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Well no does tonight, but I did see 2 bucks. The first was a 9-pointer at 75-100 yards. He was a beauty! Probably 2.5 years old and would go 120". He was eating beans in the field about 20 minutes till dark. The second buck was a four pointer at 40 yards. I let the 4 point walk, and I would have let the 9-point walk (if he had come closer). Ya know I just can't get over how awesome their sense off smell is. The 9-point grazed in the beans until he crossed the path I took entering the woods. He smelled my scent (3 hours old), looked up and became alert. Not seeing anything he just turned and walked back into the woods. The four point followed. Also had a flock of turkeys roost in some trees 30 yards from me. That was cool. I realize this isn't a journal so I'll shut-up until I get some meat to show off.

Got a lotta junk in the trunk there. It looks young, if it's a 1&1/2 he will be awesome in a few years! Looks like about 110.

I can't tell you how easy it was to get up at 4:30 today. Well this morning 4's were wild. Saw 4 does (100 yards and moving away) 4 squirrels and 4 geese. I't's been a long off season. I keep going back and forth on waiting till dark for a buck or shooting the first doe I see tonight. Frank

Same for me. >Frank

I'll be in the same boat as you next year when my kids start deer hunting. I'm waiting till my cabela's points add up. No way would I fork out 400 (more like 100-150). I've been looking at the Doghouse TSC. It's bigger than the regular doghouse (no realtree camo though:() Good reviews from Cabela's. The windows on the G30 are too small for me.

Not sure how much the scent clothes work:confused:. Wind and elevation I feel are more important. I use both types SB and SL and use the dryer to activate a couple times in a season. I wash only when bloody, rained on, or muddy. I'm a strong believer in reducing scent by moisture wicking clothes and this year I'm using scent(less) rubber boots. Had a spike buck smell my 3 hour old foot prints in the snow last year and bolt like it had seen a ghost.

Well tomorrow will my first day out. I have to work, but only a few hours (noon-3pm) so I'll get a morning hunt in and an evening. I'll also get a evening hunt in Friday. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve! I spent my lunch break at home today getting everything ready. I'm not expecting much from my morning spot, but I should have some activity at my evening spot. When I see that doe inside 20 yards tomorrow it's going to be hard to lay off, but my plan is to wait for big boy. If the bucks are there they will wait until the does are in the fields before leaving the woods.

Tomorrow morning! My first day out and the weather is awesome! Lows in the 40's highs in the 60's. For October I'll take that any day! Good luck to everyone!

Congrats! Finally! October 1st!!!!!! I'm working today, and tomorrow (however, I'm going out for 2 hours tomorrow morning and then I get 2 more after work just before dark). The morning spot I'm not expecting much from, but the evening spot will be prime. I'm anticipating on seeing a lot of deer. I'll be holding out for a big buck that first evening. Lets see those does!

Hard to tell the age. I'd say 115 gross and I'd give him another year unless he's 4-5 years.

Those are great pre-rut bucks. Tomorrow is the IL. opener. I feel like a kid on Christmas eve.

I like to hunt 20 yards from a creek (on the uphill side if there is a hill). It's fairly warm right now and deer will be near water. Need to factor the wind too.

Thanks for sharing the hunt with us and congratulations! >Frank

Hey Dave, thanks for the additional pics. I've hunted bear twice now (in Canada in 2000, and Idaho last spring). I haven't had an opportunity for a shot at any bear and I'll tell ya what that beauty you took would be a welcome sight to me if I get to go in spring 09. Glad you didn't let the first time poster get to ya. In addiiton you handled the comment with class. Well done!

22 inch rainbows, huge mule deer, oh and then there's golfing too. Man I gotta get me a course soon! 100 lbs. and 20 miles seems like a heavy order, but if I had the right person(s) to go with, I'd be up for it. (As long as it wasn't during archery deer season).

Great deer! I believe any deer harvested legally is something to be proud of. However, I'd be extra proud of that dude. I do have a lot of fun with scoring deer, but everyone here is right when they say it doesn't matter. I'd say 110 is about right. Looks like you put a good shot on him as well.

Welcome to the forums and may you have a safe trip back to the good ol' USA. I take it you are wanting to hunt this December? Illinois has a lot of outfitters that might cut an active duty man a break. You could Google IL. outfitters and you'll have a lot to review. Pike county is the hot spot. You'll likely miss the gun season this year, but late season archery can be great and cheap. I took an 11-point P&Y on January 17th 2008. I believe this season the archery season ends January 15th. Good luck!

I advise you not listen to me because I know nothing of hunting mulies. If I saw that guy, I'd shoot without hesitation. (and then I'd yell FOUR!!)

Red fox pee used to be the #1 cover around here years ago. It's stout, but not like skunk. Since I'm married and keep my hunting clothes in the house I just use scent away. Since you're determined I'd go with the boots.

Not sure why, but I either have 10 yard shots or 40 yards. I hit a tom with #6 some years back at 40 yards, rolled him, he got up and vanished into may apples. I went to 4's because of this and haven't missed since. I'll stick with 4's unless I start missing. I use a 12G, 3inch mag. Remington 1100 semiauto

A little more than half way up it looks like a creek bed (low spot). I don't believe you have a stand there? I'd follow it to the far East part of your property (on the north side of the low spot). Deer might use that low area to enter the fields. (Not sure what the orange is?)

Since I've never had the opportunity to hunt any deer except whitetail, I'd like to mix it up. Muley first.

God works in mysterious ways. One more reason to stay in church.

Same here. Deer camp with family is great even if the deer hunting isn't as good as bowhunting.

QT was out of regular unleaded a couple weeks ago for a few days. Now prices are down $3.79 in IL. $3.55 in St. Louis.