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Dang Joe, take care of yourself. I shot a doe right at dusk tonight. Hit it back a little so I'm giving it overnight. Low is 29F tonight so I don't think it'll be a problem as far as the meat goes. I'm pretty sure I'll find her in a low spot she entered. Pics tomorrow if I recover it. >Frank

I'll start right now in Southern Il.

Congratulations! Looks like he'll gross high 140's net low 140's.

Congratulations! Nice doe.

He was a stud for sure. I'd say he'll gross a little higher than 185. He'll net B&C I bet. And I'm not talking about that silly awards category either.

I'm not seeing anything more than I have been seeing seeing since early October. Last week I started using my grunt call and had a 4-point come in looking. I'd say South Western Illinois needs another week before the chasing gets started. The runners have taken their marks, this week they are getting set. Next week the gun goes off.

Congrats! A fine deer regardless of the score. You'll likely only lose a couple inches over the drying period which will keep him a P&Y qualifier. A textbook looking rack that will make for a great mount if you choose to do so.

That's a great picture Ken. Sorry you can't get out until Monday. Including this morning I've had 10 hunts in 20 days. Some only a couple hours, but I was sure expecting to have some meat by now. This morning I saw 2 heavy horned bucks in a uncut bean field as I was driving to my stand around 5:30am. They were only about a 1/2 mile from my stand (would this be the morning)? I thought it might be time to break out the grunt call so I let out some easy grunts at 7am. Seconds later I could see a deer coming. I stood up pulled back my bow and waited for one of those 2 monster bucks to clear the branches. However, the big boys didn't seem to want to play yet. A 1.5 year old 4-point walks to my tree looking all over for the buck that made the grunt. It hung around (within 20 yards) for about 20 minutes. I pulled back a second time (I'm in need of some meat and I had a no miss shot). However, I decided for the second time to let it go. Very fun morning! I'm thinking the next deer that gives me a decent shot is getting an arrow.

Have to agree.

I'd say gross 160, but the hints make me believe it's not that big so 154. Awesome looking deer especially that straight on view.

I would try it out.

I knew that one was coming:D

I got my rapid rails up and man are they nice. I'll get a picture of the set up next time I hunt it.

Good luck! Glad to hear you were able to find some Illinois land. Did you end up getting the 750+ acres you were looking for?

Kathleen, I miss a lot of posts and I'm just now seeing this. Wow! what an offer. You're the best! I did a do it yourself bear hunt in Idaho last spring. Tags are easy to get and only 30 bucks each, but timing your hunt with a particular area is critical for a successful hunt. I'm waiting to see how this winter is before deciding for certain for another trip in 09. I'd be happy to pm you with more details if you're interested. >Frank

Lately hauling all my new toys up into my tree stand has been getting me worried about droping something (binoculars, range finder, etc...) I bought the hang it all belt from Cabela's and tie a small but strong string to all my gadgets. One small string for hanging my stuff on and a longer one in case of a drop. I tie a loop into one end of the string and loop it around the hooks on the hang it all belt. I have much more peace of mind knowing I'm not going to make a 200 dollar mistake.

I started in 1987 (I was 16). Had no idea what I was doing. There were years between 1987 and 1998 that I didn't bow hunt at all or much at all. In 1998 I started getting serious and learning all I could. My biggest problem was acquiring a decent place to hunt. Finally in 2003 I took my first, a large funky looking six pointer that was probably 3.5 years old or older. Not sure of my highest scoring buck because I'm waiting to get last years back from the taxi. My 06 buck weighed about 250 lbs and grossed 161 3/8, net 149 1/8 inches. My 07 buck weighed only 170 lbs but may score higher?

Great idea. Sounds like a heck of a lot of work. Hopefully I'll be sending you a pm.

That's one stud of a buck. Congratulations!

I'd like to join your group. Of course I have to earn it with a doe of my own first. Congrats!

Sounds like your hard work paid off. Way to go.

It's been primarily green food since Oct. 1 where I hunt in Eastern/Central IL. Beans are being harvested now, but no deer in the cut bean fields at all. I'm seeing very little movement, but when I do they are near water or clover. I have noticed that the corn (that will be up until late Oct.) has been eaten around the perimeter. I hunted that corn field one evening and not one deer showed up. I'm not seeing a lot of acorns on the ground like in past years. I haven't seen the deer eating acorns either. In a week or two a lot of the green leaves in the timber will be gone and I'll bet the cut bean field activity will pick up. I've also heard that a cut bean field will produce new small green plants of some kind that deer love.

Well if Tim uses them I'll be heading to Walmart tomorrow to pick up a set. Thanks

I've got a nice spot I'd like to set up a stand on but the only decent tree is too wide for a climber and since it's on the side of a hill and the deer are on top of the hill I need to get up real high. I was thinnking about setting up 6 rapid rails to get up 30 feet. Anyone use these? Wally World has them for 60 bucks for three. Any other suggestions? The tree has a couple large branches at about 10 and 15 feet.

Realtree needs to make some white door cammo for ya.