Full circle hunt in Illinois

[Montanawidower]

I am heading back to my childhood haunt to chase whitetails next weekend. Nov 3-7  My uncle and mentor(a trad hunting guru since the 60's)and I are camping out and hunting the family place.  I have not been back to Wayne county to hunt since the early 90's.  I am stoked!!!!  

Question to you Ill guys.  How is the rut progressing?  How's the herd look compared to the last several seasons.  Hints or tips?  I hunt whitetails hard out in MT, but they are very dumb compared to the Ill deer of my youth.
 

I'm getting in touch with my uncle today to get the latest, however, I don't think he's been in our stands much. (he said he's steering clear to save it for me)   Also on a sad note, we are down to one small family place to hunt thanks to all the leasing in the last decade. ( But thats a gripe for another thread.)

[Duker]

Good luck  

[Randy Morin]

Good luck Jeff.  Hope you get a big one under your stand.

[adeeden]

The little bucks are pestering the does pretty good right now. The big guys aren't yet but will be anytime.

We have a very good mast crop this year. The woods are literaly covered in acorns. Most of the crops in my area went in late due to a wet spring, and the majority of the corns still standing. They are starting to shell them though.

The overall herd seems to have been declining the last 7 years or so. Don't get me wrong there are still plenty of deer out there but I think we hit our highs quite a few years ago. The DNR has implemented several things to lower the population and it seems to be working.

All in all it's somewhat normal for this time of year! The good chase period should be begining any day now.

[Montanawidower]

Thanks Dennis, thats exactly what I wanted to hear.  The corn issue concerns me though.  I remember the real bucks suddenly appearing after the corn was down.  

Randy, I hear there is a double drop tine 170ish hog running the place.  I hope to just see him... what a thrill.    

Any other reports on activity?

[brian brooks]

Jeff,  What area of the state you from? I used to hunt Brown,Adams,Hancock conties.Is the family farm in West Cental?Good luck with your hunt,and its always nice to get home.Keep us posted

[Randy Morin]

Wow! That'd be a sight alright.
Hey do me a favor and check your trunk before you leave town and make sure I havent become a  stow-away.  Miranda would not be happy w/me but I have little self control.    

Have a good trip.  Text me a pic if you drill one.

[Montanawidower]

Thats funny, will do Randy...  

Brian.  I grew up in Madison County, but hunted Wayne county.  Its just east of Mt.  Vernon. in south central Ill.  Its mostly corn, soybean country with mixed hardwood stands.  Also there's honeysuckle and berry thickets with some elms and cedars in the bottomground.  I can't wait to just smell the fall hardwood thickets....


Jeff

[nschlag]

montanawidower,

i now live in perry county but moved over here from jefferson. my dad farms a couple thousand acres in hamilton/jefferson counties and most of the corn is shelled there. most farmers only have double crop beans to cut so you should have some good hunting. i know several people in wayne co. its a nice place.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Good Luck. Bring an extra pair of trousers in case you see that big boy