Illinois Season Over....

[Huntschool]

Tonight was it.  I sat in two different stands today for a total of about 7 hours.  Had deer around me several times.  There were the does this morning, six all together, that came by being does.  Guess I could have taken at least one but let them pass.

The afternoon stand was a bit more "taxing" on the nerves as I got visited by several does and three different bucks.  I had hoped to see the big guy but he did not show.  I had a good 130" class buck that I know to be 4.5 years old at about 12-15 yards for about 6-8 minutes.  He just kept "dinking" around.  The whole time he was in close I was on attention cause he has been runnin with the big guy....

I finally decided it was time to call it a year.  Got down and wished my spot well.  As I walked back to the truck I got a going away look at the big guy....  He is still in there and now season is over.  He and the 130 should do well for the rest of the winter.  I have enough food and cover to keep them as well as "my" does happy. There are also some "young'uns" who will do well on the property.

I have had a wondeful, I might even say exciting year. This new year holds many opportunities and much promise.  My varsity shotgun team has a shot at the National Championship.  I have a new Black Widow PL due in about the middle of Feb.  I have some fly fishing trips planned, and may even get the chance to hunt one of those bigger antlered beasts in the North.  There should also be several chances at hogs in Texas.  

The year has been good. It ended with me enjoying my surroundings and thinking of all the folks on Trad Gang, both here and gone.

[NoCams]

Over for us too Bruce. We hunted morning and evening in what was left of the 12" of snow we got last Monday morning. All we saw were 3 jake turkeys in a new spot we have found. Just knew we would see deer since I scouted it Thursday and the snow told the tale. Tons of sign, must been doing it at night ??? Oh well, 8.5 months to go now......

Congrats on the scattergun team and wishing you well for the new year !!! Sounds like you have a full and exciting year ahead.

[glass76]

Not much activity in the woods today where I was. Late season on public land is tough. As happens quite a lot, I return home to have several does feeding in my yard. They stand and watch me unload my bow and pack out of the truck then the dog runs them off.

It was a great year. Now it's time to prepare for next season.

[crosseye]

i got out 6 times total for the year...2 times i took my 5 year old, 2 times i passed fawns, and the other 2 times it rained!  oh well, my 1 year old kept me busy enough that i did not miss it!  my boy wants me to make a bow for him this winter so that will be cool!  all the best to you and marilyn...maybe next year i can come down and chase those does with you and have good glass of wine with you and marilyn.  best of luck with the skeet season.  john cummins, one of my former students, is in your program at college.

[bowtough]

Didn't see near the deer I usually see. Saw more coyotes than deer. Time for the 22/250. I think the coyotes and liberal gun seasons are really hamering the deer numbers in our area!

[statedriller]

I saw about a million tracks and a bunch of robins.  But it was still better than not getting out.  Come on October 1st....

[IronJohn]

Over here in PA to! I got out a total of 5 times this season with my bow. Having a newborn Son, an 8 year old Son and another Son in college keeps me very busy indeed. Add to that I worked night shift since the Summer really put a hurt on my activities. I did see deer every time out but no shots were taken. No meat in the freezer this year. I sure will miss those venison burgers on the grill with a big slab of home grown tomato   :(  But there is next season to look forward too and perhaps a new bow in the works    It's all good and maybe next season will provide some better memories........IJ

[Huntschool]

Jimmy:  Yea, the team looks good.  Now if the weather will calm down and we can get a ton of practice in we will be good to go.

Stan:  The kids will keep ya busy.  John (we call him Shakey) is doing real well.  He is a dedicated young man.  The wine is always ready...

Gary: Yea, I think the huge number of tags has had an effect on our herd.  Add to that the ever changing ecology of our landscape (growing older) without much management to set succession back and things will change.  I have seen it on my property.  We know the insurance underwriters are after the states to reduce deer numbers regardless of what we are told.  I am doing my part, although not with Trad bows, to keep the yotes down.  As of this week it is me 15, Yotes 0.  Just added the last one this morning!  

Larry:  Still good to be out brother.....

John:  You, sir, have your hands full.  Sounds like a wonderful family.  All bowhunters no doubt.

All in all, a good year

[bofish-IL]

I have been seeing large groups of does but no bucks even on my game cameras, since the middle of Dec. The does were really alert even the yearlings. They would jump and flinch at every sound.

[waknstak IL]

Huntschool, I got down your way for the last day, no luck. Wind was wrong for where I needed to be.  Nothing better than driving 140 miles and having the wind wrong.  The deer of course came out where I wanted to be. Still it was a beautiful sunset and turkey season will be here before you know it.

[Huntschool]

Mike, ya should have yelled at me, we could have gotten together even if after your hunt.  My door is almost always open cept when I am off running with the shotgun team....

[jonsimoneau]

I'm happy for the deer...that the season is over this year.  They need a break.  The increasing number of gun days is taking a toll on them.  I went out in the late season with the intent of taking a doe...but decided to let them all walk.  The Illinois deer need a break! Don't get me wrong...I would have taken a big buck if given the opportunity, but that did not happen, and I felt good about letting the does have their fawns...despite what the farm bureau and insurance companys want.