cflhunter Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Hey everyone, I have a trip planned to southern Illinois for November 1st - 8th. I've been pumped to say the least. However, I grabbed this month's Deer & Deer Hunting magazine and read that this year's rut forecast is predicted to come at least two weeks later than last year. Meaning the rut will supposedly not kick off until November 15th (Give or take). My heart sank after reading this. My question to all of you lucky enough to have Illinois as your primary hunting grounds: Should we reschedule for a week or two later? Or should we follow everyone else's advice and stick to this 1st week in November? Any information you would mind sharing would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks! Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RackBlaster Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Not sure about southern IL, but the first week of Nov. has always been about the best time to be in the stand for me. I have always seen a lot of big bucks around that time. Nobody knows exactly when the rut is going to kick in , they can only predict, but i would say to keep your date in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazylegz70 Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I would personally say stick with the date you have.....The rut can be unpredictable, however if i had one week of the whole year to hunt, I would choose November 1st......JMO I shot my biggest deer ever last year on November 2nd and I saw 5 other bucks that evening.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflhunter Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 This makes me feel a bit better! Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mach1 Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 My biggest buck was shot on Election Day in 2001 (gross 175" 9pt) and I shot another good buck in the first 2 weeks of November. I'd stay with your dates. But heck, any time is a good time to be in our woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Last year the rut hit for me in Indiana in Late October so I would be completely fine with a Nov 1st date as to hunt..I say leave it where it is and go stick one!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut_N_Strut Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Stick with it.....I read the mag. too and I still took vacation from oct. 27 through nov. 8th and I am happy with tht time... should be rockin!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtech_archer07 Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Stick with the date you have. Some of my best hunting has been during the 1st week of November. It's just the luck of the draw if you have a lot of action or not, but if that forecast is off, you could be in the chips. Also, just b/c the rut falls late doesn't mean that those bucks won't be willing to come to horns or other calls. They'll be starting their pre-rut stage and you might just get lucky and stick a big one. Good luck to you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I'd also keep the date. Best time of the year in IL. If the rut isn't in full swing yet you'll still get the bucks cruising and looking hard. Don't forget to hunt mid-day that time of year. How many times have you heard the weatherman forecast rain it ended up being sunny all day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOYTnMUZZYboy Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Like others have said, stick with the dates you have picked. Anything can happen at anytime. Just because "the majority" of the deer are not ruttin hard, doesn't mean a giant couldnt be lurking around the bend. Hunt hard, and hunt all day. Its key that time of year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflhunter Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Thanks everyone. I'm leavin' the dates the way they are. Boy I feel a whole lot better now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyman Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 With 26 Illinois deer seasons under my belt, i gotta agree with everyone, stick with your current dates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I've found the 2 weeks leading up to the peak rut are the best times for big bucks to be on the prowl. JMO Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born4it Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Definitely leave the dates. Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is hunting pressure. If you're in an area where there's pressure, you'll probably beat most out of town people there. You'll also have first crack at all the big boys!!! Shot my biggest bow buck on November 4th...don't sleep on the pre-rut!! Good luck, and I hope to see pictures! Take care, Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IllinoisMackDaddyHunter Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 October 28th thru Nov 15th is always the best time for me. It happens in phases and not all bucks rut at the same time. Anyone will agree. Id stick to your trip. There is no magicial date. It does go on for weeks some years. Good luck 2 you. "Team Askew" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Primetime/IL Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I would stay put on those days, the first week of November is always primetime. I seem to have my best luck around the 8th-12th (2 of my biggest bucks taken in this period) But you definitely cant go wrong, usually on first 1-10days of November the bucks are cruising for does and the week following most bucks are locked down with does and nearing the second rut phase. Once their locked down activity seems to diminish and your plans need to alter if things get slow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookieee Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 i have hunted southern ill for the last 3 years during the first week of Nov and done real good ,this year in hunting in samsons ridge with i read in ttha and is said to be a great place to hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ildrhntr Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 All of my bucks except 1 have been shot between Nov 1 and 20th includinng my biggest pictured here 176 4/8 Gross. He was shot on the 12th. I would stick with anything in November before shotgun season. After gun season it is a completely different ball game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflhunter Posted September 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Thanks again for all of the responses. I'm countin' down the days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie65 Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 First week or two in November are usually good. I have always liked the week & weekend befroe our first shotgun season comes in. Seem to see my best bucks the weekend before the first shotgun season. On that note I am on vacation form Nov. 14 to Nov. 24. Looking for it to be pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illinois59 Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Pre rut would be my choice. Sounds like you are going to hit it perfectly. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tink Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 9th Nov peak of the rut in my book year inand year out I see more huge bucks kiilled on Nov 9th than any day of the year in east & Mid West Tink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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