Leaving for PIKE COUNTY, IL in 4 days ...Any last minute tips ??

[peak98]

From what I'm hearing, the weather could be the biggest obstacle, but that's a chance taken with any hunt. I love the cold weather, but have never hunted when the temps are below 15 degrees....that's COLD for us.

[wolfcoach]

Peak,
Where are you going to in Pike County?  I live in Pleasant Hill, which is in Southern Pike near Calhoun.  Plenty of deer around.  Private ground is hard to find without knowing somone and public ground is almost none.  Let me know if you, it would be prety cool to meet another TradGanger.  

Ron

[peak98]

wolfcoach-

I'll pm you an exact location on Monday, after I call and get one,lol. would be great to meet another 'ganger, you'd be more than welcome to come eat some sauce piquante or gumbo with us too. I'll be getting back to you as soon as I get all the details.

[beyondmyken]

I was there about 5 years ago so info may be dated.  The colder the better if rut is on so stay on stand all day. Use disposable hand heaters and layered clothing.  Practice shooting in this clothing.  Learn some field techniques for antler size, ie ear spread, etc.
One day, my friend watched 52 deer (about 1/4 were various bucks) walk down a fence line from one wood/field area to another.  He shot a 152 buck at 1100 am. I took about a 140 but only saw a few deer each day.  I did see more bucks in 1 week than I have seen in several seasons here in south central Indiana.

[Randy Morin]

Advice?  Practice deep breathing to slow your heart rate.  Oh and have fun, hopefully I'll hear a good story from you this fall.

[peak98]

Thanks for all the advice, I've posted a new question, any comments are appreciated. I've also found out that I won't be the only ganger in Illinois in October.

[peak98]

ttt

[Peckerwood]

Peak98 , I am by no means an expert on Il. hunting , but have had the privilege of hunting there 10 yrs. as a non- resident. I usually take a variety of stands and blinds because you never know what will work at any given time. 90% of the time I use a loc on but I would take all you have . Most of my hunting has been between the last week of Oct and the beginning of slug season depending on the chase phase of the rut. I sit on stand all day seeing a lot of  bucks prowling bedding areas between late am. and early pm. Last year I heard a lot of guys complaining of not seeing any bucks.They were leaving their stand for lunch and missing some good hunting. Good luck on your hunt ..Bill

[peak98]

ttt, it's getting closer.

[Mark Trego]

I live North of Pike county. The weather the last few years has been mild that time of year, cool in the A.M. and P.M..The last couple of years there has been the annoying Japaneese beetles flying around that time of year so I would throw in a headnet. Don't forget raingear. The farmers will be harvesting that time of year, which could alter deer patterns somewhat. Non-residents are paying big money these days to hunt here, I hope you kill a biggun.

[peak98]

TTT, it's getting close now.....

[pronghorn23]

Hey welcome to Illinois. I'm a couple hundred miles north of Pike County, next to the Cheddar Curtain. End of October is usually decent still, even way up here.

Definitely bring some good rain gear. We get some of those rainy fall days that leaves a good chill in your bones. The type of rain where it seems to last all day/night sometimes.

It's usually not to cold otherwise..only occasionally do kids have to trick or treat with a heavy coat or ski hat.

I hunted Pike County in December maybe ten years ago. It was chilly but not too cold...maybe low to mid thirties during the day and upper twenties at night. That was right around Christmas.

I've also hunted Jackson County (east and south of Pike a bit) during the second firearm season which is the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Once it was in the forties other times it was in the upper 70's if not 80.

So basically I guess I'm saying expect any type of weather but I would guess more pleasant than brutally cold.

If your driving up and have room then I'd bring a ground blind. Always good to have an extra trick in your bag. This way you have it if you need it rather than wishing you did. If you don't have room then I think you could definetely do without it...plenty of good trees for treestands.

And Penetrator, it's not that bad here. Just because we had the highest gas prices in the country, Chicago was the murder capital of the country a couple years in a row, they won't get rid of the toll roads, the Chicago Machine wants to take everybody's guns,....

     

Anyways, good luck and we'll need to see some pics! Even if you don't fill your tag, the weather and leaves should be awesome.  

[Shawn Leonard]

Shoot the first buck ya want to shoot, be it a spike or a monster. Do what makes you happy. I went on a hunt in Iowa one year and passed a 120+ inch deer the first day, never had a buck closer than 50 yards after that. I believe a climber is a great choice and maybe a couple of stands with a set of climbing sticks for those spots where ya cannot use a climber! Shawn

[peak98]

ttt one last time, with a big thanks to everyone for all the help. I hope to be posting some pics within a few days !!!

[troutms]

Sit all day if you can.

[Dean Marlow]

Live North of Pike county about 40 miles. Bring clothes for 80 degree weather down to 20 degree weather when you come to Illinois. I do some guiding for an Outfitter in Brown county just North of Pike and have started to see several deer in the mornings and evenings in the harvested corn fields. More activity in the green fields. Ask your outfitter if he has planted any green food plots. Turnips' winter wheat ect. Set up by them in the mornings and evenings if possible. It is starting to get a little chilly in the evenings here so the bucks will start falling in love here pretty quick. Lots of acorns here so most of the deer feeding is still in the woods. Dont be afraid to set up  in the hardwoods where you see a-lot of acorns and feeding activity. Bring a set of rattling horns or a call or two and try a little when you are hunting in the heavy timber. You just might get a big one who will want to see what's going on. Good luck Dean