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Never hunted deer in subzero weather. It is rare for temps to dip below zero in IL during deer season. I wouldn't think temps alone would increase or decrease their ability to smell.

I'll add one more tip. When hunting in snow your footsteps create holes in the snow that keep your scent inside. I believe scent in snow lasts longer than just walking on leaves (from personal experience). I'd walk into my stand/blind in a direction you don't anticipate deer to come from. I'd also avoid walking around the perimeter hanging any kind of scent device.

You can get a bow tag no problem. Gun tag is a lottery. Not sure of the actual stats? Anywhere in IL is good. Some places are excellent. The best known areas tend to be in counties directly West of you. If you go with archery I'd suggest grouping the days around November 6th. If you go gun, well then the weekends before and after Thanksgiving since that's when they are.

What would you all recommend for a Remington Genesis? Do regular rifle scopes fit or do you need a special scope for muzzeloaders? I've seen several adds that market specific scopes for muzzeloaders. What's different?

Naw I'll bet there are still some big boys around. They are warry because of all the hunters and human activity in the woods. In addition the rut is about over now. They may have moved to safer more remote areas or they just don't move until dark.Seems like this happens every year. Usually about Christmas I start seeing bigger bucks again.

That is terrible. For the first time ever yesterday I woke up early and went shoping. The Nintendo WII (I just found out a couple weeks ago it is a interactive game system) was on sale at Cabelas and my kids had been asking for one. A friend went with me to get one as well. I arrived at 5:30am (store opened at 6am). There was already about 50 people in line (some since about 4am). Anticipating a mad rush for this WII Cabela's had a worker distribute a flyer with the managers signature to people in line who wanted one. Mine had number 15 on it (they had a total of 29). We were instructed that the paper would serve as our "ticket" to get a WII at the customer service desk. This was a smart move and helped keep any potential idiots at bay. I must say it wasn't a big deal and everyone acted appropriate and curtious (at least from what I saw). I had the WII and was in my truck headed home by 6:20am.

They are tough! And with their hormones high this time of year they are even tougher. Sounds like you didn't get him. Are you still tracking?

I've still got some old self mounts I did years ago. I must say it looks like you put more time and thought into yours. Looks great! One question? How are you going to get that paper clip back into shape?

Santa bought me a new Remington Genesis muzzeloader this morning at 6am at Cabela's. My wife doesn't know yet.

So... IMO means "in my opinion". I'm not in the new texting generation so until now I had no idea what it meant. I guess I see your point since I never knew the meaning and it hasn't caused me to interpret something wrong. Doesn't bother me seeing it though. I just found out what OMG was a month ago and last year found out LOL means laugh out loud and not lots of luck. Had I never joined these forums I'd still be in the dark.

I paid 400.00 for my 06 buck. Same taxi next year went up to 485.00. This year I switched to a reputable guy that is charging me 350.00 for my 08 buck. All shoulder mounts.

Ok I now own my first black powder. I don't know much about them so if you all have learned any lessons or know any tips about maintenance, hunting in the rain, or anything else I'd love to hear.

Looks like IL worked out real well for you this year. Congratulations!

Here's Deer Camp 2008! The IL park service charges 5 bucks a night! Looks like I'm about 4 short.

Thinking about getting one tomorrow. On sale for 199.00. Any thoughts?

Well, my kids have both been small game hunting with me and have done very well. They both are always energetic and ready to go each time I ask them. My daughter has been deer hunting with me once (she sat in the stand with me while I hunted with my bow). She loves it and has been asking me when she can be the shooter and not the watcher. So force is certainly not an issue. I would never take anyone less than 12 to a weekend overnight deer camp in cold November. I'm thinking more of an afternoon (3pm-6pm) during the mild October Illinois youth shotgun season in a ground blind at a local farm. I'd have to see if she was ready for a 20 guage before I took her of course. However, I'm just blown away by all the stories I hear of 7 year olds shooting deer.

I've been reading a lot about really young hunters harvesting deer. As young as 7 years old. Some in Illinois. My daughter is 7 and my son is 6. They both can't wait for their first deer hunt. I was checking with the ILDNR and there are two legal ways for youths to hunt deer that I know of. 1. They can take the hunter safety course and then get a license and tag the normal way. However, when I called the hunter safety courses they indicated that participants have to be at least 8 years old. 2. They can obtain a license without taking the hunter safety course and hunt with a licensed hunter/mentor. However, the minimum age for this license is 10 years old. So I realize other states have different rules, but am I missing something in IL????

Think I'd a held out for a bigger one. Yea and I'd a came home with a clean gun. Truly an awesome animal. Congratulations.

I'd say 3.5 year old and 136" gross. Great deer.

Awesome! Congratulations to all!

Thanks everyone. When I measured I came up with 127 and change (gross) and only 2 inches in deductions. I was a little surprised because I was thinking 130's myself. I love those heavy thick racks the best even if the score isn't as high. It seems a number of forum members get a little upset with the attention around scoring. For me it's the entire deer (not just antlers) as well as the actual hunt that makes it a trophy. Scoring antlers is just another piece of the trophy puzzle. I'm having it mounted largely because of the difficult recovery. Some day when I'm not able to drag a 200+ lb. deer a 1/2 mile I'll point to this 8-point and say, "I used to be able to do it." Of course by then the story will be more like 2 miles up several cliffs (instead of 5 ft. creek banks) and the deer will gain another 50 pounds.

Used to eat the liver (because my dad said to). Not in 15+ years now. Just the meat thanks.

Here's a couple pics from last weekend.

Great buck! I think I'd always have to come back to IL if ever moved just to hunt big whitetails!

Great buck! Looks like a great place to be too.