#1947928 - 06/03/10 10:40 AM
Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
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BigSatt
10 Point
Registered: 05/15/09
Posts: 3509
Loc: Northern Middle Tn.
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I will try to condense as much info. as I can here.....
I am looking for 3(possibly 5) people to join my group in Illinois this Fall. There are three of us already, and two more potentials.
I have been hunting Southern Illinois for 10 years now and have made some great friends up there. This opportunity is a "new" concept, if you will. I have a friend that lives up there in Wayne county, who is an outdoor consultant. He and I have already secured (made downpayments) on several smaller farms. The idea is this: Since Wayne and the surrounding counties are prone to flooding, we are leasing smaller, somewhat higher ground parcels that show tremendous promise for quality bucks. We will be gun hunting ONLY. Nothing against bow hunting as I enjoy it myself; but we want/expect everyone to get a crack at a quality buck. Allowing the extra tags associated with bow hunting will no doubt result in increased pressure, but may also affect the long-term potential of the properties. We (my group) don't want to be constantly looking for new properties every year, rather be able to cull 1 or 2 if need be, for more productive properties. In other words, it is a lot easier to give up say a 100 acre tract and pick up another, when you already have a few more to fall back on.
Each member will contribute at least 2 stands to the club and my friend the consultant (Dustin), will contribute at least 1 more per person. That doesn't mean that you will be isolated to these 3 stands only; it does mean that we want many options for the group. Food plots will be planted everywhere that we can. The properties will be posted and watched. Now, in case you are wondering, Dustin will make a little money off of this, since he will be planting the plots, helping hang stands if needed/wanted, helping secure properties, etc.(BTW, Dustin will not be hunting). But, if this goes over as well as we think, he will be expanding on this in the future. However, our initial group will have the first chance at any new properties in the future.
The initial cost is $900 a man. I already have 3 double rooms reserved, w/2 rollaways in Fairfield. There are only 2 motels in Fairfield, and trust me on this, you don't want to stay in one of them. LOL
We will all split the cost of the motel rooms. Your meals and getting their will be your responsibility of course. The only other expense will be to apply for the firearms tag ($300) by the mid-August deadline and purchase your hunting license ($50) and habitat stamp ($5).
I'm very excited about the upcoming season and the possibility of meeting some of you. I can't help but think that this will be the best chance for a group of people to have the best odds available to take quality animals. Hunting is still hunting however, and there are no guarantees.
I am looking for responsible and ethical folks. If I(we) here you shoot, then we expect that you not only have taken your one and only buck for the season in Illinois, but you have also taken a deer that you will be proud of for years to come. There will be no size limit. Take what makes you happy, but realize that after you harvest that animal, you will be done for the season.
Wayne county is about 3 1/2 hours from Nashville. A couple of us will be going up there either one day this coming weekend or the next. I wouldn't expect anyone to jump in without seeing for yourself, but I would expect you to be relatively serious about the opportunity, because I can't go up and show the properties that often (not to mention the application period for the gun tags is getting close). Please, feel free to pm me for my contact number if you are interested. I apologize for the lengthy post. Thanks for your interest.
Kevin
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#1947943 - 06/03/10 10:45 AM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: BigSatt]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25328
Loc: TN
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If it was for Archery or Gun I would be interested, but Gun season in Illinois is very few days afield IMO!
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#1947955 - 06/03/10 10:50 AM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: Winchester]
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BigSatt
10 Point
Registered: 05/15/09
Posts: 3509
Loc: Northern Middle Tn.
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True Winchester. Only 7 days.
But remember, we are hunting smaller farms ( 50 to 125 acres or so) and want the long term possibilities.
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#1948058 - 06/03/10 12:23 PM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: BigSatt]
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Good time Charlie
TnDeer Old Timer
12 Point
Registered: 10/08/99
Posts: 6568
Loc: Tazewell
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Go to the last post on the 08 09 kill thread on the top of this forum,and you will see what a shotgun hunt can get you in ILL.They see giants every time they go.I am probably going this year
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#1948088 - 06/03/10 12:45 PM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: BigSatt]
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BigSatt
10 Point
Registered: 05/15/09
Posts: 3509
Loc: Northern Middle Tn.
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Here's an example Winchester: For 5 years I was on a 1,300 acre lease in Wayne County. This farm had some awesome potential. In fact, I took my biggest buck to date on this farm. It started out with 8 of us and when the price went up, we added 2 more people to offset the costs. All of these guys were close friends of mine and we never had a cross word, much less any drama. But, after about three years, a couple of issues surfaced.
1. After we pretty much flooded out the entire month of November the third year (1,300 acres dwindled down to 150 for 8 people), we found out that we could expect a certain amount of flooding every 2 to 3 years. As a group, we decided it was worth the chance. Especially since we had taken several deer above 140" (a couple in the low 160's and one 180" stud). But, after we flooded again two years later, I had had enough. You see, Wayne county is predominately farm ground. To find plenty of cover on bigger acreages, you just about have to lease ground in the river bottoms.
2. The 4th year of the lease, 4 of the guys on it lost their job due to Peterbilt closing down. They used this to their advantage and bow hunted 3 to 4 weeks solid prior to the firearms season (I really don't blame them, I probably would have too). And they were fairly succesful too. The problem surfaced when the firearms season opened. The effect of the bow hunting pressure became obvious very quickly. We(the entire group)went from an almost always 100% opportunity (not to be confused with a 100% kill rate) during firearms season to less than 40% the last 2 years that I was on the lease. You would think that having 1,300 acres, you could find an undisturbed area. Not the case. Even leaving some of the stands unhunted during bow season, the pressure just proved to be too much for the area.
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#1948140 - 06/03/10 01:27 PM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: Snake]
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hunter drew
14 Point
Registered: 06/16/07
Posts: 7794
Loc: henderson county TN Lexington
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If I didn't already have plans brother I would be all over this. Really really wanting to get to Ill to hunt. Good luck this year
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#1948201 - 06/03/10 01:58 PM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: hunter drew]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25328
Loc: TN
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Its definitely whatever floats your boat! I myself however would much rather have 2 weeks (14 days) of Bow hunting during the middle of November, and just forget the 7 days of gun hunting! Thats just me, and I see your point. Good luck with it however it goes!
Go to the last post on the 08 09 kill thread on the top of this forum,and you will see what a shotgun hunt can get you in ILL
LOL, there are more and bigger bucks killed each year in IL with a bow than there are a gun! The short 7 day gun season that occurs after the peak chasing/breeding phase of the rut, is one reason IL still has the quality of bucks that it does, many reach maturity! IL bucks also grow a lot of antler per age class which helps many peoples desires as well.
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#1948211 - 06/03/10 02:03 PM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: Winchester]
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BigSatt
10 Point
Registered: 05/15/09
Posts: 3509
Loc: Northern Middle Tn.
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Hey Scott,
If you are looking for some land up there and still have my number, then give me a call and I'll put you in touch with Dustin. He has a bunch of properties in several different counties in the southern part of the state. I'm sticking to Wayne county, because it normally has more non-resident firearms tags available each year and we have always been successful in the draw.
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Nothing Great is ever achieved without enthusiasm.
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#1948223 - 06/03/10 02:08 PM
Re: Illinois Deer Hunting Opportunity
[Re: BigSatt]
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Winchester
Non-Typical
Registered: 12/05/03
Posts: 25328
Loc: TN
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Hey Scott,
If you are looking for some land up there and still have my number, then give me a call and I'll put you in touch with Dustin. He has a bunch of properties in several different counties in the southern part of the state. I'm sticking to Wayne county, because it normally has more non-resident firearms tags available each year and we have always been successful in the draw.
Thank you sir, I may just do that. I think I do still have your #. Im still working on my Pike co. farms but im always looking, especially closer to home.
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Wish I was able to go , thanks for sharing the info Big Satt 
