Illinois bow hunters, Please Read!


cflhunter

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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

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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!!!

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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.:rolleyes:

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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

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Guest IllinoisMackDaddyHunter

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"

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Guest Primetime/IL

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.

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