miles). There were no trails and a mud slide from the previous spring caused several large oaks to fall across the valley I had to drag it out of. In addition there was a large creek with steep banks that snaked through the valley. It took me 6 hours plus a one hour lunch break to get it from where he fell to my truck. No one was around to help, but I was able to use my cart in some areas. I had to take the deer off the cart 3 times to get it down steep creek banks or over large tree falls. The buck weighed 205lbs field dressed.

I think the bird on the left needs to go out hunting.

I've shot some heafty turkey loads but was thinking my 300 Rem. ultra mag had more kick so I looked it up. According to Chuck Hawks recoil table powder packing shotguns win the prize over the 300 RUM. See: http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm and http://www.chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm

My digital camera, and a thick wool sock to keep it safe. Goes with me on every hunt (just in case)

It's been a week since anyone has posted and our team is nearing the bottom of the post list. Anyone had any luck?

I got one years ago that went a little over 10 inches. Recently I've settled for Jakes (3-4 inches). The IL. spring turkey season leaves a lot to be desired.

That's too bad Jeramie, I don't know what else has been going on with you this year, but I'm glad to hear of your new daughter. It's cliche' to say look on the brighter side, but lately I've been doing just that. I teach a clinical rotation on a trauma unit and every week I see things that make me realize how bad things could be. Last week a guy was hit while driving his family. His wife was pregnant. She had a head injury and is now in a vegetative state and the baby (born via c-section at 32 weeks) is also suffering brain damage. I see these kinds of cases every week and thank God for His protection.

Saw that guy on opening day and let him walk while I waited for a bigger one.

I don't know the girls, but my guess is that there would be more items they would like at Walmart. DeWalt makes great products. I have a 12 volt cordless DeWalt drill that I love. However, I have a Black and Decker jigsaw that has done every job i've needed it to and costs less than 1/2 what a DeWalt would cost. Buying the Black and Decker would be more practical. Buying the DeWalt would get a bigger reaction. Good luck!

What did the bunny have to say?

I took my 08 buck to a new taxi a couple weeks ago and was impressed with his shop (some of it anyway). Pleanty of mounts to examine that helped me make my decision regarding the type of mount I wanted. As I looked through the various mounts the taxi had several large RACKS calanders up as well. Perhaps your not familiar with these? If not then that's good. However, I'm seeing more and more of these infiltrating the hunting community. I take hunting seriously and take my time in nature to strengthen my relationship with God. I don't mix hunting with things I wouldn't do or see in church. (Granted I don't shoot animals in church, but I think you get my point). Anyway, I would like to take my 7 year old daughter to see the mounts at the taxi when I pick up the antlers in a couple weeks, but won't because of the calanders. I'm not even sure if I'll go to this taxi again. The wierd thing is that I believe the lady that works in the shop is his wife. My wife will at times tell me I'm overreacting to things. I'd ask her about it, but I prefer she doesn't even know these things exist. What's your take on this?

After mid-December I concentrate my efforts on evening hunts. Monday night I saw 4 does come from their bedding area to the harvested bean field about 15 minutes before dark. Unfortunately no bucks were following. The rut is over now and food sources are your best bet. If you want a buck stay in the timber or thick cover at least 20 yards near a corner or other entry area. The bucks will not likely enter the fields until dark, but they might skirt the edges just before. Remember not to get too close to the bedding areas. Another 20 yards and I would have bumped those 4 does last Monday. Good luck!

Firearm (shotgun/ML/handgun) the weekends before and after Thanksgiving. ML only this coming weekend. Late season firearm (antlerless only) 3rd weekend in Jan. There is also a youth (16 and under) firearm season in mid-October. Archery Oct. 1st -Jan. 15th or 16th (can't archery hunt during firearm seasons). Actually since deer hunting in IL is a big deal I'm glad to see the short firearm seasons. I also like the generous archery season.

I've never been in the chat room. I was in a chat room once about 5 years ago and some girl from Canada made fun of the St. Louis Cardinals which ended my chatting for good. If cops have to be there due to potential sicko's I guess I'll just stay in the safe ol forums.

1. Boston pops "Sleigh Ride" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rSocVAD6c 2. Chipmunk Christmas Song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dnrosVyamY

Steve! I don't the particulars of this, but that was truly over the top funny!

I could not stand this guy and concurr that getting rid of him is the best thing to do. Can't wait to see who gets the senator seat or who governs IL next???? I sure would like to see representative John Shimkus (republican) advance. Edit: If it wasn't for hunting big whitetails in the fall I'd be miserable living in IL. Think I'll be headed out West once my kids get a bit older.

You can't point the finger at a Governor for any one party here in IL. They are all bad! Lets not forget about the old Republican Governor George Ryan! http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-congressmen-ryan,0,2168653.story

That was long, but worth it. I think the extra RAM was my favorite. So this year we decided to spend the money on the kids and not get christmas gifts for each other. I was planning on getting her something anyway. Do you think I'm headed to the dog house for making her feel bad if she doesn't get me anything? How can you win???? I guess I better just start preparing for some serious folding.

Not sure this year? Never saw chasing this year at all. I saw young bucks running around kinda crazy during the second week of November. I had several smaller bucks come in to my grunting from mid-October and the last response to grunting I had was on Nov. 21st (made that one count:D). If I had to pick a day for the "peak" I'd say Nov. 14th for the Western bottom 1/3 of Illinois. (About a week later than normal)

By leaving the dog out maybe they will not be back next year.

That's great that your dad records your hunts. Well done I might add. Congratulations on your first public ground buck.

My thoughts exactly.

The number of deer I've seen this year is down compared to previous years. I too am seeing more young bucks than doe's this year. I've let every small buck walk and once I had 1 doe from each of the 2 farms I hunt I let the does go as well. The buck I took this year was from public land so he doesn't factor into the ratio. My dad didn't get a deer this year and wants one. Therefore I'm once again hunting for one more doe or mature buck. I think the number of deer is down across much of the US and holding off on excessive doe harvesting will only boost the numbers.